The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Northern State University prepares students for rewarding careers as healthcare professionals through rigorous academic preparation and hands-on clinical experiences. Admission to the program requires careful planning and attention to various requirements, including academic prerequisites, technical standards, and language proficiency expectations. Students have two potential pathways to join our nursing program: Direct Admission for qualifying incoming freshmen, and our Standard Admission route which takes a holistic approach to candidate evaluation. Whether you're a high school student planning ahead or currently completing prerequisites, our dedicated advisors will guide you through each step of the admission process to help you achieve your goal of becoming a nurse.
Your first steps, before you can begin the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Northern State University, follow these steps:
- Become a Wolf: Apply to Northern State University as a pre-nursing major.
- Once you apply, you will be assigned a pre-nursing advisor who will help you navigate the process, assist you with creating a plan of study, and guide you through completing the prerequisites.
- Students typically apply to the BSN program during their sophomore year, after completing the necessary prerequisite courses. Direct and Standard Admission requirements are described below.
For additional information, contact Dr. Lyncee Monson, Associate Dean of Nursing, at lyncee.monson@northern.edu or 605-626-7776.
- Standard Admission
Northern State University's Department of Nursing welcomes qualified students through its Standard Admission Route, taking a holistic approach to evaluating candidates beyond academic performance alone. This comprehensive pathway considers multiple factors including leadership experience, healthcare background, certifications, volunteer service, and lived experiences, alongside required academic prerequisites. Through an application and interview process, candidates have the opportunity to showcase these diverse qualities that make them strong candidates for the nursing program.
Minimum Requirements:
- Admission to NSU
- Minimum College cumulative GPA of 2.7
- Minimum grade of C or higher in all pre-nursing and courses required for graduation
- Students must apply to the nursing major by the deadline (semester prior to anticipated start) once all prerequisite courses are completed or in progress. Contact your advisor for more information on the process of admission/application to the nursing major
- Additional Requirements after conditional acceptance to the program include but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screening, health physical, immunizations, and CPR certification
- Please note that felony convictions, other criminal offenses (excluding minor traffic violations), etc. may result in denial of admission, denial for eligibility for RN licensure, and/or denial of employment in the healthcare field
- NSU and clinical institutions reserve the right to refuse to accept a student based on criminal background or drug screen results
- Direct Admission
Northern State University's Department of Nursing offers a distinctive guaranteed admission pathway for exceptional incoming freshmen who demonstrate strong academic achievement. This Direct Admission Program provides qualified students with assured entry into the nursing program, provided they maintain specific academic standards throughout their pre-nursing coursework. While this route streamlines the admission process for high-achieving students, candidates must meet specific program requirements to retain their guaranteed position.
Minimum Requirements:
- Admission to NSU & first-time freshman status
- Meet one of the following:
- Option A: ACT composite score of 27 or higher and high school GPA of 3.5 or higher OR
- Option B: high school GPA of 3.8 or higher
- Maintenance of College cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Minimum grade of C or higher in all pre-nursing courses and courses required for graduation
- Students who do not maintain the cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are still welcome to apply for the program through the Standard Admission Route
- Students must still apply to the nursing major by the deadline (semester prior to anticipated start) once all prerequisite courses are completed or in progress. Contact your advisor for more information on the process of admission/application to the nursing major
- Additional requirements for admission still apply (criminal background check, drug screening, etc.)
- Language Proficiency
Clear and effective communication is fundamental to providing safe, high-quality nursing care in diverse healthcare settings. Nurses must accurately understand and convey complex medical information, collaborate with healthcare team members, and establish strong therapeutic relationships with patients and their families. To ensure readiness for these essential aspects of nursing practice, students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through standardized testing requirements.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
You are exempt from providing test scores if you:- Hold a U.S. high school diploma or higher degree
- Are a citizen of a country where English is the official language
If you do not meet either exemption above, you must demonstrate English proficiency by meeting one of these minimum scores:
- TOEFL IBT: 84 or higher (with minimum speaking score of 26)
- IELTS: 6.5 or higher (with minimum of 6 in any module)
- Duolingo: 110
Technical Standards
The nursing profession demands a unique combination of physical, cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal capabilities to ensure safe and effective patient care. As a practice discipline, nursing requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences essential to developing critical nursing skills. These technical standards go beyond academic requirements for admission, encompassing functions that are essential for clinical training activities and patient care. They reflect the capabilities required of students throughout their nursing education, whether in classroom settings, simulation laboratories, or clinical environments. While Northern State University is committed to supporting students through reasonable accommodations, all nursing students must be able to independently perform these essential functions throughout their academic progression.
Important Note: Any applicant or student who seeks accommodations to meet these standards should initiate this process prior to enrollment.
- Communication
Effective use of English Language and interactions with patients and healthcare teams
Required Standards
- Effective use of English Language.
- Ability for sensitive and effective interactions with patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Proficiency in written, verbal, and nonverbal communication.
- Social intelligence in interpersonal interactions.
Examples
- Convey and exchange information using various means (verbal, written, electronic) to obtain health histories, identify problems, explain solutions, and provide instructions during and post-treatment.
- Interpret deeper meanings in communication and connect with others to foster desired interactions.
- Provide and accept feedback constructively, communicate promptly in all settings, and request consultation or supervision as needed.
- Establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Motor Skills
Sufficient motor function for patient care and medical procedures
Required Standards
- Sufficient motor function to perform general care and treatment in all healthcare settings.
Examples
- Possess the motor skills necessary for assessment and therapeutic procedures such as inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, and other diagnostic maneuvers and procedures. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional uses of the senses of touch, vision and hearing.
- Perform basic life support (including CPR), transfer and position patients, and position and re-position self around patients. The student must also be able to operate equipment typically found in the health care environment.
- Behavioral/Emotional
Mental stability and ability to handle stress in healthcare settings
Required Standards
- Possess emotional and mental stability
- Exercise good judgement
- Cope with stressors,
- Adapt to changing environments
Examples
- Demonstrate concern for others and maintain professional and sensitive relationships with patients, families, students, faculty, staff and other professionals under all circumstances.
- Adapt to a dynamic environment with multiple interruptions, such as unexpected patient needs.
- Recognize and examine how own values, beliefs, experiences, behavior, and emotions impact relationships.
- Professional Conduct
Ethical practice and commitment to professional standards
Required Standards
- Moral reasoning and ethical practice in nursing.
- Commitment to punctuality and preparedness
Examples
- Adhere to professional standards, demonstrating attributes such as compassion, integrity, honesty, responsibility, tolerance, empathy, and altruism.
- Follow the ANA Code of Ethics
- Engage in patient care across diverse populations, respecting differences in age, disability, race, creed, gender, or beliefs.
- Arrive on time and prepare for all classes, clinicals, and meetings.
- Cognitive Abilities
Critical thinking and information processing capabilities
Required Standards
- Sustain attention and memory to maintain patient safety
- Measure, calculate, reason, prioritize, analyze, and synthesize information
Examples
- Respond to information with integrity and judgement while managing impulsivity.
- Read and comprehend written and elicit information from spoken English language.
- Evaluate, apply, and critically think in all settings.
- Utilize electronic resources (health agency devices, electronic health records, library resources).
- Sensory Abilities
Visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory capabilities for patient care
Required Standards
- Adequate visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory abilities to assess and evaluate patient responses and perform interventions safely.
Examples
- Utilize physical examination and sensory input to:
- Visually inspect the patient, prepare medications, etc.
- Palpate change in organs/tissues, temperature, etc.
- Hear patient heart tones, alarms, etc.
- Smell for safety events or assessment (fire, etc.)