2025-2026 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 14, 2025  
2025-2026 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook

Practical Nursing Diploma

Location(s): In-Person


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Program Information

The Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing (PN) diploma is a 38-credit, full-time, two semester program. Through Minnesota Board of Nursing approved program of study, the Practical Nursing program prepares students for a diploma in Practical Nursing. Graduates are educationally eligible to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and, after passing and obtaining state licensure, may use the title Licensed Practical Nurse.

Program Learning Outcomes

Consistent with the standards that define nursing practice, the outcomes of the Anoka Technical College program of learning is a graduate who is able to:

  1. Adhere to professional standards of practice within safe, legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks within the practical nurse scope of practice (Professional concepts: Safety, Professional Identity and Behavior)
  2. Communicate effectively to deliver coordinated, interprofessional care through teamwork and collaboration (Professional concepts: Teamwork and Collaboration)
  3. Utilize holistic information to provide evidence-based patient care that contributes to continuously improving care processes (Professional concepts: Evidence-based Care, Quality Improvement)
  4. Demonstrate a caring and empathic approach while providing for individual patients’ needs across the lifespan and health/illness continuum within a diverse community (Professional concept: Patient Relationship-centered Care)
  5. Participate in supporting patient care through the utilization of information technology (Professional concept: Informatics)

Accreditation

The Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing (PN) program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and is specifically designed to train graduates for the specialized field of Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN).

Effective July 12, 2017, the Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing Diploma Program is granted initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Board of Commissioners. The next scheduled evaluation visit is Fall, 2024.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
www.acenursing.org

Admission Requirements

All required documents must be submitted to Enrollment Services (Room 117 or enrollmentservices@anokatech.edu) as an entire package prior to admission to the program. Completed application packages are accepted on a rolling basis until seats are filled. Students will be notifed within five business days of application submission regarding seat availability for the upcoming semester.

  • Apply and be admitted to the college.
  • Complete the Accuplacer Assessments and Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS).
  • Complete the CPR requirement.
  • Complete the Student Record of Immunization and Health Status document found under Forms on the Practical Nursing webpage.
  • Complete the Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant requirement.
  • Successfully complete prerequisite courses. 

Background Study

Minnesota state law requires that any person who provides services that involve direct contact with patients and/or residents at a health care facility have a background study conducted by the state.

Program Start Dates

Fall Semester: August
Spring Semester: January

Program Requirements

MATH 1010  must be completed with a grade of A. All other courses required for this program must be completed with a grade of C or higher. CPR certification must remain current.

Faculty Contact

Miranda Anderson: 763-576-4179

Program Sequence


* Must be taken during first semester or prior to acceptance into the PN major

**May be taken first or second semester or before acceptance into PN major

Technical Credits: 34


MnTC General Education Credits: 4


Total Credits: 38


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