Associate in Applied Science
Nursing
Prepare for a hands-on healthcare career through the Dakota Nursing Program at Williston State College. The program includes an Associate Degree in Nursing pathway and a Practical Nursing certificate option through a collaborative consortium. Minimum required credits for AAS: 62.
Nursing Application
Nursing applications open on December 1 at 12:00 a.m. An updated nursing application link will be posted here when available.
TEAS Testing Dates & Requirements
All nursing applicants must complete the most current Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before the application deadline.
All testing dates below are in person and proctored by Williston State College. Online-proctored TEAS exams are not accepted. Exam fee: $87. A credit card is required when registering.
Upcoming Testing Dates
November 2026–March 2027. Dates are grouped by weekday, then listed in date order.
| Day |
Date |
Time |
| Monday |
|
12:30–4:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
|
12:30–4:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
|
12:30–4:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Thursday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Thursday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Thursday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Friday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Friday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
| Friday |
|
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. |
Requirements & Scoring
- Minimum score
- A TEAS composite score of 55.0% or greater is required. Applicants scoring below 55.0% will not be accepted.
- ATI Launch!
- Applicants scoring 55.0%–58.0% must successfully complete the ATI Launch! course before admission.
- Attempts & timing
- Up to two attempts per application period, with at least four weeks (28 days) between attempts.
- Score submission
- You may submit your best score from two attempts. Last year, the average TEAS score for admitted applicants was within the Proficient level.
- Score validity
- Scores are valid for up to two years prior to March 5 of the year of application.
Before you test: Confirm that you meet the other nursing application qualifications and prepare with study materials on the ATI TEAS website. Within the two-attempt limit and required waiting period, you may retest to improve your score and chance of admission.
Ready to Register?
Visit the ATI registration page to select your testing date. Follow this selection path:
In-Person → Proctored by Institution → By School Name → ND → Williston State College TEAS Exam
Testing dates can fill, so register early for your preferred date. Review the requirements above before registering.
Program Snapshot
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS) — Nursing
- Minimum required credits for AAS: 62
- Practical Nursing Program Certificate option available
- Offered collaboratively by BSC, LRSC, DCB, and WSC
1+1 Nursing Pathway
- After Year 1: qualify for the Practical Nursing certificate
- After Year 2: complete the AAS degree
- AAS graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN
- PN graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN
Student Education Plans
Review the Nursing Student Education Plans for course sequencing, program requirements, and advising notes.
Program Description
The Dakota Associate Degree in Nursing program is a 1+1 pathway. After Year 1, students qualify for the Practical Nursing certificate. After Year 2, students complete the Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse in North Dakota.
To begin the AAS year, students must be a U.S. LPN with an unencumbered license or be finishing the Dakota Practical Nursing program. Coursework builds independent nursing skills to care for patients of all ages across many settings.
Career settings include hospitals, long-term care, clinics, outpatient centers, industry, and community health. Many credits can transfer toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is offered collaboratively by Bismarck State College, Lake Region State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Williston State College.
Admission Criteria
General baseline requirements apply to both the PN and AAS pathways.
- Admission to Williston State College.
- High school diploma or equivalent with GPA of 2.5 or higher. If a student has 12 or more college credits, college GPA is used.
- Current CPR/BLS for Health Care Providers through the American Heart Association or Red Cross.
- Math readiness within 5 years: minimum ASC 093 with Satisfactory or C+ to enter MATH 103 or higher, or qualifying EdReady, ACT, PLAN, SAT, COMPASS, or Accuplacer scores.
- One of the following: ACT composite score of 19 or higher, qualifying test scores, or 12 or more college credits with GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- ATI TEAS composite score of 55.0% or higher. Scores of 55.0%–58.0% require successful completion of ATI Launch! before admission. The TEAS must be completed in person at WSC Nursing; online-proctored TEAS is not accepted. Review TEAS requirements, testing dates, and registration instructions.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
- All required college courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher; required nursing coursework GPA must be 2.75 or higher.
- Prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Introduction to Pharmacology, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology, and College Composition I. Microbiology is required for the ADN program.
- Language proficiency requirements may apply if English is not the student’s native language.
- Background check and drug screen are required before starting classes.
AAS Pathway Specifics
- Current Dakota Practical Nursing students must complete Year 1 with GPA of 2.75 or higher in prerequisites and program courses, maintain current CPR, complete all department forms, and pass the pre-admission exam.
- Applicants from outside the consortium must be graduates of an accredited, state-approved PN program; hold an active, unencumbered U.S. LPN license; complete WSC admission and the Dakota ADN application; pass the pre-admission exam; complete listed prerequisites with C or better; maintain overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in prerequisites and program courses; maintain overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; and meet English proficiency requirements as applicable.
Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Capacity varies by location, and notifications are sent in writing.
Learning Outcomes
- Teamwork and Communication: Deliver and coordinate care with members of the healthcare team.
- Professionalism and Leadership: Practice within nursing scope and standards while following legal and ethical guidelines.
- Client-Centered Care: Provide culturally responsive care that supports dignity, safety, and patient choice.
- Evidence-Based Nursing Judgment: Apply the nursing process and clinical reasoning to patient care.
- Quality Improvement and Safety: Make evidence-based decisions that support safe, effective care.
- Informatics: Use technology to communicate, document, and manage healthcare information.
AAS Nursing Core Courses
After Year 2, students are eligible for the Associate in Applied Science degree. Students must have reliable high-speed internet and NDUS email access; some components may be online.
AAS Nursing core course listing
| Course |
Credits |
| 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 |
| WSC 100 — Digital & Financial Literacy for Success |
1 |
View course descriptions.
Practical Nursing — Program Certificate
Minimum required credits: 43
The Practical Nursing program prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses. LPNs provide direct, hands-on care under the supervision of an RN, physician, or dentist in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, health centers, and other healthcare settings. Graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
Summer term required: The PN program includes a summer semester. Students should plan for summer tuition, fees, and living costs.
All PN courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. Students must complete 43 credits with minimum C in all courses and a program GPA of 2.75 or higher to earn the PN certificate.
Practical Nursing certificate course listing
| Course |
Credits |
| 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 |
2 |
| NURS 129 — Practical Nursing III |
3 |
| NURS 145 — Maternal Child |
2 |
| PHRM 215 — Introduction to Pharmacology |
3 |
| PSYC 111 — Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
| PSYC 250 — Developmental Psychology |
3 |
| WSC 100 — Digital & Financial Literacy for Success |
1 |
Clinical Experience
Clinical experiences are supervised by WSC Nursing faculty and may be scheduled at CHI St. Alexius Health–Williston, local clinics, Northwest Human Services Center, Upper Missouri District Health Unit, Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, the North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown, and other approved locations.
Alternate validation of outcomes may be considered by the Nursing Department upon individual review. Students should contact the Nursing Program Director for additional guidance.
Possible Career Paths & Average Salaries
Graduates of the Nursing program may pursue healthcare roles in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, outpatient centers, industry, and community health.
Registered Nurse
$86,000 / yr
Provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and families, and support treatment plans in healthcare settings.
Licensed Practical Nurse
$59,000 / yr
Provide direct nursing care under the supervision of an RN, physician, or dentist.
Clinic Nurse
$65,000 / yr
Support patient care, intake, education, documentation, and provider coordination in clinic settings.
Long-Term Care Nurse
$62,000 / yr
Care for residents in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and extended care settings.
Community Health Nurse
$72,000 / yr
Provide health education, preventive care, and patient support in community-based settings.
BSN Pathway
Transfer Opportunity
Many credits can transfer toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing for students who want to continue their education.
Salary figures are approximate and can vary based on licensure, location, experience, shift differentials, and healthcare setting.
Accreditation
The Williston State College Associate Degree in Nursing program is accredited through the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).
The Associate Degree in Nursing program delivered via distance education at Williston State College is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037. Phone: 202-909-2487.
Career-Ready: The Nursing program prepares students for patient-centered healthcare roles through classroom learning, clinical experience, and a 1+1 pathway that supports both Practical Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing completion.
Faculty
Kandee Fredricksen
Nursing Program Administrative Assistant
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4276
kandee.fredricksen@willistonstate.edu
Keri Fedler, MSN, RN
Assistant Nursing Professor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 Univeristy Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4505
keri.fedler@willistonstate.edu
Danielle Seitz, BSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Ave
701.774.4512
danielle.seitz@willistonstate.edu
Elie Johnson
Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Ave
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
elizabeth.johnson.15@willistonstate.edu
Kari Lesmeister, MSN, RN
Associate Professor of Nursing
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4277
kari.lesmeister@willistonstate.edu
Jaime Radway, MSN, RN
Nursing Instructor
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
701.774.4572
jamie.radway@willistonstate.edu
Gail Raasakka, MSN, RN, CNE
Dean of Nursing & Allied Health
Health and Wellness Department
1410 University Avenue
Stevens Hall (Leonard P. Nelson Health & Wellness Wing)
701.774.4290
gail.raasakka@willistonstate.edu