Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

• 2 year program

• Relatively “quick and less expensive”

• Schools that provide ADN programs:

  • Alexandria Technical College

  • Anoka-Ramsey Community College

  • Central Lakes College

  • Century College

  • Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

  • Inver Hills Community College

  • Lake Superior College

  • Minneapolis Community and Technical College

  • Minnesota North College

  • Minnesota State College Southeast

  • Minnesota State Community and Technical College

  • Minnesota West Community and Technical College

  • Normandale Community College

  • North Hennepin Community College

  • Northland Community and Technical College (admits LPNS only)

  • Northwest Technical college, Bemidji

  • Pine Technical and Community College

  • Rasmussen University

  • Ridgewater College

  • Riverland Community College

  • Rochester Community and Technical College

  • St. Cloud Technical and Community College

  • South Central College

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• 16 month - 2/3 year long program

• Good option for those who are interested in nursing while holding a non-nursing bachelor's degree

• Schools that Provide MSN Programs

  • Metropolitan State University (only admits students with a degree in a field other than nursing) 

  • St. Catherine University

  • University of Minnesota (only admits students with a degree in a field other than nursing)

  • University of St. Thomas

LPN to RN

• For those who are already Licensed Practical Nurses and looking to become Registered Nurses

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• 4 year degree

• Allows for possibility to hold higher and more skilled positions post graduation than an ADN or LPN

• Schools that Provide BSN Programs

  • Bemidji State University

  • Bethany Lutheran College

  • Bethel University

  • College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University

  • College of St. Scholastica

  • Concordia College

  • Concordia University St. Paul

  • Crown College

  • Herzing University

  • Metropolitan State University

  • Minnesota State University (Moorhead and Mankato)

  • Rasmussen University

  • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

  • St. Catherine University

  • St. Cloud State University

  • St. Olaf College

  • University of Minnesota (Twin Cities and Rochester)  

  • University of Northwestern St. Paul

  • University of St. Thomas

  • Winona State University

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

• Requires a graduate level degree (MSN or DNP) 

• APRNs can perform high level duties while also overseeing nursing staff

• APRNs meet in the middle between nurses and physicians, but also serve as a primary source of medical care for many

• APRNS can become Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Specialists, Nurse Midwives, or Nurse Anesthetists