PRACTICAL NURSING
Nursing in nine months!
Salina Tech’s Practical Nurse program is designed to teach the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to enter the nursing field. Through a combination of classroom learning, simulations and clinical experiences, students develop the nursing skills that make them stand out in the job market.
The program is designed to prepare students to care for patients under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse. This includes not only clinical patient-care skills, but also soft skills such as professionalism and effective communication.
Topics covered include pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, maternal-child nursing and mental health nursing. The nursing courses consist of a blend of academic and clinical components; together they will prepare the graduate for success with the licensing exam for Practical Nurses, called the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN.)
Students first must complete several prerequisites before being accepted into this program. See Prerequisite Information for details. Priority will be given to applications received by March 1.
| Program Length | Program Cost | Degree Earned | Expected Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three semesters
(includes prerequisites) |
$13,650 | Practical Nursing License*
*Licensure is NOT guaranteed |
$37,900 |
YOU WILL LEARN
CAREERS
INFORMATION
FACULTY
Naomi Tatro, MSN, RN
Naomi Tatro is a Registered Nurse who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education from Western Governors University.
Mrs. Tatro has experience with the aging population from working as a charge nurse and director of nursing in long-term care facilities. She has worked in forensic nursing and pediatric home health. As an educator, she began as a CNA instructor at Cloud County Community College before joining Salina Tech’s Allied Health Program in 2013. Mrs. Tatro later served as a full-time Practical Nursing instructor for Salina Tech before becoming the college’s Director of Nursing and Allied Health in 2023.
naomi.tatro@salinatech.edu
785-309-3105
Becky Adamson, BSN, RN
Becky Adamson is a Registered Nurse who earned her ADN degree from Kansas Wesleyan University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Fort Hays State University.
Mrs. Adamson’s diverse nursing career has included, Emergency Department, Acute and Skilled care, Home Health, School Nurse, and Surgery. She joined the Salina Tech Nursing program in 2021 as a full-time instructor in the Practical Nursing Program
becky.adamson@salinatech.edu
785-309-3134
Polly Howell, MSN, RN, CHSE
Polly Howell is a Registered Nurse who earned a Nursing diploma from Northwest Texas Hospital School of Nursing in Amarillo, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from West Texas State University. She completed a Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from South University. She is also a certified Healthcare Simulation Educator.
Ms. Polly has a nursing career that includes many years in pediatrics. As a general floor nurse at a local surgical hospital she gained experience in infection control and insurance verification. She has over 12 years of experience with simulation which she brings as an advanced teaching tool. She joined the Salina Tech Nursing program in 2019 as Head of the Nursing Lab.
polly.howell@salinatech.edu
785-309-3157
Cari Harpster, ADN, RN
Cari Harpster is a Registered Nurse who is an alumna of Salina Tech’s Nursing programs. She is currently completing Bachelor of Science in Nursing along with a Master of Science in Nursing Community Health from Rasmussen University.
Mrs. Harpster has experience in the US Army medic specialty, in home health, and in medical-surgical, rehabilitation, and trauma care. She joined the Salina Tech Nursing program in 2022 as an adjunct Practical Nursing clinical instructor, and became the full-time Clinical Coordinator for the Nursing programs in 2023.
cari.harpster@salinatech.edu
785-309-3142
Christina Reid, BSN, RN
Christina Reid is a Registered Nurse who earned an ADN degree from Brown Mackie College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Grand Canyon University. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree through Walden University.
Mrs. Reid’s professional nursing career has included acute and skilled care, home health, and travel nursing. She joined the Salina Tech faculty in 2022 as an Allied Health instructor and became a full-time Practical Nursing instructor in 2023.
christina.reid@salinatech.edu
785-309-3174
CONTACT
Contact the PN Enrollment Specialist or the Health Occupations Specialist with any questions, or admissions requirement information.
Emily Ingalls – Enrollment Specialist
785-309-3132
emily.ingalls@salinatech.edu
Cierra Haith – Health Occupations Specialist
785-309-3190
cierra.haith@salinatech.edu