Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

1-Year Diploma Program

A diploma from Southeast Technical College places you at the heart of one of today’s most in-demand fields. Healthcare employers across South Dakota—and throughout the country—are looking for skilled nursing professionals to meet the rising need for preventive care. Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and assisted living centers rely on LPNs to support patients, streamline care and enhance daily operations.

If you’re drawn to a career built on service and human connection, practical nursing offers a meaningful path forward. As an LPN, your role blends administrative responsibilities with direct patient care, making you an essential part of the healthcare team.

The qualities that help LPNs thrive include:

• Patience
• Compassion
• Strong work ethic
• Attention to detail

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Understand the Difference Between an LPN and an RN

As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you perform more advanced tasks than a Certified Nursing Assistant while working under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. Your responsibilities may include monitoring patient conditions, administering medication and carrying out essential bedside care.

Southeast Tech also offers a streamlined LPN-to-RN track. Graduates of our LPN program who have gained professional experience can take the next step and transition into STC’s Registered Nursing program with confidence.

LPN-to-RN Program

Southeast Tech also offers a streamlined LPN-to-RN track. Southeast Tech students in their final semester of the LPN program may gain fast entry into the RN program based on their academic performance and transition into STC’s Registered Nursing program with confidence.

Train in a High-Tech Healthcare Simulation Center

Your education takes place inside STC’s state-of-the-art Healthcare Simulation Center—an immersive, modern training environment that mirrors real clinical settings. Here, you will:

• Study human anatomy and physiology
• Practice using current nursing equipment
• Build confidence administering medication
• Strengthen your ability to respond in real-world scenarios

This hands-on approach prepares you to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care from day one.

Gain a Career-Ready LPN Diploma

Southeast Tech’s practical nursing program is designed to help you enter the workforce skilled, confident and employable.

Prepare for Licensure Success

Upon graduation, you are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for LPN licensure. Our students are well prepared. Since 2023, our pass rates exceed state and national averages.

Develop the Competencies Employers Need

You’ll graduate with a strong foundation in clinical ability, communication, decision-making and professional ethics—skills that make you an asset in any healthcare setting.

Choose a Flexible Learning Path

STC offers traditional classroom and online learning options with fall or spring start dates. Part-time day and evening schedules make it possible to pursue your diploma on your own terms. Courses run through fall, spring and summer semesters, with a course load of 5-13 credits each semester. 

Explore the Career Opportunities Ahead

Sioux Falls is a growing regional healthcare hub that draws patients from surrounding communities, creating steady demand for practical nurses. With an LPN diploma from STC, you’ll be prepared to work in:

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Outpatient care centers
• Hospice organizations
• Nursing homes
• Specialized healthcare and rehabilitation facilities
• Assisted living centers

Your Southeast Tech training prepares you not only for your first job in nursing, but for long-term growth in a rewarding field where your work truly makes a difference.