Dr. Holly Gruhlke Vice President | Dickinson State University
Dr. Holly Gruhlke Vice President | Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University has announced it will relaunch its Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program in spring 2026, nearly two years ahead of its original schedule. The university attributes this accelerated timeline to the recent hiring of a full team of board-approved and qualified nursing faculty.
Melissa Wagner, DSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Coordinator, stated, “The return of the LPN program is a pivotal development for Dickinson State and for our region’s healthcare workforce. Bringing back the LPN program strengthens our ability to ladder nursing education, supporting students as they move from LPN, and ultimately to the BSN. It directly addresses workforce needs, particularly in long-term care, where demand is especially critical.”
The associate degree program is being reinstated as rural and regional healthcare providers in North Dakota report high demand for skilled nurses. DSU plans to request approval from the North Dakota Board of Nursing to open admissions at their October 2025 meeting.
Carey Haugen and Collette Christoffers, co-nurse administrators for DSU’s nursing programs, commented on the effort behind the relaunch: “The work that’s gone into getting us to this point has been nothing short of incredible. From recruiting qualified faculty, to updating curriculum, to achieving good standing with accrediting bodies—this is a true pivot moment for nursing at DSU. We’re proud to relaunch the LPN program stronger than ever.”
The university reports that the LPN program provides career opportunities for students while preparing them for advancement into Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. DSU continues its commitment to launch a traditional BSN program by 2027.
Wagner added, “Our recent preliminary pass rates for practical nursing graduates were at 100% in spring 2025. That kind of success proves our students are capable, motivated, and ready to meet healthcare challenges head-on.”
Dr. Holly Gruhlke, Vice President of Academic Affairs at DSU, said, “Offering a Licensed Practical Nursing program is critical to the strength of our career and technical education programming. The healthcare workforce is counting on institutions like DSU to meet demand with quality and speed. This relaunch answers that call—and does so in a timely, thoughtful way.”
DSU officials state that this expansion reflects the institution’s ongoing focus on career and technical education pathways as well as its goal to support local healthcare needs.
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