First-time nursing candidates as well as seasoned healthcare providers can take advantage of a variety of ways to specialize their careers through educational pursuits such as those offered by accredited nursing degree programs in Minnesota. Whether working in neonatal units, rehabilitation facilities, emergency services, surgical units, or addressing the health needs of people across all stages of life, the nursing profession provides satisfying careers with financial stability. Additionally, those earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from accredited institutions such as the ones below may increase their opportunities to land challenging jobs and make career advancements. To see more accredited nursing degree programs in Minnesota, visit Nursing Degree Programs in Minnesota (A-C) and Nursing Degree Programs in Minnesota (D-R).
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Bachelor Completion Programs
Founded as a Catholic institution of higher learning in 1912, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota promotes high academic standards and ethics so graduates can effectively serve their communities and lead in their careers. Studies encompass rigorous instruction, cutting-edge research and experiential opportunities intended to transform the learning process. This works especially well for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion program designed for registered nurses looking to diversify their professional careers. SMU earns consistent recognition among institutional peers from organizations such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review and the National Survey of Student Engagement.
B.S. in Nursing
This program prepares participants for further professional endeavors or to continue with graduate nursing studies. Coursework emphasizes advancement of skilled nursing care based on expanded knowledge about 21st-century healthcare needs. It also promotes a patient-centered approach founded on evidence-based nursing practices. Graduates can work as leaders and mentors in diverse medical, instructional and community settings. Candidates should possess a minimum of 86 credits from accredited nursing programs and have attained registered nursing status. Obtaining the bachelor’s requires an additional 36 credits and completion of a capstone project. Topics of study cover nursing ethics, clinical pharmacology, health care information and delivery systems, leadership and management, healthcare finance, integrative health care, community healthcare assessments, and cross-cultural nursing competencies. Candidates may enroll in traditional on-campus classes or participate in an online content format to suit individual learning needs.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
Saint Mary’s University
Twin Cities Campus
2500 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
612-728-5100 or 866-437-2788
tcadmission@smumn.edu
http://www.smumn.edu/degree-completion-home/areas-of-study/bs-in-nursing
Southwest Minnesota State University
Department of Nursing
Since 1963, Southwest Minnesota State University has undergone expansion of its programs to provide adults from all backgrounds opportunities to pursue relevant 21st-century careers. The university prides itself on producing graduates who can engage in entrepreneurship and leadership to benefit communities at home and abroad. SMSU boasts some of the highest graduate employment rates for schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Graduates are also accepted by many graduate schools to pursue advanced degrees. To further this trend, SMSU offers an RN to BSN program that allows registered nurses to complete a bachelor’s degree that can contribute to serving the region’s needs while opening new doors for them in their professional careers.
RN to BSN
The flexibility of this program encourages eligible registered nurses to acquire a BSN via predominantly online instruction. The curriculum follows nursing guidelines endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing focusing on professional nursing practices and core competencies for quality of nursing care and patient safety. Studies embrace the practical, working experiences that BSN candidates bring to the learning environment. Program graduates have eligibility to register as a Public Health Nurse as approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and to apply for a variety of jobs across medical platforms and settings. Studies include coursework from science, liberal arts and trending research fields. Instruction spans healthcare delivery systems, database informatics, leadership and management principles, community and public health nursing, evidence-based practices for exceptional care, and practicum participation. Depending on a candidate’s background and previous educational credits, the BSN completion curriculum encompasses a minimum of 55 credits.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State Street
Marshall, Minnesota 56258
1-800-642-0684
RNtoBSN@smsu.edu
http://www.smsu.edu/academics/programs/rntobsn/
St. Catherine University
Henrietta Schmoll School of Health
Established in 1905 as the College of St. Catharine, St. Catherine University has evolved into a liberal arts university with a variety of flexible, affordable programs for adult learners at all levels. St. Kate’s offers dynamic educational opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers that can influence and improve society. Students can earn associate, bachelor’s or graduate degrees in relevant careers such as nursing through traditional or online formats. St. Kate’s ranks highly in U.S. News & World report as one of the Midwest’s best regional universities, a good institution for veterans to attend, and for having a reputable nursing school.
Nursing Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS)
This program encompasses liberal arts and sciences into its overall curriculum. The number and type of foreign language and humanities classes required differentiate whether students receive a BA or BS degree. Nursing courses totaling 106 credits remain the same for both tracks and satisfy all components required for graduates to take the national licensing exam for registered nurses and obtain certification as a public health nurse. Graduates of the program can expect to find competitive employment in hospitals, hospices, long-term and residential care facilities, schools, or with government and community agencies. Intensive studies delve into topics such as pharmacology, biomedical ethics, psychology, sociology, microbiology, anatomy, pathology, physiology, chemistry, nursing interventions, patient and family care, application of nursing theory, complex patient care across the lifespan, healthcare teams, nutrition and dietetics and nursing research.
RN-BS Degree Completion
Designed for registered nurses, this degree can be earned fully online or through a hybrid format where some learning occurs in evening or weekend sessions on campus. Candidates can determine the pace of program completion that best suits their work and learning needs. The core curriculum mirrors that of the baccalaureate program, with each student completing those courses that he or she requires based on individual educational background and work experience. Candidates can transfer as many as 100 previously earned credits from accredited nursing programs. Many candidates find they can complete this program in one to two years while working.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Accreditation Commission on Education in Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105
1.800.656.KATE (5283)
admissions@stkate.edu
BA/BS: https://www2.stkate.edu/nursing-ba/home?_ga=1.131902092.2028864439.1449073331
RN-BS: https://www2.stkate.edu/rn-bs/home?_ga=1.133140237.2028864439.1449073331
St. Cloud State University
Department of Nursing Science
As Minnesota’s second-largest university, SCSU offers a comprehensive public education for more than 15,000 students in varying degree programs. The university began as a teacher preparation school in 1869 and since then has increased its educational offerings to suit the career and societal needs of each generation. SCSU holds recognition for being one of the country’s most affordable universities according to Forbes and Washington Monthly and ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s top public schools. The university also appears on Victory Media’s Military Friendly Schools list and its nursing school has been ranked at No. 39 by CollegeAtlas.org.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This BSN path prepares graduates to become professional, registered nurses who can provide holistic health care to patients and their families. Building on fundamental knowledge of anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, pharmacology, developmental psychology, sociology and cultural diversity in patient care, students gain in-depth understanding about evidence-based practices designed to improve wellness and improve healthcare systems. Studies also participate in an interactive, supervised capstone partnership in a clinical setting. Graduates are eligible to sit for the Minnesota nursing licensure exam. The degree requires 120 credits for completion with 68 credits coming from nursing prerequisites and specialized courses in the major. A BSN completion program of 40 credits also allows currently registered nurses with documented coursework from accredited nursing diploma or associate programs to obtain a baccalaureate degree in the field.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
St. Cloud State University
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301
(320) 308-1749
rlament@stcloudstate.edu
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/nursing/programs.aspx
St. Olaf College
Department of Nursing
St. Olaf’s educational legacy directly connects with its historical founding in 1874 by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants. Their determination to make it in a new world spurred the fledgling institution to develop relevant instruction within a residential community of learning that celebrated tradition, faith and awareness of cultural diversity. All programs at St. Olaf’s still operate from that perspective today. Students are encouraged to seek their own physical, mental and spiritual development while pursuing careers such as nursing that can enable them to make meaningful contributions to society. St. Olaf frequently appears in U.S. News & World Report and Forbes rankings among top colleges for the Midwest, as a best value school and for being a good overall choice among private and liberal arts colleges.
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Nursing
Earning a nursing baccalaureate at St. Olaf prepares graduates for completing the registered nursing licensure exam and becoming compassionate professionals who can seek competitive employment or continue with graduate education. The curriculum develops a mission-minded approach to learning professional skills and knowledge in the sciences, sociology, human behavior and communication that empowers graduates to work in a variety of rural or urban settings to improve community healthcare practices. Students must complete all undergraduate course requirements in addition to successfully passing all nursing prerequisites and upper-division nursing classes. Graduates with this nursing degree can work for public health providers, government or community agencies, rehabilitation or residential facilities, hospitals and private practices, in-home programs, medical clinics or schools.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
Contact
St. Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, Minnesota 55057
Suzanne Kiehne
507-786-3265
kiehne@stolaf.edu
Department Page: http://wp.stolaf.edu/nursing/
Current Catalog: http://catalog.stolaf.edu/academic-programs/nursing/#text
University of Minnesota
School of Nursing
As Minnesota’s flagship, land-grant university since 1851, U of M offers six campus locations to reach prospective students across the state including those interested in accredited nursing degree programs in Minnesota. Research opportunities accompany instruction in each major at U of M, so students at all degree levels can be current with trending ideas and approaches in their respective fields of study. Experiential learning also provides students the means to practice theoretical principles in real-world settings. The university lands competitively in academic rankings by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and other publications across multiple categories such as best regional schools in the Midwest and top national, public and research universities.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
U of M’s BSN degree can be earned by first-time students entering the nursing major including those who may be earning a second baccalaureate degree. The curriculum allows for specialization with students earning a minimum of 104 credits or as many as 127 depending on their focus. Graduates can then take the national certification exam for registered nurses qualifying them to work as public health nurses. Coursework develops skills and competencies in topics such as nursing assessments and interventions, professional communication, technical writing, pharmacology, application of genetics, acute care, crisis management, healthcare informatics, healthcare across the lifespan, ethical sensitivity and reasoning, community-based healthcare, patient-centered care, working with families, collaboration and clinical research. Students must also complete several practicum experiences and a thesis.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
University of Minnesota
School of Nursing
5-140 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
800-598-8636
sonstudentinfo@umn.edu
http://www.nursing.umn.edu/BSN/index.htm
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
Department of Nursing
The University of Northwestern at St. Paul has offered faith-based learning opportunities in relevant academic fields since 1902. Today this Christian liberal-arts university provides more than 70 areas of undergraduate study including nursing. Each major promotes not only industry standards for acquiring a degree but also equips students with the ethics and skills necessary to serve others and assume leadership roles in their careers. U of N at St. Paul comes in at No. 16 for regional colleges in the Midwest and at No. 11 for best colleges for veterans according to U.S. News & World Report.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students pursuing this minimum 134-credit BSN will take courses with strong foundations in the sciences, liberal arts, and biblical studies. Program outcomes include being prepared to take the national licensing exam leading to registered nursing certification. After completing general education requirements, candidates can opt to take upper-level nursing coursework in one of two ways, accelerated or traditional. The accelerated path provides coursework full-time for four consecutive terms. The traditional track gives students summers off. Advanced nursing topics explore communication and assessment, professional collaboration, pathophysiology, pharmacology, therapeutic interventions, pediatric and family services, adult care services, psychiatric and mental health care, working with multicultural populations, business finance for healthcare programs, evidence-based healthcare practices, service leadership and management, and community healthcare services.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
3003 Snelling Avenue North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55113
Ginger Wolgemuth, Ph.D., R.N.
Assistant Dean and Chief Nurse Administer, School of Nursing
800-692-4020
gfwolgemuth@unwsp.edu
https://www.unwsp.edu/web/nursing-dept/degree-in-nursing
Walden University
School of Nursing
Walden University, part of Laureate International Universities, accommodates adult learners to earn online degrees in 21st-century career paths. Curricular studies follow guidelines from accrediting organizations and incorporate rigorous academics with trending educational philosophies for each major. Walden’s School of Nursing bases its instruction on the scholar-practitioner model that promotes in-depth analysis of core and specialty nursing knowledge alongside implementation of evidence-based practices in real-world settings.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN)
Walden requires 181 quarter-credits to complete this RN-BSN degree program designed for registered nurses seeking to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Up to 135 quarter-credits can be transferred from other accredited programs if approved. Courses in the major cover issues and trends in nursing, health assessments, nursing research, patient care, information technology, evidence-based practices in quality and safety, healthcare policy and advocacy, public and global health nursing, population health nursing, leadership competencies, and clinical nursing. Practicum experiences round out the program.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
Walden University
100 South Washington Ave #900,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
1-866-492-5336 (calling preferred, toll free)
help@waldenu.edu (use only if cannot get through by phone)
https://www.waldenu.edu/bachelors/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing
Winona State University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Since 1858, Winona State University has offered comprehensive public education to citizens of Minnesota. Today this includes providing more than 80 programs at all degree levels to nearly 8,800 students at three campus locations. WSU’s nursing program has especially grown in the past 40 years with options to earn baccalaureate and advanced degrees. U.S. News & World Report places WSU at No. 72 for best regional universities in the Midwest and at No. 18 for top public schools.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students can earn a 120-credit BSN as a first-time major over four years or enter with a diploma or associate’s degree as an RN looking to complete bachelor’s level work. The nursing major encompasses 20 credits of general education requirements, 41 pre-nursing credits, and 59 upper-division credits in specialized nursing studies. Registered nurses can transfer in with up to 80 credits and complete the remaining courses required for the BSN. Those graduating with a four-year degree are eligible to take the national exam leading to registered nursing certification. Graduates of this program enjoy competitive employment across multiple healthcare settings.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Contact
Winona State University
Undergraduate Nursing in Winona
Department of Nursing
Stark Hall, Room 303
Winona, Minnesota 55987
(800) 342-5978 ext. 5120
nursing@winona.edu
http://www.winona.edu/nursingandhs/undergradnursing.asp
Obtaining a BSN can steer a traditional nursing career into multiple career pathways with the possibilities for increased financial benefits. To encourage such educational pursuits, institutions like these accredited nursing degree programs in Minnesota offer those with motivated mindsets and strong work ethics the chance to pursue nursing careers of distinction.
