Practical Nursing
The application window for the 2024 Practical Nursing full-time (on-campus) program is September 1, 2023 – February 1, 2024.
The application window for the 2025 Practical Nursing part-time (on-campus) program is April 1, 2024 – October 1, 2024.
Nursing—few career fields are as rewarding—or as challenging. Nurses must be able to utilize the latest medical technology at the direct and critical level of patient care. In addition to having knowledge, the best nurses are also responsible, compassionate, and ultimately motivated by a sincere desire to help people.
Lake Area Tech’s high standard of nursing education will prepare you to give excellent care to obstetrical, pediatric, medical, psychiatric, surgical and geriatric patients. After the Practical Nursing program, you may choose to test for your LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) license and enter the workforce, or test and apply for a second year to become a Registered Nurse through Lake Area Tech’s Registered Nursing program. This will allow you to prepare for your RN exam without ever leaving the Lake Area Tech campus. Click on the buttons in the Resources section below to find even more information about the Practical Nursing program.
Four Practical Nursing Options at Lake Area Tech
| Full-Time On-Campus | 11 Months | August Start |
| Full-Time Hybrid | 11 Months | August Start |
| Part-Time On-Campus | 18 Months | January Start |
| Part-Time Hybrid | 18 Months | January Start |
Lake Area Tech also offers the Practical Nursing program at Capital City Campus in Pierre, SD. College-bound students in the Pierre area who are interested in pursuing a nursing career are encouraged to apply to Lake Area Tech’s hybrid Practical Nursing program and, after acceptance, will complete the coursework online and labs at Capital City Campus in Pierre and Avera St. Mary’s.
Please note: if a prospective student has been convicted of a felony, he/she could possibly not meet the qualifications to write the licensing exam.
Clinical & Simulation Lab Locations
- Aberdeen, SD (clinicals)
- Montevideo, MN (clinicals)
- Ortonville, MN (clinicals)
- Pierre, SD (clinicals and simulation labs)
- Watertown, SD (clinicals and simulation labs)
Application Process
Detailed steps to complete the application process can be found on the Application Process page. Applicants who do not meet the criteria for Automatic Acceptance (see below) should follow the regular application process that includes:
- Submitting the online application and fee using the Online Application.
- Completing the ATI-TEAS entrance exam.
- Submitting official high school and college transcripts.
- Verifying completed application with the Admission Assistant at 1-800-657-4344 Ext. 290.
Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial by letter.
Automatic Acceptance Criteria
Automatic early acceptance into the Practical Nursing program is based on the following criteria:
- ACT score of 24 or better/Accuplacer score of 263 or better/TEAS composite 75% or better (only need one of these)
- Most recent GPA of 3.5 or better/GED test score of 600
- At least 6 credits of completed LPN general education courses
Applicants MUST meet all three criteria to reach automatic acceptance. The applicant does not have to take the TEAS exam if they meet the ACT or Accuplacer testing scores and he or she does not have to wait until the February 1 deadline to know their status.
Accreditation
The Practical Nursing Program at Lake Area Technical College located in Watertown, South Dakota is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Practical Nursing Program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at: http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.asp
South Dakota Board of Nursing
4305 S. Louise Ave. Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115 Phone: (605) 362-2760 https://www.sdbon.org
Professional Licensure
Lake Area Technical College’s curriculum for Practical Nursing meets the educational requirements for professional licensure in South Dakota and other states. Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. Prospective or current students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license or certification are strongly encouraged to seek guidance from the appropriate licensing agency in the state you plan to work before beginning an affiliated academic program. Read more here and/or view the states in which Lake Area Tech meets professional licensure requirements: Professional Licensure Disclosures.
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