North Dakota’s expanding healthcare industry is creating many opportunities for aspiring nurses. The state has programs of study for three nursing roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN).
Nursing assistants can complete a brief training program in just a few months. CNAs help sick and injured patients complete critical tasks like dressing, eating, and moving around. North Dakota has 7,000 licensed CNAs who earn a median annual salary of $27,680.
North Dakota
We've organized a comprehensive list of North Dakota nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees.
North Dakota school overviews
North Dakota nursing programs and careers
If you would like to start a nursing career in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, you will need a degree or certificate from an accredited nursing school. Fortunately, the metro area of more than 230,000 residents is home to several accredited schools with highly regarded nursing programs. North Dakota State University in Fargo offers bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree programs. The university also has a BSN track for existing registered nurses (RNs), called an RN-to-BSN completion program.
The healthcare industry is the second-largest employer in Bismarck, North Dakota.
After several years of work experience, many registered nurses (RNs) choose to seek out career advancement opportunities. In many cases, this requires earning a higher degree. The master of science in nursing (MSN) is the most popular choice. Several of North Dakota’s premier universities offer highly regarded MSN programs, including University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, and University of Mary.
To remain competitive in the nursing industry, many registered nurses (RNs) are choosing to return to school. While an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is sufficient to start one’s nursing career, many healthcare employers prefer to hire or promote RNs with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Fortunately, several of North Dakota’s top nursing schools offer an RN-to-BSN program, which is perfect for working RNs that already hold an ADN.
RN-to-BSN program overview
Nursing is a lucrative and in-demand profession. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the U.S. is home to more than 2.7 million registered nurses (RNs). This figure is expected to increase by 19 percent over the next decade. To join this fast-growing field, many aspiring RNs choose to enroll in a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.
Overview of the BSN degree
In just two years, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program can prepare students for initial nursing licensure. North Dakota has two types of prelicensure associate’s degree programs: one for aspiring registered nurses (RNs) and one for aspiring licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
RN associate’s degree programs
Registered nurses (RNs) play a crucial role in North Dakota’s healthcare industry, and they are therefore in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this career field is among the ten fastest-growing occupations in the country. RN employment is expected to grow 19 percent over the coming decade, adding over a half-million new jobs to a population of more than 2.7 million existing nurses. In order to compete, aspiring RNs must have talent, skills, and a degree from an accredited school.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform a number of vital tasks in hospitals, extended care facilities, and other healthcare settings. They monitor blood pressure and other vitals, change bandages, insert catheters, help patients bathe and dress, keep accurate medical records, and discuss care with patients and their family members. LPNs typically perform these duties under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians.
LPN pathways
The healthcare industry in North Dakota relies heavily upon its population of nearly 7,000 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Aspiring CNAs can anticipate a short journey from student to salaried professional. Programs are just several weeks to a few months in length, and they are offered at a number of inexpensive career and technical colleges.
CNA program overview
North Dakota is home to nearly 20,000 nurses. In order of ascending seniority, the four key nursing roles are certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). RNs and CNAs collectively account for over three-quarters of the state’s nursing population. North Dakota is an attractive destination for nurses with competitive pay, so its colleges and universities offer a variety of nursing programs both large and small.