Nursing – Part Time (LPN)

The part-time Practical Nursing Diploma is a three-semester evening and weekend option for current Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). This program prepares graduates to test for the NCLEX-PN to become LPNs.

Admission into the part-time, spring-start option is a competitive process.

Program Prerequisites

Before applying, students must have attended a Nursing Information Session, be active on the MN Nursing Assistant Registry, and attain a minimum “C” grade or higher in the following courses:

BIOL 1080 Human Biology
PSYC 1310 Introduction to Psychology
ENGL 1210 or 1209 College Composition I – Critical Reading & Writing
PRNU 1617 Medical Terminology

Program Timeline

Program Application will be available September 1 – October 1 to be considered for a January Program Start. Prerequisites must be completed upon application. Students with prerequisites in progress may be considered if space allows.

Program Delivery

Classes held online in the evening (liberal education courses available online and on Hutchinson campus)
In-person labs every other weekend on Hutchinson campus
Spring start, program delivered over spring, summer, and fall semesters.
Precepted clinicals

Accreditation

The Practical Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

ACEN nursing accreditation seal

The Ridgewater College Practical and Associate Degree Nursing Programs meet the state education requirements for a Practical or Professional nursing license in the state of Minnesota. Ridgewater College has not determined if the Practical and Associate Degree Nursing Programs at Ridgewater College meet the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.