LPN Schools in North Dakota

LPN is a fast track way to get into the nursing profession. The LPN courses are short durational and inexpensive. It facilitates a quick source of income while the higher nursing education can be pursued along with the job. The practical nurses are responsible to carry out bedside care in a nursing facility and cater individualized care to the patients. 

Eligibility for LPN in North Dakota-

Any high school diploma or GED can pursue the practical nurse courses. The aspirant must have keen interest in medicine and nursing as the LPN is only the first step in a nursing career. There still remains a long way ahead for academics and career advancement. One must have taken pre-requisite subjects such as physiology, psychology, mathematics, English, interpersonal communication and some others before applying to a nursing school. The candidate should also have good moral character and no criminal background or drugs/alcoholic addiction. The criminal history can prove to be a hurdle in the way of licensing as a practical nurse. Therefore, if there is a criminal background, the candidate must confirm before if he/she can pursue LPN course or not. Nursing profession is obviously not for everyone and only those who have sympathetic nature and passion to serve humanity should opt this field.

How to Become an LPN in North Dakota-

In order to become a practical nurse, one must complete a state approved LPN program. The practical nurse course may be a diploma or associate degree course. The diploma courses are concluded within a year while it takes two years to complete an associate degree program. The candidates of associate degree courses become eligible for the LPN licensing after the first year of their education. By the completion of the approved program, one has to apply for the licensure in the state nursing board of nursing and request a transfer of transcript from the nursing school to the nursing board. The applicant needs to submit fingerprints for criminal background check and drugs screening. Once got permission from the board, the applicant can register and take the national certification exam National Counsel Licensing Examination – Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The exam is administered by the national examiner Pearson-Vue. Passing the certification exam issues the licensure. The licenses are required to be renewed at a two year frequency by receiving the continued education and the deposition of renewal application and fees in the nursing board.

LPN Schools in North Dakota -

The approved nursing schools by the North Dakota Nursing Board for practical nurse course both associate and diploma degrees are catalogued below:

North Dakota State College of Science (AASPN)

Address: 800 6th St N Wahpeton ND 58075-3602

Phone: (701) 671-2967

Fax: (701) 671-2529

United Tribes Technical College (AASPN)

Address: 3315 University Dr Bismarck ND 58504-7596

Phone: (701) 255-3285

Fax: (701) 255-1844

Dickinson State University (AASPN)

Address: 291 Campus Dr Dickinson ND 58601-4896

Phone: (701) 483-2133

Fax: (701)483-2524

Turtle Mountain Community College (AASPN)

Address: PO Box 340 Belcourt ND 58316

Phone: (701) 477-7862

Fax: (701)477-7807

Sitting Bull Community College (ASPN)

Address: 1341 92nd Street Fort Yates, ND 58538

Phone: (701) 854-3861

Fax: (701)854-3403

Lake Region State College

Address: 1801 N College Drive Devils Lake, ND 58301

Phone: (701) 662-1569

Fax: (701) 662-1569

Bismarck State College

Address: PO Box 5587 Bismarck, ND 58506-5587

Phone: (800) 445-5073

Williston State College

Address: PO Box 1326 Williston, ND 58801-1326

Phone: (701) 774-4290

Fax: (701) 774-4275

Dakota College at Bottineau

Address: 105 Simrall Boulevard Bottineau, ND 58318-1159

Phone: (800) 542-6866

Fax: (701) 228-5499

Fort Berthold Community College

Address: 220 8th Ave N PO Box 490 New Town, ND 58763

Phone: (701) 627-4738

North Dakota Board of Nursing Contact Info-

Address: 919 South 7th Street, Suite 504 Bismarck, ND 58504  

Phone: (701) 328-9777

Fax: (701) 328-9785

Website: https://www.ndbon.org/

LPN Program Expenses in North Dakota-

There are few nursing schools in the state which are running practical nurse courses. The course fee is typically around $9000. It may vary from school to school and could be as low as around $5000 up to more than $20,000. The NCLEX-PN exam fee is $200 while the application processing fee and fingerprinting costs $110 and $20.

How to Choose Best Nursing School for LPN in North Dakota-

The applicant has to be wise in applying for the admission to the nursing schools. The choice of the nursing school can be made on the basis of the location of the school, tuition fees, percentage of NCLEX-PN passed candidates from the school in last years, length of the program, type of degree awarded, placement assistance, guidance provided by the school for NCLEX-PN exam, schedule and timing of the classes, reputation of the institution etc. The applicant should have considerable GPA and TEAS score to get admission to the desired school.

LPN Salaries in North Dakota-

The average annual salary of practical nurses in the state is $46,000. The salaries are variable depending upon the facility, experience, geographic location, locality, area of practice, job role etc. The other benefits are not accounted in the figure. The starting salaries are obviously low; however LPNs achieve the average figure quoted above or higher after relevant experience.

LPN Career Opportunities-

The practical nurses can advance their career as registered nurse by pursuing an LPN to RN Bridge program or BSN program. They are advised to continue formal education along with the job as it is the only way for practical nurses to achieve higher designations. LPNs have to work for 40 hours a week and may be asked to work in night shifts, split shifts, weekends or holidays sometimes. Whatever be their work schedule, they have opportunity to carry on their educational goals as well as earning fair amounts at the same time. The early exposure to nursing profession pays back in developing better clinical skills.