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Practical Nursing


Applications for Donnelly's LPN 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. Typically, this process takes about two weeks to complete. 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 LPN program, you must complete the following pre-requisites:
*Important note: these courses are offered at Donnelly.

  • Must have valid Kansas CNA license
  • 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.

*Students transferring Physiology and Anatomy from a school which does not require Principles of Biology as a prerequisite will have the Principles of Biology prerequisite waived if they received a grade of "A" or "B" only.

The LPN Application Process

Once you have completed the pre-requisites, you can begin the application process for the LPN program. Please contact our Admissions Office for the complete application packet by calling (913) 621-8700.

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

  1. Practical Nursing Application
  2. ACCUPLACER: Reading (54 min), Writing (70 min), and *Math (70 min)
    *Important note: students may be accepted conditionally into the LPN program with ACCUPLACER scores between 31 and 70. Students accepted under these circumstances will be required to register in and complete Basic Algebra and MT 085 in the first semester of the nursing program. 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.
  3. FAFSA
  4. Official High School Transcripts or GED scores are required
  5. Official University/College Transcripts
  6. Physical Exam Form
  7. Criminal Background Check required
  8. Drug Screen required

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% - G.P.A. in required prerequisite courses
25% - Completion of pre-requisite courses as native students
25% - Program interview

Additional Information

  • Current certification for CPR for Health Care Providers and documentation of a negative TB test is required prior to the first day of class of the first semester of the Nursing Program. Both must remain active throughout the entire program.
  • Applicants will receive a letter from Admissions verifying receipt of materials.
  • Interviews will be scheduled for those students who have completed the pre-requisites, have met the minimum GPA requirements, and have complete admission files.
  • 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.