Licensed Practical Nursing

Program Description

Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) classes start in August. The LPN program has a selective admission process.

Approval for admission will be granted by the Faculty Organization in the LPN program. The application deadline for fall classes is due to the nursing department by January 15th. Applicants who have met all admission requirements and have been selected by the Faculty Organization will be notified by March 1st of their acceptance into the August class. An acceptance form will be sent to those applicants admitted; this form must be returned by the specified deadline to secure a position in the August class. A mandatory orientation will take place during the summer prior to beginning the nursing program. Applicants who are not placed in the August class or fail to attend the mandatory orientation will be placed on a candidacy status for the next year. For more information on the selective admission process contact the nursing department.

The nursing program is designed to prepare students for employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The nursing program includes nursing and non-nursing courses. Non-nursing courses may be taken at any MPCC location or transferred from an accredited college or university. The program includes a concept based nursing curriculum and state-of-the art simulations to improve student and program outcomes. Clinical sites will be in local hospitals, long term care facilities and various other community agencies and clinics.

Graduates have met the education eligibility requirement to take the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which meets one requirement leading to state licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Once an applicant has received a LPN license in the State of Nebraska they are eligible to take the Licensed Practical Nurse-Certified (LPN-C) Examination.

Mid-Plains Community College’s LPN program is approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing. MPCC is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association.

Admission Requirements

The applicant will need to have a completed file to be accepted into the LPN Program. Please read and comply with the following admission requirements.

  1. Fulfill Mid-Plains Community College’s General Admission Requirements.
  2. Complete application to Mid-Plains Community College specifying interest in the nursing program, specify Practical Nursing Program.
  3. Submit official high school transcript or GED.
  4. Submit official college or university transcripts if other than Mid-Plains Community College.
  5. Submit ACT scores which must have a composite score of at least 21 with all subscores 19 or higher.
    OR Complete Accuplacer testing. Scores will be used to determine admission into nursing programs. Accuplacer Test Scores must meet the nursing criteria of: Arithmetic 75; Reading Comprehension 74; and Sentence Skills 84 or complete NEXT-GEN Accuplacer testing.  Scores will be used to determine admission into nursing programs.  NEXT-GEN Accuplacer test scores must meet the nursing criteria of: Arithmetic 263; Reading 258; and Writing 258.
  6. Must have 2 references from teachers and/or current employers. Submit name, position and phone number.
  7. Complete Math for Health Occupations course with a C + or higher.
  8. Active status on the Nebraska Nursing Assistant Registry.
  9. Must speak and understand the English language in order to communicate clearly with patients and staff. (Refer to information concerning international students).

**Test results valid for three years**

**All general education courses must be passed with a C + or higher**

Due by First Day of Class

The following must be completed prior to beginning the program: Due dates will be given at mandatory orientation.

  1. Immunizations must be current (refer to immunization form)
  2. Current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR card .
  3. Proof of professional liability insurance.
  4. Criminal background check. Based on the outcome of the background check, a student may be prevented from entering the program due to inability to place in a clinical area. Please note: Misdemeanor or felony convictions may prevent a graduate from acquiring a state license. (Contact the State Board of Nursing with questions).
  5. Approval of clinical facilities.

Career Opportunities

The Licensed Practical Nurse provides nursing interventions within the framework of their educational background under the direction of a licensed practitioner or a registered nurse. They practice in environments such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health and medical offices. Job openings are available throughout the country and in a wide variety of health care agencies. Salary levels will vary with the geographical area and the type of position.

Progression in Program

All NURS courses must be completed with a grade of 78% (C) or higher to progress through the program. All non-nursing courses must be completed with a grade of C+ or higher to progress through the program. Courses must be followed in the sequence of study. If a student receives a grade lower than a “C” in an NURS course or a “C+” in non-nursing courses during a given semester, withdrawal from the program is required. Unsatisfactory clinical performance will result in a non-passing grade for the nursing course.

Educational Advancement

LPNs may use their Practical Nurse education and experience to continue their education by completing the following:

  • Receive advanced placement into RN programs (subject to the RN programs’ policies.)

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to:

  1. Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patients across the lifespan.
  2. Engage in clinical reasoning to make patient-centered care decisions in a safe care environment.
  3. Participate in quality improvement processes to improve patient care outcomes.
  4. Participate in teamwork and collaboration with members of the interdisciplinary team, the patient, and the patient’s support persons.
  5. Use information management principles, techniques, and systems, and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.
  6. Use leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles to guide practice as a professional nurse.
  7. Promote a culture of caring to provide holistic, compassionate patient care

State Licensure or Certification Requirements

States for which Mid-Plains Community College has determined that its curriculum MEETS the state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • Nebraska

States for which Mid-Plains Community College has determined that its curriculum DOES NOT meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • N/A

States/Territories for which Mid-Plains Community College HAS NOT DETERMINED that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification includes:

  • Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

If a student from a state outside of Nebraska is interested in this program, state licensure will be investigated.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Nebraska belongs to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) compact. Any student passing the NCLEX-PN exam in Nebraska may also practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in any of the other compact States without reapplying for a license in that state. Click on the following link to access all compact states: www.ncsbn.org/compacts.htm

Diploma