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Practical Nursing

Students will receive supervised learning experience in caring for individuals in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, long term care facilities, and physician clinic settings.

AnnouncementFall 2013 Application
Application window is open from March 1st through May 1st. Click here to take survey.

NurseThe Practical Nursing (PN) program prepares students to practice within the scope of practical nursing under the supervision of a registered nurse. The student is taught to use the nursing process at the practical nurse level in the maintenance of health and prevention of illness, the observation and nursing care of persons experiencing changes in health status, and the administration of prescribed medication and treatments.

Students will receive supervised learning experience in caring for individuals in a variety of health care settings, such as hospitals, long term care facilities, and physician clinic settings. The successful Licensed Practical Nurse possesses excellent communication skills and abilities essential to safe and effective nursing practice as part of a health care team. The program prepares interested students for future continued education in the nursing field. The Minnesota Board of Nursing officially approves the Practical Nursing program.

After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for the Practical Nurse.


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Program Accreditation

Minnesota Board of NursingThe Practical Nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.


Program Accreditation

College Accreditation

Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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Program Specific Requirements

Fall 2013 Application

Application window is open from March 1st through May 1st.

Click here to take the survey.

  • Complete the NCTC college admission process and declare the Practical Nursing major.

  • Students will only be allowed two attemps on all PNSG courses.

  • Meet all program prerequisites and achieve a “C” or higher grade in all required general education courses.

    • Pre-Nursing General Education Courses
      • BIOL 2221 Microbiology

      • BIOL 2252 Anatomy & Phys I

      • BIOL 2254 Anatomy& Phys II

      • ENGL 1111 Composition I

      • MATH 1110 College Algebra

      • PSYC 2201 Developmental Psychology

      • SPCH 1101 Intro to Public Speaking

      • PHIL 1102 Intro to Ethics OR PHIL 2210 Morals & Medicine


  • Students must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA for PN program entrance and meet the college's required cumulative completion percentage standard. (NCTC policy 3070 Satisfactory Academic Progress) Students in a warning, probation, or suspension will not be considered for PN program eligibility.

  • Current CPR certification. CPR for Health Care Providers (American Heart Assn) or CPR for the Professional Rescuer (Red Cross.)

  • Completion of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Licensing Division Background Study.

  • Completion of a National Background Study through Verified Credentials. Cost $50.

  • Completion of the College Health Screening & Immunization form.

  • Achievement of a minimum cumulative score of 50 on the TEAS examination.

  • Apply for eligibility to enroll in the PNSG Practical Nursing program course sequence.
    • Application should occur when the student is enrolled in their final semester of prerequisite and/or pre-nursing general education courses.

    • Students wishing to be considered to begin the PNSG course sequence in fall semester -- Application window open March 1st - May 1st.

    • Students wishing to be considered to begin the PNSG course sequence in spring semester -- Application window open October 1st - November 1st.


Program Course Listings

Prerequisite Courses

Course # Course Name Credits
HLTH 1106 Medical Terminology 2 credits
HLTH 1110 Nursing Assistant 3 credits

Required Courses

Course # Course Name Credits
MATH 1003 Math Applications Nurses 2 credits
PNSG 1200 Concepts of Nursing 2 credits
PNSG 1202 Nursing I 4 credits
PNSG 1204 Nursing I Skills 3 credits
PNSG 1208 Maternal Child Health 2 credits
PNSG 1210 Nursing II 5 credits
PNSG 1212 Nursing II Skills 1 credits
PNSG 1214 Nursing Pharmacology 2 credits
PNSG 1218 PN Clinical I 4 credits
PNSG 1220 Psychosocial Nursing 3 credits
PNSG 1222 Nursing III 4 credits
PNSG 1228 PN Clinical II 5 credits
PNSG 1232 IV Certification 1 credits
PNSG 1234 Nursing Roles 1 credits
BIOL 2221 Microbiology 3 credits
BIOL 2252 Anatomy & Phys I 3 credits
BIOL 2254 Anatomy & Phys II 3 credits
ENGL 1111 Composition I 3 credits
MATH 1110 College Algebra 3 credits
PSYC 2201 Developmental Psychology 3 credits
SPCH 1101 Intro to Public Speaking 3 credits
  G6: Human/Fine Arts Elec ( *See Elective Options Listed Below ) 3 credits
TOTAL CREDITS: 63 credits

Program Specific Elective Course Options

Help

Electives for this program may be selected from the following list of courses below. Need help? Schedule an appointment with a Northland Academic Advisor for assistance in selecting courses.

Course # Course Name Credits

Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

PHIL 1102Intro to Ethics 3 credits
PHIL 2210Morals and Medicine 3 credits

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Program Learner Outcomes


  1. Student will provide safe holistic individualized nursing care to diverse patient populations.

  2. Student will demonstrate competence with patient care equipment and technology.

  3. Student will apply safety and infection control measures to patient care.

  4. Student will perform medication administration safely and accurately.

  5. Student will demonstrate critical thinking/problem solving skills through prioritized patient care.

  6. Student will demonstrate effective and respectful communication skills.

  7. Student will demonstrate accountability for legal and ethical parameters for the Practical Nurse.

  8. Student will demonstrate competence consistent with the entry-level Practical Nursing.

  9. Student will incorporate a broad arts and science knowledge base into nursing care.

Employment Outlook & Opportunities

Northland Career Center

Job Openings

Counselors are available in the Career Center to assist with career advising, job search resources, employer connections, occupational descriptions, employment outlook, earnings, education/training requirements and sources.

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Employment opportunities have experienced a major expansion in recent years. Graduates are currently employed in acute-care hospitals, state hospitals, long-term care facilities including nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices, group homes and child care centers, health care and public health agencies, armed services, school nursing, industry and private homes.

The employment outlook for licensed practical nurses in the state of Minnesota from 2009 to 2019 is 19.1%, a well above average growth percentage.

Program Faculty

East Grand Forks Campus

  • Mary Amundson
  • Practical Nursing Instructor
  • (218) 793-2526
  • Donna Craigmile
  • Practical Nursing Instructor
  • (218) 793-2529
  • Sharon Loerzel
  • Practical Nursing Instructor
  • (218) 793-2535
  • Jodi Stauss-Stassen
  • Dean of Nursing
  • (218) 793-2539
  • Karen Znajda
  • Practical Nursing Instructor
  • (218) 793-2542