University of Mary Nursing School Review

The University of Mary (U-Mary) is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is a liberal arts private, Catholic university with over 3,000 students enrolled in its programs. Besides the university’s location in Bismarck, it has other locations in North Dakota, Montana, Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, and Rome, Italy. There are 52 undergraduate programs, 8 master’s degree programs, and 1 doctoral degree program.

The college is known for being very affordable for a private university. Students have the opportunity to take an entire semester of studies in Rome at the Rome Campus. The university has a unique guarantee that students will complete their bachelor’s degree in four years or the college will fund your fifth year without cost to the student. The student must keep a minimum grade point average and not fail any classes to qualify for this guarantee.

Nursing Programs

Nursing

The University of Mary offers either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in nursing. The program prepares students to work in many healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, schools, and other settings, or to continue studies to complete a Master of Science in Nursing. Students complete their clinical experience in public health agencies, nursing homes, community agencies, and other facilities. At the completion of the program, graduates take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a Registered Nurse. To qualify for admission for the program, candidates must have a grade point average of at least 2.75 or higher, and they must earn at least a C in the prerequisite courses for the nursing program. There is a preadmission exam that must be taken before being admitted to the nursing program and students must have a criminal background check, physical exam, and must have CPR certification.

Nursing – LPN to BS

This program is designed for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with either a certificate or associate degree who wants to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in nursing prepares the graduate to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse. Most courses are online so that students do not need to attend classes each day. This allows nurses to continue working. To be admitted to the program, the student must be a currently Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. Candidates must take the LPN Comprehensive Predictor Exam and earn a satisfactory score. The student who is accepted into the BS program must earn at least 128 credits.

Nursing – RN to BS

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BS) program is for nurses who have an associate’s degree who want to complete their bachelor’s degree. Students in the program work in a cohort format which makes completing projects easier to do. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 on their previous coursework and at least an average of 2.0 in nursing courses. Students are able to continue working during the program and can complete the program in about two years after the credits from their associate’s degree have been transferred to the college.

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner FNP

This Master of Science in Nursing program offers some unique features that are not found at every college or university. The program is partially online and also requires classes at the college. Visits to the college are limited. Clinical experiences are another requirement of this program. A unique feature is that the program can be completed in only 15 to 18 months. Also, the GRE is not required, so nurses do not need to spend time studying for this exam that is usually required for admission to graduate programs. Candidates for the program must be currently licensed RNs with an unencumbered license and a BSN. An undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better is also required. Students in the program are prepared to deliver primary care to members of families of all ages. The program requires that students complete 53 semester credits and 900 clinical hours.

MSN Nurse Administrator

This Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares nurses to work as leaders in clinical settings and in other facilities within the community. It is designed for RNs who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree. Courses are offered either on-site or online, and both options are accelerated. Students have the opportunity to complete the program in only 15 to 18 months to earn this MSN degree. Applicants must have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better. A total of 36 credits are required to complete this program.

Diploma/ADN to MSN: Nurse Administrator

This program is designed for RNs with a diploma or associate degrees who want to add to their credentials as professional nurses. There are two bridge courses in this program that are related to community health and leadership. Prerequisite courses are statistics, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, and English.

MSN Nurse Educator

The University of Mary offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Educator program. Students in the program learn to teach undergraduate nurses as well as patients and staff in hospitals and other healthcare facilities and in the community. Two accelerated program choices are available, which are to complete the program on site or online. The advantages to this program are that it can be completed in only 15 to 18 months with a MSN degree. Also, students do not need to take the GRE to be admitted to the program. Applicants must have a BSN with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75. This program requires that 41 credits are completed.

Contact:
University of Mary
7500 University Drive,
Bismarck, ND 58504
(800) 288-6279