North Dakota Community Colleges
Nursing Programs
Compare nursing programs across community colleges in this state. ADN, LPN, and pre-nursing pathways with section counts and transfer details.
5 colleges · 111 sections · 28 unique courses · Spring 2026 · Updated today
North Dakota community colleges are the most popular launchpad into nursing in the state — 5 NDUS institutions offer the coursework and clinical hours required for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exam, and many graduates step directly into staff-nurse roles at local hospitals without ever attending a four-year school. The associate degree in nursing (ADN) typically takes two years full-time; LPN programs run 12–18 months.
This term, the 111 sections across these 5 colleges span the full nursing pipeline: pre-nursing prerequisites like anatomy and microbiology, the clinical ADN sequence, and bridge-to-BSN pathways for nurses planning to continue toward a bachelor's. Programs vary in clinical site partnerships, NCLEX pass rates, and waitlist length, so it pays to compare each college's awards-per-year and graduate earnings below before choosing where to apply.
Colleges offering Nursing
Nursing is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State College of Science | 31 | 21 | — |
| Lake Region State College | 28 | 10 | 9 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | 21 | 7 | — |
| Bismarck State College | 16 | 8 | — |
| Williston State College | 15 | 8 | — |
Nursing Availability Snapshot
How nursing sections are being offered across 5 colleges in North Dakota this term (111 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person102 (92%)
- online9 (8%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)40
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)28
- Evening (5 PM and after)1
- Asynchronous / TBA42
Start dates
Sections begin on 8 distinct dates. 9 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 61 distinct instructors across 5 colleges.
Common Nursing courses
- NURS 100Nurse Assistant Training(20 sections)
- NURS 124Clinical Practice II(10 sections)
- NURS 127Practical Nursing II: Introduction to Medical/Surgical Nursing(10 sections)
- NURS 145Introduction to Maternal/Child Nursing(10 sections)
- NURS 259Role Transitions(10 sections)
- NURS 228Alterations in Health II(9 sections)
- NURS 229Health Promotion and Psychosocial Nursing(9 sections)
- NURS 237Clinical Application II(9 sections)
- NURS 201Nursing Concepts Transition I for the Paramedic(2 sections)
- NURS 202Nursing Concepts Transition II for the Paramedic(2 sections)
- NURS 203Nursing Practice Transitions for the Paramedic(2 sections)
- NURS 210Pharmacology for Registered Nursing(2 sections)
Career outlook for Nursing graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare North Dakota’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I become a registered nurse from a community college?
- Yes. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) from any accredited North Dakota community college qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam — the same exam BSN graduates take. ADN-prepared RNs work in the same hospitals and earn the same starting wage as BSN-prepared RNs at most North Dakota employers, though some larger health systems prefer or require a BSN within 5 years of hire.
- How long does the nursing program take?
- The ADN is typically a 2-year full-time program (4 semesters of core nursing courses after prerequisites). Most North Dakota community colleges expect students to complete 1–2 semesters of prerequisites — anatomy, physiology, microbiology, English, statistics — before applying to the competitive nursing cohort, so the total time from first enrollment is often 3 years.
- Do nursing credits transfer to a bachelor's program?
- Yes. Every NDUS ADN program has at least one RN-to-BSN bridge partnership with a four-year university — usually the closest state university. ADN graduates can typically complete the BSN online in 12–18 months while continuing to work as an RN, often with their employer covering tuition.
- What's the demand for nurses in North Dakota?
- Strong and growing. BLS projects RN employment to grow 6% nationally through 2032 — faster than the average occupation — and North Dakota faces the same aging-population pressure driving demand. Most North Dakota ADN graduates have job offers before completing the program; rural hospitals and long-term care facilities offer signing bonuses and tuition forgiveness to recruit RNs.
Compare Nursing programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how North Dakota’s nursing programs stack up.
Other programs in North Dakota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.