North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is celebrating the impressive success of its Spring 2024 nursing graduates. The latest National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) results are in, and the College’s nursing programs have once again set a high standard. 

The College's two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Registered Nursing program achieved a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. Similarly, the Practical Nursing program graduates also recorded a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) cohort followed suit with an impressive 92.3% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN. 

North Dakota evaluates NCLEX pass rates quarterly, and NDSCS has consistently exceeded the national average. For the 2023-2024 year, the first-time pass rate for NDSCS Registered Nursing students was 95.45%, while the Practical Nursing students achieved a pass rate of 96%. 

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work and dedication,” commented Deb Smith, Associate Dean of Allied Health/Nursing. “Their commitment to excellence in nursing education has been evident in these results.” 

The state of North Dakota continues to lead the nation in NCLEX success, with NCLEX-PN pass rates at 99.24%, far surpassing the national average of 89.65%. North Dakota's NCLEX-RN pass rate of 97.55% also significantly exceeds the national average of 92.7%. 

This year’s exams introduced the Next Generation NCLEX format, featuring case-based questions that require nursing candidates to apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios. The new format requires a deeper understanding of clinical concepts and the application of knowledge in patient care scenarios, challenging students to make informed decisions based on comprehensive information. NDSCS students have adapted well to these changes, further showcasing the strength of the College’s programs.

For those interested in pursuing a career in nursing, NDSCS offers several academic pathways:

• Practical Nursing (Diploma): A one-year program for those looking to start their nursing career or advance to higher nursing degrees.
• Registered Nursing (A.A.S.): A two-year program for students aiming to become Registered Nurses.
• LPN to RN Program: A specialized pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to become Registered Nurses. 

NDSCS’s nursing programs continue to grow due to their strong reputation for high NCLEX pass rates and excellent preparation for the nursing profession. For more information, visit NDSCS.edu/Nursing.

NDSCS is excited to announce that the Spring 2023 two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Registered Nurse graduating cohort achieved a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses).

This achievement is even more remarkable when considering that this year’s NCLEX featured the new test format known at the Next Generation NCLEX. The new Next Gen NCLEX had significant changes to the exam. The exam format changed to include case study-based questions. Each case study presented a patient scenario accompanied by six questions. The questions build on each other, requiring students to carefully consider the information provided before selecting the correct response. The new Next Gen NCLEX requires a deeper understanding of the disease process and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in relation to patient care.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The LPN to RN Nursing program is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education and become a Registered Nurse.

Visit the NDSCS Nursing website at NDSCS.edu/Nursing to learn more!

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has formally granted continuing accreditation to the North Dakota State College of Science Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing programs. This includes the one-year Associate in Science in Nursing degree (ASN RN), the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Registered Nursing (AAS RN), and the Practical Nursing Degree.

According to acenursing.org, the ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public through the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The Associate in Science Registered Nursing program option is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education to become a Registered Nurse.

New for fall, Licensed Practical Nurses who graduated from a diploma program will also have the option to obtain their Associate Degree in Registered Nursing. In addition to its regular cohorts, NDSCS has conducted more than 32 satellite nursing programs as part of its commitment to meeting the workforce needs of rural North Dakota and the region. NDSCS-Fargo location is planning to add the Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing Program option beginning in Spring 2024.

To learn more about the NDSCS Nursing program visit NDSCS.edu/Nursing or email NDSCS.Nursing@ndscs.edu

Four students from the North Dakota State College of Science have been nominated for the 2023 North Dakota Academic All-State Team, which recognizes the academic achievements of community college students.

The students, listed with their program of study and their hometown, are:

• Transfer Pathway Scholars:
  • Lauren Jones, Nursing, West Fargo, N.D.
  • Morgan Vosberg, Liberal Arts – Business Administration, Sartell, Minn.
• Workforce Pathway Scholars:
  • Logan Mammenga, Business Management, Breckenridge, Minn.
  • Marlee Schweitzer, Dental Hygiene, Aberdeen, S.D.

The All-North Dakota Academic Team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the Coca-Cola Foundation and is comprised of scholars from each of the community colleges in the state. Workforce Pathway Scholars plan to begin their careers immediately upon graduation, and Transfer Pathway Scholars plan to continue their education at a four-year institution after completing their studies at a community college.

“It is with pride that I am able to nominate these students to the 2023 North Dakota Academic All-State Team. Through their efforts in the classroom, and in leadership roles on campus and in their communities, they have demonstrated the qualities necessary to be successful in the future,” said Jeff Hart, NDSCS Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.

The students will be recognized at an awards luncheon held at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D. Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) announced today that the College will start a new class of Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing (AAS RN) students every fall beginning in 2019. The additional class starts will produce 22 nursing students annually, an action that directly addresses the region’s nursing workforce shortage. NDSCS will soon begin seeking additional nursing instructors to meet the existing and expanded instructional needs of the department.

NDSCS began the AAS RN program in August 2017 with a cohort group of 22 students who will graduate in May 2019. NDSCS offers two nursing program options in addition to the AAS RN program: the Associate in Applied Science degree in Practical Nursing with a new class beginning each fall and spring semester, and a Registered Nursing (Associate in Science in Nursing) program for qualified AAS Licensed Practical Nurses to obtain their Registered Nursing degree, with a new class starting every fall semester.

The projected employment in 2024 for registered nurses in the state of North Dakota is 10,442, a 2.2% annual percentage change from 2014, with 403 estimated annual openings.* In the past year, 166 nursing job openings were posted on the NDSCS job website, with 41 of those openings in North Dakota. There are more than 500 Registered Nursing job openings posted on the Job Service North Dakota website.

Registered Nursing graduates from the 2016-17 academic year reported a 100% placement rate, while Practical Nursing graduates had a 97% placement rate.* NDSCS nursing graduates typically achieve a first time-pass rate of 94-100% when taking their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Additional information about NDSCS nursing programs can be found online at ndscs.edu/nursing, or by calling 701.671.2981. Individuals interested in joining NDSCS as a nursing instructor should direct inquiries to the Human Resources department on the Wahpeton campus at 701.671.2903.

*Data Sources:
Labor Market Information Center, Job Service North Dakota, Projections Unit
NDSCS 2017 Placement Report (ndscs.edu/placement)