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Program Overview
Program Requirements
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Explore program overviews, career opportunities, course sequencing, program outcomes, and more:
General Education/MnTC Requirements
The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) is the general education curriculum for the Minnesota State system. Choose MnTC courses according to the requirements listed on your Program Requirements Guide. Refer to the MnTC course list for each Goal Area:
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC)
View all course descriptions
Application Process
The Fall 2026 Application to Practical Nursing Major will open on January 12, 2026 through March 20, 2026! All pre-requisite courses must be complete by the time the application closes. Applicants will be ranked based on their Prerequisite GPA and using this Rubric.
Applications that are complete and include any required documentation will be reviewed. Including a complete, accurate email and address on the application will help ensure delivery of the admission status letter.
The next available Practical Nursing Application program start date is Fall Semester 2026 Interested students should submit an Application to Practical Nursing when it opens on January 12, 2026 through March 20, 2026. Applications that are complete and include any required documentation will be reviewed. Inclusion of a complete, accurate email and address on the application will help ensure delivery of the admission status letter.
Before submitting the Application to Practical Nursing Major form, an applicant must:
- Complete Saint Paul College general admissions application and select Practical Nursing Diploma as the major.
- Complete the ACCUPLACER assessment and meet Minimum Program Entry Requirements.
- Complete all prerequisites before PRNS courses with an overall cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a minimum of C in each of the courses.
- Here is the rubric that will be used to review applications
- Nursing Assistant certification, obtained within the last five years, or active Minnesota Nursing Registry.
- Students who are accepted will be required to attend a Practical Nursing Orientation before the start of the program.
- Within a week of acceptance, students who are accepted must submit a record of the required several immunizations, including COVID vaccines and Background Study
.
Students must fill out a special application to apply to the Practical Nursing Program
and be accepted prior to registering for the hands-on Practical Nursing (PRNS) courses.
Minimum Requirements for Special App
Applications will be prioritized determined by using the rubric on page two of this document. Any
ties will be prioritized by your Saint Paul College GPA.
- Completed Prerequisite Classes
- Current CNA License OR CNA classes in last 5 years
- GPA of AT LEAST 2.75 in Prerequisite Classes (below)
- Meet minimum program math requirement
Prerequisite Classes
- HLTH 1410 – Medical Terminology (must have been completed in last 5 years)
- BIOL 1730 – Human Body Systems OR BIOL 2721 Anatomy & Physiology 1 & BIOL 2722 – Anatomy & Physiology 2
- PSYC 1720 – Lifespan Development
- ENGL 1711 – Composition 1
- HLTH 1310 – Communication in Healthcare
Special Application Rubric
| Application Requirements | Points | My Points |
|---|---|---|
| HLTH 1410 Medical Terminology | A = 3 Points B = 2 Points C = 1 Point | |
| PSYC 1720 Lifespan Development | A = 9 Points B = 6 Points C = 3 Points | |
| CHOOSE ONE OPTION | ||
| Option 1 | Option 2 | |
| BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems A = 9 Points B = 6 Points C = 3 Points | BIOL 2721 Anatomy & Physiology 1 AND BIOL 2722 Anatomy & Physiology 2 | |
| Find average GPA for these two classes 4.0 = 9 points 3.0-3.9 = 6 points 2.0-2.9 = 3 points | ||
| BONUS for classes taken at Saint Paul College | 6 or more SPC program credits = 2 points 1-5 credits SPC program credits = 1 point | |
| HLTH 1310 Communication in Healthcare | 0 points but still required | |
| ENGL 1711 Composition 1 | 0 points but still required | |
| CNA (on MN registry or CNA classes in last 5 years) | 0 points but still required | |
| Total Points | ||
If you have more questions please schedule an appointment with your advisor:
Pathway Advising
Room 1340
advising@saintpaul.edu
651.846.1739
Courses that remain the same
| Course | Required if starting program Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 | Required if starting program Fall 2027 or later |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | ENGL 1711 | ENGL 1711 |
| Biology | BIOL 1730 OR BIOL 2721 & BIOL 2722 | BIOL 1730 OR BIOL 2721 & BIOL 2722 |
| Psychology | PSYC 1720 | PSYC 1720 |
Courses that are changing
| Course | Required if starting program Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 | Required if starting program Fall 2027 or later |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | HLTH 1310 | N/A |
| Biology | HLTH 1410 | PHSC 1445 Application of Medical Terminology |
| Psychology | N/A | PHSC 1450 Medical Dosages for Nursing PHSC 1455 Introduction to Pharmacology |
Career Information
Career Settings
- Transitional Care
- Long-Term Care Facilities
- Clinics/Urgent Care
- In-home Care
- Rehabilitation Units/Centers
- Hospice
Accreditations
The practical nursing program at Saint Paul College – A Community and Technical College located in St. Paul, MN, is accredited by the following:
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 practical nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/
NCLEX-PN, Continuing Education & Employment Placement Information
NCLEX Pass Rates For First Time Test Takers
Graduates of the Practical Nursing Program at Saint Paul College are eligible to sit for the Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) exam. After passing the NCLEX_PN, graduates may apply for licensure with the State Board of Nursing.
| Year | First-Time Pass Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 90.77% |
| 2022 | 52.94% |
| 2023 | 70.37% |
| 2024 | 80.56% |
| 2025 | 73.68% |
Continuing Education and Employment Placement Rates
Hospitals, long-term care facilities, transitional care facilities, assisted living facilities, clinics, and home health agencies are eager to employ LPN graduates. Graduates are invited to complete a survey regarding their employment or education status. The following table represents the information reported by the graduates.
| Year | Graduate Survey Response Rates | Continuing Education | Employment Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 35/39 | 8/35 – 22.2% | 17/35 – 70.5% |
| 2023-2024 | 27 | 10/27 – 37% | 87.5% |
| 2024-2025 | 27/35 – 68.5% | – | 24/27 – 89% |
| Year | Program Completion Rates [on-time] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 86.4% | ||
| 2023-2024 | 77% | ||
| 2024-2025 | 70% |
