The Dakota ADN program is a 1+1 pathway. After Year 1 you qualify for the Practical Nursing (PN) certificate; after Year 2 you complete the AAS and are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse in North Dakota.

To begin the AAS year, you must be a U.S. LPN with an unencumbered license or be finishing the Dakota PN program. Coursework builds independent nursing skills to care for patients of all ages across many settings.

Careers include hospitals, long-term care, clinics, outpatient centers, industry, and community health. Many credits can transfer toward a BSN. Offered collaboratively by BSC, LRSC, DCB, and WSC.

General baseline (applies to PN & AAS)

• Admission to Williston State College.
• High school diploma/equivalent with GPA ≥ 2.5 (if 12+ college credits, college GPA is used).
• Current CPR/BLS for Health Care Providers (AHA or Red Cross).
• Math readiness within 5 years: minimum ASC 093 (Satisfactory or C+) to enter MATH 103+ or qualifying EdReady/ACT/PLAN/SAT/COMPASS/Accuplacer scores.
• One of: ACT composite ≥ 19 • qualifying test scores • or 12+ college credits with GPA ≥ 2.5.
• ATI TEAS ≥ 45.0% — in-person at WSC Nursing only (online-proctored TEAS is not accepted).
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.50.
• All required college courses completed with grade C (2.0) or higher; required nursing coursework GPA 2.75+.
• Prereqs: A&P I & II with labs (A&P II within 7 years), Intro to Pharmacology (within 7 years), Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Composition I. Microbiology required for ADN.
• Language proficiency (if English is not your native language): TOEFL or Duolingo per program guidance.
• Background check and drug screen required before starting classes.

AAS pathway specifics

• Current Dakota PN students: Year-1 completion with GPA ≥ 2.75 in prerequisites and program courses; current CPR; all department forms; pass the pre-admission exam.
• Applicants from outside the consortium: Graduate of a state-approved PN program (accredited); active, unencumbered U.S. LPN license; WSC admission + Dakota ADN application; pass pre-admission exam; complete listed prerequisites (C or better; overall GPA ≥ 2.75); overall cumulative GPA ≥ 2.5; meet English proficiency as required.

Apply at dakotanursing.org. Admissions Committee reviews all applications; capacity varies by location. Notifications are sent in writing.

• Teamwork & Communication
• Professionalism & Leadership
• Client-Centered Care
• Evidence-Based Nursing Judgment
• Quality Improvement & Safety
• Informatics

• BIOL 220 | Anatomy & Physiology I L/L | 4
• BIOL 221 | Anatomy & Physiology II L/L | 4
• ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3
• NURS 120 | Foundations of Nursing | 2
• NURS 121 | Practical Nursing I | 4
• NURS 122 | Clinical Practice I | 3
• NURS 124 | Clinical Practice II | 3
• NURS 126 | Clinical Practice III | 3
• NURS 127 | Practical Nursing II: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | 2
• NURS 129 | Practical Nursing III | 3
• NURS 145 | Introduction to Maternal-Child Nursing | 2
• PHRM 215 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3
• PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3
• PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3
• UNIV/WSC 100 | Digital & Financial Literacy for Success | 1

See the WSC Catalog for course descriptions and prerequisites.

Completion: After Year 2, students are eligible for the AAS degree.

Technology: NDUS email and reliable high-speed internet required; some components may be online.

Clinicals: Supervised by WSC Nursing faculty at CHI St. Alexius Health–Williston, local clinics, Northwest Human Services Center, Upper Missouri District Health Unit, and other approved sites.

The PN program prepares you to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). LPNs provide direct, hands-on care under the supervision of an RN, physician, or dentist in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, health centers, and more.

Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. PN credits can apply toward the Dakota AAS year. Offered in collaboration with BSC, LRSC, DCB, and WSC.

Summer term required: The PN program includes a summer semester; plan for summer tuition, fees, and living costs.

General baseline (applies to PN & AAS)

• Admission to Williston State College.
• High school diploma/equivalent with GPA ≥ 2.5 (if 12+ college credits, college GPA is used).
• Current CPR/BLS for Health Care Providers (AHA or Red Cross).
• Math readiness within 5 years: minimum ASC 093 (Satisfactory or C+) to enter MATH 103+ or qualifying EdReady/ACT/PLAN/SAT/COMPASS/Accuplacer scores.
• One of: ACT composite ≥ 19 • qualifying test scores • or 12+ college credits with GPA ≥ 2.5.
• ATI TEAS ≥ 45.0% — in-person at WSC Nursing only (online-proctored TEAS is not accepted).
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.50.
• All required college courses completed with grade C (2.0) or higher; required nursing coursework GPA 2.75+.
• Prereqs: A&P I & II with labs (A&P II within 7 years), Intro to Pharmacology (within 7 years), Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, Composition I. Microbiology required for the ADN program.
• Language proficiency (if English is not your native language): TOEFL or Duolingo per program guidance.
• Background check and drug screen required before starting classes.

Apply at dakotanursing.org. Admissions Committee reviews all applications; capacity varies by location. Notifications are sent in writing.

• Teamwork & Communication — deliver and coordinate care with the healthcare team.
• Professionalism & Leadership — practice within LPN scope and standards; follow legal/ethical guidelines.
• Client-Centered Care — provide culturally responsive care that supports dignity and choice.
• Evidence-Based Nursing Judgment — apply the nursing process and clinical reasoning.
• Quality Improvement & Safety — make evidence-based decisions for safe, effective care.
• Informatics — use technology to communicate and manage information.

All PN courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.

• BIOL 220 | Anatomy & Physiology I L/L | 4
• BIOL 221 | Anatomy & Physiology II L/L | 4
• ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3
• NURS 120 | Foundations of Nursing | 2
• NURS 121 | Practical Nursing I | 4
• NURS 122 | Clinical Practice I | 3
• NURS 124 | Clinical Practice II | 3
• NURS 126 | Clinical Practice III | 3
• NURS 127 | Practical Nursing II: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing | 2
• NURS 129 | Practical Nursing III | 3
• NURS 145 | Introduction to Maternal-Child Nursing | 2
• PHRM 215 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 3
• PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3
• PSYC 250 | Developmental Psychology | 3
• UNIV/WSC 100 | Digital & Financial Literacy for Success | 1

Length: ~11 months (includes a required summer semester). Complete 43 credits with minimum C in all courses and program GPA 2.75+ to earn the PN certificate.

Technology: NDUS email + reliable high-speed internet required; some components may be online.

Clinicals are supervised by WSC Nursing faculty and may be scheduled at CHI St. Alexius–Williston, local clinics, Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the ND State Hospital (Jamestown), and other approved locations.

Alternate validation of outcomes may be considered by the Nursing Department upon individual review. Contact the Nursing Program Director.