Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in North Dakota for 2025

Highlights for NP Students

• Exceptional Legacy: Founded by the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation, the university has a rich history of educating healthcare professionals since 1959.
• Intimate Learning Environment: An impressive student/faculty ratio of 11:1 makes personalized attention and tailored guidance possible.
• Global Representation: A diverse student body hailing from 47 states and 24 countries enhances cross-cultural understanding and broadens perspectives.
• Cutting-Edge Health Sciences: Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences offers cutting-edge training, ensuring students emerge as competent, ethical healthcare professionals grounded in Benedictine values.
• Quality Care for All: The University of Mary’s Pro Bono Clinics ensure practical experience while serving diverse populations, supervised by licensed faculty.

About the University of Mary's Nursing School

The University of Mary, located near Bismarck, North Dakota, is a private, Benedictine institution established in 1959. With its roots as Mary College, it is now the leading degree-granting university in western North Dakota, accommodating nearly 4,000 students from 47 states and 24 countries. The Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences within the University of Mary is dedicated to creating healthcare professionals known for their competence, compassion, and ethical standards. Guided by the inspiring legacy of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla—a physician and mother—the school is deeply rooted in the Benedictine values that emphasize human dignity and servant leadership. The intimate student-faculty ratio of 11:1 ensures individualized attention and a conducive learning environment.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) students at this school are not only limited to classroom instruction. They are provided with a comprehensive education that goes beyond the conventional. Learning at the University of Mary is described as a round-the-clock experience. This immersive learning approach includes practical experiences in various clinical settings, research opportunities alongside faculty, and leadership training. A noteworthy component of the NP programs is the University of Mary's Pro Bono Clinics. These clinics, operating free of charge, allow NP students to serve diverse populations spanning all age groups, from infancy to adulthood. Under the mentorship of licensed faculty, students are given hands-on opportunities to care for patients in need, which solidifies their practical skills and hones their empathetic approach to patient care.

About the University of Mary's NP Programs

BSN to DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner

The BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program at the University of Mary is deeply rooted in over three decades of academic and clinical excellence. This program is designed for nurses holding a BSN who are passionate about advancing to the role of a family nurse practitioner under the esteemed designation of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). It provides an ideal pathway for those who wish to fast-track their journey from BSN to DNP. This 2.7-year course emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and acute and chronic health management. The learning format is predominantly online, but it integrates week-long institutes held on the main campus in Bismarck, ND. Each credit of this program is at $665.

Highlights for NP Students

• Distinguished Legacy: Over 130 years of academic excellence means you're trained by the pioneers in education.
• Unique Focus: UND’s focus on arts and sciences equips you with a well-rounded nursing approach.
• Research-Driven Learning: UND’s status as an internationally recognized research institution translates to innovative, cutting-edge learning for you.
• Affordable Excellence: Ranked by the National Science Foundation, UND delivers top-notch education without breaking the bank.
• Rural Health Commitment: UND’s dedication to rural health ensures you're ready to cater to underserved communities.
• Esteemed Accreditation: Gain peace of mind with programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

About the University of North Dakota's Nursing School

The Grand Forks-based University of North Dakota (UND) has a 130-year history. UND, founded six years before North Dakota became a state, has consistently excelled in the arts and sciences. Their hands-on approach to issues fosters their unique learning atmosphere. UND's College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines holds 100 years of dedicated healthcare experience. The college's nursing, medical, health sciences, and social services reputation means you'll be at the forefront of healthcare practice and theory. Moreover, accreditations from respected authorities like the CCNE guarantee program quality and relevance. In terms of affordability, the National Science Foundation named UND as one of the best-value universities.

About the University of North Dakota's NP Programs

Masters of Science in Nursing

Concentrations:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

UND's Family Nurse Practitioner program trains students to offer acute, chronic, and preventative care for patients of all ages. UND students acquire hands-on experience in primary and specialized care. This program's comprehensiveness is shown by its Master of Science degree, which qualifies graduates for the AANPCB or ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam. Students can finish the 100% online curriculum in 8 semesters. Thus, UND's program offers flexibility and support with three start dates, no GMAT/GRE, and clinical placement aid.

Moreover, UND is one of the few universities to offer online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs in South Dakota/Minnesota/North Dakota. This program offers flexibility like the FNP track with 100% online courses, three start dates a year, and no GMAT/GRE prerequisites. The comprehensive curriculum prepares students for the PMHNP Certification exam in as few as eight semesters. Additionally, clinical placement aids help students obtain practical experience. 

Highlights for NP Students

• Top-tier Education: As part of an R1 research institution with over $155 million in research expenditures, NDSU’s nursing students benefit from a rich, research-intensive environment.
• Flexible Learning Options: Catering to both part- and full-time students, and even working professionals, with online educational opportunities ensuring everyone can pursue their goals.
• State-of-the-Art Simulation Labs: At both NDSU Nursing sites, students harness cutting-edge simulation labs to practice real-world scenarios, enhancing their hands-on skills and assessment techniques.
• Accredited Programs: With recognition from employers, NDSU's nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Vibrant Learning Environment: New facilities, like the 74,000 sq ft Aldevron Tower, amplify interdisciplinary team-based learning experiences.
• Proximity to Clinical Rotations: The school’s prime location in downtown Bismarck ensures students are just steps away from valuable clinical experiences.
• High Success Rates: Graduates boast above-average pass rates on both the national licensing exam for registered nurses and the certification exam for advanced practice

About North Dakota State University's Nursing School

North Dakota State University is a student-focused, land-grant research university. It has an R1 Carnegie ranking, the highest for research universities. With its curriculum adeptly structured to cater to a myriad of students, NDSU’s School of Nursing accommodates both novice and experienced nursing professionals. Strategically located in downtown Bismarck and Fargo, the School of Nursing offers world-class facilities. Their state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Lab equips students with unparalleled real-world clinical experiences. Combined with the school’s focus on team-based strategies in healthcare, students are groomed to be both practice- and team-ready, a critical requisite for modern healthcare settings. The recent expansion with the Aldevron Tower accentuates this, providing expanded labs and promoting collaborative learning.

In terms of accreditation, its baccalaureate and doctoral programs receive endorsements from both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the North Dakota Board of Nursing. The impeccable pass rates of NDSU graduates on national exams underscore the program's efficacy. Moreover, the NP graduates' stellar performance on certification examinations reflects their quality.

About North Dakota State University's NP Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Concentration:

• Family Nurse Practitioner

NDSU has a strong Family Nurse Practitioner DNP program. NDSU DNP students learn through personal interaction with experienced teachers. Face-to-face instruction is a highlight of the program, which also includes synchronous classes in Fargo and Bismarck. This approach has helped NDSU achieve a 100% first-time FNP certification pass rate. This AACN and NONPF-recommended curriculum emphasizes evidence-based healthcare and strategic problem-solving. This prepares students to translate information across disciplines, construct efficient healthcare delivery systems, and interact interprofessionally.

In addition, NDSU's DNP program's Clinical Dissertation encourages students to investigate evidence-based procedures or bridge the gap between evidence and implementation. Spanning eight semesters, full-time DNP students take graduate core, practice core, and specialty curriculum courses and complete 1,020 clinical practice hours.