Practical Nursing
Diploma
A daily caregiver’s work is critical—and a privilege. In as few as 12 months, you can earn your Diploma in Practical Nursing, be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and start your career as a licensed practical nurse.1 Equipped with healthcare industry insight and patient care learned in clinical nursing training, you’ll feel confident in your ability to act quickly and competently in the interest of your patients’ health. Get started now in the nursing career you’ve imagined.
Regional and Programmatic Accreditation
Rasmussen College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Visit our Accreditation page to see accredited programs within our Nursing school. Learn more about programmatic accreditation and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Start Soon—Finish Strong
Four calendar starts a year, no prerequisites and no wait list at many campuses for qualified candidates means whenever you’re ready to start your education, a new class of students is getting ready to begin the adventure with you.2
Prepare to Pass
From your very first day in class, our Practical Nursing program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and attitude to confidently sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Our clinicals let you experience various work environments and hands-on experience before earning your Diploma and seeking licensure.
Flex Choice®: Get Credit For What You Know
This Diploma is available with Flex Choice self-directed assessment offerings, which allows you to blend traditional online courses with self-directed assessments that provide optional coaching assistance. Assessments provide more flexibility, and—at $99 per attempt—this is a more affordable way to receive credit for what you already know. For additional information, visit our Flex Choice page.
Practical Nursing
Diploma
Finish in as few as
12 months1
Learning options
- On Campus
- Online
- Field Experience
- Flex Choice®
Intended for
Students wanting to take the first step into becoming a nurse with small class sizes in a supportive environment.
Prepares you for
Nursing and residential care, hospitals, physicians offices, assisted living and long-term care facilities
Learn More About Our Nursing Program at a Nursing Information Session
Take the Next Step—Talk to Us!
What Does an LPN Do?
LPNs are responsible for a range of patient care and administrative tasks, from monitoring basic patient health and assisting with procedures to recording patient histories. If an LPN career sounds like a good fit, take an even closer look at these crucial and versatile caregivers.
Read moreYour Nursing Career Path
Our program is designed to give you the nursing education, skills, knowledge and attitude to confidently sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, which is essential to becoming an LPN. If you choose to advance your training after becoming an LPN, we’ve made it easy by offering classes and credentials that let you continue working as you further your education. Our Career Path diagram below shows you how our curriculum is designed to let you smoothly transfer from one credential to the next, until you've reached your goal. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning a degree, regardless of the field of study, can improve income potential.2 Here are just a few of the examples of where a Nursing degree can take you.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN)
Registered Nurses (RN)
Accreditation and Licensing Information
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
The Rasmussen College Practical Nursing Diploma program in Land O’Lakes/East Pasco, Florida and Mankato, Moorhead and St. Cloud, Minnesota is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The Rasmussen College Practical Nursing Diploma program at Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove and Eagan, Minnesota is a candidate for accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The Practical Nursing Diploma program at Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove and Eagan, Minnesota is not accredited by ACEN, but is a candidate for accreditation. Candidate status does not guarantee that a program will achieve initial accreditation.
The Practical Nursing Diploma program meets the educational requirement to apply for licensure as a Practical Nurse (PN) in Florida and Minnesota. Other eligibility requirements may apply; please verify your eligibility against board of nursing rules. This program may not meet the educational requirements for licensure as a nurse in states not listed above.
The ACEN requires that student achievement data be made publicly accessible. View Student Achievement Data.
Announcement: Rasmussen College – Eagan Hosting February Site Visit for Accreditation
Rasmussen College – Eagan wishes to announce that it will host a site review for initial accreditation of its Practical Nursing Diploma Nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019, at Rasmussen College – Eagan, 3500 Federal Drive, Eagan, MN 55122.
Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to:
Dr. Marsal Stoll, Chief Executive Officer
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
Or e-mail: mstoll@acenursing.org
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by February 4, 2019.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3343 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
www.acenursing.org
404-975-5000
- Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and the number of courses completed each term.
- Does not apply in the state of Illinois.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [salary data accessed May 30, 2018] https://www.bls.gov/oes/. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed May 30, 2018] www.bls.gov/ooh/. BLS salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.