Becoming an RN in Minnesota

There are more registered nurses than there are practitioners in any other health field. The reason is simple: Highly educated nurses are crucial to healthcare. Because the numbers — and the need — are both so great, there are a lot of educational choices for those seeking licensing. As of 2010, the Minnesota Board listed 18 BSN programs and 23 ADN programs. Some are mobility programs, designed exclusively for students who already have some type of nursing license. Still, whatever stage you are in your career, you are bound to find a lot of options. First time students who have some time to devote to their education will find a number of special programs, from local internships to study abroad. There are also flexible options for working professionals.

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After graduation, a candidate will need authorization to take the NCLEX licensing exam. Minnesota, like other states, monitors programs to make sure that they maintain adequate pass rates.

Minnesota is not a nurse compact state, but does have border state recognition. This means that, in many cases, a nurse who hold a license in Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota is eligible to practice in Minnesota. Nurses may check the site of the Minnesota Board for details.

An Educational Pathway for You

Career mobility programs help licensed practical nurses and paramedics transition to professional nursing roles. In Minnesota, a practical nurse can choose whether to pursue an ADN or BSN degree. The state has two types of programs for LPNs. Some LPN to RN bridge programs have curriculum that is designed especially for this population. Other RN programs award advanced placement to LPNs; in some cases, this advanced placement is actually mandated by law. Minnesota has an articulation agreement in place that makes it easier for students to move credits from institution to institution.

Minnesota schools also value prior education in other fields. Candidates with previous bachelor’s degrees have two additional options: an accelerated second bachelor’s or a direct entry master’s.

Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Minnesota

Demand for RNs is increasing at a rate much above the average growth rate for all jobs. In 2008, it was predicted that the occupation would see 22% growth in Minnesota; this rate was identical to the national average. The recession has caused some decline in hiring for new graduates. However, they are still faring better than graduates in many other fields. The AACN further reports that BSN graduates have done better than ADN candidates during the economic downturn. A 2010 survey of college deans found that 80% of Minnesota’s BSN and entry level master’s nurses did have job offers within four to six months after graduation.

The National Student Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing have jointly published an article of tips for new graduates. They suggest staying in contact with a mentor. The mentor can possibly do more than just review your resume. Some may even provide career enhancing opportunities like research. Mission work and volunteering are other possible career-enhancers.

The Application Process

Competition can be stiff, especially for higher degrees and more advanced programs. The University of Minnesota requires a 2.8 for admission to the BSN track, but notes that selected candidates tend to have higher averages. Academic record encompasses more than just one figure; repeating courses or withdrawing from them can make a candidate less competitive. On the other hand, there are a range of life experiences that can make a candidate more competitive. These include research experience, leadership ability, and prior healthcare experience as a CNA or volunteer. Diversity is also valued.

Entrance requirements tend to be a little lower at the ADN level. However, programs are still competitive. Some community colleges maintain a wait list of candidates who meet requirements, but that there aren’t seats for.

Minnesota State Board of Nursing ADN Programs

Alexandria Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
(Admits LPNs only)
1601 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, MN 56308
320-762-0221

Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
11200 Mississippi Boulevard NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
763-433-1100

Central Lakes College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
501 West College Drive
Brainerd, Minnesota 56401
(Admits LPNs only)
218-855-8000

College of St. Catherine
Associate Degree Nursing Program
601 25th Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454
651-690-7712

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
Associate Degree Mobility Nursing Program
(Admits LPNs and advanced standing students only)
2101 14th Street
Cloquet, MN 55720
218-879-0888

Hibbing Community College
Program in Nursing
1515 East 25th Street
Hibbing, Minnesota 55746 218-262-6700

Inver Hills-Century Colleges
Associate Degree Nursing Program
1) Century Community and Technical College
3401 Century Avenue North
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-779-3200
2) Inver Hills Community College
2500 80th Street East
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
651-450-8500

Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
1501 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(Admits LPNs and advanced standing students only)
612-659-6000

Lake Superior College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
2101 Trinity Road
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
(Admits LPNs only)
218-733-7600

Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical
Associate in Science – Nursing Mobility Program (RN)
Winona Campus
1250 Homer Road
Winona, Minnesota 55987 507-453-2700

Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
Detroit Lakes
900 Highway 34 East – Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
800-492-4836

Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing
Worthington Campus
1450 Collegeway
Worthington, MN 56187
(Admits LPNs and advanced standing students only)
507-372-3400

Normandale Community College Nursing Program
9700 France Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-487-8200

North Hennepin Community College
Nursing Program
7411 85th Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
763-424-0759

Northland Community and Technical College
Associate in Science Degree Nursing Program
1101 Highway One East
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
(Admits LPNs only)
218-681-0701

Northwest Technical College, Bemidji
Associate Degree Mobility Nursing Program
(Admits LPNs only)
905 Grant Avenue SE
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-333-6600

Ridgewater College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
2101 15th Avenue NW
Willmar, Minnesota 56201
(Admits LPNs and advanced standing students only)
320-222-5200

Riverland Community College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
1900 Eighth Avenue NW
Austin, Minnesota 55912
507-433-0600

Rochester Community and Technical College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
851 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, Minnesota 55904
507-285-7210

South Central College
Associate Degree Nursing Program
1920 Lee Boulevard
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
(Admits LPNs and advanced standing students only)
Phone: 507-389-7200

Minnesota State Board of Nursing Approved BSN Programs

National American University

This Pre-Licensure BSN program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Programs Offered: Nursing BSN

Bemidji State University
Baccalaureate Nursing Program
Department of Nursing
Bemidji, MN 56601
218-755-3860

Bethel University
Nursing Department
3900 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, Minnesota 55112-6999
Phone: 651-638-6336

College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University Department of Nursing
37 College Avenue South
St. Joseph, Minnesota 56374
320-363-5404

College of St. Catherine
Department of Nursing
(Admits students to two tracks:
1) no baccalaureate degree
2) baccalaureate degree in another field)
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota 55105 651-690-6585

College of St. Scholastica
School of Nursing
(Admits students to two tracks:
1) no baccalaureate degree
2) baccalaureate degree in another field)
1200 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, Minnesota 55811
218-723-6025

Concordia College Nursing Program
(Admits students to two tracks:
1) no Baccalaureate degree
2) baccalaureate degree in another field)
901 8th Street South
Moorhead, MN 56562
218-299-4060

Crown College
Baccalaureate Nursing Program
8700 College View Drive
St Bonifacius, MN 55387
Phone: 952-446-4100

Globe University/Minnesota School of Business
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
1401 West 76th Street
Richfield, MN 55423
Phone: 612-861-2000

Gustavus Adolphus and St. Olaf Colleges
MN Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, Minnesota 55057-1098
St. Olaf, Northfield: 507-646-3265

Metropolitan State University College of Nursing and Health Sciences
(Only admits students with a degree in another field)
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106-5000
651-793-1375

Minnesota State University, Mankato
School of Nursing
(Admits students to 3 tracks:
1) no baccalaureate degree
2) baccalaureate degree in another field
3) LPN to BSN)
Wissink Hall 360
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
507-389-6022

Minnesota State University Moorhead
School of Nursing and Health Nursing Department
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
Phone: 218-477-2693

Presentation College Baccalaureate Nursing Program
(Admits students to two tracks:
1) Traditional baccalaureate track
2: LPN to BSN track)
Fairmont Campus
115 South Park Street, Suite 102
Fairmont, MN 56031
507-235-4658

St. Cloud State University
Department of Nursing Science
(Admits students to two tracks:
1) no baccalaureate degree
2) baccalaureate degree in another field)
228 Brown Hall
720 4th Avenue S
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498

University of Minnesota
School of Nursing
5-160 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-7980

Winona State University
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
175 W Mark St.
Winona, Minnesota 55987-5838
507-457-5120

Minnesota State Board of Nursing Approved (Pre-Licensure) Direct Entry Masters in Nursing Programs

University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Master of Nursing (MN) Program
(Only admits students with a degree in a field other than nursing)
5-160 Weaver-Densford Hall
308 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-7980