Mid-Plains Community College Nursing Program Review
Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) like all other community colleges in Nebraska was established after a legislature to merge all junior, technical and vocational colleges into six community colleges. As such, McCook junior college and North Platte junior college joined Mid-plains Vocational Tech College. This merge led to the change of name to Mid-plains Tech Community College but the name tech was dropped to form the current name. To date, McCook Community College (MCC) and North Platte Community College (NPCC) remain as distinct Divisions of Mid-Plains Community College.
Nursing at Mid-plains Community College
There are three nursing programs at Mid-Plains Community College. An associate of science in nursing degree program is available and is accredited by the National League in Nursing Accrediting Commission. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) also have a chance to complete the associate degree through advanced placements option. A Diploma in practical nursing that is approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing is also offered. For those who wish to become nursing assistants, there is a short Basic Nurse Aide courses on. More details on each program are provided below:
Basic Nurse Aide
This is a very short course that trains students to become nursing aides. The course enables students to become eligible to take state competency exams to become certified nurse aides.
Practical Nursing Education Program
The Practical nursing program at Mid-Plains Community College leads to the award of a practical nursing diploma. It is a full time program that takes 12 months to complete and prepares students to be eligible to write the NCLEX-PN exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses. Classes for the program start on fall semester and is designed to be finished in the summer semester. 40 credits are required for graduation with the diploma.
LPN-C
Mid-Plains Community College also offers LPNs a post graduate course for those who want to become certified in intravenous therapy. Students must first pass the NCLEX-PN exam to be allowed to take the IV therapy course. Those who complete get the title Licensed Practical Nurses-Certified (LPN-C)
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
The associate degree program is a traditional two-year program that commences in August each year. Other than fresh entry candidates, Mid-plains has also formed dual enrollment agreements with a number of high schools in Nebraska. This enables senior year high school students to earn some credits towards the associate degree in nursing before enrolling at Mid-plains. Admission into the program is selective and students are required to have completed a nursing assisting course within the last 6 months prior to application. The program also requires candidates who hold current employment at the time of application failure to which; they must undergo a nursing assisting skills check.
The ADN requires 72 credit hours to complete, some of which are taken during a summer semester. All nursing courses are taken at Mid-Plains Community College while non- nursing courses can be completed at Mid-Plains, McCook or North Platte-South Campus. Completion of the programs awards the student an Associate Degree I Nursing and eligibility to write the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse (RN). There is an opportunity for LPN advancement as explained below:
LPN to RN Bridge Program for Advanced Placement
The LPN to RN Bridge course is open to licensed practical nurses that hold LPN licenses for the state and want to become RNs. The bridge course equivalent to 3 credit hours must be completed for students to receive advanced placement into the ADN.
Contact:
Mid–Plains Community College
601 W State Farm Road, North Platte,
NE 69101
McCook Community College
1205 East Third St, McCook,
NE 69001
North Platte Community College
1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte,
NE 69101
