Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 19, 2025
North Dakota RN to BSN programs exist to assist associate degree and diploma nurses who are already licensed in their profession. The programs find exceptional utility in North Dakota due to its combination of rural and urban healthcare settings. BSN-prepared nurses fulfill essential responsibilities in patient care coordination, chronic disease management, and public health outreach because of the state’s aging population and increasing healthcare demands.
Grand Forks, ND - Public 4-Year - und.edu
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The University of North Dakota's online RN to BSN program offers a 30-credit curriculum designed for registered nurses with an associate degree, focusing on leadership, evidence-based practice, and technological skills without a specified concentration. As a bachelor's level program, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, making it accessible for working professionals. Scholarships up to $15,000 and 100% online coursework provide flexibility and affordability, preparing graduates for advanced roles in healthcare.
Minot, ND - Public 4-Year - minotstateu.edu
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Minot State University's RN to BSN online program offers a flexible and affordable route for registered nurses to enhance their careers. With a focus on leadership, patient advocacy, and complex healthcare, this CCNE-accredited program can be completed in 2-4 semesters entirely online. It allows credit for NCLEX-RN certification and requires a minimum 2.75 GPA for admission, with no ACT or SAT exam needed. Affordable tuition and personalized advising support working professionals in advancing their nursing knowledge and preparing for graduate studies.
Bismarck, ND - Private 4-year - umary.edu
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The University of Mary's RN to BSN online program provides a flexible, accelerated pathway for registered nurses to earn their bachelor's degree in as little as one year. With a focus on leadership, informatics, and collaborative skills, it prepares graduates for advanced roles such as nurse management and public health. The program is accredited by CCNE, costs $350 per credit, and accepts transfer credits, making it accessible and affordable. No entrance exams like ACT or SAT are required, as it is designed for working professionals with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
Mayville, ND - Public 4-Year - mayvillestate.edu
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Mayville State University's RN-to-BSN online program offers a flexible and accelerated path for registered nurses to earn their bachelor's degree, with no required entrance exams. Designed for working professionals, it can be completed in 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time, entirely online with no campus visits. The curriculum focuses on developing leadership skills and enhancing competencies for career advancement in nursing, supported by CCNE accreditation. A unique 40-hour local clinical requirement ensures practical experience, and the program features 5-week blocked courses with fall and spring start dates, making it accessible and affordable for adult learners.
Fargo, ND - Public 4-Year - ndsu.edu
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North Dakota State University's online RN to BSN program is tailored for working registered nurses, offering a flexible, asynchronous format with eight-week courses that can be completed in five semesters. It emphasizes evidence-based practice, leadership, and addressing contemporary healthcare challenges, with no redundant coursework. CCNE accredited, it does not require an ACT or SAT entrance exam.
The demand for flexible programs led North Dakota to establish numerous online RN to BSN programs which serve its working nurse population. Multiple universities in the state provide these programs to support nurses who need to balance work and personal life responsibilities. Students in online programs can access asynchronous courses that enable them to study at times which include evenings, weekends, and work breaks. Some institutions provide hybrid programs but most of them deliver their education entirely through online platforms. The accelerated BSN programs allow students to graduate within 12 months when they study full-time. Students enrolled in these online programs do not need to visit the campus because they can complete their studies from any location throughout the state.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| University of Mary |
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| North Dakota State University |
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| Minot State University |
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| Certifying Board | North Dakota Board of Nursing |
|---|---|
| Certification | Graduates of a Board‑approved BSN program must submit official transcripts, pass the NCLEX‑RN exam through Pearson VUE, and complete a fingerprint‑based criminal history record check |
| License Renewal Period | Licenses expire December 31 and must be renewed every two years |
| Continuing Education | Require at least 12 contact hours of continuing education each biennium (initial renewal after exam is exempt, APRNs with prescriptive authority must complete 15 pharmacotherapy hours) |
| License Application Fee | $125 initial licensure‑by‑exam fee, $200 NCLEX registration fee, and $20 criminal background check fee |
| Clinical Hours | Completion of supervised clinical practice across core nursing areas as mandated by North Dakota–approved BSN program standards |
| Application Processing Time | Allow 7–10 business days for full licensure issuance after receipt of passing NCLEX results and criminal background check packet |
| License by Endorsement | Nurses licensed elsewhere may apply by endorsement via the Nurse Portal with a $150 endorsement fee |
BSN-prepared nurses in North Dakota face an excellent job market because employers prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees. BSN-educated nurses secure better employment opportunities which lead to higher salary rates than associate-degree nurses. The annual salaries of registered nurses in North Dakota range between $70,000 and $80,000 with BSN-prepared nurses earning the highest amounts. The amount of money nurses earn depends on their job location and years of experience along with their specific work environment. BSN-prepared nurses who work in urban hospitals and large healthcare organizations can access leadership positions that provide more responsibility and financial benefits. Rural healthcare facilities need nurses with advanced training because they face persistent provider shortages and lack sufficient staff.
| Salary & Career Outlook | North Dakota | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual BSN Salary | $68,400 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $32.87 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$78,000 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $62,000 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$47,000 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) | 7% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~300 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Minot State University |
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| University of Mary |
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| Mayville State University |
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The completion of BSN provides multiple pathways through which nurses can progress in their profession while specializing in different fields. North Dakota gives priority selection to BSN-educated nurses for positions including nurse manager, case coordinator, and quality assurance specialist. BSN graduates can begin their graduate studies to become nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, or clinical nurse specialists. BSN-prepared nurses who want to pursue Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs can do so because these programs lead to advanced roles in clinical care, education, and health policy. BSN-prepared nurses must obtain certification in specialties such as oncology, informatics and public health to become certified. The BSN degree creates better opportunities for employment in educational settings as well as public health and healthcare administration fields. The BSN degree enables North Dakota nurses to develop advanced professional abilities which lead to various career advancement possibilities across different healthcare settings.
Additional Nursing Programs in North Dakota
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