Visitors can find a wide variety of flora, fauna and wildlife in a trip from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains in North Dakota. But, residents find far more in this state as they enjoy low crime rates, uncrowded streets, arts, sports and restaurants at their leisure. Nurses are needed here as much as they’re needed in any other state, especially registered nurses, technicians and family nurse practitioners.

Becoming a Nurse in North Dakota

A nurse who wishes to upgrade an LPN license with an associate’s degree can do so at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. This college offers specialties in behavioral/mental and psychiatric care, clinical nursing, family care, home health and labor and delivery. Other schools can provide the nursing student with a BSN or MSN, such as Tri-College University in Moorhead, University of Mary in Bismarck and University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The nurse who seeks a doctoral degree can apply to the University of North Dakota as well. These schools represent just a handful of colleges that the nursing student can look to for quality education.

Nursing Jobs in North Dakota

North Dakota’s largest health care employers include Trinity Health in Minot, MeritCare Health System in Fargo, and St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismark. MeritCare is now the state’s largest employer, employing over 6,300 individuals 17 locations in North Dakota, 17 regional clinics in Minnesota and an additional 9 regional clinics in North Dakota. Nursing salaries in North Dakota are comparable to those in other states. The LPN can earn between $26,000 and $52,000 per year, and the RN in this state can earn between $50,000 and $110,000 per year. The nurse practitioner in North Dakota can earn between $50,000 and $118,000 per year.