Rochester Community & Technical College

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Program Details

The associate degree nurse is prepared to practice nursing in situations involving direct patient care, most frequently in the hospital or long-term care facility.

Graduates are prepared to function as defined in Minnesota statutes by:

-providing a nursing assessment of the community;
-providing nursing care supportive to or restorative of life functions such as skilled ministration of nursing care, supervising and teaching nursing personnel, health teaching and counseling, case finding and referral to other health resources; and
-evaluating these actions

After successful completion of this program, which includes classes at RCTC and care of patients in the Mayo Clinic Hospitals in addition to area nursing homes and selected community agencies, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

LPN Program Details

The Practical Nursing major is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become licensed and provide direct nursing care to clients in hospitals, nursing homes, medical centers, clinics, doctors offices, facilities for the mentally and physically handicapped, and in home health care. This educational program includes classroom theory, laboratory experience and supervised clinical experience in area hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and community-based health care agencies.

The last semester of the program, students' clinical rotation includes an internship-like practicum where students obtain integrated clinical experience in eight-hour shifts with correlated classes designed to assist them in making a smooth transition from student role to the role of the graduate practical nurse. The variety of relevant clinical experiences in multiple types of settings enhance the students' opportunities as a valued member of the health care team.

This level of education has provided many graduates the entry-level opportunity in the enhancement of their nursing career. A graduate of this program is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination - Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).