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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! Priority will be given to students who have completed all pre-requisite courses. 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 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
.
The practical nursing admissions committee will review each application and determine admission based on overall academic performance, including all previous college coursework, GPA, and ACCUPLACER assessment.
Required courses for the application to start the Practical Nursing Program
We are updating required courses for completing the practical nursing program application. Please refer to the chart below for the new requirements.
| Fall 2026 | Spring 2027 | Fall 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1711 Composition 1 BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems OR BIOL 2721 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 AND BIOL 2722 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 PSYC 1720 Lifespan Development HLTH 1310 Communication in Healthcare HLTH 1410 Medical Terminology | ENGL 1711 Composition 1 BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems OR BIOL 2721 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 AND BIOL 2722 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 PSYC 1720 Lifespan Development HLTH 1310 Communication in Healthcare HLTH 1410 Medical Terminology | ENGL 1711 Composition 1 BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems OR BIOL 2721 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 AND BIOL 2722 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 PSYC 1720 Lifespan Development Application of Medical Terminology* Medical Dosages for Nursing* Introduction to Pharmacology* |
| *- new courses will be offered starting the Fall 2026 semester. |
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% |
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% |
| Year | Program Completion Rates [on-time] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 86.4% | ||
| 2023-2024 | 77% |
