Practical Nursing Diploma

Program Information

The Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing (PN) diploma is a 40-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 Practical Nursing diploma program at Anoka Technical College located in Anoka, Minn. is accredited by the:

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

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing diploma program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at 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 notified within five business days of application submission regarding seat availability for the upcoming semester.

1. Apply to Anoka Technical College and be admitted to the college
2. Successfully complete Accuplacer assessments (Arithmetic and Reading Comprehension)
3. Complete the Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant requirement
4. Complete Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) CPR 
5. Complete the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) or will accept TEAS version 7 through Fall 2026
6. Complete Student Record of Immunization and Health Status form
7. Prerequisites may be in-progress at the time of application submission. Prerequisites must be successfully completed for admission into PN program.

• ENGL 1107: English Composition with a grade of C or higher
• HLTH 1005: Anatomy and Physiology or BIOL 2100 Anatomy and Physiology I & BIOL 2200 Anatomy and Physiology II with a grade of C or higher
• HLTH 1040: Medical Terminology with a grade of C or higher
• MATH 1010: Dosage Calculations for Health Care Professionals with a grade of A

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