Saint Paul College Nursing Program Review
Saint Paul College (SPC) opened its doors as a small Boys Vocational training centre in 1910. Fifty six years down the line, the college expanded its mission and academic programs and this followed the change of name to Saint Paul college; a two year college offering associate of science and arts degrees as a way of getting into professional careers and also a starting point for the transfer to four year baccalaureate degree programs. Certificate and diploma programs are also part of the program catalog at St. Paul College; a community and technical college.
Nursing at Saint Paul College
The Health and Services division offers the nursing programs at Saint Paul College. The programs have been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing. There are two nursing certificate programs and one practical nursing program that has both a diploma and an associate in applied science in practical nursing component.
Practical Nursing AAS Degree
The rather unusual program leading to an associate applied in science degree in practical nursing requires 63 credits to complete. Students take about 25 general education credits and 38 practical nursing and health core credits. The program is aims to cover most of the general education credits usually required in a nursing mobility program, hence the unusually high number of credits as compared to the usual practical nursing diploma.
Courses can be offered in a full time day option and a flexible part time option which is done during the evening. However, students must note that a number of courses for the evening program can be offered during the day. On completion, students are eligible to write the NCLEX-PN exam and become practical nurses.
Practical Nursing Diploma
The diploma takes the same number of practical nursing credits like the practical nursing AAS degree. The only variation between the two is the number of general education credits needed. The practical nursing AAS is geared to offset the general education workload needed for a nursing mobility transfer but this option is meant to career entry. On this track, students take 13 general education credits as compared to 25 of the former program. The mode of study is similar ie full time and part time with completion leading to eligibility to write the NCLEX-PN exam besides awarding the Diploma in practical nursing.
Nursing Assistant/ Home Health Aide Certificate
This is a certificate program that meets the educational needs of students who wish to have an entry point in nursing. The program comprises of two courses; nurse assistance course in home health aiding carrying four credits and a nursing assistance for clinical experience equivalent to one credit. Completion of the five credits makes the student eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment program and be entered in the state’s Nursing Assistant Registry.
Nursing Station Technician Certificate
This certificate program is a kind of advanced program that includes all the five nursing assisting credits and an additional 19 credits including three general education credits. The outcome of the program is to prepare a nurse technician who can work as a nurse aide, health unit coordinator, one who can process physician’s orders and one who understands diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Contact:
Saint Paul College
235 Marshall Avenue Saint Paul,
MN 55102
