Program Description The Dakota Nursing Program is a collaboration between Bismarck State College, Lake Region State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Williston State College and Fort Berthold Community College. Students learn basic nursing skills for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), or advanced training as a Licensed Practical Nurse LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN). Enrollment is limited with selection made through a competitive interview process.
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 maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.75 during the second year.
Classroom education is delivered from instructors on campus and at distant sites via the Interactive Video Network (IVN). Clinical/lab practice occurs at local sites in nursing homes, hospitals and community settings and may include evenings and weekend hours.
Preparation A strong science background is recommended with high school preparation in the biological sciences, especially anatomy and physiology, chemistry and mathematics (at least Algebra II). Having Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) background is an advantage.
Program Requirements Year 1 - Students who successfully complete the curriculum receive a Certificate in Practical Nursing. Students may choose to continue into Year 2 and/or apply to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing PN examination with the Board of Nursing.
Year 2 - Students who successfully complete the curriculum receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree in nursing (and are eligible to take the NCSBN exam?)
Those 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 Opportunities Graduates of nursing programs are in high demand in North Dakota and throughout the United States. The Dakota Nursing Program associate degree prepares an individual to practice nursing independently, inter-dependently and safely to individuals in a variety of settings.
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.
Additional Information Prerequisites for entry into the Dakota Nursing Program include:
1. High School Diploma or GED. 2. Admission to Bismarck State College. 3. Proof of completing a CNA class and current North Dakota certification. 4. Current CPR Certification for Health Care Providers. 5. ENGL 110 Composition I with "C" or better. 6. CHEM 115/115L Introductory Chemistry/lab with "C" or better (pre-requisite: successful completion of ASC 93 Algebra Prep III with a "C" or better or an ACT Math score of 21 or higher). 7. Proof of Math Skill Readiness completed within five years of application. -Student must have completed at minimum the developmental math courses with a "Satisfactory"grade or "C" or better so they are prepared to enter MATH 103 College Algebra (or higher math courses), or -Equivalent scores for ACT/PLAN/SAT/COMPASS and/or Accuplacer as listed below: ACT-Math = 21 or higher PLAN-Math = 19 or higher SAT Critical Reading + Math = 990 or higher COMPASS (Algebraic Domain) = 52 or higher Accuplacer = 116 or higher 8. Proof of Academic Readiness: -ACT composite score of 19 or completion of 12 credits of nursing program coursework (this includes any program pre-requisites and program required general education courses) with GPA of 2.75 or higher. 9. Minimum GPA of 2.75 for all completed college courses required for the Dakota Nursing program. 10. An overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all college courses taken. 11. "C" or better in all program required courses previously completed. 12. The following courses will need to be repeated if five years since 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 are available Jan. 15 and due by March 1.
Prerequisites for continuation toward the Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing (ADN)
1. Successful completion of the first year of the Dakota Nursing Program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite courses in the 40 credit course requirements as defined above and an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5. 2. A letter of intent desiring continuation dated no later than March 1 of the year the student would be entering the second year of the program. 3. Pass a pre-admission examination.
OR
Prerequisites for External Application toward the Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing (ADN)
1. Unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States. 2. Minimum GPA of 2.75 in all prerequisite courses (including nursing classes) and an overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 3. Admission to Bismarck State College as well as completion of a formal application to the associate degree program of the Dakota Nursing Program.Admission to Bismarck State College does not guarantee admission to the ADN program. Application forms for admission to the ADN program may be obtained during the second half of spring semester. 4. Pass a pre-admission examination. 5. Current enrollment or satisfactory completion with a C or better in each of the following courses:
All required nursing courses from an accredited Practical Nursing Program
Introductory Chemistry and lab (CHEM 115) College Composition I (ENGL 110) Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 111) Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (BIOL 220) Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (BIOL 221) Introduction to Pharmacology (PHRM 215) (must be within 5 years of ADN admission) Developmental Psychology (PSYC 250)
Students who meet the prerequisites and have their files complete are accepted into the program based on BSC's Dakota Nursing Program admission criteria.
