Graduate Nursing
College of Saint Benedict's Graduate Nursing Program
Department Chair: Jennifer Peterson
Faculty: Jodi Berndt, Carie Braun, Georgia Hogenson, Carrie Hoover, Rachelle Larsen, Mary Larson, Mary Pesch, Jennifer Peterson, Julie Strelow
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) has a distinguished, 40-year tradition of preparing strong, professional nurse leaders for contemporary nursing practice.
That 40-year long tradition has expanded to include graduate programs in nursing to prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical work and to inspire them to pursue leadership roles in the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare. Higher Learning Commission and MN Board of Nursing approvals received, CCNE accreditation pending.
The Graduate Nursing Program at the College of St. Benedict, in partnership with St. John’s University offers a Master's of Science in Nursing with a focus in leadership and education and doctoral degrees in nursing practice (Doctor of Nursing Practice) with a focus either in Leadership or as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to inspire students to elevate their voices through inquiry and ethical leadership.
The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Department of Nursing provides an innovative and integrative baccalaureate and graduate level nursing education grounded in our Catholic and Benedictine tradition. Through ethical leadership and advocacy, the nursing faculty mentors graduates to advance the nursing profession and utilize their voices with confidence and compassion to preserve human dignity, promote inclusivity, equity, justice, and improve quality, holistic health care for a global society.
Vision Statement
The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University Department of Nursing will strive for excellence in the areas of advocacy, quality, innovation, and ethical leadership. We envision a strong emphasis on lifelong learning, global citizenship and scholarship, particularly through immersion experiences with diverse cultures and partnered scholarly inquiry.
Core Values
As the Department of Nursing moves forward with its mission and vision, it is guided by the following core values. These values are grounded in Catholic and Benedictine traditions and values, the liberal arts, and professional practice. The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Department of Nursing values are:
Ethical Leadership
as a mindset embracing vision, courage, advocacy, and integrity to inspire others to take action to promote social justice; applying transformational leadership concepts and skills in high-quality nursing care, and the coordination of collaborative care within complex systems.
Scholarship
as contributing to knowledge development through application, translation, and implementation of best evidence into clinical decision making in order to achieve optimal health and wellness outcomes.
Global Citizenship
where we become aware of the wider world and a sense of role as a world citizen; respects and values diversity; has an understanding of how the world works economically, politically, socially, culturally, technologically and environmentally.
Digital Wisdom
where we explore, experiment, develop, and apply transformative care practices to lead the utilization and integration of healthcare technology.
Graduate Program Goals and Outcomes
Program Goal 1
Provide an exceptional educational experience to develop graduate-level prepared registered nurses to perform at the highest professional level through development of ethical leadership, advocacy, and transitional skills. Our graduates are expected to advance the art and science of nursing and improve health outcomes for all.
Curriculum Outcomes:
- Apply scientific underpinnings, and appropriate analytical methods for the advancement of scholarship in evidenced based practice.
- Apply organizational and systems leadership, health care policy, and information technology to advocate for quality health care delivery and improvement of outcomes.
- Perform at an advanced level of nursing practice using interprofessional collaboration to impact patient and population outcomes to improve the nation’s health.
Program Goal 2
Provide a supportive environment for an engaged, innovative, and collaborative faculty team who is invested in graduate nursing education.
Faculty Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective teaching and curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation using innovative and evidence-based strategies.
- Engage in scholarship and creative work that is publicly accessible and enhances teaching effectiveness and/or advances the discipline of nursing.
- Engage in advanced practice (APRNs) to enhance teaching effectiveness.
- Assist students to expand professional network, advanced learning opportunities, and resources that support their advanced practice goals.
- Actively contribute to department and college governance and other community service activities.
- Establish a professional identity that integrates the activities of teaching, advising, scholarship/creative work, and service with the individual’s strengths, personal professional goals, and the mission of the college [university].
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?
Each state and territory have different professional licensure and certification requirements. Other licensure requirements may include
- professional examinations,
- background checks,
- years of work experience,
- fingerprinting requirements,
- etc.
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in their state/territory are strongly encouraged to check the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of their state/territory.
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 curriculum in Family Nurse Practitioner at the College of Saint Benedict has been designed to meet the licensure requirements in Minnesota.
States/territories where the College of Saint Benedict's pre-licensure professional nursing curriculum meets state educational requirements for initial professional licensure or certification as of July 1, 2025:
| Colorado | North Dakota | Washington |
| Minnesota | Utah |
The states/jurisdictions where the College of Saint Benedict pre-licensure professional nursing curriculum does not meet state educational requirements for initial licensure as of July 1, 2025:
| Alabama | Kansas | Northern Mariana Islands |
| Alaska | Kentucky | Ohio |
| American Samoa | Lousiana | Oklahoma |
| Arizona | Maine | Oregon |
| Arkansas | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| California | Massachusetts | Rhode Island |
| Connecticut | Michigan | South Carolina |
| Delaware | Mississippi | South Dakota |
| District of Columbia | Missouri | Tennessee |
| Florida | Montana | Texas |
| Georgia | Nebraska | Vermont |
| Guam | Nevada | Virginia |
| Hawaii | New Hampshire | Virgin Islands |
| Idaho | New Jersey | West Virginia |
| Illinois | New Mexico | Wisconsin |
| Indiana | New York | Wyoming |
| Iowa | North Carolina |
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, the College of Saint Benedict provides the following information resources:
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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