Practical Nursing
DELIVERY
Primarily day schedule with some evening classes and clinicals. Classes may be in person, online, or a combination of both. Students may attend full time or part time.
START
Students are admitted into the Practical Nursing program Fall and Spring Semesters.
CAMPUS
Practical Nursing courses are offered on both Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie Campuses.
OVERVIEW
In HTC’s Practical Nursing program, you’ll gain the skills to be part of a health care team in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, long-term care facilities, transitional care facilities, industry and the armed forces.
To prepare you for success, your education includes courses ranging from basic nursing skills to psychosocial nursing, from pharmacology to medical ethics. It’s a blend of theory and hands-on experience that builds your nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Board of Nursing for qualifying to take the practical nursing state board licensing examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon successful completion of the examination, you’ll be a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Our NCLEX-PN passing rates have consistently equaled or surpassed state and national averages.
LABS AND CLASSROOMS
Some of your courses will involve learning nursing skills in a lab setting. This includes simulation experience for practicing nursing situations in a realistic patient care setting with mannequins that breathe, have a heartbeat, and can even speak!
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
Students who have been admitted to the Practical Nursing program should refer to the HTC Bookstore on either Brooklyn Park or Eden Prairie campuses for the list of required textbooks and optional reference texts for each course. Additionally, every student will need the following supplies:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applying to the program:
Students must complete required pre-nursing coursework, placement testing, and other requirements prior to applying to the nursing program. For current admission requirements, please consult one of the counselors/advisors.
The application period for fall 2012 admission is closed.
Mandatory application information sessions for spring 2013 admission will be held May 17th, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm on BPC in J110 (side auditorium), and May 18th, 10:30 am to noon on EPC in J110 (side auditorium). These sessions are intended primarily for those who will have their admission requirements completed by the end of summer session and so are eligible to apply by the September 5th deadline for an early admission decision.
There will be additional sessions in late summer and in the fall for students who will be completing admission requirements by the end of fall semester, and will be applying for regular December admission. Those dates and times will be posted on this site closer to fall semester. However, those who will be applying for regular December admission may also attend the upcoming May sessions.
You may attend any one of the sessions on either campus. If you arrive later than 15 minutes after the session begins, you will not be admitted and must attend a different session. APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF EACH INFORMATION SESSION. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR PHOTO ID IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN APPLICATION. YOU MAY NOT HAVE SOMEONE ELSE OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FOR YOU. If you leave before the session ends, you will not be able to receive an application.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
From the Minnesota Department of Health's Health Workforce Data and Reports 2008 (Published April 2009):
Overall Statistics:
Age Range:
Education:
Primary Practice Setting:
Primary Activity:
JOB OUTLOOK
From the iseek website, http://www.iseek.org
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are in the Top 10 job titles with the most vacancies in Minnesota during Spring 2010.
In 2009 (most current statistics available), 98.2% of nursing degree graduates and 100% of nursing diploma graduates found employment after graduation and licensure.
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT
Gainful Employment Information
POTENTIAL JOB TITLES Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN)
SALARY US Median Hourly Salary = $19.53 / Twin Cities Metro Area Hourly Salary = $20.80
INSTRUCTORS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE/PARTNERSHIPS
ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS
The Hennepin Technical College practical nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, and graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
ARTICULATIONS
Graduates of the practical nursing program may attend a mobility program leading to an ADN in professional nursing and the opportunity to take the RN licensure exam. These programs are typically one year in length. The mobility program is not offered at HTC, but is offered by several nearby Community Colleges.
Some of your courses will involve learning nursing skills in a lab setting. This includes simulation experience for practicing nursing situations in a realistic patient care setting with mannequins that breathe, have a heartbeat, and can even speak!
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
Students who have been admitted to the Practical Nursing program should refer to the HTC Bookstore on either Brooklyn Park or Eden Prairie campuses for the list of required textbooks and optional reference texts for each course. Additionally, every student will need the following supplies:
- Stethoscope
- Blood pressure cuff- adult size regular
- Ace Bandage: 3 inches wide x 5 yards long
- Practical Nursing program uniform
- White uniform shoes or tennis shoes
- Practical Nursing program name tag
- A watch with a second hand
- Simple calculator
- Transfer belt
- Penlight with pupil gauge & replaceable batteries
- Optional: bandage scissors
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applying to the program:
Students must complete required pre-nursing coursework, placement testing, and other requirements prior to applying to the nursing program. For current admission requirements, please consult one of the counselors/advisors.
The application period for fall 2012 admission is closed.
Mandatory application information sessions for spring 2013 admission will be held May 17th, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm on BPC in J110 (side auditorium), and May 18th, 10:30 am to noon on EPC in J110 (side auditorium). These sessions are intended primarily for those who will have their admission requirements completed by the end of summer session and so are eligible to apply by the September 5th deadline for an early admission decision.
There will be additional sessions in late summer and in the fall for students who will be completing admission requirements by the end of fall semester, and will be applying for regular December admission. Those dates and times will be posted on this site closer to fall semester. However, those who will be applying for regular December admission may also attend the upcoming May sessions.
You may attend any one of the sessions on either campus. If you arrive later than 15 minutes after the session begins, you will not be admitted and must attend a different session. APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF EACH INFORMATION SESSION. YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR PHOTO ID IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN APPLICATION. YOU MAY NOT HAVE SOMEONE ELSE OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FOR YOU. If you leave before the session ends, you will not be able to receive an application.
This immunization form must be submitted along with your application. It is posted at the link below so that you can work on completing it prior to the application deadline:
Immunization Form Spring 2013
Many of your questions about the application process can be answered by clicking on the link below:
Frequently Asked Questions Spring 2013 Applications
Students must meet the following expectations for every clinical course:
- Students must be able to lift and move 35 pounds (per current federal OSHA recommendations). Students may also have to push, pull, bend, stand and walk for extended periods in clinical.
- Students must have a cleared background study in order to be eligible for clinicals.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
From the Minnesota Department of Health's Health Workforce Data and Reports 2008 (Published April 2009):
Overall Statistics:
- Approximately 16,300 LPNs (311 per 100,000 population) were practicing in Minnesota.
Age Range:
- Approximately 60 percent of LPNs who worked in Minnesota were 45 or older.
Education:
- Most LPNs (92 percent) received their nursing education from a Minnesota nursing program.
- Most LPNs (98 percent) received a postsecondary educational degree or certificate in preparation for licensure.
- Only 15 percent reported receiving an associate degree, and less than one percent a bachelor’s degree prior to becoming an LPN.
Primary Practice Setting:
- LPNs worked an average of 10 years for their employer or facility.
- LPNs worked an average of 34 hours per week.
- The most common area of practice statewide was long term care (32 percent). The percentage of LPNs who practiced in long term care was greater in rural areas (42 percent) than in metropolitan and micropolitan areas (approximately 30 percent in each).
- The percentage of LPNs who reported clinic and provider offices as their primary practice sites increased from 26 percent in 2006 to 29 percent in 2008.
- The percentage of LPNs who practiced in clinics and provider offices was higher in metropolitan and micropolitan areas (approximately 30 percent in each) than in rural areas (24 percent).
Primary Activity:
- A majority (90 percent) of LPNs spent at least some of their time performing direct patient care.
- The next most frequently reported activities were patient supervision and telephone triage, in which about 30 percent of LPNs reported spending a portion of their time.
- LPNs spent the least amount of time in case management, insurance/utilization, and public and school health activities.
JOB OUTLOOK
From the iseek website, http://www.iseek.org
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses are in the Top 10 job titles with the most vacancies in Minnesota during Spring 2010.
In 2009 (most current statistics available), 98.2% of nursing degree graduates and 100% of nursing diploma graduates found employment after graduation and licensure.
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT
Gainful Employment Information
POTENTIAL JOB TITLES Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN)
SALARY US Median Hourly Salary = $19.53 / Twin Cities Metro Area Hourly Salary = $20.80
INSTRUCTORS
| Practical Nursing Program: | |
|---|---|
| Marguerite Dummer, M.A., RN, Dean of Health Sciences | Anna Schmidt, M.A., RN, PHN, CHPN, Director of Nursing |
 Kristen Bebeau, M.A., RN |
 Kim Becker, M.A., RN |
 Mary Bohn |
 Jeanne Bowman BSN, RN |
 Momodou Ceesay |
 Jill Frazier |
| Beth Davis | Leah Erickson |
 Marlene Fuller |
 Julie Furman |
 Becky Mikesh |
 Lindsay HeinonBPC CLA |
 Jennifer Hitt |
 Jill Waletich |
|
|
 Muriel Kruggel |
 Carol LeDuc-Hauser,BPC administrative assistant |
|
|
|
Laura Williamschen, EPC administrative assistant |
ADVISORY COMMITTEE/PARTNERSHIPS
ACCREDITATION/AFFILIATIONS
The Hennepin Technical College practical nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, and graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
ARTICULATIONS
Graduates of the practical nursing program may attend a mobility program leading to an ADN in professional nursing and the opportunity to take the RN licensure exam. These programs are typically one year in length. The mobility program is not offered at HTC, but is offered by several nearby Community Colleges.
