UNW Nursing graduates have achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX for three consecutive years now! This shows the excellence of our nursing program, faculty and staff, and the hard work of our students, as the NCLEX has been updated to the Next Generation NCLEX or NGN in April 2023. Congratulations to our graduates from the School of Nursing!
Why study nursing at Northwestern?
The University of Northwestern’s School of Nursing provides a Christ-centered program which cultivates the sensitivity and compassion required to serve patients of diverse populations. The UNW nursing program also instills the medical knowledge, clinical skills, and spiritual strength each student will need as they carry out their calling of being a nurse with excellence.
What makes our nursing program distinct?
- Servant Leadership Focus – Authentic and intentional service/servant attitude is interwoven into all aspects of our curriculum.
- Flexible Connected Learning – Our teaching format meets the unique needs of the student learner by blending both online and traditional face-to-face teaching methods.*
- State-of-the-Art Simulations and Hands-on Clinical – We intentionally provide a significant amount of simulation and clinical time for our students to better equip them with real-world learning experiences.
- Community & Support – The School of Nursing faculty and staff work to foster an environment in which all students feel loved and cared for. Faculty take time to meet with students on an individual basis to know and understand their needs in order to provide the support and resources needed to succeed.
- Preparation for the Future – Students are well-prepared to take the licensure examination, (NCLEX), and pass the first time. After receiving their BSN, students are also better prepared to go on to more schooling to earn additional degrees.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program is granted approval from the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Nursing major candidates who have completed all program, credit, and degree requirements will be recommended for the candidate’s licensure (NCLEXRN®). The baccalaureate program at The University of Northwestern – St. Paul is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
*Flexible connected learning is an educational framework that integrates traditional and digital modalities to create a blended, student-focused learning environment. This framework prioritizes individual flexibility, quality learning, and the development of critical thinking skills. Courses may utilize various methodologies including in-person, virtual (both synchronous and asynchronous), laboratory, and clinical learning experiences.
The purpose of flexible connected learning is to recognize the unique needs and learning styles of individual students, allowing for a student-focused environment. Flexible connected learning connects students to course materials, professors, and peers, fostering flexibility, community, and independence. Using this framework, students can have a more personalized educational journey while succeeding in an academic environment.
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Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree
For the four-year Bachelor of Science Nursing program, students need to complete a minimum of 62 credits before starting nursing program coursework. These credits are a combination of core curriculum and pre-requisite courses. See required coursework here. The tool below is an estimated start and end date once a student is in the nursing program. Please select the semester you would like to start your nursing courses and receive an estimate on your graduation timeline.
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Select a BSN Start Date
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Select a BSN Path
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Expected Graduation: X Years
X Graduation
Frequently Asked Questions
The School of Nursing has one program and several paths which offers students the flexibility to choose the path that works best for them.
- The Traditional Path starts in January (Spring Term) and August (Fall Term) of each year and has summers off.
- The Accelerated Path starts in August (Fall Term and all four terms run back-to-back.
If a student begins UNW as a freshman, they will complete their degree in four years (eight semesters). All Pre-requisites and core curriculum courses are completed in years 1 and 2 and years 3 and 4 focus solely on nursing courses.
If a student has credits from other universities that are accepted by UNW, their first two years could be shortened, but they will still need to complete the last two years of nursing courses at minimum.
For students who transfer in credits that meet the UNW required pre-requisites and core curriculum courses, they would be able to complete their nursing courses in less than two years.
For more complete information on course requirements and transfer credits, students can reach out to their advisor.
BSN Program Start Schedule
Students are encouraged not to work because of full class loads, labs, clinicals, and studying. However, we recognize some students have to work. In these cases, we strongly suggest students find an employer who is flexible.
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation for clinicals. Car-pooling is a possibility for some clinicals but we do suggest that each student has their own vehicle.
Our students go to a number of hospitals within the greater Twin Cities area, which includes: M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center; U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital; Regions Hospital; Lakeview Hospital; Gillette; St. Cloud VA Healthcare System; Hazelden Betty Ford; Robbinsdale Women’s Clinic; Mayo Clinic and more.
During Term 3, students will be enrolled in a transcultural course which provides students an opportunity to participate in a transcultural clinical experience, either internationally or locally. Previous student trips include: Brazil, Ecuador, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, Uganda, Ukraine, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Apply to Northwestern through your admissions portal, or contact admissions for clarity on next steps. There is no separate application for the School of Nursing.
After reviewing your official transcripts, the Admissions Department will prepare a document entitled Degree Audit. Your Degree Audit will provide you with a list of any pre-requisites and core curriculum courses you still need to take. This document can also be found in your Admissions Portal. You will have the opportunity to meet with Leane Gondek, the Pre-Nursing Student Success Program Coach, to create a plan to complete your courses prior to beginning nursing courses.
Yes.
Because the nursing courses build on each other from term-to-term, the SON typically doesn’t accept nursing courses from other universities. However, exceptions may be submitted for consideration. Contact Leane Gondek, the Pre-Nursing Student Success Program Coach, for additional information.
We required a score of 65% or higher. Contact Leane Gondek, the Pre-Nursing Student Success Program Coach for TEAS study resources and other helpful tips.
Yes, however, some credits from your degree may transfer. Contact Leane Gondek, the Pre-Nursing Student Success Program Coach, for additional information.
Students are required to earn a “C” in the following pre-requisite courses:
- Chemistry + Lab
- Composition
- Ethics
- Human Anatomy + Lab
- Human Physiology + Lab
- Lifespan Psychology
- Math
- Microbiology + Lab
- Pathophysiology
A list of core courses will be made available during the initial steps of the application process.
All nine pre-requisite courses must be completed and passed with a “C” or higher, prior to starting nursing courses.
It’s ideal to complete all core curriculum corses prior to taking nursing courses. However, students can ‘bring-in’ up to 12 core curriculum credits to take while in the nursing program. However, these credits must be completed prior to starting Term 4 of nursing.
The complete list of required courses, (prerequisites, core curriculum and nursing courses) in order to earn the this degree can be found in the Suggested Curriculum Plan of Study.
Please note: While the Suggested Curriculum Plan of Study lists all required courses, the list may be shortened if any transfer credits have been accepted. A more complete idea can be found in a student’s Degree Audit.
Students will work alongside Leane Gondek, their Pre-Nursing Program Success Coach, to form an individualized plan.
The schedule for each term varies. The classes, lab and simulation schedules are built around our clinicals; scheduled in advance by our clinical partners. Students are given access to their schedule approximately 4–5 weeks prior to the start of the term.
Careers in nursing
There are a variety of career and academic pathways that begin with a degree in nursing.
What types of work are related to this degree?
- Ambulatory care
- Home health care
- Emergency nursing
- Travel nursing
- Forensic nursing
- Telehealth nursing
- Government policy development
- Teaching/community health education
- Insurance screening
- Medical-Surgical nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Nurse practitioner/midwifery (additional training required)
- Anesthesiology (additional training required)
- Government research
- Personal services contracting
- Geriatric nurse
- Hospice nursing
- Labor and delivery nursing
- Military nursing
- Missionary nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Public health nursing
- School nursing
- Telehealth Nursing
Still have questions about this program or how to apply?
Our team is ready with answers!
Discover the School of Nursing
Professors at Northwestern are focused on their students first. Our faculty include experts in their respective fields who want to help you grow in your faith while you earn your degree.