University of Tulsa

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum combines foundational sciences and liberal arts with progressive nursing theory and clinical practice. Core topics include human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and lifespan development. Nursing-specific coursework addresses health assessment, fundamentals of nursing, adult medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, paediatrics, mental health nursing and community/public health nursing.

Students study nursing research and evidence-based practice, nursing informatics, ethics and health policy, and leadership and management concepts that underpin Nursing Administration. The programme also offers focused study in nursing research methods and statistics for students aiming to contribute to clinical research, and advanced clinical practice seminars for those pursuing clinical specialisation.

Clinical learning is delivered through a combination of campus-based simulation labs and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, community clinics and long-term care settings. A capstone practicum or scholarly project ties together clinical competence, administration concepts and research skills, preparing graduates for both bedside practice and roles that involve quality improvement or unit-level management.

• Foundational sciences: anatomy, physiology, microbiology
• Core nursing courses: health assessment, adult health, maternal-child, paediatrics, mental health
• Professional topics: ethics, health policy, informatics, leadership and management
• Research and evidence-based practice: research methods, statistics, scholarly project
• Clinical experience: simulation, hospital rotations, community-based practicum

Entry requirements

Applicants to the traditional BSN should hold a high school diploma or equivalent and have completed prerequisite coursework in biology, chemistry, and often introductory anatomy and physiology, as well as general education requirements. Competitive applicants typically demonstrate strong academic preparation in science and mathematics and submit transcripts for review.

Additional admission steps commonly include an application to the university and the nursing programme, submission of transcripts, and completion of a standardised nursing admission assessment or interview as required by the school. Before clinical placements, students must meet background check, drug screening, immunisation and basic life support certification requirements.

Registered Nurse to BSN (RN-BSN) or advanced-entry pathways accept applicants who already hold an accredited associate degree or diploma in nursing and an active, unencumbered RN licence; these routes focus on completing upper-division nursing coursework, leadership, research and public health components to award the BSN.

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to sit for the national RN licensure examination and commonly begin careers as staff nurses in acute care hospitals, community health agencies, long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics. The BSN credential also prepares nurses for roles in Nursing Administration, such as charge nurse or unit manager, and for positions that emphasise quality improvement, case management and care coordination.

Those with a focus on nursing research or evidence-based practice may work as clinical research coordinators or contribute to practice improvement initiatives in hospital settings. The BSN is also the usual preparatory degree for graduate study—master’s programmes (including nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator and nursing administration tracks) and doctoral research degrees.

Why study at University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa offers a BSN programme with a personalised learning environment, smaller cohort sizes and close faculty mentoring. Students benefit from modern simulation facilities that replicate clinical scenarios and from clinical partnerships with regional hospitals and community health providers that support diverse practicum placements.

The programme emphasises interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice and leadership development, helping graduates bridge bedside nursing with administrative and research-focused careers. Support services such as academic advising, clinical skills coaching and career development help students transition into professional practice or further study.

For registered nurses upgrading their qualification, the RN-BSN pathway provides a flexible route to complete baccalaureate-level coursework while remaining within the regional clinical community, strengthening managerial, research and public health competencies.