Northland Community and Technical College Operation LEAD. Reserve your spot in BSU's RN to BS program. Be eligible for 25 scholarships totaling $35,000. Pass your NCLEX and receive 15 upper division credits for free. Start the program prior to passing your NCLEX.

Operation LEAD is a collaborative partnership between Bemidji State University and Northland Community College. We share a rich history of cooperation and are committed to producing highly skilled nurses for northern Minnesota through a seamless, supported pathway between Northland’s Nursing A.S. and BSU’s RN to BS program.

What BSU Offers Nursing A.S. Graduates

  • A program designed for the working RN
  • Guaranteed admission into BSU and the RN to BS program.
  • Your credits will be accepted at BSU
  • Eight-week classes, with a one week break before your next class starts
  • 100% online delivery with no on-campus requirements
  • No required clinicals
  • A customized graduation plan using Student Planner. You will know exactly how long it will take you to graduate.
  • Finish your BSN in as little as a year or take our flexible part-time plan.
  • A choice of five start dates annually (Aug, Oct, Jan, Mar, May)
  • Start the RN to BS program prior to passing your NCLEX. You will then have one semester to pass your NCLEX.
  • The opportunity to earn a Public Health Nurse Registration Certificate and the ELNEC Certificate of Completion.
  • No Statistic classes are required in the major

Sign up for Operation LEAD early to reserve your spot!

Cost & Aid

  • After passing your NCLEX, you’ll receive 15 free upper division credits (a $5,000 value).
  • You’ll also have the opportunity to apply for a $1,000 transfer scholarship and a $2,500 Minnesota Workforce Development Scholarships reserved for students in Operation LEAD.

Next Steps

  1. Apply to Operation LEAD
  2. Apply for admission to Bemidji State
  3. Build a plan with your nursing advisor
  4. Graduate from Northland Community College
  5. Start your online classes

Operation Lead

Enrollment Requirements for Northland Community College Students

  1. Interested Students are strongly encouraged to apply to BSU and Operation LEAD as early as possible for a more effective joint advising experience.
  2. Students must send BSU all college transcripts for any non-Minnesota State college they have attended.
  3. Students must graduate from Northland’s Nursing AS before taking RN to BS classes from BSU.
  4. Students must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their previous RN program to be admitted to Operation LEAD. They must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  5. Students must pass a background check within the first two weeks of the semester at BSU to continue the program.
  6. Students must pass the NCLEX and become a licensed RN prior to receiving 15 upper division credits.
  7. Students must pass the NCLEX prior to, or before the end of their first semester at BSU to continue in the program
  8. Students must register for Operation LEAD one year prior to their start-date to reserve a spot. Spots will be filled on a first-come first served basis if the program is at capacity.