Practical Nursing

 End-of-Program Student 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)

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) specialize in delivering skilled delegated nursing care to individual patients/client across the lifespan in all stages of wellness or illness at the direction of qualified healthcare providers. LPNs care for diverse adult and pediatric patients within an established plan of care and participate as a member of the healthcare team.

LPNs enjoy employment opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings, including clinics, long term care and transitional care centers, assisted living, home care, schools, hospitals, and group homes.

The LPN is a dynamic, vital member of the healthcare team and is legally responsible to practice practical nursing within the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act and the Minnesota Board of Nursing Rules.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

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 Initial Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at acennursing.com.

The next scheduled evaluation visit is Fall 2024.

Programs preparing persons for licensure as practical nurses must be approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The statutory requirements for initial and continuing approval of a nursing program that prepares students for basic entry into practical nursing is found in Minnesota Statutes Section 148.251. In addition, Minnesota Rules Chapter 6301 specify the board’s administrative procedure and requirements for renewal of approval of a nursing program.

The Anoka Technical College Practical Nursing program is currently approved. A list of approved practical nursing programs in Minnesota is found on the Minnesota Board of Nursing website.

Minnesota Board of Nursing
1210 Northland Drive Suite 120
Mendota Heights, MN 551250

Main Telephone Number: 612-317-3000 
Toll-free Number (MN, IA, ND, SD, WI): 888-234-2690 
TTY Number (Relay service for hearing/speech impaired): 800-627-3529 
Fax Number: 651-688-1841

Website: mn.gov/health-licensing-boards/nursing/ 
Email: nursing.board@state.mn.us

The board office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm and is closed on state holidays.

Application Dates

• Fall semester start: Applications begin being accepted on March 1 or first business day in March each year.
• Spring semester start: Applications begin being accepted on Sept. 1 or first business day in September each year.

Completed application packets are accepted during published application periods.

Admission Guidelines

Practical Nursing Program Application

Steps to Admission to the Practical Nursing Program

You must complete all steps of the admissions process to be admitted into the Practical Nursing program. Please read the full explanations below and be sure to follow Admissions Guidelines. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

1. Apply and be admitted to the college.
2. Complete the Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant requirement.
3. Complete the CPR requirement as described 
4. Complete the Accuplacer Assessments and the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS)
5. Complete the Student Record of Immunization and Health Status Form. Must be signed and/or stamped by a health provider.

All documents are submitted to enrollmentservices@anokatech.edu once all the requirements are successfully completed.

All required documents must be submitted in a Word or PDF format and are submitted as an entire package. Completed application packages are accepted on a rolling basis until the seats are filled. Students are notified within five (5) business days of application submission of the seat availability for the upcoming semester. 

The Practical Nursing program reports on multiple program outcomes each academic year including: 

• On-time completion rate 
• Program completion rate
• Annual performance on NCLEX-PN
• Job placement rate

Review Program Outcomes (pdf)

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 Sequence

Program to be completed in one year.

Optional Program Sequence

Start working toward a health care career before being admitted to the program. 

Health Technology (pre-admission)

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.

Health Technology
Certificate

Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide
Certificate