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Minnesota State College Southeast

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Contact Katryn Conlin, Communications Director
651-385-6364, [email protected]

For Immediate Release

Southeast Technical's Practical Nursing program receives ACEN accreditation, celebrations planned for April 25 in Red Wing and April 26 in Winona

Winona, MN (April 19, 2016) --- Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical is proud to announce that the college's Practical Nursing program has achieved accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In a letter dated March 30, 2016, ACEN provided formal notification of the accreditation, which is awarded for a period of five years. 

"This accreditation is a tremendous accomplishment for the college and an important benefit for our current and future Practical Nursing students," says Dr. Dorothy Duran, President of Southeast Technical. "For this reason, we are holding celebrations on both campuses, and everyone is invited to join us!"

Celebrate Practical Nursing Accreditation with Southeast Technical!

Red Wing Campus Open House
Monday, April 25, 2016
2 to 4 pm
Main Lobby, 308 Pioneer Road
Red Wing, MN

Winona Campus Open House
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
2 to 4 pm
Main Lobby, 1250 Homer Road
Winona, MN

At both celebrations, enjoy the opportunity to:

Meet and mingle with college students, faculty, administration and staff
Enjoy refreshments including cake and fruit punch
Tour campus Labs and Simulation Centers
Learn more about Practical Nursing at Southeast Technical

ACEN accreditation recognizes educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality.  ACEN accreditation is one of many facets that signify the quality of a Practical Nursing education at Southeast Technical: 

As a public two-year educational institution, Southeast Technical is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The nursing programs at Southeast Technical are approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, a governmental agency. 
Southeast Technical is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

"ACEN Accreditation is the 'gold standard' of Practical Nursing programs," says Dr. Rita Berthelsen, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health. "A degree from an ACEN accredited college can make students more competitive in the job market. Employers prefer to hire accredited practitioners because they are trained under nationally established standards for nursing education."

Practical Nursing at Southeast Technical is a 36-credit diploma designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide direct nursing care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, home and community-based settings. This challenging program requires students to demonstrate competence in classroom theory, laboratory experiences, simulated events, and supervised clinical rotations. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination(NCLEX-PN) to become LPNs. Applications are being accepted now for a Fall 2016 start in the program. 

For more information about nursing programs at Southeast Technical, see southeastmn.one.

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About Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical

Southeast Technical is a two-year institution that provides its students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will need for a lifetime of learning. With more than 30 programs of study and 90 degree, diploma, and certificate options, many students are prepared to launch a career in a technical or trade field as soon as they graduate. Others begin the pathway to a four-year bachelor's degree by earning transferable college credits in liberal arts and sciences. The Winona campus opened in 1949, merging with the Red Wing campus in 1992 and becoming Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical in 1999. Southeast Technical is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.