Chart Your Course to a Future in Nursing
Kickstart your nursing career at Ozarks Tech! You’ll build skills to work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in a variety of health care settings. LPNs provide direct patient care under the guidance of a registered nurses (RN), advanced practice nurse (APRN), or physician. Your courses focus on hands-on care. You’ll practice essential career skills like:
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Administering medication
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Checking patients’ vital signs
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Helping patients get dressed
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Maintaining documentation and reports
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Collaborating with the healthcare team
Realistic labs and hands-on clinical experiences help you build and practice your skills. Find roles working in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, home health, schools and more!
All three Practical Nursing programs are fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Program Information
Explore our accreditation information, find program contacts and learn more about how to apply for the program.
The Practical Nursing Program is a selective admission program determined by a points-based system.
Application Requirements and Information
General Admissions to Ozarks Tech
Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.
At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.
We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.
Dr. Kristy Conner
Practical Nursing Program Director – Springfield Campus
417-447-8847
Dr. Kristall Fears
Practical Nursing Program Director – Table Rock Campus
417-447-2643
Tracie Liska
Practical Nursing Program Director – Lebanon Center
417-447-6609
Accreditation
All three Practical Nursing programs are fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Practical Nursing Program is to provide educational opportunities to individuals that benefit the society and community in which they practice by promoting the health and well-being of all individuals.
Philosophy
The faculty is dedicated to educating students in entry-level skills to succeed in the field of practical nursing. Belief in the integrity and worth of all human beings is the basic philosophy of the Practical Nursing program. Each person is viewed as an individual with unique characteristics and behavior. All persons have common basic needs and roles within the context of society which includes family and community. Nursing is a health profession concerned with promoting the quality of life of individuals and families. Practical Nursing is accountable to society and is characterized by a commitment to practice within ethical, legal, and professional standards.
Learning is a complex, mutual progression of growth and development, identified by changes in the behavior of the learner. Critical thinking is a necessary component of nursing and must be fostered in students and integrated throughout the curriculum. Learning is facilitated in a supportive environment. Students must assume responsibility for their own professional development and personal growth.
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more on OTC Accreditation.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the curriculum and practicum provided in the Practical Nursing program, the student will demonstrate the achievement of the program’s graduate competencies:
- Provide safe nursing care for all clients in a variety of healthcare settings.
- Utilize the nursing clinical judgment model to implement and prioritize client needs.
- Communicate in a purposeful and facilitative manner with the client, family, and members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate professional behavior by practicing within the ethical and legal framework of nursing. (Revised 2024)
Find Your Community
Getting involved is a great way to build connections and find your community on campus. With a variety of clubs and organizations and campus events it’s easy to find your people.
Interested in learning more?
Watch an informational session! Applicants are encouraged to watch a nursing advising session to learn more about the program and the application process.
Course Information
Discover overview information, course sequences and specific course descriptions. Or, view the full catalog to see all the details.
Nursing—Practical Nursing Certificate
Certificate: 49 Hours
Location: Springfield Campus, Table Rock Campus, Lebanon Center
All three Practical Nursing programs are fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and offered in a hybrid course delivery option. A grade of “C” or better is required for all NUR prefix courses. Graduates receive a certificate and are eligible to apply to the Missouri State Board of Nursing for permission to write the NCLEX-PN exam and become licensed as a Practical Nurse. Employment options for graduates include long-term skilled care, hospital acute care, home health care, doctors’ offices and clinics, hospice, or industrial nursing. Graduates may also use a Practical Nursing Certificate as a stepping stone to further their education and progress to an Associate of Science in Nursing degree.
Students may take the “Program Specific Courses” only after they have been admitted into the program. A separate application process is required for acceptance into this program. Refer to the “Application Information” tab on the program website, at https://academics.otc.edu/lpn/ for admissions requirements. Complete application information can be obtained on the OTC web site or from the Health Sciences office. A new class begins each fall and spring semester at the Springfield campus, each fall semester at the Table Rock campus, and each spring at the Lebanon center.
MO State Board of Nursing, PO Box 656, Jefferson City, MO 65102, (573) 751-0681 https://www.pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp
More Tools for Finding Your Path
Notices & Disclaimers
*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.
**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.