Minnesota Nursing Colleges & Licenses
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“The University of Minnesota gave me the strong foundation needed to excel in my career, and I feel fortunate to now practice in Minneapolis, where the university is highly respected.”
Maura Talwalkar, BSN, Graduate of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Nursing has long been a respected profession. In 21st-century America, however, the field of nursing is confronted with several significant challenges. These challenges include an ever-evolving operational landscape, technological advancements, and a population whose healthcare needs change as the population changes. To successfully meet these challenges, the nursing field must continue to evolve.
Minnesota has long been associated with a certain spirit of communality, due in part to the Norwegian roots of a sizable portion of its population. In March 2020, the Minnesota Department of Health published a survey showing Minnesota has a workforce of over 100,000 actively licensed registered nurses. Most of the state’s working nurses are white, relatively young (median age is 45), and speak English as their primary language in their workplace. Only a very small percentage of the workforce has obtained a master’s degree. Most of the state’s nursing workforce lives and works in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area and southeast Minnesota. Most nurses work in a hospital or clinic/ambulatory care facility setting.
Despite some fairly encouraging statistics in this survey, Minnesota faces some of the same challenges prevalent in many parts of the United States. These challenges include an insufficient number of highly educated nursing professionals capable of educating the next generation of nurses, the enduring impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on nurse health and morale, and an aging population that will necessitate a change in the prevailing healthcare delivery model.
Read on to discover Minnesota’s top undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Meet the Expert: Maura Talwalkar, BSN
Maura Talwalkar is a 2023 University of Minnesota – Twin Cities graduate. She completed her bachelor of science in nursing, graduating from the honors program summa cum laude and with high distinction.
Originally from Rochester, MN, Talwalkar now resides in the Twin Cities area. She began her career in the cardiovascular ICU at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, caring for critically ill medical and surgical cardiovascular patients.
NursingColleges.com: How has graduating from a nursing program enhanced your career?
Talwalker: I feel incredibly fortunate to have graduated from the University of Minnesota’s nursing program and to have obtained my bachelor of science in nursing from such a respected university. I initially chose this program because my spot in the nursing program was guaranteed, and I would not have to apply in my sophomore year like many other programs I had looked into.
Although this may have been a strong influence in me beginning my education as a gopher, the strong support from faculty and staff, access to learning opportunities in large, metropolitan hospitals, and a variety of professional development resources, including interdisciplinary learning as an undergraduate, lead me to stay and continue to be involved as an alumnus.
I secured my dream job as a new graduate nurse in the cardiovascular ICU because of the clinical opportunities I was given as a UMN student. The University of Minnesota gave me the strong foundation needed to excel in my career, and I feel fortunate to now practice in Minneapolis, where the university is highly respected.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective nursing student?
Talwalker: My advice for a prospective nursing student is to stay curious and say “yes” whenever you can. Nursing school is challenging but very achievable, with a desire to learn. There is a lot of new information that may seem like a foreign language at first, but by saying “yes” to all the experiences you are given, you will begin to speak that language fluently. By saying “yes” when you are offered the opportunity to practice a new skill or see a new procedure, you show those teaching you that you are invested in yourself and your career, which, in turn, will encourage them to become invested in you.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Minnesota
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is well-respected in Minnesota and throughout the country. Founded in 1909, the nursing school is recognized as the first nursing program established within a university. The school’s four-year bachelor of science degree in nursing is offered on a major research university campus. Students have opportunities to learn from and work alongside faculty whose research endeavors and leadership are recognized nationwide.
In addition, the school has a substantial partnership network with premier hospitals, specialty clinics, and community clinics. Students gain additional knowledge, experience, and confidence through both their traditional coursework and their on-site learning in such settings. This highly respected program makes for highly competitive admissions.
The University of Minnesota is committed to providing students a rigorous and comprehensive education. Nursing students are thus required to also complete liberal education coursework in subjects such as arts and humanities, biological sciences, literature, mathematics and more. Students can begin their nursing training in their first year by completing nursing seminar courses. Students in their third and fourth years can expect to focus exclusively on nursing courses of increasing complexity and difficulty.
- Location: Twin Cities, MN; Rochester, MN
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
St. Catherine University offers an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree program targeted to adults who wish to complete a hybrid learning-based curriculum. The curriculum incorporates holistic, multicultural, and social justice perspectives in its content. It is delivered via in-person instruction on campus and through hands-on clinical experiences at prominent hospitals throughout the Twin Cities area. Through partnerships with various major local healthcare providers, the school can offer corporate partner scholarships that can reduce tuition costs by up to ten percent.
Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam to secure licensure. After passing this exam, graduates can also pursue the public health nursing certificate and test to become a board-certified holistic nurse (HN-BC). Graduates of the BSN program who wish to develop their expertise further can pursue many graduate degree programs emphasizing areas such as pediatric nursing and nursing education.
St. Catherine’s also offers an RN to BSN program in an online and accelerated format for busy professionals who seek a flexible program to accommodate their needs.
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Duration: 21 months
- Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Winona State University offers students two degree pathways to pursue a nursing career. These are the pre-licensure BSN program and the RN to BSN program. Regardless of pathway, students complete a quality nursing curriculum designed to prepare them to become skilled, inclusive caregivers and leaders in the nursing field.
Both programs are also guided by recognition of the necessity to constantly re-imagine nursing education to meet the evolving nature of both the healthcare industry and the expectations of nursing professionals. In addition, the curriculum trains nurses to offer person-centered care that reflects respect for diversity, dignity and autonomy over personal healthcare choices. The pre-licensure program consists of 120 credits, of which 59 are nursing program credits.
The online RN-to-BSN degree completion program is designed for anyone with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) who is a licensed RN and wants to advance in a nursing career. The program also features 120 credits, of which 40 are nursing program credits. This degree pathway offers coursework to train nurses for leadership and management roles. Regardless of which undergraduate degree option students choose, they must also complete any additional requirements through the general education program to earn their degree.
- Location: Winona, MA; Rochester, MN
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Augsburg University offers a bachelor of science degree completion program designed specifically for RNs wishing to expand their healthcare opportunities. Beginning in the fall of 2024, the BSN completion program will feature a fully asynchronous curriculum. Applicants must either be a licensed RN or working towards licensure to be eligible for admission. Students may also apply before completing an associate’s degree in nursing and/or passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Admission is offered three times per calendar year.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Duration: Twelve months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Bethel University is a private Christian university located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The University articulates its mission as being motivated by the Christian faith to educate and energize its student body to achieve excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service. Graduates are trained to go out into the world and serve in ways that align with Jesus Christ’s example.
The Bethel University nursing program incorporates the mission as mentioned earlier into its curriculum. The program provides leadership in nursing education, scholarship, and practice that ultimately models the presence of Jesus Christ. The program emphasizes Christian values such as caring, service, integrity, and respect for the dignity of all life. Students develop technical knowledge, critical thinking skills, competency in nursing theory, and confidence and skill in applying evidence-based practices.
In addition to its traditional pre-licensure four-year BSN program, Bethel University also offers a post-baccalaureate nursing program. This post-baccalaureate program is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and now wish to pursue a nursing career. This accelerated pre-licensure program can be completed in as little as 15 to 20 months. Successful graduates may apply to take the NCLEX licensure exam.
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Duration: Fifteen months to four years, depending on the program
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Minnesota State University Mankato
The Minnesota State University Mankato School of Nursing offers several nursing degree options for students of various backgrounds and aspirations. For undergraduate students, two degree programs are available to attain a bachelor of science degree. These are the pre-licensure program and the online RN baccalaureate completion program.
The pre-licensure program is the pathway for those seeking eventual licensure as a registered nurse. This program seeks applicants with a high school diploma who have sufficient academic training to complete the rigorous nursing curriculum of this bachelor’s degree program. Competitive applicants are those who have significant coursework in subjects such as biology, anatomy, organic chemistry, statistics, and psychology. Students benefit from opportunities to practice in various settings, including Mankato, Rochester, and the Twin Cities.
The online RN baccalaureate completion program is designed for licensed RNs who want to discover new career possibilities through completing a bachelor’s degree. The program is delivered fully online recognizing that many students are busy working as professionals with substantial work, family, and other commitments. This asynchronous program requires completion of 30 credit hours. Students have a number of choices for the program start time, the length of their courses, and their pace of study. Those who attend full-time can usually complete this program in one year.
- Location: Mankato, MN; Rochester, MN; Twin Cities, MN
- Duration: One to four years, depending on the program and pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Minnesota
The University of Minnesota offers a highly respected master’s degree program in nursing. The student body of this program is consistently diverse year after year. Students come from many professional and educational backgrounds and may have experience in teaching, law, business, the arts, and more. Such a diverse student body makes for a rich learning experience.
In addition, the university’s partnerships with literally hundreds of health and community organizations throughout the Twin Cities means students can expect high-quality supervised clinical experiences. Students are required to complete approximately 500 hours in a supervised clinical placement. This array of learning experiences prepares graduates to effectively apply their skills on behalf of many patient populations in numerous settings.
Graduates often pursue careers in a variety of sectors, including teaching, research, and advanced practice nursing. Graduates are also prepared to take the national licensure exam to become a registered nurse. In addition, they are eligible for certification in public health nursing in Minnesota.
- Location: Twin Cities, MN
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Augsburg University offers a 33-credit master of arts in nursing (MAN) degree program. The values of the Lutheran Church inform the vision that sustains the foundation for this program. This program is well suited to nursing professionals with expansive vision and energy regarding what the nursing profession can ideally do to care for people. The curriculum prepares nurses to meet changing health needs in a highly connected, global society. The curriculum specifically focuses on the health experience within a broader community. It recognizes the potential complexities of care and caregiving given the multiplicity of institutions and other factors that impact a person’s daily quality of life. Graduates emerge well prepared to fill transformational leadership roles and transcultural nursing practice. With an emphasis on the issue of health equity, graduates can expect to work in any number of settings throughout the world.
Students may complete this program on a full- or part-time basis. The curriculum features both synchronous and asynchronous learning sessions. Students may begin the program at one of three times in the calendar year.
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Duration: Two to three years, depending on the pace of study
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Bethel University offers a 57-credit master of science degree in nurse-midwifery. The University’s world-class nurse-midwifery education is informed by its faith-based worldview. Students develop a wide range of knowledge in midwifery theory, sexual and reproductive health, health assessment, newborn care, pharmacology, and more.
Graduates have the skills to offer holistic care to individuals of diverse backgrounds and needs. In particular, graduates will be trained to provide sexual and reproductive healthcare, primary care, pregnancy care, postpartum care, and newborn care. Graduates ultimately practice in clinics, hospitals, birth centers, and home settings.
Due to the rigorous demands of the program, students are recommended to work full-time while enrolled. Students complete coursework online and must participate in a one-week-long on-campus intensive each year. After successfully completing the program, students are eligible to take the national certification board examination offered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Bethel University graduates have a 97 percent pass rate on this exam.
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME)
Nursing School Accreditation
Academic nursing programs are typically accredited by one of two accrediting organizations. These are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation is a process that benefits the academic institutions and programs receiving accreditation as well as the students who attend these programs. Accreditation formally recognizes that an academic program meets the necessary educational, professional and other standards to be considered a trustworthy provider of quality training in a certain discipline.
Accreditation provides prospective and enrolled students peace of mind. By knowing an academic degree program is accredited, students can be confident their decision to pursue a degree will be a secure and worthwhile investment of their time and money.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Minnesota?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of October 2024.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 13,870 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $58,870 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $48,820 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $58,870 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $69,090 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 66,700 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $94,830 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $73,050 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $97,300 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $120,420 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 2,320 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $221,650 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $188,760 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $221,800 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | >$239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | 240 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | $121,860 |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $85,660 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $126,120 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $140,680 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 5,360 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $135,010 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $105,490 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $131,000 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $160,060 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Board of Nursing | Candidates for LPN licenses in Minnesota are required to:
If more than five years have lapsed since a candidate has completed their education program, they must complete a review course | LPNs in Minnesota are required to renew their license every two years. To do so, candidates must complete 12 contact hours approved by the Board of Nursing and pay the renewal fee. |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Board of Nursing | In order to earn a license in the state of Minnesota as an RN, a candidate must:
If more than five years have lapsed since a candidate has completed their education program, they must complete a review course |
Minnesota requires their licensed RNs to renew their licenses every two years. To do so, candidates must complete 24 contact hours approved by the Board of Nursing and pay the $85 renewal fee. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be eligible for a CNS license in the state of Minnesota, applicants must meet the following requirements:
|
To renew a CNS license in Minnesota, nurses must renew both the RN license online, followed by a renewal application for APRN license and pay the renewal fee of $85. The Board must have verification of current certification status directly from the certifying body. Renewals must be completed every two years. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Board of Nursing | To be eligible for a CNM license in the state of Minnesota, applicants must meet the following requirements:
| CNM license renewals in Minnesota must be completed every two years. To renew, CNMs must renew both the RN license online, followed by a renewal application for APRN license and pay the renewal fee. The Board must have verification of current certification status directly from the certifying body. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
To be eligible for an APRN license in the state of Minnesota, applicants must meet the following requirements:
|
|
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) Licensure in Minnesota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
To be eligible for a CRNA license in the state of Minnesota, applicants must meet the following requirements:
| To renew a CRNA license in Minnesota, nurses must renew both the RN license online, followed by a renewal application for APRN license and pay the renewal fee. The Board must have verification of current certification status directly from the certifying body. Renewals must be completed every two years. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.