Donnelly College Home

Practical Nursing


Applications for Donnelly's PN Program are due:

  1. November 1 for January start date
  2. April 1 for June start date

To begin the application process, please contact our Admissions Office at (913) 621-8700.

Classes meet Monday and Wednesday evenings and every other Saturday for 14-18 months. A maximum of 50 students are admitted to the program each year.

Admission Pre-requisites

Before you can apply to the PN program, you must complete the following pre-requisites:
*Important note: these courses are offered at Donnelly.

  • CNA – Must have valid Kansas CNA license
  • BL 101 – Prin of Biology including lab (5 cr hrs)
  • *BL 136 - Physiology and Anatomy (5 cr hrs)
    *If courses are taken separately, labs must be a component of each course.
  • *PY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (3 cr hrs)
  • *PY 205 - Human Growth and Development (3 cr hrs)

These courses may have prerequisites. Applicant must complete all pre-requisite college courses with a grade of "C" or higher. Donnelly College does not accept transfer credits from non-accredited colleges.

The PN Application Process

Once you have completed the prerequisites, you can begin the application process for the PN program. Please contact admissions for the complete application packet.

It is highly recommended to complete the packet in the following order:

  1. Donnelly College Admissions Application
  2. Practical Nursing Application
  3. ACCUPLACER
    Reading (54 min), Writing (70 min), Math (70 min)
    Any applicant who has successfully completed EN 111 and/or MT 085 with a grade of "C" or better will be awarded 12.5 points/course in lieu of placement scores.
  4. FAFSA
  5. Kansas CNA Certification
    (Must be current at the time of application. To document certification, visit www.ksnurseaidregistry.org)
  6. Copy of Current CPR certification “BLS for Health Care Providers”.
  7. Official High School Transcripts or GED scores are required.
  8. Official University/College Transcripts
  9. Physical exam with documentation of a negative TB test and immunization records.

Additional Information: Upon acceptance into the PN program, you will be contacted by the Director of Nursing to complete a criminal background check and a drug screen.

IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure all materials are received in the admissions office on or before the application deadline. It is strongly recommended that all materials be submitted well in advance of the deadline.

Final Selection into the Program

Final selection will be based upon the following total ranking criteria of each applicant:

25% - ACCUPLACER scores
25% - Grade point average in required prerequisite courses
25% - Completion of prerequisite courses as Donnelly students
25% - Program interview

Additional Information

  • The Nursing Program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing located at the Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson, Suite 1051, Topeka, KS 66612. Telephone (785) 296-4929.
  • Academic programs of Donnelly College are accredited by: The Higher Learning Commission of NCA, 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. (312) 263-0456 (800) 621-7440 FAX: (312) 263-7462
  • Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses.

Estimated Expenses

Tuition: 30 Credit Hours x $219.00 per credit hour

Other estimated fees not included in tuition:

  • Liability Insurance $15.00
  • Lab Fees $50.00
  • Nursing Pin (assessed 2nd semester) $30.00
  • Testing $40.00
  • Donnelly shirts (2) $40.00
  • White pants/skirts (2) $58.00 – $64.00
  • Lab coat $48.00
  • ATI $125.00
  • Criminal background check/Drug Screen $80.00
  • Physical Exam/Immunizations $200.00
  • Textbooks $700.00
  • State Board Application $250.00
  • Supplies $50.00