University of Mary Washington

What you'll study

The programme combines a liberal‑arts core with professionally focused nursing education to develop clinical competence, critical thinking and leadership. Early years emphasise human biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry and developmental psychology to build a scientific foundation for practice. Core nursing modules cover health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical‑surgical nursing, maternal and child health, mental health nursing and community/public health nursing.

Clinical learning takes place throughout the programme in regional hospitals, community clinics and long‑term care settings, supported by simulation suites. Students follow a progression from fundamentals and supervised clinical skills to increasingly complex care situations and care coordination. The programme also provides focused strands or electives in:

• Nursing Administration — courses in leadership, healthcare systems, finance for nursing leaders and quality improvement, with projects on workforce management and policy implementation.
• Nursing Research — instruction in research methods, biostatistics, evidence‑based practice and a research practicum or honours project to develop skills in interpreting and applying research to practice.
• Clinical Nursing — advanced clinical decision‑making, specialty practica (for example, critical care, paediatrics or geriatrics), and clinical reasoning seminars designed to refine bedside and complex care skills.

The programme culminates in an integrated practicum or capstone course where students assume a leadership role in patient care under supervision, synthesising clinical, administrative or research learning depending on their chosen focus.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a secondary school diploma or equivalent with a solid academic record and successful completion of prerequisite science courses, usually including human anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry and often mathematics or statistics. Most applicants are required to demonstrate competency in written communication and English.

Selection to the nursing major is competitive and usually follows an initial general‑education year or designated pre‑nursing curriculum. Typical application components include:

• Academic transcripts showing completion of prerequisites and a competitive grade point average.
• References or academic/professional referees.
• A personal statement addressing motivations for nursing and relevant experience.
• Health clearance requirements such as immunisation records, CPR certification and background checks prior to clinical placements.

Applicants with previous university study or qualified registered nurses seeking a BSN are considered through appropriate advanced‑standing or RN‑to‑BSN pathways; specific documentation of prior learning and licensure may be required.

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to sit for the national licensing examination for registered nurses and commonly take roles in acute care hospitals, community health centres, long‑term care facilities and outpatient clinics. Typical early career positions include bedside Registered Nurse in medical‑surgical, paediatric, maternity, mental health or emergency settings.

With experience and further study, graduates move into roles such as Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Manager or Charge Nurse, Nurse Educator, Infection Control Practitioner, Clinical Research Coordinator or positions in public health and policy. Those with the research strand may pursue roles in evidence‑based practice teams or clinical trials. Many alumni continue to postgraduate study (master’s or doctoral programmes) to become nurse practitioners, clinical leaders or researchers.

Why study at University of Mary Washington

The University of Mary Washington combines a strong liberal‑arts education with a clinically focused nursing curriculum, emphasising small class sizes and personalised faculty mentorship. Students benefit from established clinical partnerships across the region, regular simulation‑based skills development and opportunities for community‑engaged practice.

Faculty are practising clinicians and researchers who provide mentoring for clinical work, leadership development and undergraduate research. The programme emphasises evidence‑based practice, interprofessional collaboration and preparation for licensure, supporting graduates to enter the workforce with both practical skills and a broad critical perspective.