Dickinson State University Nursing School Review

Dickinson State University (DSU) is a public university in Dickinson and is part of the North Dakota University System. It is located in the small city of Dickinson that has a population of around 18,000 residents. The university was founded in 1918 as a normal school, or school to train teachers. The university offers over 75 fields of study and has 10 academic departments. There are also two-year programs offered by the university, with a specialization in teacher education. A graduate program in education has recently been added to the offerings at the university. Several nursing programs are also offered at the university.

Nursing Programs

Associate in Applied Science in Practical Nursing Program

The university offers an Associate in Applied Science Practical Nursing (AASPN) program. Students learn therapeutic nursing interventions and must complete 66 credits to complete the program. When a student is ready for graduation, the NCLEX-PN exam is taken to obtain licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The program is competitive because only 43 students are enrolled each year. Students must complete at least 67 credits to graduate from the program. Students are required to apply to both the university and to the Department of Nursing. A physical plus a criminal background check are required. Applicants must be high school graduates with a grade point average of at least 2.25. A North Dakota University System application must be submitted to Dickinson State University.

Vocational LPNs may apply to complete the second year of the AASPN program if they are interested in completing their associate degree. The candidate must have graduated from an approved PN program with a minimum grade of C in chemistry and other courses. Applicants may take the PN Fundamentals Exam to receive credit for nursing courses that they have taken in their PN studies.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program

Dickinson State offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program for RNs who want to complete their BSN. After the credits from the student’s associate degree have been transferred, most students only need to complete around half of the credits that are needed to earn the bachelor’s degree. Students must have completed core courses in high school that include 4 units of English, 3 units of math such as Algebra I and above, 3 units of science such as biology, chemistry, physics, or physical science, and 3 units of social studies. Candidates without this academic background may be admitted to an associate degree program until they complete these courses. The nursing program is competitive and only 32 students are accepted each year.

Applicants must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on their previous college level work and must have at least a C in any prerequisite courses taken before being accepted into the nursing program. The BSN completion program requires students to meet all of the general education requirements of a bachelor’s degree. Students then complete advanced nursing courses and complete clinical experience before graduation.

Contact:
Dickinson State University
291 Campus Drive,
Dickinson, ND 58601
(701) 483-2507