The healthcare industry is the second-largest employer in Bismarck, North Dakota.
The metro area is home to major healthcare centers such as Sanford Medical Center and St. Alexius Medical Center. Together, these facilities and their clinics employ more than 4,100 people. To land a position at one of Bismarck’s major healthcare centers, aspiring nurses must complete a training program at an accredited school. Some of the area’s top schools for nursing include University of Mary, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Nursing at Sanford Health, and Bismarck State College. Collectively, these schools offer a variety of programs at all levels.
For example, University of Mary offers a blended (on campus and online) program for existing licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, frequently called an LPN-to-BSN bridge program. The school also offers a BSN completion pathway for existing registered nurses (RNs), termed an RN-to-BSN program. Bismarck State College offers at least ten different nursing programs, ranging from a practical nursing certificate to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in nursing. Before practicing, aspiring RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), while aspiring LPNs must pass the NCLEX for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Both are national examinations administered by Pearson VUE.
With the proper education and credentials, graduates can earn competitive nursing salaries in the Bismarck metropolitan area. Local RNs earn $57,310 per year on average, with the top quartile earning $64,580 or more annually. The region’s LPNs earn $43,410 per year on average, with the top quartile earning $47,860 or more annually.
To help aspiring nurses launch their nursing careers, we’ve included below a list of accredited nursing schools in the Bismarck, North Dakota, metropolitan area.