Technical - Limited Enrollment
CONTACT PERSON: Suzie McShane • Allied Health • 224-2476 • Suzie.McShane@bsc.nodak.edu

Bismarck State College, in collaboration with Lake Region State College, Minot State University-Bottineau, Williston State College and Fort Berthold Community College, offers the Dakota Nursing Program at the Certificate Practical Nurse and Associate Degree Nursing levels.

Students will be selected through an interview process, competing with other eligible applicants to both the PN and ADN programs.

Nursing education is organized as a career ladder that begins with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training offered at BSC. CNA certification and pre-requisites are required before enrolling in the Dakota Nursing Program. Students are eligible to earn a Certificate in Practical Nursing after the first year of nursing classes. If qualifications are met, including maintaining a minimum program required GPA of 2.75, students may continue on to complete the second year, leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing. Students must continue to maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.75 during the second year.

The Dakota Associate Degree Nursing Curriculum prepares an individual with the professional knowledge, abilities, and skills to practice nursing independently and interdependently through application of the nursing process to provide safe nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan in a variety of settings.

The student will receive classroom instruction via Interactive Video Network (IVN), with instructors for some courses on campus, and instructors for other courses at distant sites. Nursing courses are not currently online, so students will be required to travel to campus to attend class. Clinical/Lab practice occurs at local sites, and clinicals include nursing homes, hospitals, community settings, and may include evenings and weekend hours.

Students planning to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) should consider the RN to BSN or RN to MSN bridge programs offered in the state. (See coordinator for details.)

Career Possibilities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs): Clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and acute care centers.
Career Possibilities for Registered Nurses (RNs): Hospital acute care settings, long-term care facilities, clinics, outpatient offices, health care industry, community and public agencies.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Admission to respective college
• Proof of completing a CNA class and current North Dakota certification.
• Current CPR Certification for Health Care Providers
• ENGL 110 Composition or higher level ENGL with “C” or better
• CHEM 115/115L Introductory to Chemistry with “C” or better
• High School Algebra/Beginning Algebra (ASC-92) or COMPASS /ASSET exam equivalent score (minimum writing score of 75 and a minimum reading score of 75) is required of students who have not completed 12 credits of classes included in the program requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 for all completed college courses that are requirements for the Dakota Nursing program.
• An overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 of all college courses taken.
• “C” or better in all courses previously completed.
• The following courses will need to be repeated if older than 5 years from class completion date: Anatomy and Physiology I/L and II/L, Developmental Psychology, and Pharmacology.
• Students who meet the prerequisites and whose file is complete are selected for a competitive entry interview.
• Applications will be available Jan. 15. Applications received after March 1 will be considered on available space.