Application to Nursing Program

To apply for the Pre-Licensure Program students must first be admitted to Bemidji State University prior to applying for admission to the Nursing major. Apply to BSU Online.

Students wishing to apply for admission to the nursing major should:

  • Enroll in Intro to Professional Nursing (NRSG 2000) for the fall semester. Students who are re-applying to the program would not take re-take if NRSG 2000 if they already passed the course.
  • Submit a completed, online application between August 15th – September 15th to be considered for acceptance into the nursing program for spring semester. Please review the detailed instructions before beginning the process.

Items needed for application

  • Transcription from Post-Secondary Education.
    Official transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions attended will be obtained from the BSU Records Office as needed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all necessary, official transcripts are available in the Records Office by September 15.
    Please note: All international students’ transcripts must be reviewed prior to being admitted to the program. CGFNS    International, Inc., will be used to evaluate transcripts.
  • Evidence of Nursing Assistant Course (or LPN Licensure)
    Applicants must submit proof of successful completion of a Nursing Assistant course or a valid LPN license as part of the application. A transcript is preferred, except when the course is not associated with an educational organization. Taking the CNA certification test is not required, nor does the certificate alone qualify as proof of course completion.
  • Current CPR Certification
    Applicants must take the BLS for Healthcare Providers (HeartCode BLS) course from the American Heart Association and upload a copy of both sides of the CPR card as part of the application. Contact the American Heart Association for course information. Be very careful to choose the correct course–the AHA Heartsaver course does NOT qualify, nor do most online providers or the Red Cross. Student must maintain current CPR certification status for the duration of enrollment in the nursing program.
  • References
    Two completed, confidential Reference Request Forms are required from individuals who can speak directly to the applicant’s personal characteristics. After completing the “Waiver of Right to Review Statement” on each form, send to each individual who will serve as a reference (must be a non-family member). Completed reference forms must each be placed in a sealed envelope, signed by the reference with signature across the seal, and either mailed by the reference or submitted by the applicant to the Department of Nursing. In either case, references must be received before the Sept. 15 deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with references–the department will not send reminders and is not responsible for late/incomplete references.
  • Standardized Entrance Exam
    The Department of Nursing requires that all applicants take the ATI TEAS Assessment Exam. This must be taken prior to the September 15 application deadline. The exam cost is to be paid by the applicant. Areas included in the test are Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Mathematics and Anatomy and Physiology. Applicants are allowed to take the ATI TEAS Assessment Exam twice, with the best score to be considered for application. The BSU Advising Success Center is offering the ATI TEAS Exam for more information on testing times and requirements.

Consideration for Acceptance

For consideration to be accepted, applicants must have:

  • Completed at least 30 semester credits at the 0900-level or above from an accredited college or university, including the required non-nursing courses listed below. All prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past five years. All the completed prerequisite courses must be taken for a letter grade of C or higher. Prerequisite classes can be repeated only once for the purpose of improving a grade. Prerequisite courses transferred from another school must be formally approved by the nursing department as equivalent before the nursing application is submitted.
    • Anatomy and Physiology for Allied Health I/II- 8 credits with lab.
    • Lifespan Development- 4 credits
    • Introduction to Psychology-4 credits
    • General Chemistry I-4 credits with lab.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale. This GPA is required to apply to the program but does not guarantee admission.
  • Two completed reference forms from teachers, counselors or employers (see form under MATERIALS above).
  • Proof of a completed Nursing Assistant course (or valid Practical Nurse license). Acceptable proof includes an educational transcript or course completion document from a care facility. Taking the CNA certification test is not required, nor does the certificate qualify as proof of course completion.
  • Current American Heart Association HeartCode BLS or American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification. Check the links under MATERIALS above for more information about course options.
  • Taken or be enrolled in Intro to Professional Nursing.
  • Completed the ATI TEAS Assessment Exam prior to the September 15th deadline. The cost of the exam is to be paid by the applicant. Applicants are allowed to take the ATI TEAS Exam two times, with the best score to be considered for application. The BSU Advising Success Center is offering the ATI TEAS Assessment Exam for more information on testing times and requirements.
  • Mandatory interviews with nursing faculty will be arranged after the September 15 application deadline.
  • Applicants will be given a writing assignment, on a topic that the department has chosen, during the Intro to Professional Nursing class (NRSG 2000). Applicants not currently enrolled in the course will need to contact the Department of Nursing for more information.

Admission to the Program

Because the size of each entering class is limited, admission to the nursing program is competitive. The Department of Nursing utilizes a holistic review process for admission, which is centered around our Mission statement and evaluates applicants on the following factors:

  • Metrics
    35% weighted value of the overall admission score. Includes cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and scores on sections of the ATI TEAS Assessment Exam that focus on Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Mathematics and Anatomy and Physiology. Applicants are allowed to take the ATI TEAS Admission Assessment Exam two times, with the best score to be considered for application. The BSU Advising Success Center is offering the ATI TEAS Exam for more information on testing times and requirements.
  • Experience & Attributes
     35% weighted value of the overall admission score. Includes work and volunteer experience, life experience, personal essay and references. References need to speak to attributes such as the applicant’s integrity, perseverance, critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving ability, caring attitude, ability to work with others and how the applicant values diversity and learning.
  • Interview
     30% weighted value of the overall admission score. Applicants will participate in individual interviews and will be scored on the depth, clarity and thoughtfulness of answers.
  • International Students 
    All international students’ transcripts must be reviewed prior to being admitted to the program.  CGFNS International, Inc., will be used to evaluate transcripts.
  • International students and all students that graduate from a high school outside of the United States must meet these minimum National Council of State Boards of Nursing TOEFL or IELTS scores:
    • TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) overall score of 560
    • TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT) overall score of 220
    • TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) overall score of 84
    • TOEFL speaking score of 26
    • IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5
    • IELTS minimum of 6.0 on all modules
    • Countries exempt from English proficiency or English testing requirements:
      •      BSU Department of Nursing follows the Minnesota Board of Nursing guidelines, students from the following countries are exempt from English proficiency or English testing requirements, if their entry-level education (with language of textbooks and verbal instructions in English) was from the following countries:
        Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec, the only schools approved for exemption are: McGill University, Dawson College, Vanier college, John Abbott College, and Heritage College), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland), United States. Applicants from any other country must pass an English-speaking proficiency exam.

Incomplete Application Components

If any component of the metrics and application requirements noted above are not completed by the due date or appointment time, the student will get a zero in that category. If you have any questions, contact the nursing department at BSU at nursingdept@bemidjistate.edu

Acceptance Process

The Department of Nursing will begin reviewing applications after the September 15 deadline. After that date, interviews will be arranged by the department. The Admissions Committee will notify students of their status after all qualified applicants have completed the admissions process and before the registration window opens for spring semester.
Final acceptance into the major is contingent upon completion of state and federal background studies and submission of clinical eligibility documentation by December 1. Candidates will receive detailed information with their acceptance letters about these submission requirements. Accepted Nursing candidates who fail to comply with these requirements by December 1 will not be permitted to start the spring nursing classes and will be dismissed from the program.