The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed for students with no previous nursing experience who are seeking to become registered nurses. The Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena campuses offer the two-year Associate Degree Nursing program. The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to prepare students to deliver nursing care in a variety of settings as registered nurses. The graduating nurse will be able to provide nursing care in hospitals, long-term care centers, clinics, and community health and other health-related facilities. Upon completion of the nursing program, an Associate of Science degree is awarded by the college. Nursing graduates may apply to take the National Council Licensing Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN) following graduation. Individuals entering the program must pass the background check required by the Minnesota Human Services licensing division and, depending upon particular clinical partner expectations, also may be required to pass an annual national background check. The Minnesota Board of Nursing has officially approved the Associate Degree Nursing program at M State.

The LPN to Associate Degree Nursing option is designed for licensed practical nurses seeking to become registered nurses. This option is offered at the Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena campuses. Students who have taken the required general education prerequisites and are accepted to the program take a two-credit Role Transition course in the semester prior to the start of their program and then join the Associate Degree Nursing students in the second year of their nursing program. The Associate Degree Nursing program is designed to prepare students to deliver nursing care in a variety of settings as registered nurses. The graduating nurse will be able to provide nursing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and community health and other health-related facilities. Upon completion of the nursing program, an Associate of Science degree is awarded by the college. Nursing graduates may apply to take the National Council Licensing Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN) following graduation. Individuals entering the program must pass the background check required by the Minnesota Human Services licensing division and, depending upon particular clinical partner expectations, also may be required to pass an annual National Background Check. The Minnesota Board of Nursing has officially approved the Associate Degree Nursing program at M State.

The Practical Nursing program prepares students to practice within the scope of a practical nurse. Students are taught to use the nursing process in the maintenance of health and prevention of illness, the observation and nursing care of individuals experiencing changes in health status, and the administration of prescribed medication and treatments. Students receive supervised learning experiences in caring for individuals in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and physician clinics. Practical Nursing graduates may apply to take the National Council Licensing Exam-PN (NCLEX-PN) following graduation. Individuals entering the program must pass the background check required by the Minnesota Human Services licensing division and an annual National Background Check. The Practical Nursing program is offered on the Moorhead campus. The Minnesota Board of Nursing has approved the Practical Nursing program at M State, along with national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).