Nursing positions have dipped in Minnesota hospitals due to the economic downturn, but demand is increasing in home care, community clinics, and nursing homes as the Baby Boomer generation gets older and sicker. As of 2011, Minnesota has an estimated 111,000 licensed nurses, of which 87,000 are RNs, according to the Minnesota Board of Nursing. The average age of RNs is 46.25 and for LPNs, 45.54; a nursing shortage is predicted when these nurses start to retire. Minnesota RNs earn an average salary of $73,770, higher than the most recent national average of $67,720 reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About a dozen nursing schools offer an LPN to RN (ADN and BSN) program in Minnesota. They include:
Hibbing Community College in Hibbing and Grand Marais offer an LPN to ADN track to RN licensure that is part of an educational mobility coalition program for nurses in northeastern Minnesota. LPNs can enter the accelerated one-year program after attending a summer advanced standing bridge course that gives an overview of registered nursing duties in the state's hospitals, nursing homes, clinics. Students need 64 credits to graduate. These include clinical training sessions in local hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
Rochester Community & Technical College in Rochester offers a Practical Nurse Mobility Program that helps LPNs meet the requirements to earn an associate degree for RN licensure in one year. Applicants who don't meet all educational criteria for the program can be credited for selected courses with the approval of the school's nursing director. LPNs may also have to attend a course that gives an overview of the associate degree program and the RN's role in patient care and the changing healthcare system. LPNs receive patient care training at Mayo Clinic Hospitals and local nursing homes during the two semester program that results in an ADN and enables licensure as an entry-level RN in Minnesota. Graduates can also advance to a bachelor or master degree through transitional agreements with Augsburg College and Winona State University.
Normandale Community College in Bloomington is accepting about 40 students annually into a new LPN to ADN Mobility Program that offers a fast-track to RN licensure. The fast-track program allows LPNs with work experience to receive as associate degree in nursing in two semesters. The college's traditional ADN program requires two years to complete and is highly competitive with many prerequisites. Graduates of the associated degree program can go on to earn a BSN through a partnership with Metropolitan State University that includes satellite and on-campus upper division courses.
