Application Process

Admission to the University does not grant admission to the nursing program. All students must apply and be accepted to the major before they can begin the sequence of professional nursing courses. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis. The program has a fall semester start only. Once the program is full, applicants will be placed on campus-specific waiting lists. To be considered for acceptance, students must:

  1. Apply to BSU through the Center for Extended Learning.
  2. Once admitted to Bemidji State University, you may apply to the RN to B.S. track Nursing major.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be fully admitted to Bemidji State University.
  • Achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in previous RN program
  • Submit a Department of Nursing application.
  • Applicants to the program must have earned an associate degree or diploma degree as a registered nurse or be licensed RNs by the end of the first semester in the BSU RN-BS program (must have RN License prior to starting NRSG 4116/NRSG 4120). If a license is not acquired within the first 16 weeks of the program, the student will no longer be eligible to progress in RN-BS nursing courses. See below, unencumbered RN license information.
  • Be licensed to practice as a registered nurse or be a graduate with state license pending in Minnesota, Wisconsin or North Dakota. Full admission to the program requires unencumbered licensure.
  • Have internet access suitable for delivery of online courses, practice experiences and peer collaboration.
  • Students must reside in Minnesota, North Dakota or Wisconsin and student must have an unencumbered RN license from the state in which they reside (must have RN License prior to starting NRSG 4116/NRSG 4120). If a student has an encumbered RN license, they are not eligible for admittance to the program. If a student changes states of residency while in the program, may not be able to continue in the program unless they move to North Dakota, Wisconsin or Minnesota. If a student changes states of residency, they must notify the Department of Nursing.

Admission Status

  • Applicants who meet all admission requirements will be admitted with regular status.
  • Applicants who are in the process of completing an AS/AA/AD nursing program or are awaiting licensure results may be admitted with provisional status. Provisionally admitted students must provide a valid RN license number by August 1st in order to be fully admitted to the program. If a final transcript or licensure status indicates the applicant has not met the admission requirements, provisional status will be withdrawn; the applicant will not be considered as admitted to the program and will not be permitted to continue with enrollment in nursing courses.
  •  Seats in the nursing classes will not be held for admitted students after that date and will be given to others on the wait list.
  • Individuals admitted to the nursing program are required to complete an on-line orientation course provided by the Department of Nursing.

Transfer Credits

Applicants will receive transfer evaluations from the Admission’s Office once they have been admitted to BSU. The completion of a bachelor’s degree at BSU requires the completion of BSU’s liberal education requirements or the MN transfer curriculum.

In addition, universities in the Minnesota State system require 40 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level for the bachelor’s degree. The RN-BS program provides 36 of the 40 credits through required nursing courses; students need to take 4 additional upper-level credits to complete the degree.