Department of Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (122 credits)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is a four-year course of study and delivers a high-quality nursing education by providing an accredited baccalaureate nursing program supported by the liberal arts and sciences. A graduate is prepared as a generalist nurse and is qualified to take the licensure examination to become a registered nurse. Minot State University’s nursing program provides experiences in meeting human needs holistically along the health-illness continuum.

The Department of Nursing reserves the right to alter content, sequence, and courses offered in the nursing program to maintain relevance with current and future professional nursing education and practice.

Clinicians with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees are well-prepared to meet the demands placed on today's nurse. BSN nurses are prized for their skills in critical thinking, leadership, case management, and health promotion, and for their ability to practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. Nurse executives, federal agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, health care foundations, magnet hospitals, and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to the practice setting (AACN, 2014).

Expenses

There are additional expenses for all students admitted to the program related to program fees, uniforms, supplies, travel, health protection requirements, and exams. Please contact the department for current expenses.

Requirements for Application for Admission into the Nursing Major

Admission to the nursing major (NURS 255 and higher numbers) requires that a student has demonstrated scholarly ability to pursue a professional career in nursing. An Application for Admission to the Nursing Major must be submitted by Sept. 15 for Spring admission and by Feb. 1 for Fall admission, along with the $25.00 application fee.

Prior to applying to the nursing major, a student must have met the following criteria:

  1. Completed Minot State University admission requirements. This needs to be done before making application to the nursing major. The application, required fee, and official transcript(s) from previously attended colleges and universities should be sent to the Admissions Office.
  2. Completed all science courses within 10 years prior to admission to the nursing major. Students with a previous bachelor's degree in a professional clinical health care role (ex: radiology, medical technologist) who have documented clinical practice within the last 10 years may have the 10 year science policy waived. If the student accepts the waiver, their transcribed grade for science courses will be used for application.
  3. Maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. May waive as a condition for application the required cumulative GPA from a previous bachelor's degree as transcribed by Minot State University on the official transcript. The required support course GPA remains at 2.80 for application. In addition, the candidate requesting this waiver must earn an Advanced score on the current TEAS® test (460; 80%) to be considered for admission. The cumulative GPA will be used as a tiebreaker.
  4. Achieved a minimum grade of “C” in each required support course. Support courses that are repeated must be successfully completed with a “C” or better prior to application.
  5. Required Lab Science Courses can be repeated only once with the most current grade being used for Required Support GPA.
  6. Achieved a GPA of 2.80 in required support courses.
  7. Completed or enrolled in a minimum of 47 SH plus UNIV/FYE if required.
  8. Completed a minimum of 8 required support courses of which two are Sciences (BIOL 202, BIOL 220, BIOL 221, CHEM 115).
  9. All students born outside the United States, Canada, or Guam must complete the TOEFL:IBT with a Reading score of 15 or higher, Listening score of 15 or higher, Speaking score of 24 or higher, and Writing score of 17 or higher. Official results must be sent directly from the testing agency (www.ets.org/toefl).
  10. All applicants must take the current Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) test and achieve a “proficient” level score to be eligible for admission. The TEAS® test can be taken no more than two times for each application period (www.atitesting.com). Note: Students transferring from an accredited nursing program into the MSU nursing program, S2-S5, are not required to complete the TEAS.
  11. Contact information for two references must be included on the application form.
  12. Connecting with your advisor is required before submitting an admission application. It is expected that you communicate through email, phone, or in person with your advisor during the application process.
  13. Students without a nursing license, but having transferable nursing major credits comparable to NURS 255 and higher numbered coursework: A letter of recommendation which documents the student leaving the program in good standing must be received from the prior nursing program administrator.
  14. A student who has been accepted into the program two times, but has not been successful; or has withdrawn from nursing; or has been dismissed from the program; or has not met Admission and Progression requirements; or otherwise has not been successful, will not be eligible for readmission.
Completed or Enrolled in All Required Support Courses for the Nursing Major 40 SH
BIOL 202Introductory Microbiology4
BIOL 220Anatomy And Physiology I4
BIOL 221Anatomy And Physiology II4
CHEM 115Introductory Chemistry4
SOC 110Introduction to Sociology3
PSY 111Introduction to Psychology3
ENGL 110College Composition I3
or ENGL 120 College Composition II
HMS 213Life Span Growth & Development3
NURS 253Nursing Perspectives3
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
HMS 240Nutrition3
Cultural Course (HMS 333, SS 283, SOC 374) (Cultural courses must address a variety of cultures.)3
Support Courses for the Nursing Major Not Required for Admission (9 cr.)
PSY 270Abnormal Psychology3
Philosophy Course 3
Statistics Course 3
Requirements after Admission to the Nursing Major (63 cr.)  
HMS 215Principles of Pharmacology3
HMS 243Pathophysiology3
NURS 255Nursing Foundations5
NURS 264Health Assessment4
NURS 325Adult Health I5
NURS 335Adult Health II5
NURS 344Child Health Nursing4
NURS 354Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing4
NURS 361Women's Health1
NURS 363Nursing Theory and Research3
NURS 364Maternal Newborn Nursing4
NURS 456Public Health Nursing5
NURS 464Adult Health III5
NURS 471Nursing Review1
NURS 472Trends and Issues2
NURS 473Nursing Leadership & Management3
NURS 497Nursing Practicum6

A criminal background check is required of all students admitted into the MSU Nursing Program. CPR, health protection requirements (immunizations), and alcohol/drug testing is required upon acceptance and before class participation can begin.

The stated admission requirements are the minimum qualifications. Fulfilling these requirements does not guarantee admission when the number of applicants exceeds available program positions. The Department of Nursing complies with the MSU policy that prohibits discrimination in the recruitment and admission of students.

  • Fulfilling the stated admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program.
  • Established assessment benchmarks must be met by students for progression and graduation.
  • Successful completion of the nursing program does not guarantee professional registered nurse licensure.
  • The number of admissions can be altered based on available resources
     

Nursing Department Selection Policy and Procedure

Policy
By Nov. 15, available positions will be filled for the following Spring semester. By March 15, the available positions will be filled for the following Fall semester. The positions will be filled from eligible applicants based upon the following "Procedure." These selected students will be deemed "admitted" pending satisfactory review of transcripts.

Procedure
1. Positions will be filled through guaranteed admission and/or ranking.
2. Ranking will be accomplished through a point system: (Total possible 27)

  • Required support courses GPA will be calculated as 5x the GPA of completed support courses at the time of application for a maximum of 20 points.
  • TEAS - points will be given for the following scores: Proficient (1) Advanced (3) Exemplary (5)
  • Eligible applicants will be ranked using the GPA from the completed required support courses and results of the TEAS.
  • MSU credits 12-24 cr. (1) 25 or more (2)

3. Tie Breaker: Cumulative GPA will be used to break a tie.
4. Selection: The qualified applicants are selected for admission assignment in the following semester. Remaining qualified applicants will remain ranked as "alternates" for that semester.

  • Upon the disqualification or withdrawal of a selected student, the open positions will be offered to the highest ranked student from the list of alternates.

5. Continuing Requirements for Admission after Selection: The admission status is subject to a review of the transcript after posting of grades for the semester during which application was made. A satisfactory review includes:

  • Maintained a minimum cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.75.
  • Completion of all required support courses, with a minimum grade of "C." Achieve an overall GPA of 2.8 in the Required Support Courses. An "I" in a course will be judged as an incomplete if the faculty member for the course or courses does not provide written documentation that all requirements have been satisfactorily completed at a minimum grade of "C" by the first day of classes of the semester of admission; therefore, an "I" without the above required written documentation means a student would be ineligible for admission.
  • Completion of 47 SH (Semester Hours) plus UNIV/FYE if required.

6. English language proficiency requirement. (See MSU Undergraduate Catalog for policy under Requirements for Admission to the Nursing Major.)
7. Criminal Background Check, CPR, Health Protection, and Alcohol/Drug Testing Requirements is required upon acceptance.
8. A student not meeting required criteria may reapply during the next application period.

Progress in the Major

Nursing majors must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in nursing courses and required supplemental courses for continuous progress in the nursing program. PSY 270 Abnormal Psychology must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” prior to NURS 354 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. HMS 215 Principles of Pharmacology and HMS 243 Pathophysiology must be completed prior to or concurrent with NURS 255 and NURS 264. A statistics course must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better prior to or concurrent with NURS 363 Theory and Research.

To obtain a minimum grade of “C,” nursing courses may be repeated one time only subject to Admission and Progression committee recommendations, faculty decision and such considerations as availability of faculty, clinical resources, and classroom spaces. The Faculty Committee reserves the right to deny the readmission of a student who failed one or more courses in the nursing major. Any student not making satisfactory progress may be subject to stipulations, such as probationary status, providing evidence of adequate aptitude for nursing, or evidence of academic improvement in prerequisite or concurrent courses. Documentation of any or all of these may be required.

Special student requests, such as for readmission, should be directed by petition or letter to the Admission and Progression committee through the Department of Nursing Chair’s office.

Adherence to policies in the Department of Nursing Handbook is required and includes the maintenance of current CPR certification, proof of health insurance, and Health Protection Requirements.

Students must successfully complete each semester’s listed nursing, support, and HMS courses before advancing to the next semester. Students are required to meet or exceed established assessment benchmarks for progression and graduation.

BSN Completion

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses is available in an online format with one designated clinical course. The program offers indirect and direct clinical experiences through a variety of assignments in the nursing program courses.

Requirements for Admission for BSN Completion Program:

  1. Make application to Minot State University.
  2. Request an appointment with the Advanced Standing Director in the Department of Nursing. An informal credit review of prior course work will be conducted to plan a program of study.
  3. Students who have graduated from a board approved nursing education program and have passed NCLEX-RN® need to:
    1. Make application to the Department of Nursing.
    2. Submit nursing license documentation to the Department of Nursing.
  4. Students who have graduated from or are in the final semester of a board approved nursing education program, but have not yet passed NCLEX-RN ® may be given conditional admission to the program and take the following courses before acceptance into the program:
    1. General education courses
    2. Required support courses
    3. NURS 363 Theory & Research
    4. NURS 383 Professional Nursing I
    5. Special Topics courses (6 semester hours) approved by the Department of Nursing

Curriculum:

General Education Courses (38)
Required Support Courses: (4)
Introduction to Statistics
Elementary Statistics
Nursing Courses (23)
Nursing Theory and Research
Professional Nursing I
Professional Nursing II
Public Health for the Professional Nurse
Professional Nursing III
Special topics courses (6 semester hours) approved by the Nursing Department
NCLEX-RN Examination Credits (40)
Electives or Transfer Courses (26)
A minimum of 30 credits need to be taken at Minot State University

 Progress in the Major

BSN Completion nursing majors must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in nursing courses and required supplemental courses for continuous progress in the program. NURS 383 Professional Nursing I must be completed prior to NURS 483 Professional Nursing II. NURS 363 Nursing Theory and Research, NURS 383 Professional Nursing I, and NURS 483 Professional Nursing II must be completed prior to taking NURS 457 Public Health for the Professional Nurse and NURS 493 Professional Nursing III. The prerequisite statistics course must be completed prior to NURS 363 Nursing Theory and Research. Special topics courses may be taken any time before, during, or after nursing courses. General education courses can be taken before, during, or after nursing courses (except the prerequisite statistics course).

Special student requests, such as for readmission, should be directed to the Advanced Standing Director in the Department of Nursing.

Adherence to policies in the Department of Nursing Handbook is required and includes the maintenance of CPR certification, proof of health insurance, and NCLEX-RN licensure.

Health Management Science Minor (24 CR) (Non-nursing majors only)

The goal of the Health Management Science Minor is to:

  • Provide students with the background and foundational skills necessary to manage personal health and to be an informed citizen in the health care arena.
  • Provide students with an understanding of the dynamic, multidimensional, and interdisciplinary aspects of the management of health.
  • Provide students with a knowledge base for informed decision-making regarding personal health management.
  • Provide students with an understanding of culturally congruent and age appropriate dimensions in health management in a global society.
Required Core
HMS 151Stress Management2
Cultural Diversity
Select one of the following:3
Transcultural Health Care
Diversity in America
Comparative Ethnic Studies
Cultural Studies
Developmental Courses
Select at least one of the following:3
Health Care Through the Life Span
Life Span Growth & Development
Death & Dying
Health & Physiological Aspects of Aging
Health Science
Select at least one of the following:3
Principles of Pharmacology
Nutrition
Pathophysiology
Elective Courses
Select courses to reach 24 credits:13
Medical Terminology
Quality & Risk Management in Health Care
Issues Health Care Regs & Prac
Nursing Perspectives
Personal Finance
First Aid & CPR
Vital Health Issues
Anatomy And Physiology I
Anatomy And Physiology II
Total Hours24

Health Management Science Concentration (12)

(Open to General College students. Concentration not required for the nursing major.)

Elect from any of the Health Management Science (HMS) course offerings and/or NURS 253 Nursing Perspectives.

Faculty

Chair

Amy Lee

Advanced Standing Director

Melissa Fettig

Nursing Faculty

Angie Bischof

Ashley DeMakis

Dr. Renee Duncan

Sara Frantsvog

Dr. Jamie Hammer

Sandy Harbort

Erin Iverson

Richelle Johnson

Carrie Lewis

Heidi Okeson

Dr. Jaqueline Reep-Jarmin

Danielle Reinisch

Amy Roberts

Kimberly Tiedman