If you are searching for Master’s in Nursing degree programs in North Dakota, then you will be happy to know that there are multiple options available in various specialty areas at some of the highest ranked universities in the entire Midwest. As an educational hub for the region, North Dakota is well-known for surviving the recent economic downtown to drive strong job growth and low unemployment rates, especially in the booming medical industry. In fact, Bloomberg Magazine recently named North Dakota as the most affordable place to live in the United States. For registered nurses in the “Peace Garden State,” the following are the accredited programs leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for career development.
North Dakota State University
Graduate Nursing Department
As a student-centered public land-grant research institution that is ranked within the top 100 by the National Science Foundation for its very high research activity, North Dakota State University is home to more than 14,620 students on its main 258-acre urban campus in the city of Fargo as well as its extension center locations throughout the state. Since it is in the heart of one of America’s most transformed neighborhoods according to Forbes magazine, it is no surprise that NDSU is ranked as the 190th best college and 108th top public school in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the Graduate Nursing Department is also acclaimed for having the 193rd best graduate nursing programs available to registered nurses in the United States.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Adult Health
Leading to an accredited Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with an individually tailored curriculum for preparing specialized advanced practice nurses, the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Adult Health program track is geared towards registered nurses with valid RN licensure who are interested in working with patients from adolescence through late adulthood to reach their maximum wellness. Following the guidelines by the National Association of Clinical Specialists (NACNS), the program consists of advanced graduate nursing courses, electives, clinical practicum, and a comprehensive Master’s thesis. For acceptance, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Designed to prepare registered nurses for assuming the role of primary healthcare provider to deliver the most advanced level of healthcare for individuals, families, groups, and communities, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track follows an evidence-based approach towards healthcare delivery to meet the changing demands of the 21st century. Focused on building strategic problem-solving skills for proper diagnosis and treatment, the program prepares nurse practitioners for providing competent services for underserved families, especially in the rural populations of North Dakota. In most cases, graduate students are capable of completing the coursework and practical experiences in three years full-time or four years part-time.
Nurse Educator (MS-NE)
The Nurse Educator program (MS-NE) track is strongly focused on the communication and curriculum development skills needed to implement the proper interventions for meeting all diverse learning needs. The program is built with the mission of preparing registered nurses with a previous bachelor’s degree in nursing to facilitate the learning process for patients, families, community members, students, and professional nurses. Through a combination of graduate core courses with supplemental practical curriculum content, the MSN program requires the completion of at least 42 credits in two years full-time or three years part-time.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
Putnam Hall Room 106
1340 Administration Avenue
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 231-5692
[email protected]
https://www.ndsu.edu/nursing/
University of Mary
Division of Nursing
First established in 1959 by the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation on a main 110-acre rural campus serving the Bismarck metropolitan area of western North Dakota, the University of Mary is a private Catholic liberal arts institution founded in the traditions of the Benedictine faith. As a thriving university with over 3,000 students across its regional campus system, the University of Mary is recognized as the 86th best university in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the Division of Nursing is proud to be home to the 295th best graduate nursing degree programs leading to a Master of Science in Nursing in the country.
MSN – Nurse Administrator
Rooted in the university’s Catholic values to create healthcare leaders who are ethical decision makers and facilitate critical inquiry in today’s changing medical industry, the MSN – Nurse Administrator program track offers advanced nursing practice opportunities in preparation for assuming leadership in healthcare services across the continuum of care. Available in an on-site accelerated format through select sites across the Midwest as well as online from the comfort of home nationwide, the program can be completed in as little as 15 months for registered nurses. Regardless of the format, students will be required to participate in hands-on practical experiences within multiple clinical settings to expand their learning.
MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Offered in two distinctive tracks for registered nurses with an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in nursing, the MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is focused on preparing competent advanced nursing practitioners for meeting the challenges of providing comprehensive healthcare services to individuals and families in today’s diverse society. Through a blended on-site format with various online course offerings over the course of 18 months full-time, the program aims to provide the experiential learning opportunities in high-quality clinical services to produce servant leaders.
MSN – Nurse Educator
Based on the belief that advanced practice nurses need to be well-versed in the latest cutting-edge educational pedagogy and technology to train the state’s next generation of nurses for success at various nursing institutions, the MSN – Nurse Educator program track follows an 18-month full-time format of on-campus or online coursework in preparation for facilitating learning opportunities at the university level. Within a curriculum that has been approved by professional specialty standards, the program places a specific emphasis on teaching strategies, leadership practice, curriculum design, and assessment measures for health education instruction.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 355-8030
[email protected]
http://www.umary.edu/templates/template_degrees.php?degree=Nursing
University of North Dakota
Department of Nursing
As the state’s oldest and largest public research university with a renowned reputation for excellence in the health sciences, the University of North Dakota is home to more than 15,000 students on its 548-acre urban campus along the eastern border of the state in the city of Grand Forks on the Red River. As one of the top 100 doctoral research universities with the more affordable tuition expenses, UND is ranked as the 173rd best college and 97th top public school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. Moreover, the Department of Nursing stands out for having the 127th best graduating nursing programs and 26th best nursing anesthesia program.
Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)
In pursuit of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) track is designed to prepare registered nurses for meeting the diverse primary care health needs of adults throughout the later lifespan. Although the track is available online from anywhere with an Internet connection, it is important to note that the 52-credit program will require students to come to campus once each semester to participate in hands-on laboratory projects, simulation experiments, and comprehensive clinical examinations. Within the year-round five-semester program, students will supplement their full-time course load with at least 600 practicum hours in an approved adult health setting.
Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN)
With the goal of helping registered nurses reach their goals of obtaining certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center for professional development, the Advanced Public Health Nurse (APHN) program is specifically geared towards training nurses in the public health sciences with a unique emphasis on population-focused nursing care for vulnerable communities throughout rural North Dakota. As a distance learning program in which clinical practicum experiences are scheduled statewide for convenience, the track requires the completion of 40 to 42 credits, depending on whether students choose the Thesis or Independent Study degree options.
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
Designed to be a clinical track leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree for registered nurses seeking the preparation for career advancement, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program prepares individuals for assuming advanced practice nursing roles as primary care providers for patients and families from birth through late adulthood. For successful completion of the online program, students must complete a minimum of 57 credits with at least 680 practicum hours in a clinical family care setting in five semesters full-time. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective healthcare services within the full scope of nursing practice to improve patient outcomes for rural communities.
Nurse Anesthesia
Featuring a seamless blend of didactic theory with research and experiential clinical learning for entry into advanced professional nursing practice, the Nurse Anesthesia track is designed to follow a 28-month full-time course of study for 76 credit hours in preparation for earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree as well as becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). In an effort to enhance the well-being of citizens throughout the region, the program aims to provide graduate students with all of the advanced scientific knowledge and clinical skills that are needed to maintain a high standard of ethical patient care in the professional field of anesthesiology.
Nurse Educator
The Nurse Educator track is strongly based on the mission to prepare advanced practice nurses who demonstrate the professional competencies needed to develop, implement, revise, and assess nursing curriculum. Focused on the teaching strategies that are needed to apply theory, research, and clinical learning in various nursing education settings, the program requires the completion of at least 43 credit hours with a full-time teaching practicum in an approved academic setting. Most students are capable of completing the program in five semesters in order to immediately begin fulfilling the shortage of qualified nursing faculty in North Dakota.
Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
As the latest program to be delivered through online learning in the College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) track has been designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice nursing roles to meet the diverse healthcare needs of clients across the age spectrum in mental health settings. After completing the 57-credit program in two years full-time or three years part-time via distance delivery with a one-week on-campus residency, graduates will be qualified for taking the Family PMHNP examination through the ANCC for further nursing credentials.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (CANAEP)
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
Contact
430 Oxford Street Stop 9025
Grand Forks, ND 58202
(701) 777-44174
[email protected]
http://www.nursing.und.edu/departments/nursing/graduate.cfm
Although North Dakota is home to the 2nd healthiest city in the entire nation at Fargo according to Women’s Health magazine, there is still a critical shortage for advanced practice nurses to help improve the healthcare services delivered to the state’s underserved rural populations. If you have received the calling to further your education in the dynamic field of nursing for professional development, be sure to check out these top-notch Master’s in Nursing degree programs in North Dakota that have been aligned with the standards presented through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for academic excellence.
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