Accepted Nursing Students
Welcome to the M State Nursing program! We are excited that you have chosen to pursue your nursing career with us. We are proud of our history and excited about our future as we continue to excel in nursing education. M State faculty and staff are here to support you.
Whether you're a prospective or admitted student, please bookmark this page. It includes important information about program and clinical required documents, program technical performance standards and the program Policies and Procedures Manual.
Policies and procedures manual
M State's Nursing Program Policies and Procedures Manual is updated periodically. The most current version will always be located here. When changes are made, students will be notified via D2L Brightspace and email.
Nursing Program Policies and Procedures Manual Spring 2024
Practical Nursing Student Handbook Spring 2025
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
ATI is a comprehensive assessment and review program integrated into all Nursing program courses. The package includes access to computer modules, content review, lab skills and a live NCLEX Review Course delivered at each campus at the end of the program.
Fees for ATI are attached to courses within the nursing curriculum. ATI determines the fees assessed. Students repeating a course where the ATI fee is assessed will have the fee waived by contacting the director of nursing or course faculty.
Required documents
Please upload the following to CastleBranch by July 1 for fall admits or Dec. 1 for spring admits:
- Health forms
- Supporting documentation
- American Heart Association BLS certification documentation (CPR)
- Evidence of CNA experience
All required documents and background checks must be current and maintained while participating in M State's Nursing program.
Once accepted, you'll receive more information about CastleBranch. NOTE: Influenza vaccine is not available until September or October. Please upload that documentation as directed before Oct. 30.
Upon admission, you'll be required to submit a completed health division health form. Any time your physical or emotional health status changes significantly, you must upload a A Certification of Medical Clearance before participating in clinical or lab activities.
If you have questions, please contact the college lab assistant at the campus you will attend:
- Joel Hoffman - Moorhead and Detroit Lakes campuses 218.299.6876 or joel.hoffman@minnesota.edu
- Jamie Steinle - Fergus Falls campus 218.736.1581 or jamie.steinle@minnesota.edu
- Dave Uselman - Wadena campus 218.631.7871 or dave.uselman@minnesota.edu
Nursing laptop requirement
Students in nursing courses on any M State campus must have laptops. Computer specifications are posted at LPN to Associate Degree Nursing Bridge, Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing. Information about network capacity is available through the campus Computer Help Centers. All policies concerning laptop applications will apply. Laptop cost is not included in the cost of tuition, fees and books. The use of computers in the classroom is guided by course syllabi.
Technical standards
Technical standards are required abilities for effective performance in Minnesota State nursing education programs. The standards are compatible with the scope of practice as defined by the Minnesota State Board of Nursing. The examples show how a standard may be applied in entry-level nursing education programs. The examples listed are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be a complete list of all tasks in an entry-level nursing program. Reasonable accommodations to meet standards may be available for otherwise program-qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact the college Accessibility Resources office as soon as possible if you think you may need an accommodation for a disability.
Standards presented and revised by Minnesota Practical Nursing Education and Associate Degree Education Directors Association on 1/29/10.
Intellectual standards
The ability to:
- Perceive events realistically, to think clearly and rationally, and to function appropriately in routine and stressful situations.
- Independently and accurately assess or contribute to the assessment of a client.
- Identify changes in client health status
- Prioritize multiple nursing activities in a variety of situations
Careful thought, reasoned judgment. Differentiated from personal opinion and superficial memorization of facts by the ability to obtain and use an appropriate quantity and quality of data for a given situation.
Critical thinkers question assumptions, routines, and rituals, reconsider "known facts" when new information becomes available and develop new "rules" when old ones fail or are unavailable.
Critical thinking skills demanded of nurses require the ability to learn and reason: to integrate, analyze and synthesize data concurrently.
Students must be able to solve problems rapidly, consider alternatives, and make a decision for managing or intervening in the care of a client.
- Able to make effective decisions in the classroom and in the clinical sites.
- Develop/contribute to nursing care plans that accurately reflect client concerns.
- Able to make decisions reflective of classroom learning in the clinical sites.
Communication standards
Communicate in English with others in oral and written form. Able to communicate with clients and members of the health care team in order to plan and deliver safe care.
- Utilize oral and written communication skills sufficiently for teaching/learning and for interaction with others.
- Read, understand, write, and speak English.
- Explain treatment procedures.
- Initiate and/or reinforce health teaching.
- Document client responses.
- Clarify communication received.
Interact with clients, families, staff, peers, instructors, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds
- Establish rapport with clients, families, and colleagues.
- Respond in a professional and therapeutic manner to a variety of client expressions and behaviors.
Environmental standards
Possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt and safe completion of all responsibilities.
- Demonstrate professional abilities of trustworthiness, empathy, integrity, confidentiality, etc. in work, school, or volunteer activities
- Be able to change, and display flexibility
- Learn to function in the face of uncertainties and stressful situations
Ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
- Work with chemical and detergents
- Tolerate exposure to odors
- Work in close proximity to others
- Work in areas of potential physical violence
- Work with infectious agents and blood-borne pathogens
- Work in environments that may have allergens such as latex
Motor skills standards
Ambulatory capability sufficient to maintain a center of gravity when met with an opposing force as in lifting, supporting, and/or transferring a client.
- Position clients.
- Reach, manipulate and operate equipment/ instruments, supplies (ie syringes, monitors, sterile equipment).
- Perform/use electronic documentation
- Lift, carry, push and pull.
- Perform CPR.
- Reach, manipulate and operate equipment/ instruments, supplies (ie syringes, monitors, sterile equipment).
- Perform/use electronic documentation
- Lift, carry, push and pull.
- Perform CPR.
Ambulatory capability sufficient to maintain a center of gravity when met with an opposing force as in lifting, supporting, and/or transferring a client.
- Propel wheelchairs, stretchers, etc. alone or with assistance as available.
- Transport supplies to client room.
- Work around bedside with other personnel.
- Lift a child.
- Move and lift clients in and out of bed, wheelchair, or cart.
- Assist with the transfer and walking of clients who may require substantial support.
Ability to tolerate lengthy periods of physical activity, move quickly and/or continuously, and tolerate long periods of standing and/or sitting.
Senses standards
Auditory ability sufficient to hear normal conversation and/or assess health needs.
Ability to monitor alarms, emergency signals, auscultation of sounds (ie BP, heart, lung, bowel), cries for help, telephone interaction and dictation.
Communicates with clients, families and colleagues.
Visual ability sufficient for observation, assessment, and performance of safe nursing care.
- Observes client responses.
- Discriminates color changes.
- Accurately reads measurements on client-related equipment.
- Read medication labels.
- Evaluate for safe environment
Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment, inclusive of size, shape, temperature, and texture.
- Performs palpation.
- Performs functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention, ie catheter insertion
