Accelerated and traditional BSN programs

New students are required to obtain various pieces of equipment, training and licensure in preparation for Nursing II studies. Any costs included below are estimated. 

• ACEMAPP:  $50
• Background Check, Fingerprinting, Drug Screen: $173
• BLS Provider Program: $125
• Clinical ID badge: $5‐7
• College of Nursing Skills Bag: $160 (more info given at orientation)
• Flu shot: $20-$25
• Kaplan testing tools: $128/semester (TBSN) and $160/semester (ABSN)
• Laptop*: $1,000
• Stethoscope: $53-$92 (order form here)
• Uniforms (more info given @ orientation): $175
• Shoes (more info given @ orientation): $100
• SafeMedicate License: $125

*Only required if you do not have one already.

Nurse practitioner program

• Books (average per FT semester): $200-250
• Clinical Placements (varies): $40-100
• Background Check/Drug Screen: $98  
• BLS /CPR training (if needed through LAC): $90
• Flu shot/ Other Immunizations: variable w/ insurance
• Otoscope & ophthalmoscope (with disposable specula): $265                             
• Tuning fork (128 hz; 512 hz): $15
• Stethoscope (Littman Class II or higher quality): $50-150      
• Monofilament: $10-20
• Lab coat: $50
• Additional Professional Assessment Equipment: $10-15
• Certification exam: $395
• I-Human simulation system (per clinical semester): $120
• Laptop*: ($1,500)

* Only required if you do not have one already

Additional individual considerations:

• Clinical travel costs
• Business attire suitable for clinical environment
• Parking fees at clinical sites
• Additional certification examination fees
• Upgrades to personal technology equipment
• Professional organization membership
• Professional conferences

Clinical nurse specialist program:

• Books (average per FT semester): $200-250
• Clinical Placements (varies): $40-100
• Background Check/Drug Screen: $98 
• BLS /CPR training (if needed through LAC): $90
• Flu shot/ Other Immunizations: variable w/ insurance
• Stethoscope (Littman Class II or higher quality): $50-150     
• Lab coat: $50
• Additional Professional Assessment Equipment: $10-15
• Certification exam: $395
• I-Human simulation system (per clinical semester): $120.00
• Laptop*: $1,500

* Only required if you do not have one already

Additional individual considerations:

• Clinical travel costs
• Business attire suitable for clinical environment
• Parking fees at clinical sites
• Additional certification examination fees
• Upgrades to personal technology equipment
• Professional organization membership
• Professional conferences

Nurse anesthesia program:

Note:  The following out of pocket expenses does not include daily living expenses or tuition. 

• Annual Criminal Background and Drug Screen: $150 per year 
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetist Conference Costs (students attend a minimum of one conference while in the program): $500 for airline ticket, $1,500 for 5 nights hotel costs, $300 conference fee (student), $500 miscellaneous travel expenses (airport parking, cab, food)  
• Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists Conference (students attend a minimum of two conferences while in the program): $150 conference fee (student), $320 two-night hotel stay, $100 miscellaneous expenses (vehicle parking, food)  
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Membership and AANA number application: $200  
• NBCRNA Self Evaluation Exam (SEE).  Students take the SEE twice: $ 250 ($250 x 2)  
• Nursing License Renewal (Students may be required to renew twice depending on their renewal cycle): $124  
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support Renewal (Students may be required to do this twice depending on cycle): $165  
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support Renewal (Students may be required to do this twice depending on cycle): $165  
• Health Insurance (student only): $7,200 (36 months in program x $200/ month)  
• National Certification Exam Review: $350 
• National Certification Exam: $995 
• Clinical Supplies: $200 (Stethoscope, eye protection, footwear)  
• Living and travel expenses to remote sites: $4,000 for length of program
• Textbooks & Apps: $1,000, if student choses to purchase textbooks (NOTE:  Majority of textbooks are available online for free through MSU library) 

Average Total Out of Pocket Expenses over 3 years:  $18,789 
 

Additional resources

RN Constellation Plus ($155), which includes: 

• Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses 

• RN Notes: Nurse, Clinical Pocket Guide 
• Diseases and Disorders: A Therapeutic Nursing Manual 
• Davis’s Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications 
• Taber’s Cylcopedic Medical Dictionary 
• Archemedes 360 Medical calculator 
• MedAlert 
• Life Support 360 

When ordering the references, you will be required to select the platform of your cell phone. The following platforms will work with the required references: 

iOS 9.0 or higher 
Android 5.0 or higher 

QUESTIONS?
Contact the Student Media Center
(517) 353-9020

Travel requirement:

In the College of Nursing, we use a variety of clinical sites throughout the state to facilitate the strongest preparation possible for our students. 

As such, it is important for you to know this will require you to travel to various locations for your clinical experience. You will have to travel out of the Greater Lansing area and you will be required to travel to clinical sites located in such places as Grand Rapids, the Detroit metro area, Dearborn, and other locations in order to meet program requirements. 

You should also be aware that you will be responsible for your own transportation to all clinical sites and any associated costs.

Nursing Student Association membership:

During your orientation, a few members from the Nursing Student Association Executive Board will meet with you to discuss the benefits of getting involved with NSA, as well as let you know how you can sign up for membership. 

You may have heard about NSA as a pre-nursing student, and you may already be a member. If not, now is the time to join! The Nursing Student Association is the College of Nursing’s largest student organization with over 300 members. It meets monthly and hosts a variety of community service opportunities, great guest speakers, a job fair, book scholarships, a mentor program, and three conventions for members to attend. 

Membership dues are good for all four semesters and only cost $20.

Feel free to email the NSA with any questions.