Nursing - PN | Dipl
This program is eligible for free tuition
Degree
Diploma
Credits
36
Location
Sioux City
Cherokee
Denison
Hybrid
Estimated Program Costs Required Classes Entrance Requirements Accreditation Information Licensure Information Nursing Handbook Nursing Programs Mission and Philosophy TEAS Fact Sheet for Nursing Program Admissions Create TEAS Account Clinical Health Evaluation Practical Nursing End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Western Iowa Tech offers several nursing programs for students interested in pursuing a nursing career. Once a student completes the Nursing Assistant - CNA certificate or work as a CNA, they enroll in the Nursing - PN Diploma. Practical Nursing is a 1-year program available in Sioux City, Denison, Cherokee, and hybrid (partially online and partially in Sioux City. Denison, and Cherokee and hybrid have a fall only start). The Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam in order to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). When the student becomes an LPN they progress into the second year of additional training with the Nursing - ADN program. Graduates of the Associate Degree of Nursing program are prepared to write for the NCLEX-RN to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).

This program prepares individuals to assist in providing general nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse, physician or dentist. Includes instruction in taking patient vital signs, applying sterile dressings, patient health education, and assistance with examinations and treatment. This program has additional entrance requirements.

Pre-requisite: CNA Certification.

ACEN Accredited Logo

Admission Application Deadline

  • Priority application deadline for Fall is April 1. Students will be notified by April 15.
  • Second round application deadline for Fall is June 1. Students will be notified of acceptance by June 15.
  • Final application deadline for Fall is August 10. Students will be notified by August 15.
  • Priority application deadline for Spring is September 15. Students will be notified of acceptance by September 29.
  • Second round application deadline for Spring is November 1. Students will be notified of acceptance by November 15.
  • Final application deadline for Spring is January 2. Students will be notified by January 2.

If you are not selected in the first round application you will automatically move to the next round. Accepted students will be notified after each round via email and/or letter.

Acceptance into the nursing program will be determined by a point ranking system. Qualified students will be given points in the following areas:
 
The applicant:

  • Is a graduate from a high school within the College’s service area OR is a current resident within a 75-mile radius of Sioux City OR a 50-mile radius of Cherokee or Denison.
  • Is enrolled in Western Iowa Tech's International Program.
  • ACT or TEAS scores, plus grades achieved on biology courses
    (For Practical Nursing: BIO-168 and BIO-151; For Associate Degree Nursing: BIO-173 and BIO-186). Students may retake general education courses only one time for ranking consideration.
  • For ADN admission only: Is a previous Western Iowa Tech LPN Graduate.

Meet Your Advisor

PN Sioux City and Hybrid

Pamela Ives
Admissions Representative
pamela.ives@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3402
Sioux City Campus, Admissions
Book Appointment

ADN Sioux City

Jennifer Conley
Career Navigator
jennifer.conley@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3471
Sioux City Campus, Admissions
Book Appointment

Cherokee Campus

Wendy Ivarson
Director of Cherokee Campus & Northern Service Area
wendy.ivarson@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3149
Cherokee Campus
Book Appointment

Denison Campus

Ashley Totten MSN, RN
Administrative Program Coordinator - Denison/Nursing Instructor
ashley.totten@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3397
Denison Campus
Book Appointment

Required Classes for Nursing - PN | Dipl

For a list of current required classes, visit:
https://catalog.witcc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=10&poid=2314&returnto=752

Entrance Requirements

Start dates for the Practical Nursing (PN) and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Completion Programs are based on the date that a student applies for admission, achieves the designated admission criteria, and space availability. Prior to, or after completing the PN Program, it is the student's responsibility to notify the Admissions Office of his or her desire to advance to the ADN Completion Program. Immediate progression into the ADN second year nursing program cannot be guaranteed. Admission requirements for nursing students at the Cherokee and Denison campus are the same as those for the Sioux City WITCC Campus. The Hybrid section has additional requirements.

  • Criteria 1 for Acceptance
    • Verification of high school, HSED or GED official transcripts
    • Documentation of 24 ACT composite/SAT 1160 or higher
    • 75-hour CNA Certification (must successfully complete theory and clinical portions of course)
  • OR Criteria 2 for Acceptance
    • Verification of high school, HSED, or GED official transcript
    • Documentation of TEAS composite score minimum of 59% 
    • 75-hour CNA Certification (must successfully complete theory and clinical portions of course)
  • OR Criteria 3 for Acceptance
    • Verification of high school, HSED, or GED official transcript
    • Documentation of 22 ACT composite/SAT 1100 or higher
      AND 
      BIO 168 (Anatomy and Physiology I) and BIO 151 (Nutrition) courses with a minimum B- in each course within the past five years
    • 75-hour CNA Certification (must successfully complete theory and clinical portions of course)

When you have completed one of the three criteria listed above, contact your advisor (above) to be accepted into the nursing program for the next available opening.

 

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

Kara Bral MSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
kara.bral@witcc.edu
Call  712.274.6411
Sioux City Campus, Room L314
Gabriella McDermott MSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
gabriella.mcdermott@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3225
Sioux City Campus, Room L307
Lauryn Norton MSN, RN, CHSE
Administrative Program Coordinator - Simulation/Nursing Instructor
lauryn.norton@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3468
Sioux City Campus, Room L314
Stephanie Hill MSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
stephanie.hill@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3388
Sioux City Campus, Room L314
Kerry Patchin BSN, RN
Administrative Program Coordinator Health Science
kerry.patchin@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3370
Sioux City Campus, Room L314
Heather Badar MSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
heather.badar@witcc.edu
Call  712.274.6437
Sioux City Campus, Room L307
Debbie Guerra BSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
debbie.guerra@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3197
Wendy Ivarson
Director of Cherokee Campus & Northern Service Area
wendy.ivarson@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3149
Cherokee Campus
Book Appointment
Ashley Totten MSN, RN
Administrative Program Coordinator - Denison/Nursing Instructor
ashley.totten@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3397
Denison Campus
Book Appointment
Dr. Teri Peterson DNP, MSN, RN
Associate Dean - Health Sciences
teri.peterson@witcc.edu
Call  712.317.3357
Sioux City Campus ,Room L314
 

Accreditation Information

The practical nursing program at Western Iowa Tech Community College at the Sioux City Campus located in Sioux City, Iowa 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 continued accreditation.  

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Information

Student Achievement Outcome Data

Licensure: First-time test takers who pass the NCLEX-PN within the same 12-month period (January 2023 – December 2023)

2023 90.8%

Program Completion

Percentage of students who enroll in PNN-624 Nursing I, and complete the Practical Nursing program within two academic semesters (100% of the program length)

2023 (FA22/SP23 Start) 60%

Licensure Information

Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) Information

Western Iowa Tech PN (LPN) graduates are prepared to successfully pass the NCLEX-PN. Current NCLEX-PN rates for all nursing programs in the state of Iowa are published on the Iowa Board of Nursing website. https://nursing.iowa.gov/nursing-education/nursing-education-program-statistics

Educational licensure is met in the following states: Iowa
Educational licensure is not met for the following states: None
If not listed above, determination has not yet been made for the remaining states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
To view educational requirements for the state you wish to work, visit https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-guidance.htm

Certification

Upon completion of the Practical Nursing (PN) coursework, you will be eligible to take the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure exam.

This national and state/regional examinations for licensure are required to practice in any state. A social security number is required to take the exams and apply for licensure.

 

Estimated Program Costs

In-state tuition and fees: $7,272.00 *
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $7,488.00 *
Educational fees: $97.00/semester
Estimated books: $200.00/semester **
Estimated transportation and personal expense: $2,273.00/semester
Estimated student housing and meals: $3,400.00/semester

* This is an approximate cost based on tuition and fees set by the Board of Directors before each school year. Course level fees may also apply. Additional charges for licensure or credential testing may be a part of your program.
** The cost of books varies per program.