NDSU has the largest nursing program in the state, providing future nurses with the valuable skills they need to enter the workforce.
North Dakota had more than 1,100 unique job postings for registered nurses in the last year, with the need for more in the workforce continuing to grow. NDSU’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track offered through the School of Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck is helping address those workforce needs.
“The accelerated (Post-Baccalaureate) BSN program from NDSU helps students gain necessary knowledge and skills in a shorter amount of time, as compared to traditional BSN programs,” said Charys Kunkel, the director and assistant professor of practice at the NDSU School of Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck. “Students can complete the program in approximately 14 consecutive months through NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health.”
The accelerated BSN program is open to anyone who has completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a graduate degree and are seeking an in-demand healthcare career. The program is offered in a blended format with in-person classes and some online classes available.
NDSU has the largest nursing program in the state, providing future nurses with the valuable skills they need to enter the workforce. In the classroom, students find advanced learning options through simulation labs, which help with building practical skills through a variety of nursing scenarios in a controlled learning environment. The skills lab helps refine the hands-on knowledge students have gained, and a health assessment lab allows students to interview and assess patients.
Located a block away from Sanford Medical Center in downtown Bismarck, students also have access to clinical rotation areas to build off the knowledge they receive in the classroom.
Sanford Health in Bismarck offers education incentives to help cover the cost of tuition for students, including two incentive payments of $13,000 from Sanford Health in Bismarck for students who meet the criteria, or a $25,000 signing bonus from Sanford Health in Bismarck upon successful completion of the NDSU Accelerated BSN degree. This reimbursement covers full tuition for North Dakota and Minnesota residents.
Honey Kosiak, who graduated with the first cohort of students in the accelerated program, said she gained confidence in her skills and is ready to enter the workforce.
“This program is amazing. They’re to the point and they give you everything you need not only academically, but also clinic-wise,” Kosiak said. “They’re very honest and very true on what they teach. They have prepared me to be the best nurse I can be.”
Interested students can learn more about the accelerated BSN program by attending a virtual open house on Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. to learn about the program and career opportunities, meet faculty and ask questions in real time.