Department of Nursing

Welcome to the Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Nursing Department website.  The website will provide you with a vast amount of information about our Nursing Program.

Our RN to BSN Program is an accredited baccalaureate nursing program. The RN to BSN Program is online and is intended for Registered Nurses (RN) with current, unencumbered nursing licenses.

At SMSU, we are offering licensed RNs an opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In that sense, our program is not a “traditional” Bachelor of Science degree. This program is designed for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma in Nursing who are looking for the opportunity to turn their 2-year degree or diploma into a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. SMSU is committed to opening new doors for area nurses and serving our region’s needs by offering this RN to BSN Program! Due to the types of course offerings and license requirements, unfortunately this program is not available for F-1 VISA international students.

Our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program is an online graduate nurse educator program that prepares you for a rewarding career educating the next generation of nurses. The demand for qualified, skilled nurses continues to grow. Our online MSN nurse educator program is making a difference in the healthcare industry. We prepare much-needed instructors for nursing programs. The end result is a highly-skilled nursing workforce, ready to provide professional and compassionate care to patients in a variety of settings. 

Accreditation

The SMSU RN to BSN Program is accredited through the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). SMSU and the Department of Nursing value the continued success of the RN to BSN Program and are pleased to share the respected notice of accreditation.

“The RN to BSN Program at Southwest Minnesota State University is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.”

SMSU is a Candidate for Initial Accreditation by ACEN
Effective March 21, 2023, the SMSU nursing programs at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, are a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on March 21, 2025.

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for initial accreditation of its RN to BSN and MSN nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the programs in person or virtually via Zoom: 
https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/93486451435
Meeting ID: 934 8645 1435
Passcode: 383965 

 at a meeting scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, in the Student Center (SC) 207 of the SMSU Student Center building located at 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at public-comments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office at:
Attn: Accreditation Services
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326

All written comments should be received by the ACEN by September 2, 2024.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program on the ACEN’s website