State Info:
There are many job openings for people who would like to work as LPNs in the Minnesota. This is because the medical industry is on the increase and is continuing to grow with each passing day. This state has a large population, which means that there are a large number of people who need the assistance of health care professionals like LPNs.
There is also an increasing rise in the average life expectancy of people living in this state which means that there are an increasing number of elderly people, primary customers of LPNs. There are plenty of options when it comes to studying in Minnesota for your LPN qualification and it is well worth your while to look into the various options if you want to get your foot in the door of the healthcare industry. And, once you have your LPN qualification, the door will be open to you to upgrade that to an RN qualification or even a BSN. The opportunities are many and varied. Don’t miss out on this exciting developmental time in the healthcare industry.
Licensing Requirements
The first step to becoming a licensed LPN in Minnesota is to enroll in a school. This school must be accredited by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. In order to be able to enter one of these schools you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma (although, good news, not all programs have this requirement any longer!)
A program that will get you licensed is one where you will complete all of the appropriate theoretical and clinical training that is needed.
Once you have completed the program properly you will then be able to write the NCLEX-PN exam. Once you have passed this exam sufficiently you will then be able to practice as an LPN in the state of Minnesota.
Exam Fee
To write the NCLEX-PN exam you will first have to apply to the Board of Nursing which will cost you $115.50. You will also be required to pay an exam fee to the company administering the examination, Pearson Vue. This is a fee of $200. Unfortunately the fees don’t stop there. You will have to renew your LPN license every two years at a cost of $85. You will also have too present proof that in those two years you have completed one hour of continual LPN training every two months.
Salaries
| Program | Hourly Rate | Annual Rate |
| LPN | $17.27 | $35900 |
| RN | $34.55 | $71879 |
| BSN | $30 | $63,876 |
Financial Aid Available
In Minnesota there are several options available to those students who would like to study further, but who feel that they are unable to due to a lack of resources. However, in Minnesota there are several options for you to consider. Financial aid for LPN programs is easy enough to find in this state.
The Minnesota Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program
If you have gone the route of getting a loan for your studies, then The Minnesota Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program may be the answer for you. Loan forgiveness programs work as follows: a portion of your loan will be dealt with so that you don’t have to repay it yourself, and in return you will work for a set period of time in an institute designated by the state. This may be a reasonable option. After all, you will be helped with your loan and you will receive experience in the healthcare industry.
Option Available from the Minnesota Nurses Association
If you are looking for financial aid in Minnesota, then it may worth your while inquiring with The Minnesota Nurses Association. Each year The Minnesota Nurses Association gives out about a dozen grants and scholarships to student nurses. This is not a lot, but it can’t hurt to apply and see if you qualify for financial aid form The Minnesota Nurses Association.
Tuition reimbursement program from your employer
If you are already employed in a healthcare capacity then you may be able to apply to your employer for financial aid. Employers are usually more than happy to help their employees upgrade their qualifications as this works in their favor as well as your own. They will have a qualified LPN on their staff and you will have a job and job experience as you will probably be required to work as an LPN for your employer for a set period of time in exchange for the financial aid you receive.
Scholarships
Inquire into the various scholarship options that are available form the state, the various nursing schools in Minnesota, and private sources in order to see if you qualify for any of the many scholarships that are available.
Loan Forgiveness
Don’t forget to inquire with your current or future employer about loan forgiveness programs that may be available from that institution. These function in the same way as The Minnesota Nurse Loan Forgiveness Program, but may have slightly different parameters. Make sure that you ask all of the right questions and that you follow every lead. If you try hard enough, you will find a way to fund your program.
List of Schools
In Minnesota there are a wide variety of schools for you to choose from. When choosing an LPN school remember to make sure that the school is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing otherwise you will be wasting your time and your money. Here is a list of schools to be found in Minnesota along with the contact information you will need to inquire further:
[edu-search]onlinelpn_state010101082691/mn[/edu-search]
Alexandria Technical College Program of Practical Nursing
1601 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, MN 56308-3799
Phone: 320-762-0221 Toll Free: 888-234-1222
Anoka Technical College
1355 West Highway 10
Anoka, MN 55303-1590
Phone: 763-576-4700
Central Lakes College
501 West College Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401-3900
Phone: 218-855-8000
Toll Free: 800-933-0346
Staples Campus
Toll Free: 800-247-6836
Dakota County Technical College
1300 145th Street East
Rosemount, MN 55068-2999
Phone: 651-423-8301
Toll Free: 877-937-3282
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
2101 14th Street
Cloquet, MN 55720
Phone: 218-879-0888
Toll free: 800-657-3712
Hennepin Technical College
13100 College View Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55347-2600
And
9000 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Park, MN 55455
Phone: 952-9951300
Toll Free: 1-800-345-4655
Phone: 763-488-2504
Itasca Community College
1851 East Highway 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744-3397
Phone: 218-327-4477
Toll Free: 800-996-6422
Lake Superior College
2101 Trinity Road
Duluth, MN 55811-3399
Phone: 218-733-7600
Toll Free: 800-432-2884
Grand Marais Campus: 218-387-9712
Mesabi Range Community and Technical College
1100 Industrial Park Drive
P.O. Box 648
Eveleth, MN 55734-0648
Phone: 218-741-3095
Toll Free: 800-657-3860
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403-1779
Phone: 612-659-6000
Toll Free: 800-247-0911
Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical , Red Wing Campus
308 Pioneer Road
Red Wing, MN 55066-3964
Phone: 651-385-6300
Toll Free: 800-657-4849
Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical , Winona Campus
1250 Homer Road
Winona, MN 55987-1455
Phone: 507-453-2200
Toll Free: 877-853-8324
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Detroit Lakes
900 Highway 34 East – Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2698
Phone: 218-846-3700
Toll Free: 800-492-4836
Fergus Falls
1414 College Way – Fergus Falls, MN 56537-1000
Phone: 218-736-1500
Toll Free: 877-450-3322
1900 28th Avenue S. – Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: 218-299-6500
Toll Free: 800-426-5603
Wadena
405 Colfax Avenue SW PO Box 566 – Wadena, MN 56482
Phone: 218-631-7800
Toll Free: 800-274-2007
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Pipestone Campus
P.O. Box 250
Pipestone, MN 56164-1647
Phone: 507-825-6800
Toll Free: 800-658-2330
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Worthington Campus
1450 Collegeway
Worthington, MN 56187-3024
Phone: 507-372-3400
Toll Free: 800-657-3966
2022 Central Ave. NE
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Phone 218-773-4556
Toll Free: 800-451-3441
Distance / Virtual Site
2022 Central Ave. NE
East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Phone: 218-773-4556
Toll Free: 800-451-3441
Northland Community and Technical College
1101 Highway One East
Thief River Falls, MN 56701-2598
Phone: 218-681-0701
Toll Free: 800-959-6282
Roseau Campus
121 Center St E
Roseau, MN 56751
Toll Free: 800-959-6282
White Earth Tribal and Community College Campus
P.O. Box 478
Mahnomen, MN 56557
Phone 218-936-5775
Northwest Technical College-Bemidji
905 Grant Avenue SE
Bemidji, MN 56601-4907
Phone: 218-333-6600
Toll Free: 800-942-8324
Pine Technical College
900 4th Street SE
Pine City, MN 55063
Phone 320-629-6764
Toll Free: 800-521-7463
1501 Highway 71
International Falls, MN 56649-2187
Phone: 218-285-7722
Toll Free: 800-456-3996
Lakewood Health Center
600 Main St
Baudette, MN 56623
Phone: 218-285-7722
Rasmussen College
130 St. Andrews Drive
Mankato MN 56001
Phone: 507-625-6556
Toll Free: 800-657-6767
Brooklyn Park Campus
Phone: 763-493-4500
St. Cloud Campus
Phone: 320-251-5600
Ridgewater College
2101 15th Avenue NW
Willmar, MN 56201-0797
Phone: 320-222-5200
Toll Free: 800-722-1151
Hutchinson Campus
Phone: 320-234-8500
Riverland Community College
1900 Eighth Avenue NW
Austin, MN 55912-1470
Phone: 507-433-0600
Toll Free: 800-247-5039
Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904-4999
Phone: 507-285-7143
Toll Free: 800-247-1296
St. Cloud Technical College
1540 Northway Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303-1240
Phone: 320-308-5000
Toll Free: 800-222-1009
Good Shepherd Community Satellite: 320-308-0015
St. Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102-1800
Phone: 651-846-1600
Toll Free: 800-227-6029
South Central College
1920 Lee Boulevard
North Mankato, MN 56003-1920
Mankato Campus
Phone: 507-389-7200
Toll Free: 800-722-9359
Faribault Campus
Phone: 507-332-5800
Toll Free: 800-422-0391
