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Quality of life is shaped by many things.
The best of them is the health and in general the personal wellbeing of a person.
Without these two, we are lame, no matter how much material gains we have.
In North Dakota, the community’s needs and wellbeing are made sure to be kept in check from nurses.
The services they offer are all professional and correct.
This could be a reason why a person may choose to visit a nursing facility sometimes.
What wouldn’t we do just to be treated well for a few minutes?
Well, a walk at least!
In addition, it may trigger each of us to propose this career in North Dakota to someone we dearly respect.
Doing so, we would gladly see them become the best version of a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state.
Howsoever, a job increase is expected in the state as soon as we enter 2026.
The Bureau Labor of Statistics has shown its own predictions in this matter.
And of course, we do nothing but believe it.
With the hourly salary of an LPN of $19.83.
The annual salary of $41,250.
And a total of $2,780 less than the national US average per year, we might jump from joy!
So, job opportunities are there but we must move with our education first.
So, follow this article to know more about Nursing Education in North Dakota.
To become an LPN in ND you need to fulfill a few requirements set by the state.
From the requirements, a school to attend your program is mandatory.
In fact, you have to do what it takes to find an approved program by the state.
These types of programs can be accessed at community colleges, technical schools, and private career schools.
To be more correct, there are 8 LPN schools in total across North Dakota.
However, only the three top-ranked programs have been listed here.
As usual, the listing is done according to the NCLEX-PN exam.
Specifically, the first-time pass rates of the previous years have been considered.
Table of Contents
Details on North Dakota LPN Schools & Classes
The places where LPN schools are found are usually junior colleges, trade schools and similar.
The length of the program in them is approximately one to two years.
One year is for full-time attendants.
While two years is for part-time ones.
However, online courses are also present lately and not less frequented than class-based ones.
This type of class is called ‘’hybrid’’.
In all cases, a particular LPN program offers classroom lectures, labs and practical clinical experiences.
The latter can be done in local medical facilities.
From the most common course, the following are worthy of being mentioned:
- Foundations of Nursing
- Intro to Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
- Intro to Maternal Child Nursing
Accreditation
An accredited program is so important, that everyone recommends it to students.
You may wonder why.
Well, when an LPN program is accredited, it means it offers high-quality education.
And quality is something we’re all in search of.
However, if you’re an aspiring LPN student, don’t feel lost in the sea of schools.
There are two organizations in North Dakota that will help you find such programs with proper accreditation.
The first one is the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
While the second is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Last but not least, LPN students should also consider contacting the North Dakota Board of Nursing.
The Board will check if their program is state-approved or not.
Admission Requirements
In every LPN school, there are different sets of requirements for admission.
In North Dakota, the admission requirements have been listed below:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Minimum age of 18
- Current CPR certification
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- Completion of the ATI TEAS exam
Tuition and Costs
Paying for an LPN program isn’t a big deal.
Furthermore, the schools will additionally offer other help to you, if you cannot afford the price.
Thus, financial aid, scholarships, loans, and payment plans are available to these kinds of students.
Anyway, those who can afford their studies should know that tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary materials will be their responsibility to pay for.
Additionally, transportation, room, and board make some new expenses for them as well.
But to give all of them a hint about the total price, I will mention Dakota College at Bottineau.
Its total LPN cost if $10,213 to $13,688.
In this cost fees, tuition and other materials are included.
North Dakota LPN Licensing Requirements
Licensing requirements in North Dakota are mainly attending a state-approved program and passing the NCLEX-PN exam.
However, additional requirements are also a must for licensing.
The following are some of them:
- An official transcript sent directly from state-approved nursing program with degree posted
- Proof of registration (ATT) for the NCLEX
- Criminal background check
LPN licenses in North Dakota expire every 2 years.
To renew them, 12 contact hours of continued education are needed.
They have to be done during the licensing period.
NCLEX Exam Information
NCLEX-PN exam is a must to LPN licensing.
We’ve now learned it by heart, right?
The test initially measures the student’s knowledge of nursing topics and is made of 100 questions.
A practical exam is also available for students who don’t feel ready to enter the real one.
LPN Reciprocity and eNLC
North Dakota has become part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact.
According to this membership, nurses who belong to other states within the compact can work in its areas without another LPN license.
Whereas nurses who are from the states outside the compact can apply in ND by means of an endorsement.
To do so, they have to send the following documents in their application:
- Verification of state licensure
- Official transcript from a state-approved nursing program
- Criminal background check
On the other hand, foreign applicants are also allowed to apply for an LPN license in the state.
They can do so as long as they submit two documents.
These documents are proof of English proficiency and official transcript evaluation by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
The Best LPN Schools in North Dakota
For those who dream to study nursing, a good school and program are the top priorities.
In North Dakota, you will find approved programs.
But you will also find the program you want.
With the 8 school options, you can narrow down the choice to three.
The less you have the better you choose, I guess!
School Name Address Bismarck State College 1500 Edwards Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58506 Sitting Bull College 9299 N Dakota 24, Fort Yates, ND 58538 Williston State College 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND 58801
LPN Salaries in North Dakota
After a successful education in the state, you will surely jump to work right away.
And I will not blame you for that.
The salaries aren’t bad either.
So your education will hopefully be worth the time and money you’ve invested in.
Keep going!
Annual Salary Range:Location Avg. Annual Salary Fargo $45,908 Bismarck $45,610 Grand Forks $42,737 Minot $44,876 Mandan $45,610 Dickinson $44,876 Jamestown $45,025 West Fargo $45,908 Williston $44,876 Wahpeton $45,174 Regional Salary in North Dakota
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Bismarck, ND 480 $58,450 $28.1 $73,370 $49,640 Fargo, ND-MN 990 $57,040 $27.42 $65,070 $50,230 Grand Forks, ND-MN 390 $56,280 $27.06 $66,880 $49,060
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
LPN Programs by State