Nursing, Undergraduate
Department Chair: Nicole Lang
Faculty: Ann Backes, Jodi Berndt, Carie Braun, Courtney Brevik, Sarah Dingmann, Vicky Grove, Georgia Hogenson, Carrie Hoover, Julie Keller Dornbusch, Nicole Lang, Rachelle Larsen, Nichole Laudenbach, Derek Moore, Holly Palka, Julie Strelow, and Mary Zelenak
The department of nursing offers a four-year program which leads to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing. The program is accredited by:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
655 K Street NW
Suite 750
Washington DC 20001
(202) 887-6791
and is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
The comprehensive nursing curriculum is based on the The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education and prepares the nurse generalist to practice safely and effectively in all health care environments. The curriculum has a strong emphasis on leadership, diversity, evidence-based practice, and the provision of quality and safe nursing care. As an academic major in a practice discipline, nursing students have opportunities to apply principles and concepts from the liberal arts and nursing science to the provision of lifespan nursing care for individuals, families and communities.
CSB and SJU offers a range of learning environments suited to development of the professional nurse including classroom, simulation laboratory, and clinical experiences. Nursing faculty have high expectations for student professional behavior and continuously strive to develop challenging learning experiences.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students who have been convicted of a felony or gross misdemeanor may be ineligible for licensure by the Board of Nursing and should seek clarification of their status prior to applying to the major.
Students must meet the technical standards for safe nursing practice. For representative examples of the technical standards, see the nursing department webpage.
Students in the nursing major may be eligible for membership in the Sigma Kappa Phi Chapter, an international honor society of nursing. Student membership in the Kappa Phi chapter is based on superior academic achievement. An active student nursing club encourages student involvement in professional and social activities.
Assessment
Continuous improvement of student learning requires conscientious and consistent, student and faculty participation in assessment and evaluation activities. Nursing majors’ academic achievement will be assessed using nationally standardized and classroom-based exams, scoring rubrics and performance demonstrations. Some, but not all, assessment activities are also included as part of course grades. Individual data will be given directly to the student; students should seek consultation from their instructor and/or advisor if they have concerns about individual performance. Only group data will be used for department reports.
What is a professional licensure disclosure?
A professional licensure disclosure is a requirement by the U.S. Department of Education for all colleges and universities to communicate publicly and directly to prospective and current students about academic programs that will or will not fulfill educational requirements for specific professional licensure that is required for employment in that field; and academic programs that meet or do not meet the education requirements for licensure for each state and U.S. territory regardless of the delivery mode of the program. The regulations are published in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR §668.43, section (a)(5)(v) and section (c).
Does This Program Meet Requirements for Licensure in My State?
Our program is approved by the Board of Nursing in Minnesota. If you plan to work in a state other than Minnesota after graduation, we encourage you to review licensure information for that state or territory. Each state has a Board [CB1] of Nursing and this is where you can find the requirements for working as an RN in that state.
Licensure is individual. Only licensure boards or agencies can determine whether a program has met requirements. These boards and agencies make that determination after someone graduates or completes the program and applies for a license. After you graduate, you may need to provide a verification of graduation form to the Nursing Department Undergraduate Chair. It will be important that you notify the Nursing Department Undergraduate Chair of your intent to be licensed outside of Minnesota so that appropriate paperwork can be completed. Some states require a signed affidavit.
Additional requirements. Completing a program is typically only one part of the professional licensure requirements. Most states require that individuals meet additional requirements to qualify for licensure, including but not limited to successful passage of the national licensure exam (NCLEX). Other licensure requirements typically include, but are not limited to, fees and completion of a federal background study.
Potential Changes in Requirements
Students who plan to pursue licensure outside of Minnesota should be aware that state licensure requirements are subject to changes. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program's ability to meet any new educational requirements. Students should always check with their state licensure board to confirm licensure requirements.
Relocating During the Course of a Program
Prospective and current students should keep in mind that licensing and authorization requirements vary by state and that relocating during the course of a program to another state could impact whether that student can continue in the course, meet the eligibility requirements of that state, and/or receive federal financial aid funding. If a student is considering relocating, they should contact their program to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
Professional Licensure Requirements
The nursing curriculum at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University has been designed to meet the licensure requirements in Minnesota as well as preparing students to take the National Council Licensure Examination–Registered Nurse (NCLEX–RN).
States/territories where CSB/SJU pre-licensure nursing curriculum meets state educational requirements for initial professional licensure or certification as of July 1, 2025
States | ||
---|---|---|
Alabama | Kansas | North Dakota |
Alaska | Kentucky | Northern Mariana Islands |
American Somoa | Louisiana | Ohio |
Arizona | Maine | Oklahoma |
Arkansas | Maryland | Oregon |
California - Except Public Health | Massachusetts | Pennsylvania |
Colorado | Michigan | Rhode Island |
Connecticut | Minnesota | South Carolina |
Delaware | Mississippi | South Dakota |
District of Columbia | Missouri | Tennessee |
Florida | Montana | Texas |
Georgia | Nebraska | Utah |
Guam | Nevada | Vermont |
Hawaii | New Hampshire | Virginia |
Idaho | New Jersey | Virgin Islands |
Illinois | New Mexico | Washington |
Indiana | New York | West Virginia |
Iowa | North Carolina | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
The states/jurisdictions where CSB/SJU pre-licensure nursing curriculum does not meet state educational requirements for initial licensure as of July 1, 2025:
States | ||
---|---|---|
California - Public Health Only |
Licensure and certification are post-graduation processes and cannot be completed without a posted degree. To assist students who now live or may one day live outside of Minnesota, St. Ben’s provides the following information resources:
- It is important that you understand the regulations for your state before enrolling in your academic program. Please check the licensing requirements for the state where you will seek employment.
- NC-SARA has provided a Professional Licensure Directory with contact information for all 50 states and 3 territories for the following professional areas: Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social work, and Teacher Education