University of North Dakota

What you'll study

The UND Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a comprehensive programme that combines foundational sciences, nursing theory, clinical practice and professional development. Students complete prerequisite coursework in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, lifespan development and statistics before progressing into nursing-specific courses.

Core nursing modules typically include:

• Foundations of Nursing Practice – introduction to patient-centred care, health assessment and basic clinical skills.
• Adult Health Nursing – principles of medical–surgical nursing across the adult lifespan.
• Maternal–Child Nursing – care of women, newborns and paediatric patients.
• Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing – psychiatric assessment, therapeutic communication and community resources.
• Community and Public Health Nursing – population health, health promotion and prevention strategies.
• Pharmacology for Nurses – medication management and safe administration practices.
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice – introduction to nursing research methods, critical appraisal of literature and application of evidence to practice.
• Leadership and Management in Nursing – concepts in nursing administration, quality improvement and healthcare systems.
• Clinical Practica/Senior Capstone – supervised placements across acute, community and specialty settings culminating in an integrative project or practicum.

Students choose or are placed into pathways that allow focused study in:

• Registered Nursing (pre-licensure) – for students entering nursing for the first time, preparing for the NCLEX-RN and initial clinical practice.
• Clinical Nursing – deeper clinical practicum experiences and electives in speciality areas such as critical care, emergency nursing or perioperative care.
• Nursing Administration – coursework and practicum in leadership, human resources, finance and health policy for nurses aspiring to managerial roles.
• Nursing Research – advanced focus on research design, statistics and participation in faculty-led projects; prepares students for roles that support evidence-based practice and for graduate study.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent with a record of strong performance in science and mathematics. Common prerequisites include courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and college-level mathematics or statistics. Admission to the pre-licensure pathway is competitive and usually requires meeting minimum GPA expectations and completion of specific general education and science modules.

For applicants who are already licensed RNs, UND offers RN-to-BSN pathways; these students must hold an active RN licence and submit transcripts from previous nursing education. International applicants should provide proof of English language proficiency and certified academic transcripts. Additional selection criteria may include an admissions interview, references and, where required, results from standardised nursing admissions tests.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into professional nursing roles and for further study. Typical career paths include:

• Staff nurse in hospitals, community health centres, long-term care and primary care clinics.
• Clinical specialist or charge nurse roles in speciality areas such as critical care, paediatrics or perioperative nursing.
• Nurse manager or administrator working in practice management, operations, quality improvement or human resources.
• Positions in public health, school nursing, home health and community outreach.
• Research assistant or coordinator roles supporting clinical research and evidence-based projects; graduates who concentrated in research are well positioned for graduate study (MSN, DNP or PhD).
• Education roles in clinical training or academic settings after additional qualifications.

Graduates of the pre-licensure route are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN for registration as a professional nurse; RN-to-BSN graduates enhance career mobility, leadership opportunities and eligibility for graduate programmes.

Why study at University of North Dakota

UND's nursing programmes are delivered through a college with dedicated resources for health professions education, including simulated clinical labs and interprofessional learning with other health disciplines. The university has long-standing clinical partnerships across regional hospitals, rural clinics and community health providers, offering a breadth of real-world placements — particularly valuable for students interested in rural and Indigenous health.

Students benefit from small cohort sizes, faculty with active clinical and research profiles, and options for flexible study, including RN-to-BSN and online coursework that support working nurses. The programme emphasises evidence-based practice, leadership and community engagement, preparing graduates to meet contemporary healthcare needs or to progress to advanced practice and research careers.