Student Handbook

All students are expected to review and be familiar with the RN- BS Handbook. Students can expect there will be periodic updates to the manual, and, at a minimum, they will need to review it annually.

Program Starts

Your start in the program is determined by when you begin NRSG 3100: Concepts of Nursing in Healthcare as it the pre/co-requisite for all courses in the major. If you intend to change your start, please contact the Nursing Student Services Coordinator. Accepted students who delay their start by more than a year will need to re-apply to Bemidji State University.

Program Orientation

All first-semester students must complete an online program orientation through D2L Brightspace. The orientation is self-paced and proof of completion must be submitted to your NRSG 3100 instructor during the first week of class. This will be available to you a few weeks prior to your program start.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty Advisors will be assigned a few weeks prior to your program start. The Nursing Student Services Coordinator can assist you until that assignment is made.

Background Checks

All new students must complete state and federal background checks, which are paid for by the student. These queries are specific to our program, so results from a recent hiring process will not be accepted. Information on how to complete this will be sent to your BSU email account a few weeks prior to your program start. Students must complete these requirements by the established deadline to remain enrolled in the program.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not bundled with program courses and must be purchased separately. Students can check out the BSU Bookstore for more information on how to purchase those.

RN Advantage Credits

All students who have earned their unencumbered RN license will receive 15 upper-level credits (3000/4000) applied to their degree audit. Since not all students have their unencumbered license upon starting courses, this will be credited to eligible student’s degree audits twice a year—once in October and once in March. Upper-level credits are important because having 40 is required for a Bachelors degree. This means a student in wouldn’t need to take additional upper-level credits outside the major to earn their degree.

Scholarships

Admitted students can apply for Department of Nursing Scholarships through the University Foundation from November to February. All scholarships awards are for the following academic year.