Nursing at VCSU

Preparing for a Nursing Career at VCSU

DSC student learning.

Valley City State University offers three options to students want to pursue a career in nursing. 

The first option is to complete general education courses at VCSU in preparation to transfer to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program of your choice.

DSC student learning how to care for a patient.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is ideal for students that want to go into professional nursing and see themselves in leadership roles. The BSN’s scope includes care in cardiac, oncology, neonatal, neurological and obstetric/gynecological nursing, along with others. The BSN is commonly preferred for registered nursing jobs in a hospital setting and essential for nurses seeking to move up the career ladder because they have a broader liberal arts education preparing them for more advanced leadership roles. If you are thinking about continuing your education to become an advanced practitioner, a BSN is required. This also includes nurse anesthetists, midwives, nurse educators and clinical nurse specialists.

Pre-nursing Coursework offered by VCSU

  • BIOL 150 General Biology I -4 credits
  • BIOL 220 Anatomy and Physiology I -4 credits
  • BIOL 221 Anatomy and Physiology II -4 credits
  • BIOL 310 Microbiology -4 credits
  • CHEM 115 Introductory Chemistry -4 credits
  • CHEM 116 Intro Organic and Biochemistry -5 credits
  • CIS 170 Intro to Computer Information Systems -2 credits
  • COMM 110 Speech -3 credits
  • ENGL 110 College Composition I -3 credits
  • ENGL 120 College Composition II -3 credits
  • Humanities/Social Science Electives -9 credits
  • MATH 103 College Algebra -2 credits
  • MATH 321 Probability & Statistics -3 credits
  • PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology -3 credits
  • PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology -3 credits
  • PSYC 370 Abnormal Psychology** -3 credits
  • SOC 110 Intro to Sociology -3 credits

*Course not offered at VCSU, but can be taken online through another NDUS school **Some BSN programs require this class

Students study together on the lawn in front of Rhoades Science Center on the campus of Valley City State University

Faculty Contact

Dr. Hilde van Gijssel, hilde.vangijssel@vcsu.edu, (701) 845-7337

 
The logo for the Dakota College at Bottineau

Practical Nursing Certificate (PN)

A second option in nursing offered on the VCSU campus is a Practical Nursing certificate through our partnership with Dakota College.  This 11-month program prepares students with the nursing skills to care for all the basic needs of patients in a variety of settings.

A nursing instructor and two students work with a mannequin in the lab in the Rhoades Science Center.

Practical Nursing Certificate General Prerequisites

  • Current CPR certification for BLS Provider
  • Math requirements
  • ACT composite score of 19 or completion of 12 credit hours of nursing program coursework with a GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • A program minimum GPA of 2.75 and a minimum grade of C for all of the nursing required courses.
  • A cumulative minimum GPA of 2.50
  • Standardized Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score in Basic level or higher
  • TOEFL exam is required for all applicants for whom English is not their native language or who have not attended 4 years of US high school and achieved a High School GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Career Opportunities

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES (LPN) provide basic nursing care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. LPN’s work in a variety of settings, including long term care facilities, hospitals, clinics, and private homes. Duties of the LPN vary depending on their work setting and the state in which they work. Duties may include monitoring patients’ health, administering basic patient care, medication administration, reinforcing patient education and maintaining health records.

Associate Degree Nurse (ADN)

: Dakota College at Bottineau students graduating with certificates and degrees in various nursing programs stand together before commencement ceremonies at Valley City State University.

A third option in nursing that is offered on the VCSU campus is an Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program through Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB).  These students have either completed the 11-month practical nursing program through DCB or are currently working as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  They wish to further their education with an additional two semesters of coursework and clinical rotations.  This option allows students to graduate with a two-year degree and prepares them to become a Registered Nurse.

Associate Degree Nurse General Prerequisites

  • Completion of DNP Practical Nursing Program OR Active and unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in North Dakota
  • Active and unencumbered license to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the United States & North Dakota
  • Current CPR certification for BLS Provider
  • Completion with a C or better and GPA of at least 2.75 in nursing with the following general courses:
    • ENGL 110 Composition I
    • PSYC 111 Introduction to Psychology
    • BIOL 220 Anatomy & Physiology I
    • BIOL 221 Anatomy & Physiology II 
    • PHRM 215 Introduction to Pharmacology#
    • PSYC 250 Developmental Psychology

​# must be taken within the last 7 years

Career Opportunities

REGISTERED NURSES (RN) work with physicians and other healthcare specialists to promote health, prevent disease, and cope with illness. They are advocates and educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care they observe, assess, and document symptoms, responses, and progress in patients. 

Contact Information

Dakota College at Bottineau at VCSU

Becky Pfennig at 701-845-7682 or becky.pfennig@vcsu.edu