Practical Nursing Certificate

Program Manager:
Paige Baade, Dean for Nursing & Health Professions
701-228-5444
paige.baade@dakotacollege.edu

Program Advisor:
Paige Baade, Dean for Nursing & Health Professions
701-228-5444
paige.baade@dakotacollege.edu

The Dakota Nursing program is a 1 + 1, Practical Nurse Certificate to Associate Degree Nurse (RN) Program. The program is offered through a consortium of four colleges in North Dakota. The member colleges are Bismarck State College (BSC), Dakota College, Lake Region State College (LRSC), and Williston State College (WSC).

Classroom education is delivered by instructors on campus and from the other college within the consortium through TEAMS.  Some courses/components will be offered in online format.  Laboratory and simulation practice occur at each location. Clinical opportunities are arranged locally.

The Practical Nursing Program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for students to enter a challenging career in nursing. This high-quality education meets the requirements for a Certificate in Practical Nursing. Upon completion of the program, the individual is qualified to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX PN®), as required by the North Dakota State Board of Nursing for licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The student is also able to move into the Associate Degree RN program upon completion if all qualifications are met.

As program requirements can change yearly, please refer to our website https://www. dakotacollege.edu/academics/programs/nursing for the most up to date information.

Preparation and requirements – Admission to Practical Nurse Program

Admission to the program is on a competitive basis.  The following are prerequisites for consideration for admission to the Certificate in Practical Nursing: 

1. High School Diploma or GED Certificate 
   1. High School GPA of 2.5 or greater. If a student has completed 12 credits of college level classes, the college GPA will be considered instead of the HS GPA. 
2. Students must be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year they start the program. 
3. Application and admission to the respective college is required before applying to the nursing program. There are two application processes – first to the college and then to the nursing program. When completing the DNP application online, be prepared to upload a 300-600 word Narrative Statement summarizing your education/work experience and how those experiences will help you progress through the nursing program.  Also include why you want to be a nurse and why this is a good time in your life to pursue a nursing degree. 
4.  Current CPR Certification for BLS Provider (American Heart Association) or CPR/Healthcare Provider (Red Cross) and must be updated to remain current throughout the program. 
5. Proof of Math Skill Readiness.  Student must have completed at minimum:
   1. The developmental math course (ASC 94 or other prerequisite math course that would qualify a student to take MATH 103) with a grade of Satisfactory or “C” or a higher-level math course (such as MATH 103 College Algebra) or
   2. Equivalent Scores for ACT/PLAN/SAT/COMPASS and/or Accuplacer as listed below and taken within the past 2 years:

6.  Proof of Academic Readiness:

1. All applicants are required to complete the most current Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI), standardized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) prior to application deadlines.
   1. Applicants are allowed two (2) attempts at the TEAS exam with a minimum of 4 weeks (28 days) between attempts per application period.                         
   2. A minimum TEAS composite score must be 45.0% or higher. Any applicant scoring below this level will not be accepted. The best score achieved, of two attempts, may be submitted. Last year the average TEAS score for all admitted applicants was within the Proficient level.     
   3. TEAS scores are valid for up to two (2) years prior to March 5th of the year of application.         
   4. It is to your advantage to double check the other parts of your application to make sure you are qualified in the other areas before you attempt the TEAS exam.
   5. It is recommended that you use the study materials on the TEAS website to score well on the exam. As noted above you may repeat the TEAS to better your chance of admission. 
2. ACT composite score of 19, or
   1. ACT/COMPASS/ASSET/Accuplacer/SAT test(s) with an equivalent score, or
   2. Successful completion of 12 credits of college courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5

7. Guidelines for approval include:

1. High School GPA of 2.5 or greater or
2. If a student has completed 12 credits of college level classes, the college GPA will be considered instead of the HS GPA. Nursing GPA for any completed required nursing program courses must be 2.75 or higher. 
3. Overall cumulative GPA for all college courses completed must be 2.5 or higher. 
4. No required course may have a grade lower than 2.0 (C). 
5. If a student repeats a required science course or previous nursing course, a grade of 2.0 (C) or higher must be obtained in the first repeat (A & P I and II, Microbiology). An appeal process may be sought if the student has failed science courses more than 2 times. 
6. Critical courses completed more than 7 years prior to program application must be repeated: Anatomy and Physiology II, Developmental Psychology, and Introduction to Pharmacology.
7. Experience working in a health care environment is encouraged before making an application to the nursing program. For example, Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Assistant, Direct Support Professional (DSP), etc. 

8. A certain level of English proficiency is necessary for academic success in nursing as well as for client safety. In addition to general college English proficiency requirements, all applicants for whom English is not their native language (including International and/or U.S. residents) or who have not attended 4 years of U.S. high school and achieved a HS GPA of 3.0 or higher must meet additional language proficiency requirements for admission to the Dakota Nursing Program. These requirements must be met prior to consideration for admission. 

Minimum TOEFL Scores for Admission to the Dakota Nursing Program 

To be considered for admission to the pre-licensure program, English as a second language (ESL) applicants must achieve minimum scores on the TOEFL internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) of: 

 Minimum Cumulative Score of: 

• 86 Combined

AND Minimum Individual Scores of: 

• 26 in Speaking 
• 20 in Writing 
• 20 in Reading 
• 20 in Listening

Test Preparation and Registration 

1. Complete information on the TOEFL iBT, including free test preparation materials, testing sites, and registration is available online at https://www.ets.org/toefl. Applicants may register for the TOEFL iBT by Internet, telephone (1-800-468-6335) or mail. 
2. Request official TOEFL iBT scores to be sent to: 
   • Bismarck State College — Enter Institution DI Code: 6041
   • Dakota College — Enter Institution DI 3398
   • Lake Region State College — Enter Institution DI Code: 6163 
   • Williston State College — Enter Institution DI Code: 6905 
3. Only official score reports will be accepted. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. 
4. The cost of any/all required testing is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
5. Applicants are allowed two (2) attempts at the TOEFL exam with a minimum of 4 weeks (28 days) between attempts per application period. 

Duolingo English Test (DET) Information and Scores for Admission to the Dakota Nursing Program Minimum Overall Score of:

•  115

It is expected that the applicant reaches a content score (variation as determined by the admission and progression committee) of 90 in the following four areas: 

• Literacy (Reading) 
• Comprehension (Listening) 
• Conversation (Speaking) 
• Production (Writing) 

Test Preparation and Registration 

1. Complete the registration process at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants     
2. Request score be sent to your college. (BSC, DCB, LRSC, WSC)   
3. Only official score reports will be accepted. DET scores are valid for two years from the test date.
4. The cost of any/all required testing is the sole responsibility of the applicant. 
5. Applicants are allowed two (2) attempts at the DET with a minimum of 30 days between attempts per application period.  

Nursing students for whom English is not their native language should be aware that they may not be able to complete the program of study within the described time frame. Students are encouraged to consult the nursing advisor before submitting the nursing program application. This gives the opportunity to discuss requirements and to arrange to either take the TOEFL exam if applicable or seek assistance to be successful on the TOEFL exam in the future. 

Reference:

A Minimum English Proficiency Standard for The Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) (2009). Retrieved July 12th, 2015, at https://www. ncsbn.org/TOEFL_iBT_Proficiency_Standard_Process.pdf

• Students accepted into the nursing program must have access to reliable, high-speed internet. 
• Students must have transportation available to and from campus, clinical, etc. 

CHECKLIST FOR THE PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM

1. Complete an application for admission to your local college (BSC, DCB, LRSC, or WSC)
2. Complete the electronic application for the Dakota Nursing Program 
3. Submit copy of current CPR certification for BLS Provider 
4. Provide proof of math skill readiness (ACT, SAT or COMPASS, or transcript with math course) 
5. Provide proof of academic readiness (ACT, SAT, COMPASS, or transcript with math course 
6. Submit TEAS test results 
7. If required by English as a second language (ESL) applicant, TOEFL exam results 

If your application is complete and you meet all requirements above, you will be invited to an interview as a final step in the application process. 

After you are accepted into the Program, your Nursing Director will be sending you information on how to enroll in a software program that will guide you through completing a Background Check and Drug Screen as well as keeping track of the required immunizations for the Nursing Program. The cost is available to you on the Nursing Cost Sheet found in the application area of the DNP website. 

Required Immunizations once you are admitted to the Dakota Nursing Program: 

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella vaccine x2 or positive blood titer or repeat series 
• Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine x2 or positive blood titer or repeat series 
• Hepatitis B x3 or positive antiHBS titer or repeat series 
• Influenza (Flu) (to be administered between September 1st – November 1st of the current flu season) 
• Tuberculosis (TB) Negative reading of 2-step tuberculosis test within the past 12 months or QuantiFERON Gold blood test or T-Spot blood test 
• Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap) History of one Tdap. Tetanus within the last 10 years 
• Other immunizations as required by clinical agencies

All applicants who meet the March 5th deadline will be notified of status by June 15th
Incomplete applications are not able to be processed and will be refused.