University of Kansas

What you'll study

The BSN curriculum combines foundational sciences, nursing theory, clinical skills and courses that develop leadership and research literacy. You will study anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology and public health alongside core nursing subjects such as health assessment, adult and ageing nursing, maternal and child health, mental health nursing, community and population health nursing, and care across the lifespan.

Integrated into the programme are modules on nursing administration and leadership, quality improvement, ethics and health policy, and nursing research methods and evidence-based practice. Clinical practice is a continuous element: simulated learning in state-of-the-art labs is paired with supervised clinical placements in hospitals, community clinics and primary care settings across Kansas. Coursework emphasises interprofessional collaboration, patient safety, informatics and culturally competent care.

• Foundational sciences: human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, nutrition
• Core nursing: health assessment, fundamentals of nursing practice, medical–surgical nursing
• Specialist areas: maternal–child nursing, mental health, paediatrics, gerontology
• Administration and leadership: healthcare management, organisational behaviour, quality and safety
• Research and evidence-based practice: research design, statistics for nursing, translating evidence into practice
• Clinical practicum and simulation: progressive clinical experiences and high-fidelity simulation

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Kansas BSN programme typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent with a record of strong academic performance. Applicants are usually expected to have completed prerequisites such as biology (including anatomy & physiology), chemistry, English composition and mathematics. Many students enter first as pre-nursing majors and apply to the professional nursing sequence after completing prerequisite coursework.

Selection is competitive and takes a holistic view of the application. Typical elements considered include cumulative and prerequisite course grades, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and evidence of healthcare or volunteer experience. Applicants should also be prepared to meet professional standards for clinical placement, which commonly include up-to-date immunisations, background checks, drug screening and basic life support (CPR) certification.

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to sit the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and enter practice across a wide range of healthcare settings. Common early-career roles include staff nurse positions in acute care hospitals, community and public health nursing, school nursing and primary care.

The BSN also provides a pathway into specialised and leadership roles: graduates can move into charge nurse and nurse manager positions, clinical nurse specialist roles, occupational health, infection control, case management and nursing informatics. The programme’s research and evidence-based practice components prepare graduates to participate in clinical research or pursue postgraduate study (for example, master's level nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, nursing administration or doctoral research degrees).

Why study at University of Kansas

The University of Kansas School of Nursing offers an established BSN programme with accredited curriculum, strong clinical partnerships across the region and dedicated simulation facilities to support hands-on learning. Students benefit from clinical placement opportunities in diverse practice settings, including major hospitals, community clinics and public health agencies, which support competence across acute, community and population health care.

Faculty at KU combine clinical experience with active scholarship, providing mentorship in areas such as nursing leadership, health disparities and clinical research. The school emphasises interprofessional education, preparing graduates for collaborative practice, and provides academic and career support services to help students transition into the workforce or continue into graduate nursing education.

Prospective students should contact the School of Nursing admissions team for detailed advice about prerequisites, application pathways and guidance on how to prepare for the professional nursing sequence.