91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s pilot class of gerontology students gathered on campus for the program’s inaugural hands-on learning day on June 1.

After a welcome from 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s gerontology faculty Dr. Wendy Potratz and Alicia Carley, the students completed a dementia lab where they were dressed in simulation equipment and instructed to complete a number of tasks. They also met with guest speakers including Connie Norman, community health worker at Bemidji’s Sanford Health, and Jenn Cole, caregiver advocate from Northwoods Caregivers in Bemidji, who discussed local resources for aging adults.

The day came to a close with additional aging simulators for Parkinson’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, vision and more.

Contact

• Wendy Potratz, community health worker and gerontology faculty; (218) 333-6648, wendy.potratz@ntcmn.edu

Links

• Gerontology & Aging Care

2021-N-073

The Bemidji Career Academies is one of 17 programs from across Minnesota to share in $1.5 million in grant funding from the state. The funding will help the academies develop paid-learning opportunities for students who are 16 or older.

“Youth Skills Training grants provide students with hands-on workforce training in high-demand, high-growth fields,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in the state’s announcement of the grant awards. “Employers across the state are facing workforce shortages, and these innovative partnerships connect schools with local business to create career pathways for younger Minnesotans.”

More information

• “,” Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry,  Jan. 22, 2020

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, has prepared students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields for more than 50 years. The college’s accessible, affordable, hands-on programs also help the region’s employers meet their ever-growing need for a highly skilled workforce. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ serves more than 1,000 students with an excellent education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. Students may pursue nearly 40 degree, diploma and certificate programs in six distinct career paths. Classes are offered on campus, online, or as a combination of both. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities. For more, visit

2020-N-32

High school-aged students from across the state of Minnesota gathered at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ July 9-13 for a VEX Robotics Camp. Campers broke into four teams for a July 13 finale competition using Turning Point, a new VEX Robotics game for 2018.

For Turning Point, teams pit constructed robots against each other on a 12-by-12 square field. During two-minute rounds — which include a 15-second time phase in which robots must be autonomous and a 1:45 driver-controlled phase — teams attempt to score points by toggling flags, placing caps on targets or parking robots on platforms.

Because of the specific aptitude, knowledge and skills required for success in nursing, admission to nursing is a separate process from admission to 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ and is required to enroll in nursing courses.

The college is welcoming additional applicants for both its registered and practical nursing majors, said Michele Brielmaier, director of nursing and health sciences. Licensed practical nurses, often referred to as LPNs, generally provide direct patient care and gather information on patients, but can’t perform assessments, which registered nurses (RNs) are able to do.

“We are seeking students who are ready and eager to join the challenging and rewarding profession of nursing,” Brielmaier said.

With room still available for additional fall students, it made sense to extend the nursing admissions deadline and help address a chronic shortage of qualified nurses in the Bemidji region, she said. The original admissions deadline was March 1.

The initial steps are the same for prospective students seeking admission to either the practical nursing and registered nursing programs, said Admissions Adviser Lisa Hanson. She is available to answer questions (email | phone) and help individuals determine whether they can meet the nursing qualifications by the new July 30 deadline. Hanson frequently meets with interested students at the college, located at 905 Grant Ave. SE in Bemidji.

Here are the initial steps and key deadlines for interested students:

• As soon as possible,  to 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ and indicate nursing as the intended program of study. The application fee is $20.
• By July 20, take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), a pre-nursing exam. Prospective students should make sure to choose 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ as their school when registering for TEAS. Practice tests and other preparation information are available . A score of 53 or above is required for practical nursing, and a score of 64 or above is required for registered nursing. Previous TEAS results may be used if they are from within the past two years.
• By July 26, complete the Accuplacer placement test, a web-based tool that assesses college preparedness in reading, writing and math. As a followup, complete any college readiness courses prior to fall semester.
• By July 30, send the college a high school transcript or GED. This must be received by July 30.
• By July 30, individuals with prior credits from one or more other colleges should share an official transcript from those schools. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ can automatically access transcripts from any college or university in the Minnesota State system.

Contact Lisa Hanson at 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ for detailed information on required pre-requisites for admission to the nursing and practical nursing programs, as well as prior GPA requirements and clinical requirements such as CPR certification.

Applications will be reviewed immediately after the July 30 deadline. The 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Nursing Office will notify applicants of their status.

Contact

• Lisa Hanson, 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Office of Admissions; (218) 333-6615, lisa.hanson@ntcmn.edu

2018-N-R-006

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, is an open, inviting technological learning organization. For more than 40 years, the college has valued life-long learning and the worth and dignity of all people. The college serves 900 students with a high-quality education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ offers nearly 60 degree, diploma and certificate programs in areas such as business, health, human and protective services and environmental and industrial technology. Classes are offered on the Bemidji campus, online, or as a combination of both. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities.

This new 30-second commercial for 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is running on Paul Bunyan Communications during this year’s Winter Olympics broadcasts. Watch for it on social media as well!

On July 26, prospective students interested in exploring 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s residential plumbing & HVAC programs are invited to explore facilities, meet with faculty and students, learn about career possibilities available to graduates from these programs, and register for fall classes.

This event is open free to all.

Prospective students interested in exploring 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s automotive service & performance programs are invited to explore facilities, meet with faculty and students, learn about career possibilities available to graduates from these programs, and register for fall classes.

This event is open free to all.

Prospective electricians are invited to explore 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s facilities, meet with faculty and students, learn about career possibilities available in electrical construction and register for fall classes.

Construction electricians build, install, maintain and repair electrical systems that provide heat, light or power to residential, commercial and industrial structures. Students in 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ’s program also study green energy technologies and sustainable residential electricity, preparing them for work in emerging energy careers.

Technical and general courses offer a mix of theory and hands-on learning in classrooms, labs and at job sites. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ electrical construction students learn wiring methods, blueprint reading, material selection, programmable controllers and national electric code.

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Electrical Construction graduates enter the workforce as construction electrician apprentices with salaries around $44,000 per year, and are equipped to pursue journeyman or master electrician’s licenses in the future.

Contact

• 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Office of Admissions; (218) 333-6600

Links

• 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ Electrical Construction program

91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ, located in northern Minnesota’s lake district, is an open, inviting technological learning organization. For more than 40 years, the college has valued life-long learning and the worth and dignity of all people. The college serves 900 students with a high-quality education, an open-enrollment policy and affordable tuition. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ offers nearly 60 degree, diploma and certificate programs in areas such as business, health, human and protective services and environmental and industrial technology. Classes are offered on the Bemidji campus, online, or as a combination of both. 91ÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ is a member of the colleges and universities of .

2017-N-L-014

The Dental Assisting program is hosting Dental Assisting Day 1–3 p.m. on April 5, to meet students and faculty, tour well-equipped labs and learn about financial aid and housing options at BSU while starting a career path that can lead to a $35,000 salary in less than a year.

Apply now; classes begin this fall.