bachelor of nursing assignments

Nursing School Assignments and Tips to Ace All of Them

If you are about to start nursing school or considering enrolling in a nursing program, you would want to know what to expect. You will write many papers in nursing school and do many other assignments. This is true whether you pursue ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD in Nursing.

Before we delve into the types of assignments and papers to expect in nursing school, let us begin by dispelling the myth that nursing school is hell; it is NOT. Instead, it is a beautiful and exciting journey into a noble profession. It entails a commitment to life-long continuous learning for you to grow.

Nursing school writing assignments are an excellent way for students to understand concepts taught in the classroom. You might wonder what kinds of assignments nursing students do. These assignments come in various forms and help students build critical thinking, creativity, research, clinical reasoning, and problem-solving skills that are critical in clinical settings.

This blog post looks at the diverse assignments you should expect or will cover in nursing school, including some tips to help you ace them and get better grades.

Common Nursing School Writing Assignments

Classwork forms the core of most nursing programs. You must have high-quality assignment submissions to attain better grades in nursing school. As soon as you decide to become a nursing student, you sign up for a marathon of writing different types of papers.

Whether you love or hate it, you will write papers before graduating from nursing school; that is the norm. Although not so many, you will encounter a few homework and assignments where you must submit a well-researched, formatted, and organized nursing paper.

The typical nursing school assignments include essays, research papers, term papers, and case studies. Others are article critiques/reviews, critical appraisal, evidence synthesis tables (synthesis matrix), PowerPoint Presentations, posters, discussion posts/ responses, and policy analysis papers. Other advanced papers include nursing care plans, SBAR template papers, evidence-based papers, capstone projects, theses, dissertations, proposals, etc.

These assignments are submitted either individually or as a group. Let us expound on this so you have a clear picture.

Essays for nursing classes come in various forms, including admission essays , scholarship essays, descriptive essays, persuasive essays, speech essays, expository essays, and narrative essays.

Notably, nursing essays focus on a single perspective, argument, or idea, which constantly forms the thesis of the paper.

Nursing essays focus on various topics relating to nursing practice and the broader healthcare field. You can write an essay examining a nursing theory or non-nursing theory or discuss a nursing issue .

Some essays, such as reflective nursing essays, use reflective models to reflect, analyze, and understand personal and professional encounters during clinical practice.

Each nursing essay should demonstrate your understanding of the topic, critical analysis, and organization skills. Besides, you should use evidence from peer-reviewed scholarly sources to support your arguments and ideas.

Discussion Board Posts

If you pursue a hybrid or exclusively online nursing program, you will be assigned to write weekly discussion forum posts and responses. Discussion board posts are short essay-like assignments posted in a threaded format so students can discuss nursing and healthcare topics.

You will write an original discussion post, between 200 and 300 words long, and post it on the forum. You are also expected to write a peer-response post in response to or to comment on an original post done by your peers.

Discussion boards help nursing students advance theoretical concepts, learn from one another, share ideas, and get feedback that can help them advance their knowledge in clinical reasoning and practice.

Research Papers

Nursing practice is evidence-driven, translating evidence into practice to ensure quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare. As such, nursing research takes precedence during studies and when practicing.

Nursing professors assign nursing students to write research papers on various evidence-based practice topics. The students must prove their worth by researching, analyzing, and organizing facts.

Related Writing Guides:

• How to write a nursing school research paper.
• Systematic Reviews vs Literature Review

Research papers help student nurses to review literature, conduct research, implement solutions, and draw evidence-based conclusions.

Research papers are critical in developing research and writing skills, maintaining good communication, and fostering creativity and clinical reasoning.

Potential nursing research paper topics can be quality improvement, healthcare/nursing informatics , healthcare policies, practice privileges, nursing ethics, ethical dilemmas , pathophysiology, and epidemiology .

Term Papers

In nursing school, a term paper is a type of assignment completed and submitted toward the end of the semester.

Usually, a professor can assign you a specific term paper topic, or they can let you choose a topic and consult with them for approval.

Term papers can be done individually or as a group project. A term paper has an impact on your final grade.

You should use credible scholarly sources published within the last five years for recent information.

Besides, also ensure that you plan your time well, do everything as per the instructions, and submit the nursing term paper before the deadline.

A term paper can also be a nursing process change report that is expected to address an area that needs change.

Case Studies

Nursing school case study assignments are an essential learning tool.

Most professors assign hypothetical clinical case studies or case scenarios (snippets) to test your clinical reasoning skills.

As a nursing educational tool, nursing case studies help you to develop practical, theoretical knowledge by simulating real-world experiences.

When analyzing a case study, you must use concepts and knowledge from class and class text to assess a patient, plan and implement care, and evaluate the outcomes.

Sometimes, you encounter simulated or digital clinical experience case studies such as iHuman and Shadow Health .

You should be very keen when analyzing a case study and when writing the analysis report.

Case studies help you get beyond books and use your creativity, clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and analytical skills to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.

Your professor can give you a case study of a patient presenting with a given condition and expect you to take them through the care planning process, including admission and discharge, as you would in a real healthcare setting.

Other times, you can be asked to develop a hypothetical case study of a patient presenting with a chronic disease or a disorder and then use the case study guidelines, including head-to-toe assessment , diagnosis , nursing care planning , and discharge planning.

Related Guides:

• How to write a great nursing case study.
• How to complete a case conceptualization report (for psychiatric nursing students)

Nursing Care Plans and SOAP Notes

A nursing care plan can be part of a case study or a stand-alone assignment. Nursing care plans are essential in nursing education as they help students develop effective nursing care planning. Formulating a nursing care plan for a patient scenario or case helps treat them as you define the guidelines and roles of nurses in caring for the patient.

You also develop solid action plans for focused and patient-centred care by documenting the patient's needs. When they are part of an assignment, you can tabulate the nursing care plan using columns so that you explore every aspect independently.

Remember to use evidence from peer-reviewed scholarly sources when giving rationale.

The SOAP notes are a clinical tool healthcare professionals use to organize patient information to minimize confusion and assess, diagnose, and treat patients. Check our comprehensive guide on developing good SOAP Notes in nursing school .

Concept Maps

Another common nursing school assignment is concept maps. Concept mapping helps you visually organize, compartmentalize, and categorize information about nursing care planning, medical diagnosis, pathophysiology, SBAR, nursing responsibilities, etc.

A nursing concept map assignment equips you with strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. You also hone your clinical reasoning skills in the process.

Whether it is part of an assignment or a stand-alone, learn how to write great concept maps to score the best grades.

Concept Analysis Papers

If you are taking BSN, MSN, or DNP, you will likely be assigned to write a concept analysis paper. Make sure to distinguish this from a concept paper that is a proposal. A concept analysis paper examines the structure and function of a nursing concept.

The process entails a review of the literature and creativity in coming up with borderline, related, contrast, inverted, and illegitimate cases.

You also explore the antecedents and consequences of the concept before finalizing with empirical referents.

If you need to learn about the structure of a good concept analysis paper, check out our nursing concept analysis guide . We have listed concepts you can analyze depending on your speciality, instructions, and passion.

Capstone Projects

At an advanced stage in nursing school, students are expected to submit longer research papers; capstone project papers. A nursing capstone project is a final project that allows students to demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and concepts gained throughout the nursing program.

In nursing education, the capstone project typically covers an evidence-based practice issue or problem. You can write a nursing change paper, look into a clinical process, problem, or issue, and then develop recommendations based on a study.

Most of the MSN and DNP capstone projects focus on clinical change or quality improvement. You will be expected to develop a PICOT question and formulate a research study to examine the issue, implement a change process using evidence-based models, and make recommendations.

Nursing capstone projects are individual research projects based on nursing topics either of your professional or personal interest. You have to demonstrate competency and commitment to improve health outcomes.

Apart from capstone projects, you will also write a nursing thesis and dissertation papers, which depend on the program requirements and your professor's preferences.

Check out these specific writing guides for advanced papers:

• How to write a nursing dissertation or thesis
• Tips for choosing the best nursing dissertation topic
• How to write an excellent capstone project paper
• List of capstone project topics for nursing school
• How to formulate a PICOT question
• PICOT question examples to inspire nursing students

Group Assignments

In nursing school and practice, collaboration and teamwork are highly recommended. You will encounter collaborative group assignments such as presentations (PowerPoint slides, Prezi, or other platforms), simulation assignments, writing nursing reports, and group research projects.

Group projects allow you to research, learn, and organize ideas together so that you can understand concepts better. It is essential to avoid social loafing in a group to gain more. Besides, plan your time well and avoid excuses.

You can also be assigned to work on simulation exercises as a group of nursing students. The aim of such exercises is to build a collaborative, teamwork, and decision-making spirit among the team.

When in such groups, expect to work with your peers to assess the hypothetical patient, communicate with your peers, formulate a care plan, and manage any arising issues as you would in clinical settings. Do not take such activities for granted; they contribute significantly to your grade.

Presentations

Your professor can assign you to design a PowerPoint Slide accompanied by speaker notes and send it for grading or present it online or in class. Under presentations, you will also be requested to design flyers, posters, and other visual documents to disseminate information.

It could be about a disease, health promotion, or nursing research. You must also make PowerPoint slides when presenting a thesis, dissertation, or capstone for assessments. Remember, this is the chance to bring out your creativity.

Expect other assignments such as dosage calculations, HESI test exams, skills checkoffs, electronic medical record documentation, nursing student portfolio, online quizzes, drug write-ups, process recordings, group drug presentations, etc.

In most cases, you will be given a template to use wisely and make it as appealing as possible.

Tips to Help You Ace Nursing Assignments

A lot goes into getting the best grades in nursing school. One of the main determinants of your nursing school grades is the assignments, which you are required to do and complete within set deadlines.

Even though many nursing students perform better on clinical, that needs to reflect in written assignments. Most students fear research and writing or do not take writing assignments seriously. Regardless of the assignment, here are some practical and effective tips to help you ace your nursing school writing assignments and surprise everyone, including yourself.

1. Plan your Time

The number one challenge for nursing students that inhibits them from completing assignments is the need for more time management.

Most students are juggling studies and work to make ends meet. It worsens when you have a massive workload from more than one class and a family to look after.

The simple trick to beat this is to manage your time well. You can schedule your assignments for periods when you are free and when you can concentrate and cover more. Assignments have deadlines ranging from hours to days or a few weeks.

To succeed, keep track of your assignments and other academic activities, such as mid-term and final examinations, so that you can plan your study periods. You can use online time management tools and apps to allocate your nursing school homework time.

With proper planning, you should be reassured about the last-minute rush to complete your assignment, which is responsible for the colossal failure we are experiencing in nursing schools.

2. Follow the Course Guidelines to the T

Guidelines, prompts, and reading materials accompany each writing assignment and homework. Sometimes a professor can be generous enough also to give you access to the Rubric, which breaks down how they will assess assignments. Ensure you read everything and note what is required before working on any paper.

Pay attention to these, read, and familiarize yourself with the course guidelines. Understand the formatting requirements preferred by your school, such as Vancouver, APA, or Harvard. Most nursing schools will specify this in the course documents. Also, check the databases and journal articles you can use when writing your nursing assignments.

Preparing in advance by reading the course materials to identify the recommended study materials. You will have a deeper understanding, knowledge, and skills to handle every nursing assignment correctly.

3. Have an Active Study Buddy

A nursing study buddy can be one of your classmates whom you study with. Study buddies offer mutual support, which comes in handy when completing assignments.

Select a bright and committed person with something to offer so you are not only giving. Set the study hours and have accountability follow-ups to ensure you cover much of the syllabus and concepts in time.

A study buddy can help you understand nursing concepts, theories, models, and frameworks. They can also help you review your written papers and give valuable feedback when editing and proofreading your nursing papers.

A knowledgeable, accountable, committed study partner can help you revamp your grades by submitting high-quality assignments.

4. Join a Study Group

A study group is a tried and tested means of completing nursing assignments. Apart from building your teamwork and collaborative skills, you can brainstorm ideas, critique one another, and learn more about the class assignments. With diversity in thoughts, you can get valuable insights and inputs for personal-level work.

Besides, you are also guaranteed to ace the nursing group assignments with ease. When doing group work, try to rotate into new groups so that you can appreciate the diversity of thoughts and reasoning. You can also identify individuals from your groups, those that are active, as your study buddies.

When you have accountability partners within the group, you commit to given tasks and make necessary follow-ups. If you are a part-time student, consider having students whose free time is similar to yours to benefit everyone.

5. Get Writing Assignment Help

As with other subjects in college and university, nursing students face challenges such as time management, complexity of assignments, too many assignments, and writer's block. When you feel overwhelmed with completing your nursing class assignments, you can always pay someone to handle the class for you or at least do your coursework or assignments.

One sure way to get assistance without drawing too much attention is by trusting assignment help websites like NurseMyGrade.com with your papers. Many students do not have time to complete assignments or find them challenging. Consequently, many hire nursing assignment helpers from nursing paper writing platforms.

If you feel like hiring the right professionals, use NurseMyGrade. We offer customized writing solutions to nursing students at different academic levels. Our nursing experts can complete short and lengthy assignments. You will have a well-researched and formatted paper written in Vancouver, APA, MLA, ASA, AMA, Harvard, or any citation style you choose.

You can use the tips and insights above to master nursing school assignments. We wish you all the best as you strive towards excellence. Don't worry about the many assignments. Instead, be grateful that they will equip you with knowledge, skills, and experience to make you the best nurse.

How Many Papers to Write in Nursing School

We have so far covered the general aspects of the types of assignments to expect in nursing school. Under the assignments, you may ask yourself if you must write many papers in nursing school.

While the answer depends on your professor, institutional curriculum requirements, and nursing level, you will undoubtedly write a couple of academic papers before graduating from nursing school. You will write research papers, essays, proposals, white papers, policy analysis papers, capstone project papers, case studies, scholarship essays, personal statements, quality improvement reports, etc.

Suppose you are pursuing a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program. In that case, you will likely write between 13 and 15 papers during the LPN program, including short and long essays, reflective journals, essays, patient-based case studies, and others as your professor pleases.

If you are in a 2-year ADN program, expect to complete about 20 to 30 papers, including care plans, SBAR reports, essays, case studies analyses, research papers, reports, and other assignments.

For a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, you will write between 35 and 50 papers. If you are taking the online class program options, like the WGU BSN program, you might write more papers because they form the basis for your assessment.

BSN-level papers are demanding because you must strictly adhere to the formatting styles and be critical and organized in your presentation.

If you are taking a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, an advanced-level study for registered nurses (RNs), you will do about 20-50 papers, given that it offers the foundation for nursing research. Again, at an advanced level, the MSN writing assignments are complex.

You need to plan well, research widely, and analyze facts thoroughly before drawing conclusions. During this level, expect to write papers such as MSN essays, discussion posts and responses, specialized case studies, research papers, clinical reports, advanced SOAP notes, nursing care plans, policy papers, position papers (white papers), dissertations, theses, capstone papers, project papers, and change project papers.

You are expected to show exquisite research skills for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, considered the highest level or terminal degree in nursing practice. At this level, you have specialized, advanced your knowledge, and have adequate experience.

Mostly, DNP papers are a little longer. You will write between 20-30 papers; depending on your nursing school curriculum and supervisor's preference, it could be less or more.

If you opt for the research route, you will write many research papers, technical papers, policy analysis papers, white papers, reflection papers, nursing dissertations, PICOT-based change project papers (DNP change project papers), and other assignments.

Finally, for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing programs, you should expect to write between 10 and 15 papers covering research-oriented topics.

Attaining this degree makes you the epitome of success in the field. You can advance into a nursing researcher, educator, leader, or manager.

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Before you go ...

There are many assignments and papers to complete in nursing school, including written assignments, quizzes, exams (oral and written), reflective journals, journal entries, e-Portfolio, integrative reviews, teaching plans, presentations, etc. Whether taking an LPN program or advancing your career by pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing, you will do many nursing school assignments.

Do not take assignments as a punishment. Instead, consider them as tools to equip and shape you into a desirable nurse practitioner.

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The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Assignments: 7 Tips and Strategies

Nursing assignments are a critical component of every nursing student’s academic journey. They serve as opportunities to test your knowledge, apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, and develop essential skills necessary for your future nursing career. However, tackling nursing assignments can often be overwhelming, particularly when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. In this comprehensive guide, we provide valuable tips, strategies, and expert assignment help services to help you excel in your nursing assignments. Whether you’re struggling with research, structuring your assignment, or proofreading, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Understanding the Nursing Assignments

To excel in nursing assignments , it’s crucial to start by thoroughly understanding the requirements. Take the time to carefully read the assignment prompt, paying close attention to the topic, word count, formatting guidelines, and any specific instructions provided by your instructor. Understanding these key components will ensure that you meet all the necessary criteria.

Conducting Thorough Research

Once you have a clear understanding of the assignment, it’s time to conduct thorough research. Solid research forms the foundation of any successful nursing assignment. Begin by gathering relevant and credible sources, such as nursing textbooks, scholarly articles, reputable websites , and academic databases specific to nursing. These resources will provide you with evidence-based information to support your arguments and demonstrate your understanding of the topic.

Creating a Well-Structured Outline

A well-structured outline is essential for organizing your thoughts and ensuring a logical flow in your nursing assignment. An effective outline acts as a roadmap, guiding you through the writing process and ensuring that you cover all the necessary points.

At [Your Service Name], our expert writers can assist you in creating a comprehensive outline tailored to your specific assignment. By collaborating with us, you can receive personalized guidance in organizing your ideas effectively and structuring your assignment in a logical manner. Our writers understand the nuances of nursing assignments and can help you identify the most important concepts and supporting evidence to include.

Using a Professional Tone

Maintaining a professional tone throughout your nursing assignment is crucial. As aspiring healthcare professionals, it’s essential to communicate your ideas with clarity, conciseness, and professionalism. Use clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or slang that may hinder the reader’s understanding. Present your arguments and supporting evidence in a logical and coherent manner, demonstrating your ability to think critically and apply nursing principles.

Our expert writers have extensive experience in academic writing within the field of nursing. They possess a deep understanding of the professional tone required for nursing assignments and can ensure that your assignment is written to the highest standards. By collaborating with us, you can receive guidance in maintaining a professional tone and effectively conveying your ideas.

Incorporating Practical Examples

In addition to a professional tone, incorporating practical examples into your nursing assignment can greatly enhance its quality. Practical examples bring theoretical concepts to life, illustrating their application in real-life scenarios. They demonstrate your understanding of nursing principles and showcase your ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Our team consists of experienced nursing professionals who can assist you in incorporating relevant practical examples into your assignment. Drawing from their extensive knowledge and expertise, they can provide you with real-life scenarios or case studies that strengthen the impact and credibility of your work. By collaborating with us, you can elevate the quality of your assignment by demonstrating your ability to apply nursing concepts in practical settings.

Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading and editing are essential steps in the assignment writing process. They ensure that your nursing assignment is polished, error-free, and effectively communicates your ideas. After completing the initial draft, it’s crucial to take a break and return to your work with fresh eyes. During the proofreading stage, carefully review your assignment for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Correct any errors and inconsistencies that may affect the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

At nursingresearchhelp.com , we have a dedicated team of proofreaders and editors who specialize in nursing assignments. They meticulously review your work, ensuring that it adheres to formatting guidelines and meets the highest standards of academic writing. Our proofreaders and editors will help you refine your assignment, ensuring that it is polished and error-free. By collaborating with us, you can rest assured that your assignment will be thoroughly reviewed and refined before submission.

Seeking Help When Needed

In addition to proofreading and editing, it’s important to seek help when needed. Nursing assignments can be challenging, and it’s perfectly normal to require assistance. Whether you’re facing difficulties in understanding the assignment prompt, need guidance in specific areas, or simply want a fresh perspective on your work, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Our friendly and knowledgeable support team is always available to address any questions or concerns you may have. We understand the unique challenges faced by nursing students and can provide you with the guidance and clarification you need. By seeking help when needed, you can overcome obstacles and ensure the successful completion of your nursing assignments.

Mastering nursing assignments is within your reach with the right tips, strategies, and expert assignment help services. At nursingresearchhelp.com we are committed to supporting nursing students in excelling in their academic pursuits. Our experienced writers, proofreaders, and editors can provide personalized assistance throughout the assignment writing process, ensuring that your assignments meet the highest standards of quality and professionalism.

With our help, you can confidently tackle your nursing assignments and overcome any challenges you may face. Visit our website nursingresearchhelp.com to learn more about our services and how we can support you in achieving academic excellence. Whether you need guidance in understanding the assignment, conducting thorough research, creating a well-structured outline, using a professional tone, incorporating practical examples, or ensuring a polished final product, we are here to assist you. Trust us for reliable and professional assignment help tailored to your needs.

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Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

• What They Include
• Choosing a Topic
• Best Nursing Research Topics
• Research Paper Writing Tips

Writing a research paper is a massive task that involves careful organization, critical analysis, and a lot of time. Some nursing students are natural writers, while others struggle to select a nursing research topic, let alone write about it.

If you're a nursing student who dreads writing research papers, this article may help ease your anxiety. We'll cover everything you need to know about writing nursing school research papers and the top topics for nursing research.  

Continue reading to make your paper-writing jitters a thing of the past.

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A nursing research paper is a work of academic writing composed by a nurse or nursing student. The paper may present information on a specific topic or answer a question.

During LPN/LVN and RN programs, most papers you write focus on learning to use research databases, evaluate appropriate resources, and format your writing with APA style. You'll then synthesize your research information to answer a question or analyze a topic.

BSN , MSN , Ph.D., and DNP programs also write nursing research papers. Students in these programs may also participate in conducting original research studies.

Writing papers during your academic program improves and develops many skills, including the ability to:

• Select nursing topics for research
• Conduct effective research
• Analyze published academic literature
• Format and cite sources
• Synthesize data
• Organize and articulate findings

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

You may need to write a research paper for any of the nursing courses you take. Research papers help develop critical thinking and communication skills. They allow you to learn how to conduct research and critically review publications.

That said, not every class will require in-depth, 10-20-page papers. The more advanced your degree path, the more you can expect to write and conduct research. If you're in an associate or bachelor's program, you'll probably write a few papers each semester or term.

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

Most of the time, you won't be designing, conducting, and evaluating new research. Instead, your projects will focus on learning the research process and the scientific method. You'll achieve these objectives by evaluating existing nursing literature and sources and defending a thesis.

However, many nursing faculty members do conduct original research. So, you may get opportunities to participate in, and publish, research articles.

Example Research Project Scenario:

In your maternal child nursing class, the professor assigns the class a research paper regarding developmentally appropriate nursing interventions for the pediatric population. While that may sound specific, you have almost endless opportunities to narrow down the focus of your writing. 

You could choose pain intervention measures in toddlers. Conversely, you can research the effects of prolonged hospitalization on adolescents' social-emotional development.

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

Your professor should provide a thorough guideline of the scope of the paper. In general, an undergraduate nursing research paper will consist of:

Introduction : A brief overview of the research question/thesis statement your paper will discuss. You can include why the topic is relevant.

Body : This section presents your research findings and allows you to synthesize the information and data you collected. You'll have a chance to articulate your evaluation and answer your research question. The length of this section depends on your assignment.

Conclusion : A brief review of the information and analysis you presented throughout the body of the paper. This section is a recap of your paper and another chance to reassert your thesis.

The best advice is to follow your instructor's rubric and guidelines. Remember to ask for help whenever needed, and avoid overcomplicating the assignment!

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

The sheer volume of prospective nursing research topics can become overwhelming for students. Additionally, you may get the misconception that all the 'good' research ideas are exhausted. However, a personal approach may help you narrow down a research topic and find a unique angle.

Writing your research paper about a topic you value or connect with makes the task easier. Additionally, you should consider the material's breadth. Topics with plenty of existing literature will make developing a research question and thesis smoother.

Finally, feel free to shift gears if necessary, especially if you're still early in the research process. If you start down one path and have trouble finding published information, ask your professor if you can choose another topic.

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

You have endless subject choices for nursing research papers. This non-exhaustive list just scratches the surface of some of the best nursing research topics.

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

• Analyze the use of telehealth/virtual nursing to reduce inpatient nurse duties.
• Discuss the impact of evidence-based respiratory interventions on patient outcomes in critical care settings.
• Explore the effectiveness of pain management protocols in pediatric patients.

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of nurse-led diabetes education in Type II Diabetics.
• Analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to healthcare services.

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

• Review the effectiveness of simulation-based learning to improve nursing students' clinical skills.
• Identify methods that best prepare pre-licensure students for clinical practice.
• Investigate factors that influence nurses to pursue advanced degrees.
• Evaluate education methods that enhance cultural competence among nurses.
• Describe the role of mindfulness interventions in reducing stress and burnout among nurses.

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

• Explore patient outcomes related to nurse staffing levels in acute behavioral health settings.
• Assess the effectiveness of mental health education among emergency room nurses .
• Explore de-escalation techniques that result in improved patient outcomes.
• Review the effectiveness of therapeutic communication in improving patient outcomes.

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of parental involvement in pediatric asthma treatment adherence.
• Explore challenges related to chronic illness management in pediatric patients.
• Review the role of play therapy and other therapeutic interventions that alleviate anxiety among hospitalized children.

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

• Analyze the effects of short staffing on nurse burnout .
• Evaluate factors that facilitate resiliency among nursing professionals.
• Examine predictors of nurse dissatisfaction and burnout.
• Posit how nursing theories influence modern nursing practice.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

The best nursing research advice we can provide is to follow your professor's rubric and instructions. However, here are a few study tips for nursing students to make paper writing less painful:

Avoid procrastination: Everyone says it, but few follow this advice. You can significantly lower your stress levels if you avoid procrastinating and start working on your project immediately.

Plan Ahead: Break down the writing process into smaller sections, especially if it seems overwhelming. Give yourself time for each step in the process.

Research: Use your resources and ask for help from the librarian or instructor. The rest should come together quickly once you find high-quality studies to analyze.

Outline: Create an outline to help you organize your thoughts. Then, you can plug in information throughout the research process. 

Clear Language: Use plain language as much as possible to get your point across. Jargon is inevitable when writing academic nursing papers, but keep it to a minimum.

Cite Properly: Accurately cite all sources using the appropriate citation style. Nursing research papers will almost always implement APA style. Check out the resources below for some excellent reference management options.

Revise and Edit: Once you finish your first draft, put it away for one to two hours or, preferably, a whole day. Once you've placed some space between you and your paper, read through and edit for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. Reading your essay out loud is an excellent way to check for the 'flow' of the paper.

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

Purdue OWL (Online writing lab) has a robust APA guide covering everything you need about APA style and rules.

Grammarly helps you edit grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Upgrading to a paid plan will get you plagiarism detection, formatting, and engagement suggestions. This tool is excellent to help you simplify complicated sentences.

Mendeley is a free reference management software. It stores, organizes, and cites references. It has a Microsoft plug-in that inserts and correctly formats APA citations.

Don't let nursing research papers scare you away from starting nursing school or furthering your education. Their purpose is to develop skills you'll need to be an effective nurse: critical thinking, communication, and the ability to review published information critically.

Choose a great topic and follow your teacher's instructions; you'll finish that paper in no time.

Joleen Sams is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner based in the Kansas City metro area. During her 10-year RN career, Joleen worked in NICU, inpatient pediatrics, and regulatory compliance. Since graduating with her MSN-FNP in 2019, she has worked in urgent care and nursing administration. Connect with Joleen on LinkedIn or see more of her writing on her website.

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Successfully preparing your assignment

Answering a question.

The topic: Your assignment, essay, or project may have a specific topic, require you to choose from a range of topics, or ask you to define a topic of your own. A common mistake that students make is attempting to cover or choosing a topic that is too large or not clearly defined. The following points are designed to help you begin to refine your ideas.

Identify the TOPIC that you intend to address.

Write down some descriptors, or KEY WORDS, relevant to that topic. You can then check these key words against the subject catalogue in the library to see which of them in fact appear there. This will make you aware of other possible key words as well as helping you to focus your attention on a manageable portion of the field. You should now be ready to think about a title.

Now you may want (or need) to refine your topic further. What terms in your title, or related to your topic, need to be DEFINED ? Remember that dictionaries or Wikipedia are not specialist academic or scientific texts and therefore are not often the best places to go for definitions in this context. A definition might be a discussion of the possible approaches to a subject rather than a formula.

What LINES OF THOUGHT does your title suggest? Make sure that your title doesn't include references to an area that you don't want to deal with or, alternatively, omits a major aspect of your argument.

Can you present arguments both FOR AND AGAINST the topic?

Where an essay question is provided, students often fail to do what the question asks of them. Take note of the following list of directive words and make sure you are fulfilling the markers' expectations

Common Specific Instructions used in Assessment Questions

Assignment tasks you will be asked to complete will use a set of common instructions.  You should read these instructions carefully and interpret the directive verbs outlined below accordingly.

Analyse: Identify and explain each component and show how they relate to each other.

Compare: Describe the similarities and differences and evaluate likely outcomes.

Contrast: Present an overview of two points of view and set them in opposition to bring out the differences.

Criticise: Give your judgement about the merit of theories or opinions about truth of facts, and back your judgement by a discussion of the evidence.

Debate: Weigh both sides of a controversial argument fairly and thoroughly, reviewing each side. Define: Set down the precise meaning of a word or phrase and show why the distinctions implied in the definition are necessary by expanding on particular elements that may be sources of confusion or misunderstanding.

Describe: Give a detailed explanation and clarification.

Discuss: Investigate an issue by examining the positive and negative arguments and by exploring interesting alternatives.

Evaluate: Make an appraisal on the basis of pre-established criteria, explore other points of view and, perhaps, include your personal opinion.

Examine: Present in depth and investigate the implications.

Explain: Clarify by the use of explanation, model and example.

Illustrate: Use a model to clarify a particular point or use examples taken from everyday reality.

Interpret: Expand the meaning of a particular issue or event.

Justify : Show the basis for a decision or conclusion by the use of an appropriate model or relevant evidence.

List: Display a series of names, items or figures printed.

Outline: Describe the major features of an issue or theory omitting minor details and emphasising structure and key conclusions.

Prove: Demonstrate truth or falsity by presenting evidence.

Relate: Show how things are connected to each other and how they influence each other.

State: Present in brief, clear form.

Summarise: Give a brief overview of the key points of a matter, omitting details and examples.

Trace: Follow the development of a topic from some point of origin.

A worked example

Below is a fictitious example of how the same information/idea can be tailored to meet the requirements of the assessment piece. (Note: if this were a real assignment, referencing would be required).

Explain the views of Baxter in relation to contemporary Australian popular music.

Your answer might look like this:

Baxter (2025) examines contemporary Australian popular music in an attempt to explain how it provides a vehicle for the marginalised voice of young people in Australian society. She provides evidence of the lack of mainstream opportunities for young people to express their disappointment and rage at issues such as high youth unemployment and the rising cost of education. She then uses examples of lyrics from performers such as "Jebediah", "Powderfinger" and "The Whitlams" to support her argument.

Contrast the views of Baxter and Cadbury in relation to contemporary Australian music.

While Baxter’s (2025) argument focuses on the social exclusion of young people and how this is reflected in contemporary Australian popular music, Cadbury (2015) asserts that this music is not actually a genuine product of young people at all. He contends that both its content and form are dictated by large-scale media interests and their perception of the anxieties and desires of young people. Although both share the view that young people experience social exclusion, they differ in their perceptions about the effectiveness of music in responding to this.

Critique Baxter’s views in relation to contemporary Australian music.

Baxter’s (2025) argument finds strong support for some of its propositions. Both Cadbury (2015) and Lindt (2015) concur that young people experience a high degree of exclusion from key social institutions. Ferrero (2030) argues that Baxter’s (2025) research is also extremely strong in this area. However, she fails to make the link between this exclusion and the content of popular music. She does not consider, as Cadbury (2015) does, the influence of capital on the music industry. Lindt (2015) notes that her methodology in selecting lyrics is somewhat selective. Ferrero (2030) also criticises her lack of adequate explanation of competing evidence. Therefore, on the whole, her argument is incomplete and unsupported by the weight of evidence.

In all other cases, or when in doubt, consult your tutor. Your aim should be a simple, clear style. Always spell out what you mean rather than leaving things ambiguous in the mind of the reader. A good general guide is N. Hudson's (1993) Modern Australian Usage, Melbourne, Oxford University Press.

Use of non-discriminatory and formal language

Great care must be taken not to use discriminatory language in academic writing. Depending on the context, disparaging terms can occur in relation to race, age, gender, sexuality, culture, religion, background, and disabilities. The most common, and yet normally unintentional, form of discriminatory language is sexist language. It includes terms such as his, him, her or she when referring to a position which could be held by either a male or female; mankind instead of humankind; or manned instead of staffed; air hostess instead of flight attendant, and so on.

The University of Queensland’s Equity Office has produced a number of leaflets that are available, free of charge, to students and staff. One called ‘A Guide to using Inclusive Language’ is available here .

Academic writing relies on formal language and presentation style.  The objective of academic writing is to achieve clear communication (American Psychological Association, 2010). Academic writing relies upon formal language use, objectivity, use of correct grammar and punctuation, avoidance of abbreviations and is free from jargon and gender biased language.  Some examples are:-

• In an academic paper, numbers consisting of two or more digits are written numerically, e.g. 10, 234, and single digit numbers are written out in full, for example, one, seven. There are some exceptions to this general rule. For example:-
• Any number that begins a sentence is written out in words; for example: Twenty-eight per cent of the sample……..
• Common fractions; for example: one fifth of the audience
• Universally accepted usage; for example: the Twelve Apostles
• Numerals are used (ignoring the number of digits) in abstracts; for tabulation; statistical discussion and decimal points; sums of money; addresses; dates; time; units of measurement; scores and points on a scale; and page, chapter and volume numbers.
• Do not use abbreviations. Write the terms out in full. For instance, instead of  ‘e.g.’ write ‘for example’.
• Acronyms are acceptable only if they are displayed in full the first time they are utilised and the acronym in brackets immediately following the use. For example: Injury in Australia is the leading cause of inpatient hospital occurrences (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2004).
• Be consistent in all you do. For instance, the citation in your assignment must be written in the same way as the citation in the reference list; the form of citation used must be the same throughout your paper; and the size and style of headings must be consistent throughout your paper.
• Apart from reflective journals, in most instances avoid the use of first person (I, me, we, us), and of second person (you) when writing academic papers.  Use of third person is, for example the use of terms such as, A basic approach…, Health Professionals must…, An individual’s perception…

Avoid judgemental language. When making an argument, or critiquing behaviour, research or standards, aim for neutral language, for example:  “The researchers did not consider…” rather than “The researchers completely ignored…”

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Because You Care

One Program to Become an RN and Earn a BSN

If you are looking to become a registered nurse and live in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin, this nursing program could be for you. In areas where this program is available, WGU has partnerships with healthcare employers who provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.

WGU Clinical Learning and Simulation Centers (labs) are assigned by region and are located in Utah, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, and Florida.  Please refer to the map to identify your state and lab location.

Learn more about navigating through your Enrollment Portal.

States where the Prelicensure BSN Program is Offered

• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• West Virginia

The Arkansas Division of Higher Education approved Western Governors University to offer the prelicensure program in the Bear State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Arkansans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Arkansas. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Districts with clinical placement opportunities:

• Fayetteville
• Little Rock

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Clinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed. Students can be placed at clinical partner sites throughout the 60 mile radius.

Students will travel to lab twice during their program to a WGU regional learning lab center. Efforts are made to assign students to the regional lab that aligns with their clinical district. There may be situations where the regional lab aligning with the clinical district is unavailable. When that occurs, students will be placed at an alternate regional learning lab location.

Program start dates vary.

The Florida Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer the prelicensure program in the Sunshine State. WGU enrolls Floridians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at a Florida-based regional simulation lab, and participate in clinical experiences in Florida. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Jacksonville
• Ft Lauderdale

Program start dates vary. 

The Idaho Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer clinical placements in the Gem State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Idahoans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Idaho. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Districts with clinical opportunities:

• Idaho Falls

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Clinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed. Students can be placed at clinical partner sites throughout the 60 mile radius.

The Indiana Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer the prelicensure program in the Hoosier State. WGU enrolls Hoosiers to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at an Indiana-based regional simulation lab, and participate in clinical experiences in Indiana. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Indianapolis
• Michigan City

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Clinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed. Students can be placed at clinical partner sites throughout the 60 mile radius. assignments are aligned with the location of the clinical district chosen.

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Iowa. The Iowa Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Iowans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Iowa. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Kansas. The Kansas Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Kansans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Kansas. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Kansas City/Overland Park

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Clinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed.

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Kentucky. The Kentucky Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Kentuckians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Kentucky. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Michigan. The Michigan Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Michiganders to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Michigan. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Grand Rapids

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Minnesota. The Minnesota Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Minnesotans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Minnesota. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Minneapolis

The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning approved Western Governors University to offer clinical placements in the Magnolia State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Mississippians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Mississippi. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .Districts with clinical placement opportunities:

The Missouri Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer the prelicensure program in the Show-Me State. WGU enrolls Missourians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at the regional simulation lab in Kansas City, and participate in clinical experiences in Missouri. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected].   [email protected] .

• Kansas City
• Springfield

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Clinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed. Students can be placed at clinical partner sites throughout the 60 mile radius..

The Nevada Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer clinical placements in the Silver State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Nevadans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences in one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Nevada. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in New Mexico. The New Mexico Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls New Mexicans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in New Mexico. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Albuquerque

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in North Carolina. The North Carolina Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls North Carolinians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in North Carolina. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Raleigh/Durham

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Ohio. The Ohio Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Ohioans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Ohio. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Oklahoma City

The South Carolina Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer clinical placements in the Palmetto State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls South Carolinians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in South Carolina. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in South Dakota. The South Dakota Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls South Dakotans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in South Dakota. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Sioux Falls

Program start dates vary

WGU is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. WGU's prelicensure program enrolls Tennesseans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Tennessee. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Chattanooga

The Texas Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer the prelicensure program in the Lone Star State. WGU enrolls Texans to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at the regional simulation lab in Houston, and participate in clinical experiences in Texas. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• College Station
• San Antonio
• Midland/Odessa

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. LClinical opportunities are available within 60 miles of the district listed. Students can be placed at clinical partner sites throughout the 60 mile radius.

WGU’s programmatically accredited prelicensure program satisfies the applicable prerequisites established by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for an initial nursing license in the state. WGU's prelicensure program enrolls Utahns to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at the regional simulation lab in Salt Lake City, and participate in clinical experiences in Utah. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Salt Lake City

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in Virginia. The Virginia Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Virginians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Virginia. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

Completion of the prelicensure program satisfies the applicable requirements to obtain a license as a nurse in West Virginia. The West Virginia Board of Nursing does not approve programs originating out of state. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls West Virginians to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in West Virginia. For additional questions about how you will obtain your license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

• Charleston, WV

The Wisconsin Board of Nursing approved Western Governors University to offer clinical placements in the Badger State. WGU's Utah-based program enrolls Wisconsinites to take their program from home, complete their two four-day-long lab experiences at one of the regional simulation labs, and participate in clinical experiences in Wisconsin. For additional questions about how you will obtain a license as a nurse, contact [email protected] .

If you don't live in one of the states listed above, there is an alternative route for patient care through our Bachelor's of Science in Health and Human Services  degree. This degree allows you to still be involved with patients by working to help with insurance, payments, and other details of healthcare that can be confusing and frustrating. If you want to work with patients, but our nursing degree isn't feasible, consider the Health and Human Services degree instead.

This program is paced to have a completion time of 

You will be expected to complete all required credits assigned each 6-month term. Students may be able to accelerate some portions of the program.

Tuition per six-month term is

Throughout the program, students pay $8,755 per six-months.

Expect to spend about

30 hours/week

on your studies, assessments, and in the completion of clinical rotations and simulation labs.

Next Start Date: Varies

If admitted, WGU will grant a start date based on a variety of factors.

HOW IT WORKS

Pre-Nursing and Clinical Nursing Portions

Pre-Nursing

Students begin the prelicensure program at WGU with their pre-nursing coursework. This includes general education courses, as well as introductory medical coursework. This allows students to satisfy required prerequisites for the clinical portion of the program.

Clinical Nursing

After finishing the pre-nursing portion of the program, students that have met progression requirements are eligible to progress into the clinical nursing portion of the program. This portion of the program contains more specific nursing coursework, as well as hands-on clinical experiences that are required for students to earn their Bachelors of Science in Nursing Degree and become eligible to sit for the RN licensure exam after graduation.

Nursing Prelicensure Courses

You will work with your WGU Program Mentor and Instructors to prepare for rigorous assessments, virtual-reality simulations, and high-fidelity simulations. Once you've successfully completed those, you will qualify to attend your agency-based clinical rotations. Expect to spend at least 30 hours or more per week on your studies, and in the completion of clinical rotations and simulation labs.

This program has a standard path and is paced to be completed in 8 terms or 4 years. Some students may be able to accelerate their pace with transfer credits.

Transferrable courses for the prelicensure program must have a minimum "C" grade or better to be approved for transfer credit.

The curriculum in WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is designed not only to prepare you to become a nurse, but to provide you with the skills to become an outstanding nurse, ready to contribute to a strong healthcare team and better patient outcomes.

The WGU B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) curriculum was designed and is regularly updated with input from the experts on our Nursing Program Council, ensuring you learn what you need to know and master the skills you need to excel as a nurse and play your part on a vital team.

Pre-Nursing Courses (4 Terms)

• Critical Thinking: Reason and Evidence*
• Composition: Writing with a Strategy
• Integrated Physical Sciences
• Introduction to Communication: Connecting with Others
• Global Arts and Humanities 

*Course not eligible for transfer credit

Second Term

• Introduction to Chemistry
• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (within 5 years)
• Introduction to Psychology
• World History: Diverse Cultures and Global Connections
• Applied Healthcare Statistics
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (within 5 years)
• Microbiology with Lab: A Fundamental Approach (within 5 years)
• Introduction to Sociology
• Health and Wellness Through Nutritional Sciences*

Fourth Term

• Applied Algebra
• Human Growth and Development
• Pathophysiology (within 5 years)
• Medical Dosage Calculations and Pharmacology*
• Foundations of Nursing*

Clinical Nursing Courses (4 Terms)

• Basic Nursing Skills (in-person lab course)
• Health Assessment
• Adult Health I*
• Intrapersonal Leadership and Professional Growth

*Clinical portion in this course

• Intermediate Nursing Skills (in-person lab course)
• Adult Health II*
• Women's and Children's Nursing*
• Scholarship in Nursing Practice
• Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing*
• Community Health and Population-Focused Nursing*
• Information Technology in Nursing Practice
• Organizational Systems and Healthcare Transformation
• Advanced Nursing Skills (virtual lab course)
• Adult Health III*
• Professional Nursing Role Transition*

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

• Communications:  Successfully communicated effectively across diverse cultural contexts, fostering understanding and collaboration among individuals from different backgrounds.
• Critical Thinking:  Evaluated evidence based on specific criteria, ensuring the use of high-quality and reliable information for decision-making and problem-solving.
• Pathology:  Differentiated major types of microorganisms based on their structural and other characteristics, enhancing the ability to identify and address microbial challenges effectively.
• Physiology:  Demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of normal physiological functions of living organisms and their parts, providing a solid foundation for healthcare and biological studies.
• Problem Solving:  Analyzed complex medical problems skillfully, leading to the identification of optimal solutions and improved patient outcomes.
• Research:  Synthesized research information from multiple sources adeptly, enabling comprehensive and well-informed insights.

“My heart is with the Prelicensure BSN students who have chosen the noble profession of nursing as a career. Should you choose WGU to prepare you, know that this is the university of the future: It is affordable, it's flexible, and it offers learning based in competencies rather than just class time.”

—Brenda Cleary, Ph.D., RN, FAAN Adjunct Faculty University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Pre-Nursing and Clinical Nursing Coursework

Within the Prelicensure program at WGU, there are two sections for students to complete. The first section is pre-nursing, which include general education coursework, and introductory healthcare coursework. These satisfy prerequisites that students need to enter the clinical nursing portion of the program. Students then progress to the clinical nursing portion of the program, which contains specific nursing courses that prepare students for their careers.

Clinical and Lab Experience

You will work one-on-one with a clinical coach/preceptor (under the guidance of a WGU clinical instructor) to complete several “intensives” of clinical rotations. Your clinical coach/preceptor is an experienced staff nurse trained to help you throughout the duration of your rotations. Assessment of your clinical competence will be conducted by your WGU clinical instructors. Students will travel to lab twice during the program. Lab locations are assigned based on the student’s state of residence. Click below to learn more about clinical and lab experiences.

Program Coursework

The B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure) program requires that you work closely with WGU faculty and clinical coaches/preceptors. You will be expected to complete all required CUs assigned each 6-month term. Together with your Course Instructor and Program Mentor, you will decide when you are ready to complete course assessments.

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, an expert in your program who can explain all the requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Admissions Requirements Unique to This Nursing Degree

Admission Requirements (for more information click on the live links below)

• HESI A2 Nursing Exam
• Background Check *
• Nursing Application Essay
• Active Nursing Prelicensure File (a short form found in your Enrollment Portal)

*Click the arrows below for more details about applying, the background check, and admissions.

Admission Requirements for the B.S. Nursing Prelicensure Program

The Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University is committed to student success and partners with the WGU Office of Admissions to determine academic eligibility for the Prelicensure Nursing program. Applicants who submit all admission requirements will be reviewed through a weighted evaluation system that considers several factors. The Office of Admissions reviews all applicants based on their academic experience and nursing entrance exam scores.   

• Admission is competitive and not guaranteed; additional factors important to student success in the nursing program may also be considered.
• Admission to and enrollment in the Prelicensure Nursing program does not guarantee acceptance into the clinical nursing portion of the program.  
• Only residents of the following states are eligible to apply to this program. Prospective students seeking admission to the WGU Prelicensure Nursing program may apply to a district within their state of residence. Any applications from residents outside of these states will not be accepted.

Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

To be considered for enrollment into the Prelicensure Nursing Program, applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, be at least 16 years of age (must be 18 at the time of clinical experiences), AND complete the following admission requirements:

• Complete the  HESI A2 nursing exam  within the last five years. You must receive a score of at least 75% in the following sections: Vocabulary, Reading, Math, and Grammar. HESI exams scheduled 9/1/2023 and beyond will also include a Biology section that will be graded but not included in the admissions review. The overall score will also not be considered in the admissions review. WGU will only consider two attempts at passing the HESI A2 exam per 12-month period. The 12-month period begins with the first attempt.
• Submit to a criminal background check through  American Databank . 
• Submit a Prelicensure Nursing Application Essay 
• Activate their Prelicensure Nursing File which includes a declaration of:
• The date and location an applicant is applying to
• Completed certifications
• Completed licenses
• Military service and training

Requirements that must be satisfied in pre-nursing terms to be eligible to progress to the clinical nursing program

There are costs outside of tuition and fees involved with creating your compliance account early in your pre-nursing terms and purchasing uniforms and supplies by the end of your last pre-nursing term. These costs will vary based on each item along with geographic location/provider.

Students who are successful in the pre-nursing terms will be eligible for progression into the nursing portion of the program. The following must be completed to be considered for progression into the nursing portion of the program: 

• Proof of health insurance†.
• Proof of successfully passing of a criminal background check (also may require a state background check to be completed per state regulatory requirements for nursing programs).
• Proof of successfully passing a urine drug test.
• Proof of a current immunization record and current negative TB test.
• Proof of meeting the specific physical requirements in accordance with the core performance standards of the nursing profession.
• Participation in the Nursing Progression Committee process.

Students in the pre-nursing term will be required to submit evidence of all of the requirements below to be considered for progression into the nursing portion of the program: 

Immunization Requirements

• Tetanus/Diphtheria and Pertussis vaccination
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations and Titer
• Varicella Zoster vaccination and Titer
• Hepatitis B vaccination and Titer
• Seasonal flu vaccination
• Additional immunizations may be required based on state and clinical requirements.

It is necessary to have the following physical abilities for the Clinical portion of the program: 

Essential Performance Standards/Clinical Nursing

• walk the equivalent of five miles per day
• reach above shoulder level
• hear tape recorded transcription and emergency monitors
• distinguish colors
• adapt to shift work
• sit and stand for long periods of time
• climb stairs
• lift 50 pounds
• perform CPR

If you have any questions about these required immunizations and physical requirements, please speak with an Enrollment Counselor.

† Note: Student malpractice insurance will be provided by WGU at no cost to you.

Background Check Details

1. Create your COMPLIO account. 2. Select Program: Prelicensure. 3. Select your state of residence. 4. Under "Optional Compliance Items" select: *Criminal Background Check: $52 (base package price)

Note: Do not select the Prelicensure Bundle or the Immunization Package.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to a WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

Accredited,

Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at WGU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( http://www.ccneaccreditation.org ).

Unbelievably Low Tuition

By charging per term rather than per credit, WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Other student responsibilities:

Uniforms: Approx. $150 plus shipping, handling, and applicable taxes. Uniforms do not have to be purchased through WGU. Lab kit fees: Approx. $250  Drug screen, background check, and immunization tracking system: $94, which includes one alias search; there will be a separate charge for each additional alias search, and due to expenses associated with accessing court documents, the fees for students in the following states will be as follows: MI ($10), NV ($12). All fees are subject to change.

Compliance fees will vary depending on the compliance items a student needs for placement. Generally (though subject to change), prices are as follows:

• ADB/Complio Background Check (varies by state – completed every 24 months) - $52 - $150
• ADB/Complio Immunization Tracking Package (varies by package term) - $25- $50
• ADB/Complio Drug Screen (varies by panel) - $36
• ADB/Complio HIPAA Training - $15
• ADB/Complio OSHA Training - $15
• Third-Party Onboarding (varies by vendor - MCE, ACEMAPP, TCPS, CPNW, etc.) - $25- $50

Additional fees to the student may include: fingerprints, physician office visits, titer screenings, immunizations, physical exams, eye exams, and any additional items required by the health facility. All prices subject to change.

Costs for Pre-Nursing (1-4 Terms)

Tuition per 6-month term

The first 4 terms of the prelicensure program consist of pre-nursing courses. There is an additional e-books and resources fee of $200 per six-month term.

Costs for Clinical Nursing (4 Terms)

At WGU, tuition is charged every six months. There is an additional e-books and resources fee of $200 per six-month term.

A Prelicensure Nursing Bachelor's Degree Is Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

* WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).

CLINICAL AND LAB EXPERIENCES

A Hands-On Nursing Preparation Program

Approximately 60% of this program is online coursework, with the remaining 40% as hands-on clinical and lab time.

Students must be available for three-week clinical windows for each clinical course and 5 weeks during your final clinical course. Preparation will be completed online under the guidance of a WGU Program Mentor and through mandatory attendance at high-fidelity clinical simulation learning labs.

• Cutting-edge clinical simulations, including virtual and high-fidelity simulations to develop clinical skills.
• Agency-based clinical rotations in hospitals and other key healthcare sites within the community.
• One-on-one guidance, supervision, and support in a busy, contemporary clinical setting with a clinical coach/preceptor—an experienced staff nurse and clinical expert.
• You will complete multiple clinical rotations each year, both in-hospital and community-based settings

WGU’s B.S. Prelicensure Nursing students will travel to clinical learning labs twice during the program. Clinical learning labs are approximately one week in length for each of the two sessions. There will also be one virtual lab (which includes two virtual meetings) that will not require travel to a facility.

Clinical assignments are based upon a variety of factors such as state of residence, student program status, and student capacity at the time of clinical progression. Lab assignments are aligned with the location of the clinical district chosen.

Students must complete any additional compliance and onboarding items as indicated by an affiliation agreement with the partnering facility. Items may include, but are not limited to: N95 fit tests, COVID vaccines/boosters, colorblindness/eye exam, fingerprints, and other immunizations as indicated.

"I've always wanted to become a RN. I took the longest route to get here and now I'm 27 and finally accomplished my dream! All thanks to WGU for making a program that I could work and get my school work done.”

—Brittney Burns B.S. Nursing, Prelicensure

"I've always wanted to be a nurse. But I have found that traditional school never really worked for me. I found that teaching my self and working online was a better fit and by doing that I ended up getting back to back bachelor degrees. I realized that I enjoy learning just not the way schools were traditionally structured where you are always lectured to.

—Brian Cowan B.S. Nursing, Prelicensure

CAREER OUTLOOK

Your Path to Becoming a Nurse

You need your RN license to achieve your goal of being a nurse. Becoming a bachelor’s-prepared nurse as well will open the door to many opportunities—whether you want to serve on decision-making committees at your facility or desire greater employability at hospitals seeking Magnet status. 

Caring for others in their time of need has been your lifelong passion. It’s your heart and soul—it’s why you feel called to be a nurse. WGU’s nursing programs are designed around a philosophy and a conceptual model of nursing that recognizes the nurse’s diverse roles as detective, scientist, and healer.

We’re committed to our mission of forming “confident, caring, and competent professional nurses prepared to meet emerging healthcare needs of diverse populations.”   

Return on Your Investment

On average, wgu graduates see an increase in income post-graduation.

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source:  2023 Harris Poll Survey  of 1,655 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

Employment of nurses is projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

WGU's BSN Grads are Working in Diverse, Fulfilling Roles

Our 20,000-plus Bachelor of Science Nursing alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:

• Staff nurse
• Flight nurse
• Nurse case manager
• Public health nurse
• Forensic nurse

Diverse Industries

• Hospitals and medical centers
• Doctor’s offices and clinics
• U.S. military
• Public health departments
• Nonprofit organizations

Major Employers

• Intermountain Healthcare
• U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Synergy Home Health
• HCA Healthcare
• Peace Health

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

Hospitals and clinics around the country know the benefit of a degree from WGU, so your healthcare degree is valuable.

More About Prelicensure Nursing

• General Program Questions
• Financial Aid Questions

Common Questions About the Prelicensure Program

When does the program start?

The WGU BS Nursing Prelicensure program does not follow set start dates like other programs. We have sporadic start dates throughout the year within each geographic region inside each participating state. The clinical hospital partners that we work with determine when our cohorts will begin and the size of those cohorts. We encourage applicants to diligently work on completing their entire application to ensure they are eligible to be considered for as many cohort start dates as possible in their geographic area. You will only be considered for one start date at a time. Your  Enrollment Counselor  can provide specific location details.

How competitive is the program, and what are the chances of me being admitted?

Like most nursing programs, the B.S. Nursing Prelicensure program at WGU is competitive. WGU reviews a variety of factors when making an admission decision. WGU continues to focus on growth and this means obtaining new clinical hospital partnerships which allows us more space to enroll Nursing Prelicensure students. 

Will having a background in healthcare increase my chances of being admitted?

WGU reviews a variety of factors when making a Holistic admissions decision. Healthcare experience will be factored into the Holistic admission decision but experience in the healthcare realm is not a requirement for admission.

Can I find my own preceptor and arrange an individual clinical agreement with a location in my area to complete this program, since I do not live in any of the areas listed on the website?

At this time, we do not allow individuals to set up their own clinical arrangements. Clinical arrangements require a great deal of legal approval and contracts. WGU is committed to the growth of this program and we encourage you to check back in the future to see if we have expanded to your geographic area. 

I live outside the states listed for program availability. Can I travel to another state to complete the clinical and labs for this program?

Unfortunately, you must be living in one of the following states to be eligible to apply for this program. Any applications from individuals living outside one of the states listed will not be accepted.

Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virgnina, and Wisconsin

The prelicensure nursing program at WGU is constantly growing, and there will be more states where we are able to offer this program as we continue to grow. Check back often to see if your state has been added to the list of available areas, or talk to an Enrollment Counselor to learn more. 

Can I relocate once I am in the program if I decide to move to another state?

The BS Nursing Prelicensure program is set up to have the student complete the program in the state where they started the program. Once a WGU student, relocation to another state is not a guarantee due to cohort availability and competitiveness.

Is the BS Nursing – Prelicensure program a bridge program? (EX: LVN to RN, LVN to BSN, EMT to RN, accelerated BA/BS, Non nursing to BSN?)

The B.S. Nursing Prelicensure program is not a traditional bridge program. Our program is for individuals seeking to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and obtain the clinical hours required to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse.

Can I pick the days and times I am available for clinical rotations and labs?

BS Nursing Prelicensure students will be assigned a set schedule outlining their lab and clinical requirements that they will be expected to follow.  Every WGU Nursing Prelicensure student is assigned a clinical coach/preceptor that they will work with one-on-one. Our clinical coaches/preceptors are experienced RN’s and our students will be assigned to work the schedule of their clinical coach/preceptor. This could include weekends, evenings and holidays.

How long is the program, and can I complete it faster?

The B.S. Nursing Prelicensure program has an expected pace of 4 years for completion. Students can accelerate some of their coursework, particularly the pre-nursing coursework, and may be able to complete their program faster.

Can I do my prerequisites at WGU?

Yes, you are now able to complete all of your prerequisite nursing courses at WGU. You can talk with your Enrollment Counselor about the specific courses in the program and possible transfer credit for previous college courses. 

Will I be able to earn a nursing license in my state with WGU's degree?

Completing an accredited nursing program, like our WGU B.S. Nursing Prelicensure offering, is a requirement to qualify to take the NCLEX exam. Upon successful completion of the NCLEX exam you can work toward applying for a license in the state you plan to work. We encourage you to connect with your state Board of Nursing website to verify specific state licensing information. 

Does WGU offer financial aid?

WGU is approved to offer  federal student aid . You will need to apply using the FAFSA, which is used to determine your eligibility for aid. WGU’s FAFSA school code is 033394.

Are there scholarships available?

Scholarships are available for new WGU students and returning graduates.  This video shows more  about scholarship opportunities and how they can help you pay for school. Get information on:

• How to apply
• Eligibility requirements
• Examples of scholarships
• What happens after you apply
• Other financial aid options

How does tuition work at WGU?

WGU's tuition is a flat rate that is charged every six months. You can take as many courses as you are able in that six-month term—with no extra cost. You simply pay for the term and do as much work as you can or want to during that time. This means that finishing faster helps you save money—a major benefit you won't find at most other schools. 

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Online Nursing Programs Accredited Nursing Degree School

Online Nursing Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University answered the call in 1995 to begin making higher education more accessible to working adults. And in the early 2010s, it did the same for nursing education.

A pioneer in innovative online education, our programs meet the demands of the nursing profession and address the needs for prepared nurses in such areas as:

• Administration
• Quality improvement
• Patient care
• Clinical leadership
• Evidence-based practice
• Global health
• Equitable care

Our online nursing programs, developed by doctoral-prepared nursing faculty, feature curricula based on new standards for the 21st-century healthcare industry as defined in the Institute of Medicine report ''The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.''

Heroes Behind the Scrubs: SNHU Nurse Leaders Share Their Stories

Nurse leaders at Southern New Hampshire University participated in a roundtable discussion about the role nurses play in transforming healthcare. With 7% job growth projected through 2029 - that's over 221,000 registered nurse roles that could be filled - there's quite the demand to change the lives of others. 1 And yours, as well.

Our Nursing Philosophy

At Southern New Hampshire University, we view the students in our online nursing programs as respected colleagues who come to the learning environment with their own unique views of the world and nursing.

Students are valued for the contributions they bring to the learning environment and are appreciated for their diverse values and beliefs. Students are viewed as both learners and learning resources.

Mission of the Department of Nursing

The mission of the Department of Nursing programs flows from the mission and vision of Southern New Hampshire University.

Southern New Hampshire University Nursing is committed to empowering students to be successful nurse leaders who are prepared to promote a culture of health within a diverse society and are responsive to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving healthcare system. This mission is fulfilled through innovative programs responsive to the needs of adult learners in an online environment.

The program provides the nursing professional with the knowledge, attitude, skills and behaviors to lead patient-centered collaborative healthcare. Graduates are prepared to apply theory-guided, culturally competent, evidence-based professional nursing practices to improve the well-being of diverse populations within complex healthcare systems at the local, national and international levels.

Nursing Curriculum Conceptual Framework

• Builds upon prior nursing knowledge to provide a broad knowledge base for evidence-based, clinically competent, professional practice in the care of individuals, groups, families, communities and populations
• Prepares nursing leaders in professional roles and attributes
• Develops nurses into empowered change agents ready for successful integration into the dynamic, complex healthcare system within a global context

CCSNH Nursing Partnership

Our nursing partnerships include a seamless academic pathway for transferring community college credits , a tuition discount and financial aid.

If you are a graduate of a New Hampshire community college nursing program interested in learning more about the online BSN  and online MSN programs  or the accelerated RN to MSN , contact an SNHU admission counselor for more information.

CCNE Accredited Nursing Program

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.

ANCC Accredited Provider

At Southern New Hampshire University, we’re committed to your success — even beyond graduation. That’s why we’re committed to delivering accredited continuing education for nurses and healthcare professionals. From one-hour webinars to multi-day conferences and more, these opportunities are built to help you continue to meet the needs of communities across the globe.

Visit our SNHU continuing education page to learn more.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation.

HEaRT Experiential Learning

Looking to gain professional healthcare experience, even before you graduate? Do it with HEaRT.

Specially designed for learners in healthcare and nursing, HEaRT (Higher Education and Real World Training)  is a powerful experiential learning opportunity at SNHU. These online, asynchronous, voluntary experiences help connect students with employers to help solve real-world business problems – so you can be ready to make an impact in your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nursing ,BSN

Nursing, bsn.

• Program description
• At a glance
• Required courses (Major Map)
• Concurrent program options
• Accelerated program options
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Change of Major requirements
• Attend online
• Transfer options
• Global opportunities
• Career opportunities
• Professional licensure
• Contact information

Concurrent, Health, Healthcare, Medicine, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, RN, Registered Nurse, hospital, medical, nursing

The accelerated BSN/MS option is currently only available to ASU Online students.

Whether your goals involve advancing into leadership roles or expanding your knowledge base, our program is the key to unlocking career opportunities and growth. Develop essential leadership and management skills, empowering you to guide teams, navigate critical decisions and instigate positive change. Elevate your nursing career with us.

Through a curriculum focused on evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, innovation, interprofessional communication and information technology, the BSN program in nursing readies students to deliver top-notch professional nursing care. Achieving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is possible through various distinctive pathways.

Traditional prelicensure BSN nursing program The traditional prelicensure clinical nursing program is a full-time, upper-division nursing program for students who wish to become a registered nurse by completing a BSN. The program has three start dates per year: spring, summer and fall. It may be completed in a 16-month year-round schedule or a 24-month academic year schedule. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination to obtain licensure as a registered nurse.

Students advance into the program in one of two ways: direct admission or the competitive advancement process. Direct admission is offered to incoming first-time freshmen who meet specific admission criteria. Students admitted directly must meet continuing eligibility criteria while attending ASU to advance into the upper-division nursing program. Directly admitted nursing students who do not meet continuing eligibility criteria, transfer students or ASU students who are changing majors may apply for advancement to the upper-division nursing program by competing for any remaining spaces.

Accelerated BSN clinical nursing program The accelerated BSN clinical nursing program is a full-time, 12-month upper-division clinical nursing program for students who wish to become a registered nurse by completing a BSN. Selection is competitive. Students pursuing advancement to the accelerated BSN clinical nursing program complete prerequisite coursework and apply for advancement to the program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination to gain licensure as a registered nurse.

Online RN to BSN program The online RN to BSN program is available to students who have earned an associate degree in nursing and have a current RN license in good standing with the state board of nursing. RN to BSN program courses are offered online in 7.5-week sessions and can be completed in 14 to 24 months. There are five starts per year: two in the fall, two in the spring and one in the summer. Assignments may include readings, discussions, papers, presentations and clinical practice experiences completed in a hospital or community setting in the location where the student resides.

Transfer pathway agreements are in place with all community college nursing programs in Arizona, which provide additional benefits to students. The RN to BSN program is not available to students residing in Tennessee, Rhode Island or Washington.

Concurrent Enrollment Program The concurrent enrollment program pathway is available to students enrolling in or already enrolled in any regionally accredited associate degree program in nursing that leads to NCLEX-RN licensure. This program is for qualified nursing students who are interested in earning their BSN while simultaneously pursuing their associate degree in nursing. Selected students enroll in the community college program and ASU CEP courses at the same time (concurrently). CEP courses taken at ASU are delivered in an online format and are offered in 15-week sessions. ASU CEP is not available to students residing in Tennessee, Rhode Island or Washington.

Eastern Arizona College Partnership This program offers a concurrent enrollment program pathway for qualified students pursuing an AAS in nursing from any of the three EAC campuses while simultaneously earning a BSN from ASU. Courses in this program are delivered in a hybrid format on the Thatcher campus.

• College/school: Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
• Location: Downtown Phoenix , Polytechnic , West Valley , ASU at Lake Havasu , ASU at The Gila Valley or Online , ASU Local
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
• First required math course: MAT 142 - College Mathematics

Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply .

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements. First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

The admission standards for majors in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation are higher than minimum university standards. Effective fall 2022, first-year admission requirements are:

• top 10% of high school graduating class, OR
• an overall high school cumulative GPA of 3.80 in ASU competency courses (scale is 4.00 = "A"), OR
• an overall high school cumulative GPA of 3.50 in ASU competency courses AND either a 25 ACT or 1230 SAT combined evidence-based reading and writing plus math score

Priority application date: November 1

First-year applicants should select an additional major when applying for admission.

English language proficiency requirements for applicants whose native language is not English:

• minimum TOEFL iBT score of 76 (internet-based test, taken in a testing center), OR
• minimum IELTS score of 6.5, OR
• minimum Duolingo English test score of 100, OR
• minimum Cambridge English exam score of 176

First-year admission applications to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that are received after the November 1 application priority date are considered on a space-available basis. Students not offered admission directly to the nursing program are placed in the BS program in community health .

Current ASU students interested in changing to this program need to apply for the upper-division clinical nursing program through an advancement application process. Space is limited, and selection is based upon GPA and score earned on the TEAS. Students should speak with an advisor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation for more information on how to change a major to this program.

Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

It is now possible to earn an ASU degree with ASU Local , an integrated college experience in which students take advantage of in-person success coaching and programming experiences on site while completing one of 130+ undergraduate online degree programs, all of which come with online faculty interaction and tutoring support.

ASU has partnered with the following institutions to enable you to do a seamless transfer.

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Through study abroad, students majoring in nursing are able to expand their knowledge of how nursing is practiced across the globe.

With more than 300 programs available , students can tailor their experience to their unique interests and skill sets. The heightened cultural competency, leadership, and critical thinking skills they achieve will enhance their resumes and be applicable in any career choice.

The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation prepares graduates for excellence upon entering the workplace. Graduates deliver nursing care to individuals, families and communities. Completion of this degree program also prepares individuals for entrance into graduate study in nursing at the master's or doctoral degree levels, which is essential for teaching, administration, clinical specialization and research.

Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Bright Outlook

ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.

Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation | MERCC 250 [email protected] 602-496-0937

Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree Program Guide

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Considering a career in healthcare ? Nurses are in extreme demand as the U.S. battles a nursing shortage, which may leave you contemplating whether to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

This nursing degree program guide will walk you through what to expect from a BSN program, as well as the expedited pathways to earning a BSN. You can also read on to learn more about what it takes to get into a BSN program and how many years you’ll spend earning your degree.

What Is a BSN Degree?

A BSN degree, or a bachelor of science in nursing, is the most common degree type for practicing nurses in the U.S.

It’s through a BSN program that you’ll learn many of the skills necessary to function as a nurse. This includes ways to work with patients and physicians that lead to favorable health outcomes.

A BSN degree will set you up to pursue a nursing license. A license is one of the requirements for a career in nursing , and most students who take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) do so right after graduation.

Understanding the Types of Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree Programs

If you’re interested in earning a BSN, it’s worth noting that there are more options beyond the typical four-year bachelor’s track. Many programs are designed to accommodate working adults or those with prior educational experience.

Traditional BSN Program

A standard BSN program allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in roughly the same timeframe as any other bachelor’s degree. You’ll start with general education requirements, then you’ll get the chance to dive into more nursing-specific topics during the back half of your program.

BSN programs require you to complete clinical rotations. The number of hours you must complete, however, largely depends on the state your program is based in. Typically, programs require participants to earn 400-700 hours of hands-on experience. The average requirement is 600 hours.

RN-to-BSN Program

You are eligible for an RN-to-BSN program if you are already a registered nurse (RN) with an associate degree. These programs allow RNs to advance their education, and potentially their careers, too. RN-to-BSN programs typically require fewer clinical hours, ranging from 50-100.

If you qualify, you’ll take more specialized classes focused on nursing and avoid many of the general education requirements of most BSN programs. You will likely also finish an RN-to-BSN program faster than a traditional BSN program, depending on how many credits you can transfer.

Accelerated BSN Program

Accelerated BSN programs are typically for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree that is not in nursing. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN program allows you to earn your BSN in just one or two years, rather than the standard four years.

You’ll have the opportunity to skip many of the general education courses and get into the meat of your nursing coursework right away.

What to Expect in an Online Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) Program

There are two primary structures for an online BSN program : synchronous and asynchronous learning.

In a synchronous program , you’ll be expected to attend lectures and complete coursework at a specified time. In an asynchronous program, you can complete class requirements at your own pace so long as you hit deadlines. Earning a BSN also requires an in-person clinical experience.

If you’re attending an online BSN program, you will likely need to find a nearby healthcare facility where you can complete your practicum requirement. Alternatively, if you live close to the school, you may also be able to complete these requirements on campus.

Online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs function similarly, although you can typically skip general education requirements through these programs.

Courses You Can Expect to Take in a BSN Program

You will likely have flexibility in the courses you take while pursuing a BSN, but there are many foundational courses nearly all future nurses must take. Some of those classes include:

• Anatomy and Physiology: This class focuses on the different parts and systems of the human body. It’s a lynchpin course for virtually any healthcare-related major.
• Public Health Ethics: This course offers an introduction to the values and principles necessary for a career in public health. It will likely involve reviewing case studies and learning about ethical theories.
• Nursing Fundamentals: This class offers an introductory-level overview of nursing. It’s here that you’ll learn the framework for patient care, as well as the different specializations you can pursue as a nurse.
• Pharmacology: Nurses may not prescribe medications, but it’s essential they have an understanding of different drugs and their side effects. A basic pharmacology course will offer a broad overview of this topic.
• Health Assessment: This course teaches you how to carry out a health assessment, which may be a common occurrence as a nurse. It’s in this cllass that you’ll review skills like how to administer a physical examination of a patient.

How Long Does a Bachelor’s in Nursing Program Take?

An online BSN program can take 1-4 years, depending on your education, experience, and whether you attend full time or part time. The type of nursing program, such as an RN-to-BSN or an accelerated BSN, also affects your graduation timeline.

RN-to-BSN programs are designed for working nurses. If you attend full-time, you can complete most programs in 1-2 years. Part-time students may need up to four years. Accelerated BSN programs for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree can be completed in two years or less.

How to Get into a Nursing Program

Getting into a BSN program is a similar process to getting into any bachelor’s program. You should plan to submit the following application materials when applying:

If you are a high school senior pursuing a BSN after graduation, you may also want to include a list of extracurricular activities you were involved in.

GPA Requirements

It’s worth noting that BSN programs have varying degrees of selectivity. Enrolling in a BSN program at an Ivy League institution may require a minimum GPA of 3.80 or higher.

Meanwhile, a public college or university with mid-level selectivity will likely have a lower GPA threshold of around 3.0. Many community colleges don’t have a minimum GPA requirement.

Admissions for Nontraditional BSN Programs

The application process for an RN-to-BSN program or accelerated BSN program will likely be different than that of a traditional BSN. These programs will require you to show proof that you meet the prerequisites to enroll.

You’ll need to prove that you already have an RN license to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program. You may also need to provide your college transcripts to start an accelerated BSN program so that your institution can count previously earned credits.

RN Salary and Job Outlook

Nursing salaries typically are high enough to live comfortably . Individual salaries, however, are dependent on many factors. Location is a big one, as nurses in high-cost cities are more likely to earn higher salaries than those in rural areas.

The type of healthcare facility you work for will also influence your salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses who work at hospitals earned a median salary of nearly $10,000 higher than those who worked at residential care facilities in 2023.

Median Annual RN Salary, 2023

Lowest 10% of RNs $63,720

Median Salary $86,070

Top 10% of RNs $132,680

Top Paying States For RNs

West Coast states tend to pay the highest salaries to RNs. These states also tend to have among the highest costs of living in the U.S., so it’s fitting that RNs are paid handsomely there. Even still, every state in the country reported an average salary of at least $65,000.

Is a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) Degree Worth It?

When determining whether a BSN is right for you, first ask yourself whether you’d enjoy a career as a nurse. While the role may be stressful, many nurses report that helping patients heal is a fulfilling experience.

Next, it’s important to consider that a BSN is becoming a common prerequisite among many healthcare institutions.

Just under 72% of practicing nurses in the U.S. held at least a BSN by 2022. Research has also shown that hiring nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree may lead to better patient outcomes, including improved patient mortality rates.

Featured Online Nursing Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Nursing Degrees

Where do nurses work.

Nurses work virtually anywhere healthcare is practiced, including settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Nursing roles are also common in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Additionally, other industries you wouldn’t automatically think of as being tied to nursing — such as higher education — often employ nurses.

What degree do you need to be a nurse?

You need at least an associate degree to become a nurse. An associate degree, which generally takes two years to earn, is required to become a registered nurse.

You’ll need to continue your studies if you want to become a nurse practitioner (NP) or pursue a career in any nurse specialization .

Can you get a nursing degree online?

Yes, you can earn a nursing degree through an online-only program. It’s worth noting, however, that BSN programs have clinical requirements.

This means that even in an online program, you’ll need to find a healthcare facility where you can work hands-on with patients and other medical professionals to meet degree requirements.

How do I pay for nursing school?

You can pay for nursing school in a variety of ways, although it’s best to rely on scholarships and grants rather than loans when possible. Nursing school often costs tens of thousands of dollars, so many nursing students opt to use student loans to help subsidize the cost.

Federal student loans are preferred, as these loans offer better interest rates. You can also examine the numerous student loan forgiveness programs — such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness — that nurses can take advantage of if they have federal loans.

How difficult is a nursing program?

Nursing programs require a courseload heavy on medical topics, which may prove difficult for some students. However, a nursing education typically prepares students to pass the NCLEX, which is required to become a licensed nurse.

According to data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing , over 90% of U.S.-educated BSN students passed the NCLEX on their first attempt in 2023.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed June 11, 2024.

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Everything You Need To Know About BSN Degrees

Updated: Jan 2, 2024, 5:34am

If you want to become a registered nurse (RN) you should consider earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree from an accredited institution. Accreditation confirms that a program meets national professional standards and nursing competencies. Not only will this degree improve your chances of employment after graduation, but it qualifies you to pursue a graduate-level nursing education.

This article overviews what you can expect from a B.S.N.-accredited degree program, including typical admission requirements, coursework and career opportunities.

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What Is a B.S.N. Degree?

A B.S.N. is an undergraduate degree that combines classroom learning, skills lab, simulations and on-site clinical experiences, preparing students for work in the healthcare sector. B.S.N. programs typically take anywhere from two to four years to complete depending on previous education. Part-time learners usually need more time to earn this degree, however some programs may require B.S.N. students to attend full-time.

The B.S.N. degree is for current and aspiring RNs who want to advance their education. Students who want to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) are required to hold a B.S.N. and complete graduate education with a specialty in clinical nursing or nursing education. APRNs can also be advanced practice providers (APPs) which include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists and midwives.

Why Earn a BSN?

If you’re wondering how to become an RN, a B.S.N. isn’t necessarily required—but it’s highly recommended and some organizations may require it.

In 2010, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)—formerly called the Institute of Medicine—published a report on the future of nursing . The report evaluated the state of the U.S. healthcare system and concluded that hospitals should hire RNs with advanced training, as this would improve the quality of nursing care. To that effect, NAM called for 80% of nurses to hold B.S.N. degrees by 2020.

NAM’s recommendation has made a lasting impact, as more healthcare employers today seek RNs with B.S.N. degrees. In a 2022 report , the American Association of Colleges of Nursing stated that 72% of employers strongly prefer to hire B.S.N. graduates, while 28% of employers require a B.S.N. degree.

BSN Admission Requirements

Specific B.S.N. admission requirements may vary among institutions. Some nursing programs admit recent high school graduates, but it’s more common for students to declare a nursing major after enrolling and completing prerequisite college courses. Below are the typical criteria required for admission to a bachelor’s-level nursing program.

• Official transcripts from high school or college courses
• Completed prerequisite courses (usually in biology, anatomy and chemistry)
• Acceptable SAT or ACT scores
• Recommendation letters
• Application fee (or proof of payment)
• Valid RN license (if you’re already a registered nurse)
• Evidence of community service (if applicable)

Accreditation for B.S.N. Degrees

Before enrolling in a B.S.N. program, make sure to check its accreditation status.

Most nursing programs are accredited through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Visit the accreditors’ official websites to verify your program’s accreditation status or find accredited options to consider.

In many cases, an accredited B.S.N. program is required for graduate school and to qualify you for financial aid.

Moreover, students who graduate from unaccredited and unapproved bachelor’s programs cannot sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

A B.S.N. helps prepare students to pass the NCLEX, which is required to become an RN. Students can research the NCLEX passing rates of prospective schools to see how well students from the program do on the exam. We recommend a strong NCLEX study plan and allowing plenty of prep time to improve your chances of passing the NCLEX as well as seeking additional resources such as review courses or tutors.

Some Common Courses for B.S.N. Degrees

Foundations of medical-surgical nursing practice.

This course may be the first in a series of courses on clinical care and experience. Foundation courses promise to equip B.S.N. students with medical-surgical nursing expertise through a hands-on approach. It emphasizes the development of cue recognition, therapeutic communication and inter-professional collaboration, to help sharpen the students’ clinical judgment.

Care of Children & Adolescents

This course prepares learners to provide primary and acute healthcare to children and adolescents in clinical settings. Students learn about the various health diagnoses children face and how to manage them. They then apply the lessons learned during clinical hours.

Global Health Nursing

The global health nursing course educates students on the global conditions affecting the health of different populations. Students also learn how geopolitical, environmental, socioeconomic and religious factors can disrupt healthcare delivery.

Legal and Ethical Issues in Clinical Practice

In this type of course students learn about the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics which is the foundation for all clinical nursing practice. This course aims to help nurses recognize and take appropriate action regarding ethical dilemmas. It emphasizes the seven core ethical principles that nurses must adhere to: nonmaleficence, justice, accountability, beneficence, veracity, autonomy and fidelity.

Nursing Degree Program Options

Since there are several pathways to entering the nursing field, bridge programs are quite common. These programs are built to take participants from one degree or credential level to another. Students in bridge programs often have prior nursing experience or education, and they aim to obtain a higher academic qualification in an accelerated time frame.

Nurses who already hold B.S.N. degrees may also pursue a master’s in nursing through a B.S.N.-to-M.S.N. bridge program . Other options may include a B.S.N. to Ph.D. in Nursing or B.S.N.-to-D.N.P.

RN-to-B.S.N.

This program is for RNs holding an Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.). It builds on the clinical knowledge gained during the A.D.N. program to equip nurses with specialized training and superior patient management skills.

To enroll, you must hold a valid RN license, complete any prerequisite coursework and meet minimum GPA requirements. You may also be asked to submit official college transcripts and a professional résumé. Passing a criminal background check is another requirement for all accredited nursing programs.

RN-to-B.S.N. programs usually feature coursework in clinical reasoning, pathophysiology and pharmacology, professional nursing transformation, genetics and genomics in nursing practice.

Completing an RN-to-B.S.N. bridge program typically takes about 18 months to two years. However, program length may vary among schools.

LVN-to-BSN or LPN-to-BSN

This bridge program is for licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to leverage their current expertise to acquire a B.S.N. degree. The curriculum includes courses that prepare LVNs or LPNs to become registered nurses after passing the NCLEX.

The general prerequisites for applying to an LVN-to-BSN bridge program include:

• Valid LVN or LPN licensure
• Completion of pre-nursing coursework
• Transcripts from any previous institutions

Completing the bridge from LVN or LPN to B.S.N. typically takes three years . However, some colleges offer accelerated B.S.N. bridge options for LVNs who can commit to full-time study.

Careers for B.S.N. Graduates

Most students enroll in B.S.N. programs to become registered nurses. An RN is a licensed nursing professional who provides hands-on care to patients in a variety of clinical settings. RNs collaborate with other healthcare personnel to:

• Assess patients’ conditions
• Record their medical history
• Administer medication
• Observe patients
• Teach patients how to manage injuries and illnesses when discharged

RNs work in hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing homes, home care, hospice, palliative care, emergency care units and schools.

Some states require additional materials along with the NCLEX, such as the following.

• An application fee
• Passing a criminal background check
• Proof of proficiency in the English language

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual wage for registered nurses is $81,220. The BLS projects demand for these workers to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032, which outpaces the national average projected growth for all occupations nationwide.

While working as a nurse is the most popular career path for B.S.N. graduates, it’s not the only option. B.S.N. degree holders with an RN license can also work as nurse educators , medical researchers, nurse consultants and health coaches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About B.S.N. Degrees

Can you become an rn without a b.s.n..

The short answer is yes. A B.S.N. is not the only pathway to a successful nursing career. With an A.D.N., you can sit for the NCLEX and obtain RN licensure.

However, many healthcare institutions require their nurses to hold bachelor’s degrees. A B.S.N. is also the minimum academic prerequisite for graduate nursing programs.

What comes first, RN or B.S.N.?

It depends on your specific career path. A.D.N.-holders can become RNs without a B.S.N. However, many prospective RNs choose to complete an A.D.N. first and become licensed before pursuing a B.S.N.

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In five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.

Bachelor of Nursing Science | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Nursing Science

Pursue your passion for health care and helping people while developing scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, drug therapy, comprehensive health assessment and evidence-based practice. Receive hands-on experience, preparing for work in the healthcare industry upon graduation. After completing our program, apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

In this program you will:

• Gain practical skills through 800 hours of placement in clinical settings
• Learn about anatomy and physiology
• Understand the different health requirements for people of all ages and backgrounds
• Appreciate cultural differences in delivering health care
• Work with registered nurses, who will teach you latest techniques for health care

CRICOS code

Entry threshold, indicative fees, indicative 2024 fees (a$), career outcomes, program detail, entry requirements, fees and scholarships, career opportunities.

• Indigenous health
• Mental health
• Nurse in acute care
• Regional and remote

Memberships

Graduates may be eligible to become members of:

• Australian College of Nursing

Accreditation

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as nurses in Australia with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, which is a Board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia has a number of registration standards that graduates must demonstrate in order to be eligible for registration. For example, graduates must demonstrate English language skills at IELTS level 7, with 7 in all subtests, or equivalent before being considered for professional registration. For full details of the AHPRA Registration Standards, visit the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website.

• Blended Learning
• Dr Karen-Ann Clarke

Courses in this program structure will be offered progressively from 2022, and are accredited by the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Introductory courses (10) 114 units

HLT100 Anatomy and Physiology HLT103 Professional Health Communication LFS103 Introductory Bioscience NUR100 Contexts of practice: child, youth and family NUR104 Contexts of Practice: The Older Person and Family NUR111 Practice Foundations NUR116 Preparation for Practice 1 NUR117 Nursing Practice 1 (6 units) NUR121 Health Care and the Professions NUR131 Research Foundations for Health Practice

Developing courses (8) 78 units

NUR222 Health, Law and Ethics NUR226 Preparation for Practice 2 NUR227 Nursing Practice 2 (6 units) NUR231 Drug Therapy NUR241 Contexts of Practice: Health Alteration NUR272 End of Life Care Δ NUR286 Preparation for Practice 3 (6 units) NUR287 Nursing Practice 3 (6 units)

Graduate courses (7) 84 units

HLT301 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care NUR300 Nursing Internship (24 units) NUR302 Leadership in Clinical Practice Δ NUR303 Preparation for Practice 4 (6 units) NUR304 Nursing Practice 4 (6 units) NUR331 Contexts of Practice: Complex Care NUR332 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Δ

Elective course (1) 12 units

Select 1 course (12 units) from:

HLT206 Neonatal and Infant Health HLT303 Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Δ NUR312 Life Crisis Δ

OR  another course with the approval of the Program Leader.

Δ  refer to Program notes

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

In order to graduate you must:

• Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure

In order to commence clinical placement you must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:

• Hold a valid Blue Card (Working with Children Check) from QLD Government Blue Card Services throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for Blue Card Services to issue the card.
• Obtain a National Criminal History check through the Australian Federal Police
• Comply with QLD Health vaccination requirements
• A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council before commencing clinical practice
• Complete the QLD Health student orientation requirements
• Travel to attend clinical placements
• Have a level of computer literacy, including word processing and email

Students who do not comply with these requirements will be unable to complete the clinical practice component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements

Note: Students are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card Application Form can take up to 12 weeks. Visit Nursing and Midwifery - Clinical Placement for more information about these requirements before you apply.

Program notes

• Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
• The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
• It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
• Preparing for study at SCHI
• Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
• Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
• Currently NUR272 , NUR302 , NUR332 and the elective course ( NUR312 , HLT206 and HLT303 ) are ONLY offered via online mode. You may enrol in a maximum of 6 online courses during your program and must be enrolled in at least 1 on-campus course each study period
• NUR300 Session 4 offering is only available to students admitted in the program in Semester 2
• Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.

This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the   previous student handbooks .

(Caboolture) Semester 1 commencement (February)

(caboolture) semester 2 commencement (july), (fraser coast) semester 1 commencement (february), (fraser coast) semester 2 commencement (july), (gympie) semester 1 commencement (february), (gympie) semester 2 commencement (july), (moreton bay) semester 1 commencement (february), (moreton bay) semester 2 commencement (july), (sunshine coast) semester 1 commencement (february), (sunshine coast) semester 2 commencement (july), enrolled nurse pathway - semester 1 commencement (february), enrolled nurse pathway - semester 2 commencement (july), explore the likely peer cohort in the student profile data.

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Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.

For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.

Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.

Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed  here . These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.

If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office  for assessment.

English language requirements

You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Post admission requirements

Before undertaking a clinical placement, students must comply with the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks including:

• A current First Aid and CPR certificate is required from an organisation recognised by the Australian Resuscitation Council, and a Mental Health First Aid online learning certificate, before commencing clinical practice

Refer to the Pre-Clinical Mandatory Checks for further information. In addition, students are required to complete individual health service requirements as directed by the placement provider. Students in the program will be registered as students with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Program special requirements

Students who meet the following criteria are required to take the Clinical Connections module before they can enrol in a clinical placement course in any given year of study:

• Those who have passed a preparation for practice course but subsequently failed the clinical placement course.
• Those who have transferred from another university with credit for a preparation for practice course but not the clinical placement course.
• Those who have taken a break from their study for two or more consecutive semesters (including students transferring from another university with credit).

Completion of the Clinical Connections module formalises reintroduction to theory and supported practice, and ensures that students can proceed to clinical placement and meet NMBA professional standards relevant to practice at their level of study.

Additional entry information

All applicants must either be able to declare that English is their primary language (ie they have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one of the following countries:  Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or United States of America.); or they must attain an Academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each subtest (obtained within two years prior to the commencement of the program).

For more information visit English language requirements .

Prospective students must consider the Inherent Academic Requirements before applying to study this program.

Refer to Bachelor of Nursing Science (and Graduate entry) - Inherent Academic Requirements

UniSC strongly supports the rights of all people to pursue studies. The University embraces diversity and endeavours to accommodate all students.

What are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs)?

The IARs of a program are those fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the program, while maintaining the academic integrity of that program.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

UniSC is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, placement and other activities to enable students to participate in their program.

Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the IAR.

Consideration is given to a student's cultural and religious background/beliefs, which may impact on participation in their program or course. For further information contact Student Support .

Why are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs) important?

IARs ensure the academic integrity of a program is maintained and preserves the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. They must be met by all students.

How does this affect you?

To successfully complete a program at UniSC, you need to be able to meet all the Inherent Academic Requirements.

If you are applying for a program, you should read the IAR statement carefully to ensure you are able to meet them.

If you have a disability or chronic health condition, contact a UniSC Disability Advisor to talk about the adjustments that may be put in place so you can meet the requirements.

Headstart Program - Years 10 to 12

The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.

Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12

The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at UniSC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.

Prior study or work experience

• have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
• have a TAFE/VET qualification
• have relevant work experience, or
• have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)

You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained .

Tertiary Preparation Pathway

If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.

If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.

It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.

Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS)

You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS) . All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.

High-school leavers completing year 12 are not   eligible, and  must apply  through  QTAC .

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.

If you accept a  Commonwealth supported place  you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or  Tertiary Preparation Pathway  courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.

Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:

• meet the citizenship and residency requirements
• complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
• meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.

International fee-paying places

Annual tuition fees are based on 2024 rates and the equivalent full-time student load as per the recommended study sequence in the relevant program.

Actual fees payable are based on the actual enrolment load in a teaching period (excluding Study Abroad and Postgraduate Qualifying Pathway).

All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars (A$).

Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.

Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates .

No matter what kind of future you’re looking for, you can find it at UniSC. Our programs offer the choice and flexibility you need to get started on any career goal.

Visit How to apply for simple steps to submit your international student application and start your UniSC experience today.

Need help with submitting your application?

UniSC has appointed representatives to assist you with submitting your application and provide information about the steps you need to complete to begin your studies. You can contact a UniSC Representative in your area.

Any questions? Contact us .

Student story

"It was the education and support that UniSC provided that strengthened and scaffolded my beliefs which transformed me into a better version of myself."

Nursing and Midwifery for a better tomorrow

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Need advice on what to study or how to apply? 

Our student central team can help..

Call us  +61 7 5430 2890 Email us  [email protected] For locations and opening hours, visit Student Central .

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You are a domestic student if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian Permanent residency visa holder
• an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
• a New Zealand citizen

You are an International student if you are:

• a Temporary Resident (visa status) of Australia
• a Permanent Resident (visa status) of New Zealand
• a Resident or Citizen of any other country

STUDY LOCATION

At UniSC, programs are offered either on one of our campuses or fully online.

Full-time study is enrolling in three or more courses per study period, while part-time study is one or two courses per study period.

Some programs are offered as part-time only.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS

As a domestic student each study period you have the choice to switch between full-time and part-time study. You can choose to study either on campus or online, depending on the program offering.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

As an international student studying on a Student visa, you must study on campus and enrol full-time to finish your program within the set duration. This usually means enrolling in four courses per study period.

If you are an international student studying on any other visa type or if you are residing outside of Australia, you may study online and/or part-time.

Questions? Ask us anything about studying this program. Alternatively, contact Student Central with any student-related enquiries.

The thresholds presented here are from the Semester 1 2024 admissions intake and represent the minimum adjusted score (ATAR/Selection Rank) that was considered for an offer of a place to all applicants for that intake, as at the 15 January 2024 offer round. Minimum thresholds are subject to change each intake and should be used as a guide only for future intakes.

Learn more about ATARs and Selection Ranks .

Please note, adjustment factors towards an applicant's ATAR/selection rank do not apply to all UniSC programs. Learn more about Access UniSC .

This is an indicative fee for one year of full-time study. Actual fees will change based on courses selected and are subject to yearly increases.

You may be eligible for a government loan to defer payment. Learn more about fees .

Explore scholarships and bursaries to help you cover the costs of study.

We offer a range of study options to suit your location and learning style, as well as your life outside uni. Depending on your choice of degree, you may be able to choose to study on campus, online or a combination of both.

Learn more about UniSC's study options .

Prerequisites are minimum entry requirements and must be completed for offer of admission.

Recommended prior study is recommended but not required.

Subjects are expressed as Queensland senior subjects at level 3 and 4 completion level with grade of C. Refer to Subject prerequisite equivalents for more information.

Study with Us

About western.

• International

Bachelor of Nursing

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We’re the #1 ranked Nursing School in Australia, and in the top 50 in the world for a reason. Western is the only university in Sydney to have simulated learning environments across multiple campuses and in close proximity to our hospital partners.

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Next Start Date

03 March 2025

Closing Date

Indicative annual fee from $11,885

Additional Information

Program Code: 4691

CRICOS Code: 041099M

• CAREER & ALUMNI
• FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS

The heart of healthcare

This program prepares graduates for eligibility to apply for registration throughout Australia as a registered nurse. The focus of the program is on inquiry-based learning, critical thinking and reflective practice in relation to the theory and practice of nursing in health and health breakdown across the lifespan.

Using a primary health care framework, students study the application of physical and behavioural sciences to nursing, inquiry and evidence-based practice principles and utilisation within nursing, and nursing care of individuals, families and groups from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan. The acquisition of nursing knowledge and skills occurs initially in campus-based simulated clinical practice settings and consolidation occurs as students undertake professional experience placements in a variety of health care settings.  Our program reflects contemporary practices in nursing, health and education, and responds to emerging trends.

Note: English language proficiency requirements set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) must be declared and met before you are eligible to commence study in the Bachelor of Nursing at Western Sydney University. Please visit the Fees & Scholarships tab to read course entry requirements.

At Western, we care how you do in all aspects of your life. We believe your future is unlimited and together the possibilities are endless. As the uni named number one in the world three years in a row, from 2022 to 2024 for our social, economic and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings , apply today to discover your unlimited potential and start at Western.

The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Program accreditation can be checked on their website.

Western Sydney University has been ranked the number one Nursing School in Australia by the  Centre for World University Rankings .

Our modern Clinical Practice Units are equipped with high-quality technology to support your learning across a diverse range of simulation scenarios. Equipped to accommodate learning in small groups, our facilities provide students with a premium learning experience, preparing you to be work-ready.

Throughout your Nursing degree, you gain practical experience in various hospital and community settings, meaning you will graduate with a minimum of eight hundred hours of professional experience placement over three years.

What you can expect to study

The program structure is outlined in our handbook . Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

• Community health
• Emergency or trauma units
• Drug and alcohol health
• Occupational health
• Palliative care

"The teaching staff and other available resources will help you achieve your best results and prepare you for employment." — Nicholas Knithakis, Bachelor of Nursing

Entry requirements for domestic students

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.

If you have completed a Diploma of Nursing in Australia in the last 10 years [HLT54121] or [HLT54115] and hold current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) as an Enrolled Nurse (EN) when you receive an offer into the Bachelor of Nursing, you will be eligible for Credit for Prior Learning with 80 credit points applied to your Bachelor of Nursing degree.

If you are an Enrolled Nurse, you should apply here.

The same English language skill proficiency requirement for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia is applicable to all students applying for enrolment in the program. Our Bachelor of Nursing program’s guiding principle is safety of the public and to prepare graduates for safe and ethical nursing practice. Our program reflects contemporary practices in nursing, health and education, and responds to emerging trends based on research, technology and other forms of evidence which includes principles of intraprofessional and interprofessional learning and practice, principles of diversity, culture, inclusion and cultural safety for all people and student knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapeutics and quality use of medicines. All applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing are required to sign a declaration and provide evidence of demonstrating English language competency.

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) has a register of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing for the duration of their study. Western Sydney University as the education provider will provide your details directly to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) for registration.

On successful completion of an accredited program, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) General with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Prospective students should be aware that full disclosure of any issues of impairment or misconduct is a declaration requirement when applying for registration as a registered nurse. 

Please ensure that you are familiar with the policies available on the Western Sydney University website. In addition, nurses and midwives must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), and meet the NMBA's professional standards in order to practice in Australia.

There are inherent requirements for this program that must be met in order to complete the program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office .  

All applicants for the Bachelor of Nursing are required to sign a declaration and provide evidence of demonstrating English language competency in one of the following ways:

• English is your primary language and you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, including at least two years between years 7 and 12. Recognised country means one of the following countries: Australia; Canada; New Zealand; Republic of Ireland; South Africa; United Kingdom; United States of America, or
• You currently hold registration as an Enrolled Nurse (Division 2), or Registered Nurse (Division 1) or Registered Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), or
• If you do not satisfy either of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency assessment.

If you do not satisfy either of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency assessment. English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study.

1. IELTS (academic module). We only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if

• you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
• no score in any component of the test is below 6.5

2. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if

• you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
• you achieve a minimum score of 8 in each component across the two sittings, and
• no score in any component of the test is below C

3. PTE Academic. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if

• a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
• you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings,
• and no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58

4. TOEFL iBt. We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if

• a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and
• you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
• no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking

NOTE: Students who were not born in any of the above recognised countries need to be aware of the English language requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia that need to be demonstrated prior to registration. Please contact the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for information on this requirement. 

To enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from enrolment. Please see the Bachelor of Nursing handbook for more information.

In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University nursing and midwifery uniform. This uniform will be purchased at the student’s expense.

Please consult the handbook for more information.

Entry requirements for international students

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International .

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Indicative annual fee

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.

The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study, and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee. We encourage all prospective and current students to consult with our  Student Services Hub  for the most current fee information.

As a multi-campus institution, Western Sydney University and its entities reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary.

To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area. You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia. If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas. New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date. However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.

Find out more about HECS-HELP Find out more about OS-HELP

Apply as a Domestic Student

If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.

Domestic students are:

• Australian Citizens
• New Zealand Citizens
• Australian permanent residents
• Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders

Scholarships

Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees. 

Apply as an International Student

If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative . International students are:

• Not an Australian citizen;
• Not a New Zealand citizen; and
• Not a permanent resident of Australia.

If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via  UAC International . Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements . For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page .

When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.

We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.

If you have completed a minimum of six years of schooling in Australia (or a primarily English speaking country, with a minimum of two of these years in high school) OR if you are a current registered Enrolled Nurse with APHRA, you will not be required to take an English Test. All other applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an English language test.

Western Sydney University recognises a number of English language tests as proof of English language proficiency. You can find out more about these tests, as well as the minimum results required, here .

Yes, there are six professional practices involved in this course. The first professional practice is completed in a stimulated practice environment and the remaining five are completed in clinical environments. These professional practices are spread out over the duration of the program and vary in duration.

Want to know more?

We're here to provide clarity. If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward. Australian students 1300 668 370 International students +61 2 9852 5499

OTHER STUDY OPTIONS

Bachelor of nursing (honours).

Full Time: 1 Years (Available Part Time)

Bachelor of Nursing Online

Full Time: 4 Years

Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway)

Full Time: 2 Years (Available Part Time)*

Undergraduate Preparation Program – Nursing/Health Science

Full Time: 4 Months

The fee estimates provided are indicative only and subject to change. These estimates are based on the current fee structures for a normal full time study load. However, the final fees may vary depending on several factors, including the specific subjects chosen, the duration and timing of study, and annual fee adjustments (subject to Commonwealth student contribution band rates). Please note that these estimates do not include the Student Services and Amenities Fee. We encourage all prospective and current students to consult with our Student Services Hub for the most current fee information.

• 1300 050 928
• Current Students
• On Campus Courses

Bachelor of Nursing

Become a nurse and make a difference with an online degree in nursing from western sydney university online..

Course Overview

Our Bachelor of Nursing online degree was designed to help you develop into a confident and capable nurse. You’ll learn to look beyond an illness in isolation and focus on a person’s well-being as a whole. By the end of your Bachelor of Nursing degree, you will be equipped with all the skills necessary to be an outstanding health professional. You will have the nursing knowledge to understand and analyse a patient’s needs, and the experience to give them the best care possible. You’re the support they need.

Due to limited availability, this online degree currently requires full program completion and is not open to Enrolled Nurses (ENs) or applicants seeking credit for prior learning.

This degree is only available to students in New South Wales and Queensland. Students in Queensland will have to complete their Residentials in New South Wales.

Please note: Our Bachelor of Nursing is currently at capacity for TP1 2025. Students who are interested in this course will be added to a waitlist and will be contacted as soon as more space becomes available.

Course Accreditation

The online Bachelor of Nursing offering is accredited by the Australian Nurses and Midwives Accreditation Council (ANMAC).

Please note: additional English language proficiency requirements set by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) must be declared and met before you are eligible to commence study for the Bachelor of Nursing.

Please ensure you read through the Program Requirements and Professional Accreditation information before applying.

Entry Requirements

There are many ways you can gain entry into a degree through Western Sydney University Online. We accept any one of the following, provided you meet the minimum requirements relating to those criteria:

• Cert IV, in any field
• Completion or partial completion of tertiary study
• Completion of Year 12 HSC (or equivalent), with a minimum required ATAR
• Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC)
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• PTE  or  IELTS for English proficiency may be required depending on where entry documentation was completed
• Work experience, in any industry (assessed on a case by case basis)

Find out more about how studying nursing online works . We explain all the basics and break down your program into online subjects, clinical practice subjects and placement subjects.

As a student, you may need to pay a number of fees throughout your studies, depending on your degree and your enrolment status. These fees may include student contribution and tuition fees. If you’re eligible, you may also be able to obtain a HELP loan for payment of your student contribution or tuition fees. For more information, please visit the Student Contribution Bands page.

Fees for undergraduate International students are different than for local students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, NZ citizens, and holders of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa). For more information on fees for International students, please visit the International program fees page.

*Please note that fees are an estimation of annual fees and are subject to change.

Download Course Brochure

Download the Course Brochure for more information on this innovative course and student support.

Career Opportunities

Equipped with a degree from one of the top universities in the world, you can enter the workforce with industry knowledge and confidence. Here are some of the options available to a Nursing graduate:

Registered Nurse

As a Registered Nurse, provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, aged care and other healthcare facilities in the community.

Acute Care Nurse

Provide intensive short-term care for patients, such as during recovery from surgery or for an urgent medical condition. As a front-line care position, you will be prepared for diverse situations each day.

Specialist Nursing

Use your nursing knowledge to specialise your skills in a particular area, from aged care to mental health, palliative care and onwards. Channel your focus to the area of healthcare you’re most passionate about.

Beyond Clinical Practice

Use your dynamic healthcare skillset and knowledge to branch out and make an impact outside of Clinical Practice. Become a Nurse Educator, Academic, Policy Developer or Manager with your Nursing credentials.

What Will You Study

Your first year is an exciting introduction to the world of nursing. You’ll start with the essentials of human biology and healthcare, setting the foundation for your nursing career. This year is about understanding what it means to be a nurse and how to approach patient care with empathy and professionalism.

Second Year

In your second year, you delve deeper into the science behind health and disease. You’ll learn the importance of evidence-based practice and get familiar with the use of medications in patient care. This year also introduces you to a variety of health challenges, providing practical experiences in diverse settings to enhance your skills and confidence.

This year focuses on expanding your understanding of complex health conditions, including chronic diseases and mental health. You’ll gain insights into culturally sensitive care, specifically in the context of Indigenous Australian health. The year is significant for developing your skills in managing end-of-life care, a critical and delicate aspect of nursing.

Fourth Year

Your final year is all about integrating and applying all your knowledge and skills in more complex and acute scenarios. You’ll be challenged to handle life-threatening conditions and refine your identity as a professional nurse or midwife. This year includes the most intensive practical experience, preparing you for a seamless transition into the nursing profession after graduation.

Each year of the program builds upon the last, ensuring that you graduate as a well-rounded, skilled, and empathetic nursing professional ready to make a positive impact in healthcare.

Subject Details

Course subjects are carefully selected and taught by industry experts and professionals to ensure a well-rounded education to all our students. During each teaching period, you must complete two subjects.

We’ve highlighted below how those subjects will be structured. Find out more about how your online nursing degree will be structured. Subject to ANMAC and NMBA approval.

Here is a closer look at the subjects that will be covered in your 4-year degree in Nursing:

Bioscience 1

Bioscience 1 introduces the core concepts and terminology related to the structure, function, and homeostasis of the human body. Students begin to describe the relationships between the Australian National Health Priority areas and performances of activities of living and healthy lifestyle practices.

Primary Healthcare in Action

This subject introduces nursing and midwifery students to Primary Health Care (PHC) as a social model of health and a World Health Organization (WHO) strategy for achieving just and humane health care. The subject explores the impact and relevance of PHC as a framework for organising an Australian health care system that decreases health inequities and optimises the health of all people. Students will examine the dimensions of PHC that assist in establishing collaborative partnerships in which people are supported to take responsibility for their health, including members of culturally diverse groups.

Becoming a Professional Nurse

Becoming a Professional Nurse or Midwife facilitates a student’s understanding of becoming a health care professional. Students are introduced to cultural sensitivity, safety, and competence to facilitate appropriate intercultural communication within the context of contemporary healthcare. The role of the registered nurse or midwife is explored, with students gaining an understanding of accountability, responsibility, therapeutic and professional relationships, and their capability for practice.

Professional Practice Experience 1

This subject focuses on the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse when promoting, maintaining, and supporting a person’s health and well-being across the lifespan. Students will be able to develop the foundational clinical skills in a simulated clinical environment to enable the further development of more complex skills in a health care setting.

Person-Centred Care Across the Lifespan

This subject introduces the concept of person-centred care as an approach that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of individual people throughout the lifespan. Students develop an understanding of human relationships and life transitions, including concepts that inform nursing and midwifery practice. The subject explores frameworks that support an understanding of the psychological, social, cognitive and moral components of human development including mental health and care of the older person.

Approaches to Professional Nursing Practice

Approaches to Professional Nursing Practice explores the nature and professional context of nursing. The roles and functions of the nurse and their relationship to others are considered in terms of expected competence, responsibilities, accountabilities and scope of practice. Students will gain an understanding of information-0enabled care, which is central to modern practice.

Bioscience 2

Bioscience 2 introduces the concepts associated with alterations in health across the lifespan. It will introduce pathophysiology, pharmacology, immunology and microbiology related to health breakdown due to injury or disease. This subject specifically examines the impact of microorganisms on people’s health and the body’s natural defences when dealing with infections and injuries and its significance to person-centred care.

Professional Practice Experience 2

This subject focuses on the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse when promoting, maintaining, and supporting person centred care. A simulated professional task will assist with the development of essential clinical communications and a professional experience placement to evaluate clinical skills development. The subject includes 80 hours of Professional Experience Placement.

Evidence-based Practice for Nursing and Midwifery

This unit is designed to develop students’ knowledge in accessing and making judgements to translate the best available evidence into practice. This also includes the most current, valid and available research findings. General concepts associated with evidence-based health care are explored, including conducting literature searches from a wide range of sources, reviewing and appraising research and other evidence, and using and translating research into practice.

Pharmacology in Nursing

It is imperative that registered nurses and registered midwives have a solid understanding of pharmacology. This subject introduces the principles and core concepts of pharmacology with a distinct emphasis on safe medication administration in nursing and midwifery. Students will acquire knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and develop an understanding of actions and reactions caused by commonly prescribed drugs. Electronic medication management systems, patient education and engagement in medication management are also addressed in this subject.

Health Variations 1: Introduction to Alterations in Health

This unit utilises an evidence base to develop an understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacological interventions. It also expands it to nursing care of people who are experiencing acute but usually resolvable alterations in health. A particular focus of this subject are the Australian National Health Priority Areas.

Professional Practice Experience 3

This subject focuses on the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse when assessing and caring for people who are experiencing acute but usually resolvable conditions. A simulated professional task will assist with the development of essential clinical communications and a professional experience placement to evaluate clinical skills development. The subject includes 160 hours of Professional Experience Placement.

Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being

This subject develops mental health nursing knowledge and skill required of the nursing workforce across a range of service delivery settings. It explores contemporary models of care such as recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed care and social determinants approach. Students will plan evidence-based initiatives that promote mental health, prevent and intervene early in illness, facilitate recovery and promote wellbeing.

Health Variations 2 – Chronic Illness and Disability

This unit explores the concepts of chronicity, disability, habilitation and rehabilitation in relation to chronic conditions, functional and intellectual disabilities. It also explores their implications for nursing practice. This unit provides theoretical underpinnings directly related to Professional Practice Experience 4.

Health Variations 3: Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Conditions

This unit utilises an evidence base to develop an understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacological interventions. It also develops an understanding of nursing care for people who experience acute exacerbations of chronic conditions.

Professional Practice Experience 4

This subject focuses on the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse when caring for people experiencing an acute exacerbation of a chronic condition. A simulated professional task will assist with the development of essential clinical communications and a professional experience placement to evaluate clinical skills development. The subject includes 160 hours of Professional Experience Placement.

Indigenous Australian Health, Wellness and Culture

This subject will specifically enable nursing and midwifery students to investigate, discuss and develop an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and health statistics. It also explores the historical and present-day issues associated with poor health outcomes. The concepts of cultural safety, health and illness will be discussed in terms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students will explore and reflect on the impact of the different attitudes, institutional policies and value systems relating to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.

Health Variations 5: Palliative and End of Life Care

Health Variations 5 Palliative and End of Life Care focuses on the palliative approach as a model of care, exploring the benefits of this approach when supporting dying individuals with life-limiting illnesses. Students will also acquire the capabilities to develop self-care strategies to manage their own grief, loss and stress associated with working in a palliative setting.

Health Variations 4: Acute Life Threatening Conditions

Health Variations 4 Acute Life-Threatening Conditions utilises an evidence base to develop an understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacological interventions. It also develops an understanding of nursing care for people who experience acute life-threatening conditions. This subject specifically focuses on detecting and recognising acute deterioration and escalating care.

Professional Practice Experience 5

This subject focuses on the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse when assessing and caring for people who are experiencing acute life-threatening illness and life-limiting illness. A simulated professional task will assist with the development of essential clinical communications and a professional experience placement to evaluate clinical skills development. The subject includes 160 hours of Professional Experience Placement.

Being a Professional Nurse or Midwife

Being a Professional Nurse or Midwife explores the process of transition from student to a registered healthcare professional. Students analyse their role as a registered nurse or registered midwife, reflecting on accountability, responsibility, therapeutic and professional relationships, and their capability for practice. This subject will build the capacity within students to meet their professional responsibilities as capable practitioners in nursing or midwifery. Students will have an opportunity to demonstrate their job readiness skills in preparation for new graduate employment opportunities.

Professional Experience Placement

This subject is a capstone unit that provides students an opportunity to consolidate the development of the role and clinical skills of the registered nurse in preparation for transition to graduate practice. A simulated professional task will assist with the development of essential clinical communications. While an Objective Structured Clinical Skills Exam and a professional experience placement to evaluate clinical skills development. The unit includes 240 hours of Professional Experience Placement. This unit is worth 20 credit points.

Western Sydney University Online invites you to study in an advanced and flexible digital environment. Our online program allows you to study on your time, when it works for you, your work, family and life commitments. 

Student Support

We are here to support you when you need it. Our dedicated support team are available over the phone or online seven days a week to answer all your questions. From technical support through to academic questions, we have the tools and people to make your study journey achievable and enjoyable.

Our Nursing degree gives you a solid foundation to start your career as a nurse. You’ll gain hands-on experience from placements and on-campus clinical practice units. This is one of the reasons why WSU’s school of nursing and midwifery is ranked #1 nursing school in Australia.

Frequently asked questions.

At Western Sydney University Online, we are dedicated to helping our students. Our Student Advisors are on hand to make your transition to university as smooth as possible. They are available via phone, email 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Once you are in your online classroom, your Online Learning Advisors will be there to guide your learning and there is plenty of assessment support services at your fingertips throughout your studies.

We understand that life can get busy and you may need to reconsider your study options. The good news is there are options available for you to consider. You can take a Leave of Absence and start in a future teaching period or you can transfer to another course if you meet the entry criteria. We recommend giving one of our helpful  Student Advisors a call  and have a chat about your specific circumstances. With their knowledge they can point you in the right direction.

Your subjects typically open the Friday before the commencement of the Teaching Period, however access to your subject outlines and Orientation Subject will be available in Canvas your online classroom four weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period.

Of course. Whether you study on-campus or online, your learning outcomes and qualification are the same. Even to the point of when you graduate, you will receive the same testamur. A testamur is your graduation certificate and it does not specify your mode of study. Regardless of whether you study online or on-campus you will still be getting the same qualification from an internationally ranked university.

Related Articles

Download course brochure, enquire about the bachelor of nursing, get in touch.

Are you ready to apply? Simply fill out the form below and a Course Consultant will be in touch to guide you through your application over the phone.

If you’re not ready to apply or want to know more before you complete your application, you can request more information by calling us on  1300 050 928 .

How to Become a Travel Nurse

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Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

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Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

• Career Overview
• Steps to Become
• Education Options
• Certification and Specialization

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Are you interested in a financially rewarding nursing career that offers the flexibility to take short-term assignments across the country and abroad? The nursing shortage has increased the demand for travel nurses in every type of healthcare setting, often in underserved communities in both urban and rural locations. Employers offer higher pay and more generous benefits to travel nurses with certain specialties, such as ICU or neonatal nursing, or those holding advanced practice registered nursing licenses.

Keep reading to learn how to become a travel nurse, what kind of license and certifications you need to enter the field, and what to expect on the job.

How Long to Become 2-4 years

Degree Required ADN or BSN

Average Annual Salary $83,386

Source: Payscale , May 2024

What Is a Travel Nurse?

A travel nurse is a skilled nursing professional willing to take short-term assignments locally, across the U.S., and even internationally . These assignments can last from a few weeks to several months. Instead of seeking permanent positions in healthcare facilities, these nursing professionals find temporary placements using the services of staffing agencies that specialize in travel nursing. Travel nurse contracts outline the start and end dates for the placement, total compensation for the duration of the assignment, and work expectations.

The demand for registered nurses has increased throughout the healthcare industry, along with critical nursing shortages in some geographic locations and in high-demand specializations. Travel nurses have stepped in to fill these gaps. According to data compiled by Zippia , there are 1,733,502 traveling nurses currently employed in the United States. For comparison’s sake, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that as of 2023 there were about 3.2 million registered nurses (RN) employed in the U.S.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Steps to Becoming a Travel Nurse

A travel nurse must meet the same educational and clinical requirements as all registered nurses (RNs). You must first earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). According to the Zippia data, 47% of travel nurses have a BSN degree, more than any other degree type.

Once you earn your degree, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and acquire your state nursing license. Because employers expect travel nurses to immediately begin working, travel nurse staffing agencies typically look for applicants with at least one year of clinical experience. Specializations and certifications can give you an advantage.

Earn an ADN or BSN Degree From an Accredited Program.

Travel nurses must earn an ADN or a BSN to qualify for RN licensure. An ADN offers the fastest pathway to an RN nursing career. However, a BSN, which typically takes four years to complete, provides graduates with a higher level of training and clinical experience, leading to broader employment opportunities. The major travel nurse staffing agencies and large healthcare systems prefer to hire RNs with a BSN degree.

Pass the NCLEX Exam to Receive RN Licensure.

You need to pass the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to earn an RN license. This computer-adaptive test takes up to six hours and covers nursing practice, conditions and treatments, how the healthcare system works, legal and ethical issues, and patient communication and education.

Gain Clinical Nursing Experience.

The more clinical experience you have, the more likely you will find a placement. Most agencies only consider applicants with a minimum of one year of experience. However, some healthcare contracts require two years or more of clinical experience. Travel nurses must have the skills and background to jump into assignments without on-the-job training or orientations, adjusting to new environments, staff, and procedures.

Find a Travel Nursing Agency.

Nurse staffing agencies have grown in popularity, filling the nursing shortage gap resulting from RNs who retire or leave the workforce. Consequently, many agencies have emerged that specialize in travel nurse staffing. Travel nurse agencies advertise for specific positions, often recruiting at nursing school career offices, professional associations, and online. Before working with a travel nurse agency, it is important to research its reputation. When evaluating agencies, you should compare if the contracts they offer meet your expectations about available locations, types of assignments, salary and benefits, and travel and housing arrangements.

Begin Your First Travel Nursing Assignment.

Because travel nurses work in multiple settings with varied patient populations , duties and responsibilities differ for each new assignment. In most cases, you will receive little on-the-job training. Depending on the employer, your first shift may begin with a full orientation or just a brief introduction to the facility’s procedures and policies. You may be paired with a nurse for your first few days, but then you will be expected to work independently soon after.

While some travel staffing agencies handle housing arrangements to help you settle into your new environment, you may decide to find your own accommodations to save on living expenses.

Travel Nurse Education

Different employers and positions have different travel nurse requirements. Generally, it takes at least two years to earn an ADN, the minimum requirement to become an RN.

Most travel nurse positions require a BSN, but some nurses start with an ADN, which takes two years to complete rather than the four years required for a BSN. Many BSN programs offer RN-to-BSN bridge programs .

Admission Materials

Program curriculum, time to complete, skills learned.

All travel nurses must be licensed RNs by earning an undergraduate nursing degree, either a BSN or an ADN, and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. However, many employers require or strongly prefer a BSN.

Travel Nurse Licensure

If you plan on becoming a travel nurse, you must have a valid nursing license in the state where you intend to practice. If the state where you earned your initial RN license participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), you do not need to apply for another license to work in any other NLC state. However, not all states are NLC members . If your intended travel nurse assignment is located in a non-NLC state, you must apply for a license in that specific state before starting your contract. Some states have expedited processes for temporary licenses, and certain staffing agencies can assist you with the application process.

Maintaining an active license as a travel nurse is no different than for other RNs. You need to renew your RN license periodically, meeting the specific requirements for contact hours and continuing education units in your home state. If you are working in a non-NLC state, you must meet the renewal requirements for that jurisdiction.

Travel Nursing Certification and Specialization

RNs often choose to earn specialty nurse certifications in a variety of areas, including emergency care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and infection control. While earning a certification may not be required for a certain position, a specialization helps distinguish you from other job applicants and may boost your salary.

According to a 2019 travel nurse compensation report , the demand for travel nurses is highest for those with specializations in ICU, medical-surgical, operating room, and emergency room nursing. ICU nurses, the most in-demand travel nurse specialty, accounts for 16.5% of all travel nurses. Healthcare employers and staffing agencies often look for travel nurses with specialties in particular patient populations, including neonatal nursing and pediatrics, or those with experience in specific types of services, such as emergency and critical care nursing.

Working as a Travel Nurse

Travel nurses fill temporary assignments wherever nurses are needed. They may find placements in hospitals and clinics facing nursing shortages, community health facilities, and healthcare organizations in the U.S. and abroad that must respond to public health crises, disease outbreaks, and other medical emergencies. The average travel nurse contract lasts between 13 and 26 weeks, but hours and shifts vary widely depending on the assignment.

Travel nurse salaries also vary by setting, location, and specialization. According to Vivian , a major healthcare hiring service, the average weekly pay for travel nurses is $2,104 or $44.79 an hour, compared to $42.80 per hour for RNs overall, according to BLS data . However, earnings can range from $458 weekly for the lowest-paid travel nurses to $6,419 for the top earners, and some travel nurses may be given a housing/relocation stipend.

Although working as a travel nurse has many benefits, there are some potential downsides. Travel nurses may be required to complete onboarding for each new contract they begin, even if they have already previously worked at a facility. This process can require time-consuming steps, such as providing proof of vaccination, fingerprinting, and documentation of your medical history, which can delay your start date.

Some travel nurses have difficulty finding affordable housing options for the duration of their contract. You can review a travel agency’s benefits to determine if they may provide assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Travel Nurse

Do travel nurses get benefits.

In addition to the attractive salaries, some travel nurse placements offer benefits. These may include medical and dental coverage, 401K contributions, sign-on bonuses, and stipends for housing, travel and per-diem living expenses.

Can travel nurses choose where they work?

One of the major perks of working as a travel nurse is the flexibility to choose when and where to work. However, your ability to choose your placement depends on the demand for your particular specialty or the number of available positions in the location where you want to work.

What is the best degree to become a travel nurse?

Many staffing agencies prefer to hire travel nurses who have completed a bachelor of science in nursing. A BSN equips nurses with a solid foundation of nursing knowledge and skills. This can prepare them for a travel nursing role, where they may need to transition between healthcare facilities and effectively adapt to diverse patient populations and settings.

How do I find a travel nurse staffing agency?

Travel nurse staffing agencies may recruit at nursing schools, through referrals, or through advertisements for specific positions or general placements. You can also look online for travel nurse staffing agencies or discover agencies through networking. Be sure to double check references and the agency’s reputation.

Related Pages

What to Know About Working as an International Travel Nurse

If you love traveling and want to become a nurse, consider the growing field of international travel nursing. Choose from many well-paying positions in a variety of destinations all over the world.

The 7 Top States for Travel Nurses (Fall)

The travel nurse industry is rapidly expanding. If you’d like to plan your first or next assignment, consider these top seven states for your fall destination.

How to Become an International Travel Nurse

To pursue a career as an international travel nurse, you’ll need a nursing degree, an active RN license, and possibly additional certifications.

Page last reviewed on April 7, 2024

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