Practical Nursing (Diploma)

This 41-credit diploma prepares nurses to provide bedside care and interact closely with patients. Practical nurses care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. Tasks and activities for practical nurses may include: Administering medications; charting; dressing wounds; assisting in the delivery, care, and feeding of infants; sterilizing equipment and supplies; taking and recording patients’ vital signs.

Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN.

Review the PN Plan of Study

Accreditation

Northwest Technical College is a regionally accredited college by the Higher Learning Commission. The nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The Northwest Technical College Practical Nursing diploma and Associate Degree Nursing programs are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, or ACEN.

Employment

Life as an LPN:

 


NTC proudly partners with Sanford Health for a Forgivable Loan Program available to students accepted into the PN program that contract to work for Sanford for at least two years after graduating from NTC.  For additional information please contact Sanford at: 1-877-673-0854 or send an email to talent@sanfordhealth.org .

Sanford Health Practical Nursing Forgivable Loan Application

Find Career Information
Learn what occupations may be of interest to someone who has completed this program. Find information about wages and employment outlook.

Next Steps

Graduates of the Practical Nursing Diploma program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for the Practical Nurse to become an LPN. Graduates may also continue for an Associate of Science (AS) in nursing at Northwest Technical College.

Degree Requirements

Course #Course NameCredit
BIOL 2260Anatomy & Physiology I4.00
BIOL 2262Anatomy & Physiology II4.00
PSYC 2201Developmental Psychology3.00
HLTH 1106Medical Terminology2.00
HLTH 1100Pharmacology2.00
PNSG 1110Adult Nursing I4.00
PNSG 1112Technical Skills I3.00
PNSG 1125Clinical I4.00
PNSG 1150Adult Nursing II4.00
PNSG 1155Technical Skills II3.00
PNSG 1160Maternal/Child Nursing2.00
PNSG 1180Psychosocial Nursing2.00
PNSG 1185Clinical II4.00
Total Credits41