Practical Nursing (PN), Diploma

Practical Nursing is designed to create upward mobility nursing education opportunities.  After successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program, students will receive the Practical Nursing Diploma and be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Students may exit at this point or continue in the program to receive the Associate Degree in Nursing and are then eligible to take the RN licensing examination.

Prerequisites

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.

1. Completion of required prerequisite courses.
2. 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.)
3. CPR Certification: American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider.
4. 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.

PN Program - Application Instructions - by February 15 the following application steps must be completed and submitted.

1. Complete the online Minnesota West Application for Admission.  Submit Official high school and college transcripts to the Admissions Department (admissions@mnwest.edu). 
2. Complete the Practical Nursing program application using the Online Application.
   (The Online form utilizes Java, which is a free download. The form only works with these browsers: Internet Explorer 9+, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari. Java is not available for mobile devices, so this form cannot be submitted using a mobile device. Clear your web browser history before submitting the form.)
3. Complete the Standardized National ACT test (www.ACT.org, register, test center locator) OR SAT Total test (www.collegeboard.org) or submit previously taken scores. We will now be offering the ACT On-Campus test. ACT On-Campus scores are not scored by ACT and are NOT official transferable scores like those provided on the ACT National Test. The scores will be used for students pursuing Nursing at Minnesota West ONLY.
4. 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.
   
5. Please carefully read through our Practical Nursing (PN) Application Packet, which includes a checklist and additional important information.

Acceptance/Selection Process to the Nursing Program

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.

Requirements after Acceptance to the Nursing Programs (both PN and A.S. programs)

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.
2. Current personal health insurance is required. Students are responsible for incurred medical costs during the nursing program.
3. 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:
   
   1. Minnesota West Nursing Health History and Physical form.
   2. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 may be found at: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=245C.15 . 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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 Costs

Tuition and fees are posted on our website and are subject to change. Additional costs include:

1. Supplies, books, uniforms, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Licensure preparation, resources, and testing (ATI) throughout the program (included in tuition).
2. Healthcare vaccines, insurance, and/or healthcare examination for clinical partner training experiences.
3. Background checks or testing as required by clinical partner training experiences.

Nursing orientation information

The Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs at Minnesota West Community and Technical College at the Worthington, Pipestone, and Granite Falls Campuses 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 Initial Accreditation.

Links to: Nursing Program Webpage