A Road Map to Nursing Education in

North Dakota

Julie Traynor, RN, MS, CNE

Director, Dakota Nursing Program

November 2019

Graduate

OptionsPre-licensure

Options

Registered

Nurse (RN)

BSN

Registered

Nurse (RN)

ADN

RN

to

BSN

PhD

DNP

MSN

Licensed

Practical Nurse

(LPN)PN

LPN to RN

(ADN or

BSN)

Degree Location Key

Degrees for eligibility to take the licensing

exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse

(LPN)

• Certificate PN—Certificate in

Practical Nursing (1 year)

• Bismarck State College

• Dakota College at Bottineau

• Lake Region State College

• Williston State College

• AASPN—Associate of Applied

Science/Associate of Science in

Practical Nursing (2 years)

• Dickinson State University

• North Dakota State College of

Science

• Sitting Bull College

Degree Location Key

Degrees for eligibility to take the licensing

exam to become a Registered Nurse (RN)

• ADN—Associate Degree Nurse (2 years)

• Bismarck State College

• Dakota College at Bottineau

• Lake Region State College

• North Dakota State College of Science

• Williston State College

• BSN—Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (4 years)

• Dickinson State University

• Minot State University

• North Dakota State University

• Rasmussen College

• University of Jamestown

• University of Mary

• University of North Dakota

Degree Location Key

Post Licensure Programs

RN to BSN – Post licensure BSN

• Mayville State University

• All BSN programs also include RN to BSN tracks

Graduate Degrees:

• MSN—Master of Science in Nursing

• University of Mary and University of North Dakota

• DNP—Doctor of Nursing Practice

• North Dakota State University, University of Mary and

University of North Dakota

• PhD—Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

• University of North Dakota

Why should a person consider a

career in nursing?

There are many factors to consider along with many

benefits to becoming a nurse. Here are a few:

Flexibility

Fast growing occupation

Plentiful job opportunities

Ability to travel

Range of workplaces

High job demand

Opportunities for advancement

Pay Scale

Average salary for a RN

National wage averages $75,504.00 or $36.30 per hour

Average pay in ND for a RN is $65,748 or $31.61 per hour

Average salary for a LPN

National wage averages $47,050.00 per year or $22.62 per hour

Average pay in ND for an LPN is $46,405.00 or $22.31 per hour

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2018 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

A great way to quickly gain experience is to become a

Certified Nurse’s Assistant (CNA).

Attend scrubs or nursing camps to learn more about

nursing or an allied health career.

Take a health careers class in high school or volunteer

in a health care setting

Practice good study habits and test taking skills.

Take rigorous high school courses that include English,

chemistry, biology, algebra, physics, psychology and

computers/technology.

How can a person prepare for

a career in nursing?

The Dakota Nursing Program is a nursing education

consortium made possible through the partnership of

nursing programs at four ND community colleges.

• Bismarck State College

• Dakota College at Bottineau

• Lake Region State College

• Williston State College

The Dakota Nursing Program at each of the

campuses is fully approved by the North Dakota

Board of Nursing.

About the Dakota Nursing Programs

Educating over 300 future nurses Annually Four colleges with satellite sites

Providing Nursing Education in Rural ND!Satellite sites from 2005-2020

Bismarck State College

• Hettinger – (2019-present)

• Ashley – (2018, 2020)

• Garrison – (2018-present)

• Harvey (2011-present)

• Hazen (2011-present)

Dakota College at Bottineau

• Minot (2015-present)

• Valley City (2008-present)

• Rugby (2008-present)

Fort Berthold Community College

(2008-2012)

Lake Region State College

• Grand Forks (2015-present)

• Mayville (2011-present)

• Carrington (2010)

• Northwood (2007, 2008, 2010)

• Cooperstown (2009)

• Langdon (2008)

Williston State College

• Tioga – (2018-present)

• Watford City – (starting in

2020)

• New Town (2012-2017)

• Minot (2005-2015)

Practical Nursing Certificate

The Dakota Nursing Programs provide education leading to the

following degrees:

• Practical Nursing Certificate Program (11 months) Upon

graduation the student becomes eligible to take the national licensing

exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Paramedic to Nurse• Paramedic to Nurse Program (1 semester) Students who hold

current registration as a paramedic and have completed the nursing

general education credits can graduate with a Practical Nursing

Certificate upon completion of this bridge.

• Eligible to take the national licensing exam to become an LPN.

• Articulate to the AD program.

Degrees

• Associate Degree in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) (2 additional

semesters after the Practical Nurse Program) Upon graduation the student

becomes eligible to take the national licensing exam to become a

Registered Nurse (RN).

• Students who are currently LPNs or who are paramedics and have taken the

bridge program can enter the ADN program as advanced standing students.

NOTE: 11% of all nurses are men!

Admission to the Practical Nursing Program

1) High School Diploma or GED Certificate

High School GPA of 2.5 or greater.

If a student has completed 12 credits of college level classes

included in the program requirements, the college GPA will be

considered instead of the HS GPA.

2) Proof of Math Skill Readiness.

a) ACT-MATH Score of 21 or higher

b) Student must have completed at minimum:

c) The developmental math course (ASC 093 or other pre-

requisite math course that would qualify a student to take

College Algebra 103) with a grade of Satisfactory or “C”

3) An ACT composite score of 19 or

a) Placement test(s) with an equivalent score

4) Students must be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year they

start the program.

5) Application and admission to the respective college is required before

applying to the nursing program. There are two application processes –

first to the college and then to the nursing program.

6) Current CPR Certification for Health Care Providers (American

Heart Association) or CPR/Health Care Provider (Red Cross) and must

be updated to remain current throughout program.

7) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score of 45% or greater.

The average TEAS score for the class of 2019-2020 was 65%.

Admission to the Practical Nursing Program

To find curriculum and application

information – access the website

www.dakotanursing.org

Technology• Interactive Video Technology

o Lectures by subject matter experts taught to entire consortium

o Committee meetings, student advising and study groups

• Blackboard Learning Management System

o Student course organization

o Exams

o Communication link for students and faculty

• Web Based videos and resources provide accessibility anytime

anywhere

o Skills and instructional videos

o Lab and drug resources

• Active Learning through Games & Audience Response Systems via

student phones

• Simulation - High risk situations in a safe environment.

Quality and Success

Dakota Nursing Program AD graduates take the same national licensure exam as the baccalaureate graduates across the state and nation.

Our average NCLEX first time pass rate is frequently greater than both the state and national first time pass rates on that same exam.

Program Outcomes available at:

https://dakotanursing.org/home-2/program-outcomes/

Cost Effective Choice

If you are looking for a great nursing program…

Call, email and check out our website

and social media pages