Presentation for the

Minnesota Rural Health Care Conference

July 17 and 18, 2006

Carol Church, RN BSN MSCarol.church@minnesota.edu

Director Itasca Community College Practical Nursing Program 2003 -2006

Site Coordinator Moorhead and Fergus Falls Community Colleges Nursing Programs 2006-

“Career Ladder for Education and Advancement of Nursing”A Project for Rural Minnesota

A part of The Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Grants Program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services

This is where the online conversation started for Itasca Community College……

2003

• Itasca Community College—

Practical Nursing Program

• Rainey River Community College—

Practical Nursing Program

• Hibbing Community College—

Associate Degree Nursing Program

• To create an accessible avenue of education and career ladder advancement from Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse in a seamless sequence of “blended”/on-line courses……

Year One:

• Readying our courses for online delivery

• Establishing the selection process for online learners

• Establish clinical sites, and relationships

Year Two:

• Selection of first cohort group for the LPN to RN distance option in Grand Rapids and International Falls

• Design the online curriculum for Itasca’s PN Program and Courses

• Select the first cohort group for Itasca’s PN Program/Online delivery

Year Three:

• First distance cohort of RN students taking their licensure exams…..

• Selection of the second distance cohort of LPN to RN students for HCC

• Delivery of the PN Program online

• For Grand Rapids area, we have gained approximately 30 RNs in 2 years time….all students were able to complete the program and clinicals, staying in their community…All of last year RNs have successfully written their Licensure Exam

• This number will help the community in keeping in line with the number of healthcare workers needed in the years to come……

• Itasca Community College Practical Nursing Program is now “online” (Innovative program design---have the ability to offer in institutions with groups of 10 interested?)

• Itasca had a successful delivery of their online practical nursing program 2005-2006… and will continue to improve the flexible clinical scheduling and work on recruitment efforts

• There are 11 students enrolled in the second semester online in Fall, 2006

Specifics about the LPN OnlineSpecifics about the LPN Online

• Theory classes are offered online… all three semesters—a couple of the general academic courses may be found through MN Online. Tests are proctored in an institution close to the student, with students taking responsibility for arrangements.

• Skills Classes are taught via online class and with CDs of Skills for students to learn and practice with

• Test outs of Skills happen in a consolidated schedule on campus

• Clinical happens in a condensed fashion on an average of one week each month

• Pilot Year 2006: 6 graduates and 4 passed Board Licensure Exam to date……

ContactsContacts

• Suzanne Aldrich

Interim Director Practical Nursing

Itasca Community College

218-327-4457 or saldrich@itascacc.edu