Practical Nursing Admission Requirements
At the time of application, you must have completed or be in the process of completing all of the nursing program prerequisites. Prospective, transfer, current and returning students to Minnesota West should contact the campus Student Services Office for help with course advising regarding the nursing program.
- Completion of required prerequisite courses.
- Completion of a federally approved NA/HHA (Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide) course
of 75 hours or more in length after 1990.
- If a NA/HHA course has been taken within the past 3 years, the student is not required to be on the MN NA Registry.
- If a NA/HHA course is greater than 3 years old, the student must be on the MN NA Registry.
- A test out is available for those students that have taken a course after 1990 and need to obtain certification on the MN NA Registry.
- (Clarification: If a student is just taking the NA course to meet the NA requirement for the nursing program, he/she does not need to test out at the end. However, the student will not be certified as a NA/HHA and will not be able to work in this role without the test out.)
- CPR Certification: American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider.
- BIOL 2201 Anatomy is a prerequisite to the Practical Nursing Program. This course has a time limit of 5 years. Additional courses with a 5 year limit are Physiology and Developmental Psychology. Applicants should review currency of courses with a nursing advisor.
Application due February 15. The following application steps must be completed and submitted.
- Submit a FREE Online Application for general admission to Minnesota West. Submit Official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions Department (admissions@mnwest.edu).
- Complete the Practical Nursing program application using the Online Application.
- Complete either the Standardized National ACT test, the SAT Total test or submit previously
taken scores. Options for testing:
- Online: www.ACT.org (register, test center locator)
- On-campus option: ACT Registration
- SAT Total test: www.collegeboard.org
- PN applicants must take the ATI TEAS Test. The TEAS questions measure on 4 key areas that are important for PN students. Reading, Math, Science, and English & Language Utilization including an overall score. The cut score is the proficient level minimum of 58.7%. Students will have 3 attempts during the application period, but there needs to be 1 month span between tests. The test needs to be completed by February 15 and official results sent to us following completion. For registration information, please see the PN nursing application.
- Please carefully read through our Practical Nursing (PN) Application Packet, which includes a checklist and additional important information.
Admission to the Nursing Program is competitive. Applicants who have met the minimum
admission requirements by February 15 will be reviewed for fall admission to the program.
Admission to the nursing program is determined by a screening committee and based
on the following criteria:
- Nursing test scores (ATI TEAS test for Practical Nursing Program and NLN test for Associate Degree Nursing Program).
- The Standardized National ACT test is required as part of the admission process for incoming students.
- College GPA.
- Coursework related to the degree requirements for the nursing program. Minnesota West will evaluate the college transcripts and post transfer credits to your Minnesota West transcript in accordance with Minnesota State Policy 3.21. You are encouraged to complete non-nursing courses prior to beginning nursing courses.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements or fail to complete the nursing program admission process by the February 15 deadline will be denied admission to the nursing program. Minnesota West will notify all applicants in writing of their admission status in the nursing program within six weeks of the application deadline.
Please do not call to check on your admission status before April 1.
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework and courses within the nursing program with a grade of C or higher. C minus (-) grades are not accepted.
- Current personal health insurance is required. Students are responsible for incurred medical costs during the nursing program.
- CastleBranch database registration is required for all nursing students. Students are required
to upload clinical documents to CastleBranch by July 15 where your health record will be stored while you are in the nursing program. Students
are responsible for registering and paying the CastleBranch fee. Documents that must be uploaded to the CastleBranch database include:
- Minnesota West Nursing Health History and Physical form.
- Written documentation from a health care provider, Minnesota Immunization Information
Connection (MIIC), or agency of immunizations/vaccinations/tests which include the
following:
- Hepatitis B series – documentation of three (3) vaccinations or evidence of a positive
Hepatitis B titer.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) – documentation of two vaccinations or documentation
of a positive MMR titer.
- Tdap ( Tetanus, Diptheria and acellular Pertusis) – within the last ten (10) years.
- Varicella (Chicken Pox) – two vaccinations or documentation of a positive varicella
titer.
- 2 step - Tuberculosis Skin Test, Quantiferon blood test, or evidence of recent chest
X-ray (within one year).
- A COVID vaccine (or declination to the vaccine) is required at clinical experience
locations. COVID documentation must include the vaccine manufacturer and lot number.
- Influenza - documentation must be administered during the current flu season (August - March) and must be submitted on the school form, available for download.
- Note: Records with any personal medical information are considered confidential documents and are secured in the student CastleBranch database.
- Hepatitis B series – documentation of three (3) vaccinations or evidence of a positive
Hepatitis B titer.
- Current CPR Certification :
- American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider
- Certification must include a ‘hands-on’ demonstration of CPR skills for all age groups and include AED training.
- Online CPR renewals will not be accepted.
- Background Checks: Nursing students are required to complete two (2) background checks at the beginning
of the nursing program. Clinical facilities may also require their own background
check – in addition to the following background checks:
- MN Department of Human Services (DHS) background check pursuant to MN Statute 245C requires that students who have contact with individuals in licensed healthcare institutions complete an annual background study with the MN Department of Health and Human Services.
- Criminal Background Check: students will complete a criminal federal background check through CastleBranch database, in addition to the MN Department of Human Services background check.
- If discrepancies occur on background checks, the student will be contacted by the nursing program director. Disqualifying offenses can be found here. Criminal background discrepancies may be reviewed by clinical facilities. Clinical facilities have the final decision on if students with a discrepancy may attend clinical experiences at their location.
- Students are responsible for cost of nursing clinical experiences, health examinations, health insurance, malpractice insurance, CPR certification, healthcare vaccines, CastleBranch registration fee, background checks, etc.
- ATI examinations are required periodically in the program as well as a national standardized, end-of-program ATI exam near the completion of your final semester to assist in preparation for the licensure exam after graduation. The cost of this preparation tool and examinations by ATI are included in your tuition.
- ATI review course: Students must complete either an on-campus ATI review course after graduation and prior to receiving authorization to test for the NCLEX exam.
Program Outcomes
The Practical Nursing Program began in 1970 and celebrated the first graduates in 1971. |
National licensure examination pass rate (NCLEX) first time testers for the Practical Nursing Program students from 2021, 2022, and 2023 was 100%. 2024 is 92% for first time testers and 100% with one second time tester. Minnesota West’s PN Program was named #1 Nursing Program in Minnesota in 2023! Minnesota West’s PN program passing rates exceeds state and national averages! |
Job placement for 2023 graduates in the Practical Nursing Program was 92% of students reporting working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). |
Student Satisfaction: Graduates of the program in 2024 reported 96.85% overall satisfaction with their education and the Practical Nursing Program. |
Program Completion (students start and complete the degree program in two semesters) for the Practical Nursing Program in 2024 was 46.9%. |
Small class sizes are important for student success. The program instructor to student ratio for 2023-2024 is 1:17.5 in lectures courses on campus/1:19.5 in online courses. Lab courses are 1:16 and clinical courses are 1:8. |
The Practical Nursing Program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). |
Student Learning Outcomes
Concept | Student Learning Outcome |
---|---|
Informatics/ |
Utilize information technology in the health care setting. |
Managing Care of the Individual Patient | Utilize an established plan of care for an individual patient to organize or assign aspects of care under the direction of a RN or other HCP. |
Nursing Judgment/ |
Utilize evidence-based nursing judgment when providing and prioritizing care and promoting the health of patients across the lifespan. |
Patient-Relationship Centered Care | Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills to practice holistic nursing that is patient, culturally sensitive and based on the physiological, psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients across the lifespan. |
Professional Identity and Behavior | Demonstrate professional behaviors and accountability to legal and ethical nursing practice standards. |
Quality Improvement | Participate in quality improvement by recognizing opportunities for improvement and collaborating with the health care team to enhance effective and cost-efficient health care services. |
Safety | Promote quality care, recognize complications and provide a safe environment for patients, self, and others. |
Teamwork and Collaboration | Serve as a member of the interprofessional team using open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision making to promote safe, quality, patientcentered care. |
Mission & Philosophy
Mission
The Minnesota West Practical Nursing Programs provide nursing education using a variety of delivery methods to a diverse population with the goal of preparing graduates who practice safe, entry-level practical nursing care.
Philosophy
The Practical Nursing Program believes that Practical Nursing (PN) is grounded in the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual sciences. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) care for diverse individuals and families in a variety of inpatient and community-based settings by providing safe, culturally sensitive, individualized patient/relationship centered care and by participating as a member of the health care team. LPNs recognize that teamwork and interprofessional collaboration among health care professionals is critical to delivering safe, quality patient care. The ability to provide safe, patient-centered care is dependent on effectively utilizing information technology and informatics in the healthcare setting. Ongoing quality improvement activities are performed in concert with other members of the health care team. Implementing established evidence–based care is essential to the delivery of quality, safe, patient-centered care. Professional values guide interactions with individuals, families, and the health care team. LPNs demonstrate professional behaviors by exhibiting accountability for ones actions, meeting the health care needs of patients, and assuming legal responsibility for the care provided. LPNs demonstrate professional identity by upholding a commitment to the public and by adhering to an established code of ethics. The major roles of the LPN include provider of nursing care and member of the nursing profession. As providers of care, LPNs contribute to the promotion of wellness, use nursing judgment in the identification of current and emerging patient problems, and function as advocates for individuals and families. LPNs help to manage patient care through the use of established protocols and evidence-based practices incorporating the nursing process and caring as essential tools. In addition, LPNs demonstrate leadership by guiding and directing other LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel to provide safe, quality patient care within the state’s scope of practice. LPNs provide selected patient education using established protocols and reinforce education provided by other members of the health care team to achieve positive clinical outcomes. The nursing program believes that students graduating from Minnesota West Community & Technical College’s Practical Nursing Program must be ready to practice in a complex and changing clinical environment. The program measures eight student learning outcomes with identified competencies and apprenticeships by which the student must successfully complete to demonstrate proficiency in the role as a graduate of this PN program. From gradual leveling and evaluation in the didactic, lab, and clinical courses, students grow knowledge, skills, and values/attitudes to prepare for the LPN scope of practice. The student is given the opportunity to reflect on the importance of patient/relationship centered care, teamwork and collaboration, leadership skills, quality improvement, safety, informatics/technology, professional identify/behaviors, and nursing judgment/evidence based care within individual practice as a future LPN.
Minnesota State Practical Nursing Program Performance Standards
Standards
Critical thinking ability for effective clinical reasoning and clinical judgment consistent with level of educational preparation
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Ability to understanding context of situations, make logical decisions and request assistance as needed.
- Organize workload to manage time effectively and prioritize the delivery of client care.
- Ability to recognize and report changes in client’s condition to registered nurse orinstructor.
- Assimilate information from class, lab and clinical to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.
- Ongoing demonstration of skills mastery while integrating new information.
Standards
Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interactions with a diverse population of individuals, families, and groups
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Maintain and protect client confidentiality and privacy.
- Establish professional relationships.
- Accept feedback and integrate new understanding into behavior.
- Display personal accountability, integrity, understanding that student behavior affects others.
- Practice the ability to assign tasks to other LPN’s and unlicensed personnel.
- Promote a team-building environment.
- Provide safe effective care in a variety of culturalsettings.
- Convey empathy, compassion and sensitivity in interactions and relationships.
Standards
Communication skills sufficient for verbal and written professional interactions
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Assimilate verbal and non-verbal information, process and exchange information with clients, families, instructors and members of the healthcare team.
- Accurately document nursing actions and client responses.
- Display the capacity to participate in successful conflict resolution and advocate for client rights and needs.
- Effectively communicate in English in verbal, written, and electronic resources with colleagues, school staff, and members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Use therapeutic communication techniques to provide support to peers, clients and families.
- Process relevant information; accurately and timely communicate to the healthcare team.
- Ability to perform client education and adjust information to client understanding.
Standards
Psychomotor skills sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Move about client’s room and/or workspaces to complete client assessment.
- Ability to administer rescue procedures - cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
- Demonstrate the ability to work for long periods.
- Safely use and calibrate equipment in a variety ofsettings.
- Perform procedures necessary to safely admit, transfer, or discharge a client.
- Prepare and administer medications and treatments.
- Perform basic nursing skills safely and efficiently.
Standards
Assessment skills sufficient for providing safe, effective nursing care
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Conduct focused assessment; compare data with normal findings, report changes to registered
nurse
or other licensed healthcare provider. - Observe client’s condition, utilizing all senses, and data from equipment, report changes.
- Ability to respond to client distress calls.
- Implement interventions delegated or ordered by healthcare provider.
- Participate with other members of the healthcare team to develop and modify care plans.
Standards
Demonstrates appropriate behavior to function effectively under stress and assume accountability for one’s actions
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Demonstrate emotional stability while encountering a wide variety of emotions in self and others.
- Communicate empathy, recognize own values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions and experiences
affect
perceptions and relationships with others. - Personal flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
- Ability to apply sound judgement in pressured situations.
- Recognize limits of knowledge and abilities and seek assistance.
Standards
Process attributes that include compassion, altruism, integrity, honesty, responsibility and tolerance
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Provide safe and effective care to patients along the age continuum without regard to disability, ethnic origin, gender status or social standing.
- Recognize and preserve individual human dignity.
- Advocate for the client’s best interest.
- Demonstrate professional accountability and ability to work in hierarchical environment.
- Demonstrate intent to follow the ANA Code of Ethics.
Standards
Other considerations
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Ability to work with infectious agents and blood-borne pathogens.
- Ability to work in area with potential chemical and radiation hazards.
- Ability to work with potential allergens such aslatex.
- Ability to work in areas of potential violence.
- Ability to work in close proximity to others.
Standards
Sensory
Examples include but are not limited to…
- Visual and auditory ability to perform assessments, safe nursing care, and meet programoutcomes.
The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs at the Worthington, Pipestone,
and Granite Falls campuses of Minnesota West Community and Technical College, located
in Worthington, Pipestone, and Granite Falls, Minnesota, are accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
https://www.acenursing.org/
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for
the Associate Degree Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for
the Practical Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.