Minot State’s 100% online RN to BSN Completion Program offers flexibility, opportunity
By Amanda Duchsherer
Digital Communication Specialist
amanda.duchsherer@minotstateu.edu
MINOT, N.D. – Melissa Fettig finds value in what her predecessor in the nursing program created: strong advising relationships.
“Mary (Smith) made sure the advising process was very one-on-one, and she would spend a lot of time with each student to help them and make sure they were finding the right resources,” she said.
Taking on Smith’s advising and director role for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program following her retirement, Fettig is a new member in the Minot State University Department of Nursing who also serve as an assistant professor.
Nursing is unique to other healthcare fields, with several pathways to entering nursing practice. Evidence continues to show that patient outcomes are improved when nurses have reached the level of BSN or higher. The RN to BSN Completion Program is an online curriculum that empowers registered nurses (RNs), or those building on their associate degree of nursing or associate of applied science, to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
With students completing the program with different levels of education and employment backgrounds, that personal touch is important.
“We really know that the more we communicate with the students, the more likely they are to complete the program,” Fettig said. “It is important to have excellent advising so we can get them in touch with any support they need, from the Writing Center to scholarship applications.”
Receiving a BSN opens new employment opportunities for RNs, including leadership and management positions; public health nurse, nurse educator, and nurse practitioner roles, and careers in Magnet Hospitals, a designation awarded to health care facilities by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
In addition to creating new prospects for students, the Department of Nursing created the online RN to BSN completion program with flexibility in mind.
“The length of time a student is in the program depends on how fast they want to go. A lot of these students that come into the BSN Completion Program, they are working, they have families, and they want to get the program done at different speeds,” Fettig said. “Some want to get it done in a year, where others want to take a couple classes at a time. We offer a two-semester, three-semester, or four-semester model but, even then, it’s flexible.”
Increasing flexibility, the department can also apply 40 semester hours from a student’s NCLEX-RN towards graduation requirements.
“We have an easy application process, an online orientation program that walks students through what they need to know and what they can expect, one-on-one advising, and we have different resources available on campus. Minot State has a quality program at an affordable price.”
As a 2006 MSU nursing graduate, Fettig knows the value of the University’s nursing program firsthand.
“I know what a great education I got here as a nursing student. I feel the program gave me all the tools to figure out what I needed to know when I started practicing,” she said. “At the time, I was married, I was working, I had children, and so I understand how difficult it can be. The support that was offered, it allowed me to reach my goal of becoming an RN.”
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 10/20/20 |
