Diploma Practical Nursing - IDL

The Diploma Practical Nursing - IDL program is 50 academic weeks in length and includes 75.5 credit hours and 1,160 clock hours of instruction (420 lecture hours and 740 lab/clinical hours). Programmatic instruction includes hybrid, laboratory and clinical experience in medical, surgical, pediatric, adult, geriatric and community practice, plus general education courses.

The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the educational requirements of the Oregon State Board of Nursing to be considered for the NCLEX-PN exam, leading to licensure as a Practical Nurse. It is offered at the IOT Salem, Oregon campus.

Salem’s Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) programs combine convenient online learning with face-to-face classroom and lab experiences, created to provide hands-on, in-person training and a flexible schedule. Licensure fees for the nursing programs (fingerprinting, background, application and testing) are covered by Institute of Technology.

Training focuses on geriatrics, adult health, obstetrics, pediatrics, community health, leadership, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, psychology, pharmacology, clinical nursing procedures, communication, ethics, the nursing process and career enhancement. IOT pays the NCLEX-PN licensure exam fees. The Salem campus gained approval from the Oregon State Board of Nursing for the practical nursing program in 2005-2006.

All applicants first meet with an Admissions Representative (in person or virtually) and with Financial Aid, must be at least 18 years of age (verified through a government-issued ID), and must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid GED, or proof of completing an officially recognized and accredited home-school program. IDL applicants must pass the online Computer Literacy and Internet Knowledge (CLIK) pre-assessment.

Due to limited enrollment, all prospective DPN-IDL students must complete an application packet; incomplete packets are not scored, and denied students can apply for the following term. The scoring rubric typically reviews the Comprehensive Quiz (Requirements and Policies), CLIK, Wonderlic SLE or SLE-Q, HESI A2 and a required letter of recommendation. Applicants must pass the HESI A2 at the 75th percentile cumulative score (reading comprehension and math) and the Student Handbook Policy Quiz (minimum 75%), and submit to a criminal background check.

This is a hybrid program: classes are conducted on campus and online for 50 weeks, with on-campus attendance required at least one day per week (except during the first term) for lab/clinical courses and scheduled midterms and finals. The program includes 210 hours of off-site Practical Nursing Clinical Practicum, which may differ from scheduled on-campus days.

Day sessions run 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and night sessions 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Upcoming starts include October 5, 2026 (ending October 31, 2027) and January 4, 2027 (ending January 30, 2028).

Graduates will be prepared to contribute to a broad range of entry-level occupations in the nursing field. Job opportunities exist in physician offices, clinics, home health agencies, corrections, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient care centers and other health agencies.

On completion, graduates receive a diploma and have their name submitted to the Oregon State Board of Nursing as a candidate for the NCLEX-PN; passing it and gaining Oregon licensure entitles the graduate to use the LPN credential.

All students must participate in lab/clinical and practicum settings, including simulation, and meet all immunization, screening and CPR requirements of the program and practicum site. All midterm and final exams are conducted on campus. Uniforms are required; textbooks, uniforms and course materials are provided or purchased by the student.

Licensure fees (fingerprinting, background, application and testing) are covered by IOT, with fingerprinting reimbursed. Applicants with a criminal record may petition the Oregon State Board of Nursing for a predetermination.