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Top North Dakota RN to BSN Programs

The healthcare system in the United States is currently undergoing considerable changes. The responsibilities of registered nurses in the past several years have broadened substantially due to an array of factors which include an aging baby boomer population, new laws, and structural shifts to the system. As the responsibilities of nurses has increased, so has their educational expectations. As a result, nurses who are looking to the future are enrolling in RN to BSN programs to stay competitive and earn higher salaries. To meet the increased market demand for BSN-educated nurses, colleges and universities have made it easier than ever before for RNs to earn their bachelor's degree through RN to BSN programs. Finding a program to suit your individual needs isn't always so straightforward, however. That's why we have compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in North Dakota.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in North Dakota

Picking which RN to BSN program to attend is a big decision and involves many considerations. Consider the following factors while researching programs in the state:

  • How competitive the program is
  • Cost of attendance
  • Quality of faculty
  • Program accreditation
  • How long the program has been operational
  • Reputation of the school
  • Scholarship and financial aid availability
  • Employment data for program grads
  • School size and class sizes
  • Internships and clinical experiences

Testing and Certification

RNs with ADN degrees have already passed the NCLEX-RN exam as a condition of licensure. As a result, RN to BSN students do not have to re-take the NCLEX-RN exam upon completion of the bridge program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in North Dakota

1. Mayville State University

Founded in 1889, Mayville State University (MSU) is a public university - part of the North Dakota University System - that's situated in the small town of Mayville, in the eastern region of the state not far from Grand Forks. MSU offers a 36 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that students can choose to take in a full-time or part-time format. Courses are delivered in-person at the university in five-week blocks, with the exception of one ten-week clinical course. During the program, students can expect to tackle courses like Nursing Leadership, Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan, and Ethical Dilemmas in Health Care: A Focus on Vulnerable Populations and End-of-Life, just to name a few.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Sanford Mayville Medical Center
  • Cooperstown Medical Center
  • Northwood Deaconess Hospital

Tuition:

To attend Mayville State University's RN to BNS program, North Dakota residents can expect to pay around $7,049 plus additional fees; residents of Minnesota can expect to pay $7,744 plus fees; residents of South Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in Canada and expect to pay $8,498 plus fees; residents of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois can expect to pay $8,498 plus fees; residents of all other states can expect to pay around $9,946 plus additional fees.

2. Minot State University

Originally established in 1913, Minot State University is a taxpayer-funded university situated in Minot, which is located in the northwestern corner of the state. MSU offers a highly flexible, 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that's available as a part-time or full-time model. Depending on which format students decide to complete the program in, they can do so in two, three, or four semesters so as to make it entirely possible for them to continue working full-time as a nurse throughout their studies. Some courses students can expect to encounter while studying at MSU's RN to BSN program include Transcultural Health Care, Quality and Risk Management in Healthcare, and Issues in Healthcare Regulations and Professional Practices, among others. New cohorts are admitted into the program four times a year.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Trinity Health
  • Trinity Hospital - Saint Joseph
  • Trinity Health - South Ridge

Tuition:

Students who attend Minot State University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $9,489 plus additional fees.

3. University of Mary

Established in 1959, the University of Mary is a private, Benedictine university located near the city of Bismarck which lies in the middle of the state. University of Mary's 30-unit, online RN to BSN program can be completed in as little as one year and has a curriculum that's infused with Christian, Catholic, Benedictine values. The program emphasizes the importance of service and community in both work as well as one's personal life. Evidence-based practice, leadership skills, critical thinking, a deeper knowledge of spirituality, ethics, and global stewardship are also focused upon heavily in UoM's RN to BSN program. Once enrolled in the program, students can expect to take on courses like Health Promotion for the Older Adult, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, and more.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck Medical Center
  • Sanford Health
  • Mid Dakota Clinic

Tuition:

Students who attend the University of Mary's RN to BSN program can expect to pay $10,050 plus additional fees.

4. University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota, operating continually for 137 years, is a research university located in the city of Grand Forks. UND offers a 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN bridge program that is delivered to students entirely online. The program's coursework places a special emphasis on clinical experiences in non-hospital settings, critical thinking, communication, and leadership. Once enrolled in UND's RN to BSN program, students can expect to take classes like Transcultural Nursing, Population Focused Nursing Care, and Leadership. In addition to the online, didactic coursework, students will complete clinical hours at a healthcare facility in a nearby community.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Altru Hospital
  • Heart Institute of North Dakota
  • Spectra Health

Tuition:

For information on program fees at the University of North Dakota, contact them at (701) 231-7395

5. North Dakota State University

Founded 130 years ago, North Dakota State University is a public research university that's situated in the city of Fargo along the state's eastern border. NDSU offers an RN to BSN program where students complete didactic coursework in a blended online/on-campus format. The program's coursework focuses on evidence-based practice, quality and safety, population-focused nursing, leadership and chronic health issues, current health care environment, and others. Aside from the online coursework, in-person immersions will occur on-campus once per semester. Most students tend to complete NDSU's RN to BSN program in five semesters. Courses are delivered in eight-week blocks.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Sanford Medical Center
  • Essentia Health Fargo
  • Prairie Saint John Hospital

Tuition:

Tuition rates for North Dakota State University's RN to BSN program can be found by calling them at (701) 231-7886.