Career Change to Nursing
Nursing is a highly rewarding career. As a nurse some of your duties will include, providing and coordinating patient care, administering medications and treatments, assessing patient condition, providing emotional support to patients and families, and performing diagnostic tests. If this is where your passion lies, it is never too late to get started.
If you’re exploring a career change to nursing, you are the kind of person that is caring, compassionate, and dedicated to helping others. UNW is here to help you meet your goals.
Making the change to a nursing career may be easier than you think. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in any field, you can leverage that education into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to complete your nursing education.
How do I enroll in the Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Program?
- Apply and submit all collegiate transcripts to Northwestern. Be accepted to Northwestern.
- During the admission process to Northwestern, a credit evaluation will be completed to determine which of the student’s previous courses will be accepted by UNW. This evaluation will also determine if any core curriculum and/or prerequisite courses are still required. If accepted into the nursing program, all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program. A student may complete 10-14 credits of core curriculum courses during Terms 1-3 of the nursing program.
- Successfully complete (with a C or higher) all prerequisite courses.
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (4.00 scale) based upon credits earned from other colleges and universities.
- Admissions will send information to qualifying students on how to apply to the Nursing Program.
- Obtain a satisfactory score (minimum of 65%) on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) entrance exam (begin with creating an account).
- Complete satisfactory personal interview with a member of the Nursing Admission and Progression Committee.
- Upload an Intent to Enroll form as written acknowledgement of acceptance.
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No Waitlist
UNW has no waitlist! To get an excellent RN education, you don’t need to sit on a waitlist for a year or more. You can start pursuing your dream right now.
Expected job growth in the next 10 years
Average median salary
Of nurses believe their work is meaningful
Having a daughter with spina bifida required that she have in-home nursing assistance. A Northwestern nursing student's clinicals brought her to our home, I was so impressed by the care our daughter received, I asked a lot of questions. I had already felt a call to become a nurse. With a bachelor's degree and a career in health insurance, I decided this new vocational path was right for me. I am already a nurse at home for me daughter. I want to share that compassion and the skills I learned at Northwestern with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the traditional and accelerated paths?
The School of Nursing has one program and two paths. Both paths have a mix of traditional, transfer and post-bacc students and are identical in content and pace. The two paths differ only in how the terms are laid out.
The Traditional Path follows a typical campus schedule, with classes during the Fall and Spring terms and summers off.
The Accelerated Path runs for four terms, back-to-back. A student begins with the summer session and ends with the summer session of the following year.
Can students work while in the program?
Students are encouraged not to work because of full class loads, labs, clinicals, and studying. We do recognize some students have to work and encourage a job with flexibility.
Where do students go for clinical?
Our students go to a number of hospitals within the greater Twin Cities area, such as M Health Fairview and Gillette; as well as a number of community agencies for mental health, community, etc. Students also go to Mayo Rochester and clinics as well as Minneapolis and St. Cloud VA for clinicals and preceptorships.
Our program goes abroad for the transcultural course in Term 3 including countries such as Zambia, Jamaica, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Ecuador, Israel and Ukraine. Attendance on this trip is a requirement of the course. However, we do acknowledge family obligations. Exemptions for the trip abroad are considered.
When are applications accepted?
Applications are accepted up to two months prior to the start of the program. However, to ensure there’s still spots available, we suggest applications be submitted no later than 3 months prior to the start of the program.
Where can I find the application?
The School of Nursing application is available through the admission’s portal, which you will gain access to, once your begin the application process to the University of Northwestern. Please contact admissions for more information.
How do I know if I’ve met the prerequisites?
You will be asked to upload your transcripts during the UNW application process. Your transcripts will be reviewed and courses that transfer will be listed on your Degree Audit, available through theROCK. The admissions department will contact you and let you know what courses transfer and what courses (both prerequisites and core curriculum) you still need to take.
If I’ve already taken some of the nursing courses, will they transfer in?
No
How are applicants chosen?
The School of Nursing Admission & Progression Committee takes into consideration the following:
- GPA (2.75 minimum) and Entrance Exam Score (TEAS – 65% benchmark)
- Interview (mission fit; readiness for the program’s intensity, etc.)
What score do I need to get on the TEAS?
65% or higher
Can I re-take the TEAS if my first score is less than 65%?
The committee will only consider the score from the 1st attempt at the TEAS. An applicant can request an exemption to the ‘first score’ rule if there are extenuating circumstances that affected the score.
How soon will I find out if I’m accepted after my interview?
You’ll be sent an email with the committee’s decision within two to three business days after your interview. The email will be sent through your admissions portal.
What are the pre-requisites?
- Composition
- Ethics
- A College Math
- Lifespan Psychology
- Microbiology & Lab
- Chemistry & Lab
- Human Physiology & Lab
- Human Anatomy & Lab
PLEASE NOTE: There are also Core Curriculum courses you will be responsible for completing prior to entering the nursing program.
Do all the pre-requisites need to be completed before students apply?
- No. Students can be in the process of taking the pre-requisites during the application process.
- However, all pre-requisites must be completed by the start of the program.
- Be aware that there are core curriculum courses that need to be completed as well.
Is the UNWSP School of Nursing an accredited program?
Yes, by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). At our latest accreditation visit, we were granted accreditation for ten years, which is the longest time frame possible.
What will the schedule be?
This depends on the term. In determining the schedule, we ask our clinical partners when they would like our students to come. Once we are given that information, we plan our courses, lab time, etc. around the clinical hours. Typically, there are no overnight or weekend hours in Term 1 & 2. Terms 3 & 4 will have hours on different days and weeks, depending on the clinical site. Students will be able to choose their clinical and lab times when they register for their courses.
Have questions? Connect with your Post-BACC Admissions Counselor.
