North Dakota State College of Science, a leading educational institution committed to providing exceptional healthcare programs, is pleased to announce the launch of its new Practical Nursing Diploma starting in the spring of 2024. This three-semester program has been specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry and prepare students for a successful career in practical nursing.

Recognizing the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the nursing field, NDSCS is also introducing an accelerated Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Registered Nurse (RN) Program. This two-semester program is tailored for graduates of a diploma Practical Nursing (PN) program, offering an efficient pathway for further career advancement.

"We are thrilled to announce the addition of our new Practical Nursing Diploma and the accelerated RN program," says Dr. Lisa Karch, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs. "These programs reflect our commitment to meeting the industry's requirements and providing our students with the best education and career opportunities."

Students pursuing the Practical Nursing Diploma will complete general education courses, laboratory instruction, and clinical instruction at local health care facilities. Throughout the diploma program, students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge through clinical rotations and coursework that covers a wide range of healthcare topics.

The introduction of the accelerated RN program enables diploma PN graduates to seamlessly transition into the AAS RN program. This program will equip students with the essential skills and expertise required to excel in the field of nursing at an accelerated pace, allowing them to take advantage of the growing opportunities and demands within the healthcare industry.

"We understand the importance of supporting our students' career aspirations," says Debra Smith, Director of Nursing Programs at NDSCS. "The accelerated RN program allows diploma PN graduates to build upon their foundation and quickly become registered nurses, contributing to the healthcare workforce more efficiently."

NDSCS takes pride in its dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities that provide an immersive learning environment for aspiring healthcare professionals. With a strong emphasis on practical experience and comprehensive curriculum, students can be confident in their ability to succeed in the nursing field upon completion of these programs.

Prospective students are encouraged to visit the NDSCS website at NDSCS.edu/Nursing for more information on admission requirements, application procedures, and program details.

NDSCS is excited to announce that the Spring 2023 two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Registered Nurse graduating cohort achieved a 100% first time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses).

This achievement is even more remarkable when considering that this year’s NCLEX featured the new test format known at the Next Generation NCLEX. The new Next Gen NCLEX had significant changes to the exam. The exam format changed to include case study-based questions. Each case study presented a patient scenario accompanied by six questions. The questions build on each other, requiring students to carefully consider the information provided before selecting the correct response. The new Next Gen NCLEX requires a deeper understanding of the disease process and the ability to apply knowledge effectively in relation to patient care.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The LPN to RN Nursing program is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education and become a Registered Nurse.

Visit the NDSCS Nursing website at NDSCS.edu/Nursing to learn more!

In an era where renewable resources are gaining increasing prominence and support from government authorities, educational institutions are stepping up to incorporate these sustainable technologies into their campuses. North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has taken a proactive approach by installing solar panels and a wind tower, not only to generate clean energy but also to offer valuable learning opportunities to its students. These installations serve as practical tools for students to gain hands-on experience in installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of renewable energy systems. Let's delve deeper into the significance and impact of these initiatives at NDSCS.

Enhancing Learning Through Renewable Energy

Ivan Maas, Chairman of the Building Systems Department at NDSCS, shares that the integration of solar panels and a wind tower has greatly enhanced the learning experience for NDSCS students. “By providing exposure to renewable energy from an installation and troubleshooting perspective, students become proficient in assisting with the setup of such equipment. This practical experience equips them with valuable skills that align with the growing demand for renewable energy professionals.”

Installation and Gifting of Solar Panels

NDSCS boasts multiple solar arrays on its campus. The first array, a 3.5KW installation, was placed on a dual-axis tracker in 2011-12. It was purchased using a Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant and installed by Enterprise Sales from Valley City, ND. Recently, this array was upgraded to IQ-7+ micro inverters from Enphase, improving its efficiency and allowing direct integration with the NDSCS power grid.

Arrays #2 and #3, each with a capacity of 1.3KW, were also purchased in 2011-12 through the CTE grant. These arrays were installed on a ground-mounted framework built for student accessibility. The DC power generated by these arrays is fed into Barnard Hall, where it is converted into AC power using a Fronius IG inverter before being integrated into the power grid. In 2020-21, NDSCS added another solar array, known as Array #4, with a capacity of 4.4KW. This installation was funded by the NDSCS Electrical Department and installed by Scott's Electric in Wahpeton, ND, under guidance from Lightspring in Bismarck, ND.

The Future Impact of Solar and Wind Technology

Maas believes that wind energy might see limited growth in the residential and light commercial sectors due to initial high costs, maintenance challenges, and grid interconnectivity issues. However, large-scale wind turbine utilization is expected to continue growing steadily. On the other hand, solar energy is predicted to experience high demand and substantial growth. Solar power's predictability and dependability, coupled with the simplicity of maintenance and absence of moving parts, make it an attractive renewable energy option. Maas mentions that solar "farms" will be installed near existing distribution resources, power plants, and wind turbine installations. Some states, like California since 2020, have even enacted laws mandating solar installations on every new home.

Both private individuals and corporations are increasingly opting for solar installations to reduce their reliance on the electrical grid and minimize their carbon footprint.

Understanding Solar Panel Output

Solar panels come in various sizes and power outputs. Small panels with outputs ranging from 15 to 50 watts are suitable for charging small devices in outdoor settings. Residential and commercial panels typically range from 250 to 500 watts each. Multiple panels can be electrically wired together to form a solar array, while large installations with multiple arrays are often referred to as solar "farms." The output of a panel depends on its voltage and current ratings, which must be matched to the specific application for proper and safe operation.

Impact on Higher Education

Maas shares his thoughts on the future collaborations between renewable energy and higher education:

“I don’t know how many campuses have solar generation capability. It will vary greatly by state and region. My guess is that a very small percentage today have renewable sources/assets and it would be very rare to have their entire electrical power needs coming from renewables (solar/wind/etc.).”

“I believe there are not many colleges teaching solar classes. Some may include discussions in renewable energy but very few (like NDSCS) feature full-fledged installation practices. The most widely known training center (nationally) for solar installations is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP Certifications are very highly respected and recognized nation-wide. Regionally, several colleges in Minnesota have some instruction in solar installation since Minnesota has aspired to be more proactive on renewable energy production/consumption than other states.”

Article written by NDSCS. 

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has formally granted continuing accreditation to the North Dakota State College of Science Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing programs. This includes the one-year Associate in Science in Nursing degree (ASN RN), the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Registered Nursing (AAS RN), and the Practical Nursing Degree.

According to acenursing.org, the ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public through the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The Associate in Science Registered Nursing program option is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education to become a Registered Nurse.

New for fall, Licensed Practical Nurses who graduated from a diploma program will also have the option to obtain their Associate Degree in Registered Nursing. In addition to its regular cohorts, NDSCS has conducted more than 32 satellite nursing programs as part of its commitment to meeting the workforce needs of rural North Dakota and the region. NDSCS-Fargo location is planning to add the Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing Program option beginning in Spring 2024.

To learn more about the NDSCS Nursing program visit NDSCS.edu/Nursing or email NDSCS.Nursing@ndscs.edu