Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Diploma
The LPN (Licensed Practical Nursing) program prepares graduates for entry into the nursing profession as a practical nurse. The program includes nursing and general education courses and can be completed in one calendar year.
This program focuses on the art and science of nursing, and is taught in classrooms, Mitchell Tech’s state-of-the-art high-fidelity medical simulation laboratory, and in clinical practice settings. Students attend class, skills labs and clinical simulation experiences on campus. Additionally, students participate in clinical learning experiences in various healthcare settings in surrounding communities and simulated clinical experiences under the guidance of nursing faculty. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to apply nursing theory and critical thinking skills to patient care situations to help develop sound clinical judgment.
General Education courses in the nursing curriculum are offered in traditional and online formats. Students may elect to complete general education courses prior to entering the program.
Graduates of the program find jobs in a variety of health care settings including acute care and long-term care facilities, home health care agencies, state and federal health-related facilities, private duty nursing, clinics, and office settings.
Admissions Requirements: All LPN applicants must have an ACT score of 18 or above in all sections or the AccuPlacer equivalent; documented 120 hours of direct patient care; a high school or college cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; and a TEAS Exam composite score of 62% or higher.
All students accepted to the program must submit to a criminal background check at the student’s expense. Details are available from the Admissions office.
Other requirements include immunizations; a physical exam; health insurance carried by the student; and more. See the Director of Nursing for details.
Progression in the nursing program is dependent upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed sequence of courses. Students are required to complete all coursework with a grade of “C” or higher before progression to the next semester is allowed and to qualify for graduation.
Note: Students are required to use a laptop or notebook computer for this program. Students may purchase a laptop from Mitchell Tech or bring their own device that meets Mitchell Tech specifications.
Award: One-Year Diploma
First Semester (Fall)
| HS 100 | Basic Life Support for Health Care | 0.5 |
| HS 103 | Anatomy/Physiology | 4 |
| LPN 100 | Test Taking Strategies and Clinical Calculations | 0.5 |
| LPN 101 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 4 |
| LPN 102 | Fundamentals of Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| LPN 103 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| MATH 103 | Mathematical Reasoning | 3 |
| SSS 100 | Student Success | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Second Semester (Spring)
| LPN 105 | Adult Health Nursing | 5 |
| LPN 106 | Adult Health Nursing Clinical I | 3 |
| LPN 107 | Maternal and Child Nursing | 4 |
| LPN 108 | Maternal and Child Nursing Clinical | 2 |
| | Written Communications Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Third Semester (Summer)
Total Credits Required to Graduate: 53
The Mitchell Tech Licensed Practical Nursing program has been granted Full Approval by the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON).
https://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/education.aspx
For further information regarding the program’s status with SDBON, please contact:
Dr. Carena Jarding, DNP, RN
Nursing Program Director
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-7148