CHI St. Alexius Health Education Resources
Healing with a Purpose
Founded in 1885 by the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, St. Alexius Medical Center has been a pillar of healthcare in Bismarck and the surrounding region for more than 140 years. Today, CHI St. Alexius Health Bismarck operates under the mission, “Let all be received as Christ” — embodying a spirit of hospitality and dignity for every individual seeking care.
A Shared Legacy: CHI St. Alexius Health and Mary
For CHI St. Alexius Health and the University of Mary, the Benedictine sisters are more than our common founders — they continue to shape and inspire our values, mission, and culture every day. Together, we remain dedicated to their vision and commitment to supporting the healthcare and educational needs of the region through innovative partnerships and strategies. CHI St. Alexius Health partners closely with Mary to offer an array of clinical experiences and enhanced learning opportunities to nursing and healthcare students, preparing them to provide patient-focused, life-affirming care today and in the future.
Scholarships and Sponsorships
This $1,500 scholarship was established in 1990 in memory of Gay Wallentine, former Director of Critical Care Services at St. Alexius. Preference is given to nursing students who are North Dakota residents, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and interested in working at CHI St. Alexius Health.
The new CHI St. Alexius Health Sponsorship Program enables students to jumpstart their healthcare careers without taking on the burden of student loan debt. Open to college undergraduates pursuing careers in nursing, radiology, respiratory therapy, or surgical tech and willing to work in North Dakota or Minnesota, this program sponsors one to two years of schooling in exchange for a three-year work commitment or three to four years of schooling for a five-year work commitment.
Mary's tuition-free Nursing Academy offers the most elite and in-demand nursing education program in the region. Only for the most inspired applicants, Nursing Academy students complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2.6 years, with guaranteed employment when they finish.
Demand is high for competent and caring respiratory therapists. To meet the need for these crucial health care workers, the University of Mary is offering several full-tuition scholarships to students interested in pursuing this rewarding career. If you are interested, complete our short online form at the link below.
Coming soon!
Have questions?
We're here to help. Call the Financial Aid Office at 701-355-8142, email us, or schedule a virtual meeting.
Additional CHI St. Alexius Health Opportunities
The CNA Tuition Sponsorship Program through CHI St. Alexius Health enables you to take the eight-week CNA course (seven weeks online, one week in person/in the lab) tuition-free with a one-year work commitment.
- Upon enrollment, you can begin working with CHI as a nurse aide.
- Upon completion of the CNA program, your hourly rate increases.
- If you enroll in a nursing program, you are eligible for a student nurse tech position and an additional increase.
A CHI St. Alexius Health Nursing Internship provides nursing students who have completed their third year in an accredited baccalaureate nursing degree program with 240 hours of paid employment and experiential learning during the summer (May through August). Nurse interns provide indirect and direct patient care under the delegation and supervision of a registered nurse (RN) mentor. Placements are available in a wide range of departments and medical specialty areas.
The Nurse Technician Program is an exclusive opportunity for individuals who are enrolled in a full-time nursing program in good standing. Nurse technicians:
- provide care and support to patients under the direction of a registered nurse (RN)
- gain a deeper understanding of the nursing role through facilitated mentorship, nurse shadowing, and additional observation
- explore a variety of healthcare areas while maintaining a flexible schedule to ensure success with their studies
This role offers a higher rate of pay than a traditional nurse assistant, as well as early assurance of employment in the department of your choice once you become an RN.
In 2026, CHI St. Alexius Health is enhancing its existing residency program to a year-long experience! The program consists of a competency-based curriculum coupled with specially trained preceptors and active mentorship. Nursing care varies from unit to unit, so we offer specialty tracks specific to each new resident’s area of care. After specialty-track education is completed, residents from all departments attend core residency classes to further develop their leadership, time-management, and critical-thinking skills. Each resident also has the opportunity to complete an evidence-based project to broaden their spirit of inquiry and more fully integrate into the organization and professional practice.
Program Eligibility
The CHI St. Alexius Health Nurse Residency Program requires one of the following:
- An active RN license upon hire
- An associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing
- Credentials as a newly graduated RN
CHI St. Alexius Health offers a variety of employment opportunities for undergraduate students as well as professional nurses following graduation. Competitive employment incentives are available for a variety of RN positions with a two-year work commitment.
CHI St. Alexius Health recognizes the importance of professional development and offers a range of opportunities to help its employees grow and succeed. Professional development enables CHI St. Alexius Health to maintain a highly skilled and engaged workforce that keeps pace with modern healthcare advancements. Opportunities include:
- Continuing education, workshops, and conferences
- Leadership development
- Mentorship programs
- Advancement opportunities within the CommonSpirit Health system
Tuition reimbursement or reimbursement for specialty certifications may also be available.
CHI St. Alexius Health and CommonSpirit Health
Founded four years before North Dakota achieved statehood, St. Alexius Medical Center has served the residents of the northern Plains and earned many awards for clinical excellence, customer satisfaction, and community service. In 2014, St. Alexius joined Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national, non-profit, Catholic health system headquartered in Englewood, CO. CHI St. Alexius Health includes an acute care medical center in Bismarck with a full line of inpatient and outpatient medical services, as well as rural hospital and long-term care sites in Garrison, Turtle Lake, Dickinson, Williston, and more.
In 2019, CHI merged with Dignity Health to form CommonSpirit Health, the nation’s largest Catholic health system. CommonSpirit embodies a unified mission: nurturing the healing ministry of the Church while creating healthier communities. CHI St. Alexius Health is now a proud member of CommonSpirit’s Central Region, which serves communities in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, and Arizona.