Nursing
Well-qualified faculty and the multicultural environment at the college offer opportunities that no other college can provide. Nursing graduates from Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College are greatly valued and respected by prospective employers for their hands-on practical experience and culturally competent nursing care.
Why Choose FDLTCC Nursing?
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Accredited
- Small Class Sizes for Personalized Learning
- New Advanced Simulation & Lab Learning Spaces
- 2 Back-to-Back Days per Week to Support Work-Life Balance
- Culturally Competent Curriculum- Focus on American Indian and Rural Health
Nursing Student Mentor, Study Groups, and Professional Tutoring- Financial Aid Assistance and Scholarship Opportunities.
Career Training
- Bridge Classroom Learning with Real-World Clinical Practice
- Paid Internship and Apprenticeship Positions
- Simulation and Lab-Based Training
Nursing at FDLTCC
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95% of recent graduates have found jobs related to Nursing.
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Occupations in healthcare are projected to grow 13%, 1.9 million openings per year, through 2031 nationally
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Nurses earn starting wages of over $30/hr in NE Minnesota
Mission
The mission of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Nursing Program is to provide the education necessary for entry into nursing. This program prepares the graduate to provide culturally competent care. The program aims to educate nurses to be culturally sensitive, focusing on the health needs of the American Indian population and the rural community. Upon completion of this program the graduate will be eligible to sit for the licensure exam.
Philosophy
The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Nursing Program believes:
- In the importance of preparing graduates who can provide excellent nursing care, which is compassionate, safe, and culturally competent for individualized patients and families based on current evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, nursing informatics, and knowledge of quality and safety in the health care system.
- That the adult learning theory is best suited to guide the instruction of nursing students in this program.
- That a concept-based nursing program will foster and encourage professional development, the spirit of inquiry and the value of lifelong learning as nurses.
- In the NLN core values of caring, diversity, ethics, excellence, holism, integrity, and patient connectedness.
Traditional ADN Track (4 Semesters): Designed for students beginning their nursing education, this four-semester track (after pre-requisites have been completed) provides comprehensive education to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN and a career as a Registered Nurse.
LPN to ADN Advanced Standing Track (3 Semesters): Tailored for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) seeking to advance their career, this three-semester track builds on existing nursing knowledge and experience, supporting a career transition as a Registered Nurse.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College offers two tracks toward achieving an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Application for both tracks accepted through the online program application year-round.
Step 1: Apply to FDLTCC
Complete the online College Admission application. Apply for college admission here.
Step 2: Apply to the Nursing Program
Review and follow the directions for the Application Period for Fall Semester Start and Application Period for Spring Semester Start listed below. Please apply early to not miss out.
Complete the online Nursing Program Application.
Application Period for Spring Semester Start
- October 31 – Application Deadline for Spring semester.
- Late Applicants: Due to the timeline of the Fall and Spring Semester, late applicants are not eligible.
- Week of December 1 – Student Notification
- Mid-December – Mandatory Orientation
Application Period for Fall Semester Start
- March 31 – Priority Application Deadline
- Late Applicants: Applications received after the priority application deadline will be reviewed based on enrollment numbers. No applications for Fall semester will be considered after July 1.
- Week of May 1 – Student Notification
- End of July– Mandatory Orientation
ADMITTED STUDENTS
- Admitted students will be notified via their FDLTCC email and a letter will be mailed to the address listed in the application.
- Students admitted to the Associate Degree Nursing Program must confirm their acceptance into the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Nursing Program by making a $100 deposit. Deposits will be applied towards future tuition. Failure to submit deposit by stated deadline will be considered a declination of seat in the nursing program.
- Accepted students must attend mandatory orientation session as scheduled.
- Requirements due PRIOR TO Orientation:
- Documentation of the following immunization(s) and health screening tests:
- 2-step Mantoux skin tests (both completed prior to deadline) or 1 negative Tspot blood test within the last 12 months
- MMR vaccination series
- Varicella (chickenpox) positive blood titer or proof of vaccination series
- Hepatitis B (3 shot series completed or started with follow up appointments scheduled to complete the series)
- T-Dap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) within the last 7 years
- Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR for Healthcare Provider (must be American Red Cross or American Heart Association)
Complete the online Nursing Program Application.
For readmission of students who were previously admitted and enrolled, the Nursing program application must be submitted along with a Plan of Action for Success by the application deadline. Criteria for the Plan of Action for Success is available upon request to the Nursing Program office staff at cnicholson*AT*fdltcc.edu or 218-879-0846.
Upon Successful Completion of the Associate Degree Nursing Program Students will:
- Demonstrate nursing care that is client centered, culturally sensitive, and based on the holistic needs of clients and families (Patient Centered Care).
- Use sound nursing judgment in the provision of safe, quality care (Nursing Judgement).
- Practice professional nursing in an ethical and legal manner that integrates integrity, accountability, leadership, and organizational skills (Professional Identity).
- Function effectively as individuals and within interdisciplinary teams with open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making (Teamwork and Collaboration).
- Contribute to the management of healthcare and continued quality improvement by incorporating evidence-based practice, cost containment, and current technology (Quality Improvement).
- Simulation learning in state-of-the-art nursing labs
- High-fidelity manikins and current healthcare technology
- Real-world experience through clinical placements in acute care (rural & urban), tribal health, and community settings
- Capstone/preceptorship experience to support professional readiness
- Prepares graduates for quality patient care and transition to practice
Graduation and Program Completion Requirements
To graduate from the FDLTCC ADN Program and be eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse, all candidates must:
- Successfully complete 35 semester credits in nursing, along with the 29 general education credits, equaling 64 total program credits
- Satisfactorily complete all courses listed in the Nursing Program Planner before graduation.
- Meet the College requirement of a cumulative GPA (Grade Point Average) or at least 2.00 (C) for graduation.
- Participate in standardized assessment exams. These standardized exams will be given to measure student knowledge throughout and at the end of the program, emphasis is given to prepare for the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN). The cost for standardized exams is included in student fees/tuition.
- Participate in the NCLEX-Prep Review Course at the end of the program.
- Submit an application for graduation during the term prior to graduation.
Grading
All nursing courses, including clinical, are graded A-F. Students must earn a minimum “B” in all nursing courses to proceed throughout the program. Nursing courses are identified with NURS titles. Grade Compilation: Numerical grades will not be rounded up.
The grading scale for nursing courses is:
- A= 90-100%
- B= 80-89% (80% is passing benchmark)
- C= 70-79%
- D= 60-69%
- F= 59% and below
A minimum grade of “C” is required for all other general education courses, outside of specific nursing courses.
Job Placement:
The institution completes a post graduate follow-up survey at 9-12 months. This data is part of capturing information regarding student job placement. The timing of the institutional survey allows students to graduate, take the NCLEX, and gain employment.
2023 Graduates:
- Response Rate 16/20 (80%)
- Reported Employment 100% (16/16)
2022 Graduates:
- Response Rate 23/27 (85.1%)
- Reported Employment 65.2% (15/23)
2021 Graduates:
- Response Rate 21/22 (95.4%)
- Reported Employment 95.2% (20/21)
NCLEX First Time Pass Rates:
- End of year 2024: 85.71%
- End of year 2023: 90.91%
- End of Year 2022: 42.86%
Program Completion Rate:
Program completion represents the percentage of students who completed within the stated program length Traditional ADN students= 4 semesters Advanced Standing LPN-ADN students = 3 semesters
- End of year 2024: 29%
- End of year 2023: 57%
- End of year 2022: 61%
Nursing Program National Accreditation
The Associate Degree nursing program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College located in Cloquet, MN is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is affirmation of continuing accreditation. (April 2025)
Nursing Program State Approval
The Associate Degree Nursing program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing (BON). Approval confirms that the program meets the educational requirements necessary for graduates to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Minnesota.
The Associate Degree Nursing curriculum meets educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in the state of Minnesota. FDLTCC has not made a determination of whether the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum meets educational requirements for initial licensure in any other state.
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College located in Cloquet, MN is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing program is affirmation of continuing accreditation. (April 2023)
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
FDLTCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) meets requirements specific to Minnesota. Please be aware that nursing licensure requirements vary from state to state.
The Nursing program at FDLTCC meets the state education requirements for a professional nursing license in the state of Minnesota. FDLTCC has not determined if the Nursing Program at FDLTCC meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
Many ADN graduates choose to continue their education through RN to BSN programs. These programs offer flexible formats—often online—and provide credit for ADN coursework and RN license. Earning a BSN can expand career options, prepare nurses for leadership roles, and meet employer or graduate school requirements. Below are links to RN to BSN programs that the FDLTCC Nursing Program has partnered with:
Moorhead State University
RN to BSN Dual Acceptance Program at MSU Moorhead
UWS Superior
RN to BSN – UW Superior
The College of St. Scholastica
RN to BS in Nursing | Nursing Degree Program
Bemidji State University
Nursing B.S. (RN to B.S.) | Nursing | Bemidji State University
Niganawenimaanaanig Indigenous Nursing Program | Nursing | Bemidji State University