Nursing majors require a passionate drive to help others. At Minnesota State College Southeast, our practical nursing program will teach you the skills to earn your practical nursing diploma. Start your nursing career now at Southeast!
Major Details
Minnesota State College Southeast's Practical Nursing program in Red Wing and Winona, MN, offers a concept-based approach to the curriculum, giving you a holistic view of the patient's health care needs. The Practical Nursing program at Minnesota State College Southeast is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Practical Nursing Program Outcomes
- 2023 First Quarter Practical Nursing NCLEX-PN® First Time Success Rate: 100%
- Program Completion Rate (2019-2020 academic year): 65%
- Nursing job placement (Graduates of 2019-2020 academic year): 92%
Practical Nursing
The Practical Nursing major is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct nursing care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home and community-based settings within the scope of practice of a Practical Nurse. This challenging 2-semester program requires students to demonstrate competence in classroom theory, laboratory experiences, simulated events, and supervised clinical rotations. We recommend that students complete general education coursework prior to entering the nursing program.
Admissions deadlines
- The application period for Red Wing and Winona Spring 2025 is September 1-October 15, 2024.
- The application period for Red Wing for Fall 2025 is April 15-June 1, 2025.
- Note: the Winona Practical Nursing Program has admission one time per year in the Spring.
- Apply for admission to Minnesota State College Southeast.
- Apply for admission to the Practical Nursing program.
- Note: The ATI TEAS Exam must be completed in-person/on-campus at an institution or testing center prior to the application deadline. For specific directions on how to register, see the ATI Testing website. (Do not register for the online TEAS exam.)
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing program, you will be eligible to be licensed as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) after passing the state administered nursing examination called the NCLEX-PN®.
Important Student Documents
Note: Practical Nursing is offered on our campuses in Winona and Red Wing. During clinical rotations, nursing students may be required to travel up to a 100-mile radius from their home campus.
Continued Education Pathways
RN-BSN Completion Program: Winona State University offers a RN-BSN Completion program on the Red Wing campus. The RN-BS Completion program is for Associate Degree or diploma-prepared RNs who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. RN licensure is required prior to beginning the RN-BSN Completion Program. Students in their last semester of nursing school may apply. For more information, see RN-BS Completion at WSU's website.
Minnesota State has a Statewide Nursing Program Transfer Agreement for both Practical Nursing Diploma to Associate of Science in Nursing and Associate of Science in Nursing to Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing which supports a smooth articulation pathway. Learn More (PDF)
Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.
Note:
BIOL2515 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL2516 Anatomy and Physiology II can be substituted for BIOL1200 Human Biology.
Note that this will raise the total credits to 38 for Practical Nursing Diploma.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
BIOL1200
Human Biology
Human Biology is a one-semester survey of general human function and interactions in a biological world. Cell and organ system functions are described in the context of normal health. The course introduces the study of human anatomy, physiology, development, and heredity. (MnTC Goal 3) (Prerequisite: none) (4 credits: 3 lecture/1 lab)
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4 cr
ENGL1215
College Writing I
This course involves expository writing based on experience, direct observation, research and reading with emphasis on critical thinking skills, rhetorical strategies, and style. (Meets MnTC Goal 1) (Prerequisites: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
PSYC1115
Lifespan Psychology
Students will explore theories of human development to understand the connections and relationships of stages of growth from conception to late adulthood. Genetics; prenatal development and birth; physical, cognitive and psychosocial development from birth through late adulthood; and dying, death, and bereavement will be examined. (Fulfills MnTC Goals 5 and 7) (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
HEAL1701
Practical Nurse 1
This course is conceptually designed to identify and implement basic theoretical principles for the purpose of students to meet the end of program student learning outcomes: nursing judgement/evidence-based care, patient/relationship centered care, safety and teamwork/collaboration. Concepts included in this course prepare students to plan care for patients across the lifespan with a variety of healthcare needs across multiple healthcare settings. Upon completion of this course, students will identify and implement basic theoretical concepts associated with practical nursing skills and clinical judgment for diverse patients across the life span. (7 credits: 7 lecture/0 lab/clinical)
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7 cr
HEAL1702
Practical Nurse 1 Clinical/Lab
This course is conceptually designed to introduce basic theoretical principles for the purpose of students to meet the end of program student learning outcomes: informatics/technology, managing care, nursing judgment/evidence-based care, patient centered care, professional identify/ethical behavior, quality improvement, safety and teamwork/collaboration. Experiences in the nursing laboratory and clinical setting provide students with basic knowledge to demonstrate implementation of the nursing plan of care designed to promote, maintain, and restore optimal health in a caring for patients with chronic stable health care needs. Upon completion, students will apply introductory theoretical concepts to practical nursing skills and clinical judgment for diverse patients throughout the life span. (5 credits: 0 lecture/5 lab/clinical)
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5 cr
HEAL1801
Practical Nurse 2
This course is conceptually designed to integrate complex theoretical principles for the purpose of students to meet the end of program student learning outcomes: managing care, nursing judgment/evidence-based care, professional identity/ethical behavior, and quality improvement. Concepts included in this course prepare students to manage care for patients across the lifespan with a variety of healthcare needs across multiple healthcare settings. Upon completion of this course, students will apply and integrate complex theoretical concepts associated with practical nursing skills and clinical judgment for diverse patients across the life span. (7 credits: 7 lecture/0 lab/clinical)
Download the Course Outline
7 cr
HEAL1802
Practical Nurse 2 Clinical/Lab
This course is designed to integrate complex theoretical principles for the purpose of students to meet the end of program student learning outcomes: informatics/technology, managing care, nursing judgment/evidence-based care, and patient centered care, professional identity/ethical behavior, quality improvement, safety and teamwork/collaboration in the lab and clinical settings. Experiences in the nursing laboratory and clinical setting provide students advanced knowledge to demonstrate implementation of the nursing plan of care designed to promote, maintain, and restore optimal health for acute and/or chronic patients with basic to complex health care needs in a variety of settings. Upon completion, students will integrate complex theoretical concepts with practical nursing skills and clinical judgment for diverse patients throughout the life span to provide individualized, entry-level practical nursing care. (5 credits: 0 lecture/5 lab)
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5 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 34 Credits*
*38 Total Credits total if BIOL2515 and BIOL2516 are substituted for BIOL1200
Estimated Costs for this Major
Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $7,808 |
Minimum Tool Cost: | $500 |
Books/Supplies: | $595 |
Estimated Total: | $8,903 |
Career Opportunities
-
Acute Care
- Clinics
- Home Health Care
- Hospice Care
- Long Term Care
Career Information
Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.
Outcomes
Practical Nursing Program End of Program Student Learning Outcomes:
- Informatics/Technology
The practical nurse graduate will utilize information technology to facilitate best care practice in the health care setting. - Managing Care
The practical nurse graduate will manage care through planning, organizing, and assigning aspects of care to UAP's and LPN's under the direction of an RN or other licensed Health Care Provider to provide a safe effective environment. - Nursing Judgment/Evidence Based Care
The practical nurse graduate will utilize evidence based nursing judgment when prioritizing care, implementing interventions, reporting changes, and promoting the health of individual patients across the lifespan within the healthcare system. - Patient/Relationship Centered Care
The practical nurse graduate will integrate effective communication skills while providing patient care founded on basic physical, developmental, spiritual, cultural, functional, and psychosocial needs of individual patients across the lifespan. - Professional Identity/Ethical Behavior
The practical nurse graduate will integrate professional behaviors/accountability with legal and ethical nursing practice standards for a competent practical nurse. - Quality Improvement
The practical nursing graduate will provide input into systematic processes that measure patient outcomes/variances, and contribute to the development of changes in policies/procedures to achieve effective patient outcomes. - Safety
The practical nurse graduate will provide a safe care environment for patients, self, and others. - Teamwork/Collaboration
The practical nurse graduate will participate as a member of the interprofessional team collaborating and communicating with other health care providers to promote safe, quality, patient centered care.
Highlights
- Successful applicants can begin core classes in fall or spring semester
- Clinical and lab experiences provide simulated scenarios and direct patient care with healthy and ill patients across the lifespan.
- Multiple clinical sites allow the student to explore different fields within nursing before graduation.
- Due to the chronic nursing shortage, there are several Loan Forgiveness Programs available to graduates.
Instructors
Dean of Nursing and Allied Health
- Carrie J. Travis Ed.D., MSN, RN, CNE
Instructors
- Jennifer Aspen, BSN, RN
- Debra Barry MSN, RN
- Amanda Ciszak, MSN, RN
- Ann Elliott, EdD, RN
- Kathy Mauser MSN, RN
- Stephanie Manor, BSN, RN
- Katie Maschka, MSN, RN
- Janine Mason, MSN, RN
- Jordan McNamer BSN, PHN, RN
- Michelle Miller, BSN, RN
- Jacqueline Meyer Rostad APRN, CNP, DNP
- Craig Schapekahm BSN, RN
- Stephanie Schultz, BSN, RN
- Anne Olsen Wagner APRN, CNP
- Marty Wildt, MSN, RN