BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
UVA accepts academically motivated students into the program leading to a BSN degree.
All traditional BSN students take courses in anatomy and physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, pathophysiology, leadership, and nursing practice. All students conduct research independently, or as part of teams, and engage regularly together in clinical skills and simulation learning labs in the Clinical Simulation Learning Center. During the second semester of their second year of study, traditional BSN students take part in clinical rotations across five specialty areas (medical-surgical, community and public health, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and psychiatric-mental health nursing) and do a semester-long practicum intensive during their fourth year. Graduates of the program are well-prepared for and eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
The RN to BSN program offers registered nurses (RNs) who have associate's degrees or nursing diplomas a pathway to earning a BSN degree. The program is for RNs who wish to take on greater responsibility and a broader role in healthcare, achieve leadership roles, greater professional mobility, and for those interested in pursuing graduate study in nursing to become nurse practitioners, nurse scientists, or nursing professors.
The Accelerated BSN program is for students who've already completed some college and wish to become nurses through UVA's top-ranked BSN program. While these transfer programs are faster, and cost less, they offer students the same world-class teaching, mentoring, and the rich clinical experiences UVA School of Nursing is known for.
High school students typically apply to the traditional BSN program. At UVA, prospective nursing students apply directly to the School of Nursing, which offers a seamless path into the program after they graduate from high school.
- Four-year full-time program
- 120 credits
- Graduates are prepared and eligible for the NCLEX exam
- Apply by January 1 (or November 1 for Early Action)
All traditional BSN students take courses in anatomy and physiology, growth and development, pharmacology, pathophysiology, leadership, and nursing practice, have the opportunity to conduct evidence-based practice research independently, or as part of teams, and engage regularly together in clinical skills and simulation learning labs in the School's 10,000 square-foot Clinical Simulation Learning Center.
Clinical rotations begin during the second semester of traditional BSN students' second year of study across five specialty areas (medical-surgical, community and public health, pediatrics, labor and delivery, and psychiatric-mental health nursing), guided by clinical instructors, veteran nurse preceptor-mentors, and in small groups, with their peers, and, in their fourth year, do a semester-long practicum intensive.
In addition, many students choose to participate in education abroad through UVA's wealth of programs, including through a semester-long-exchange in Spain called Valencia First, a January Term program, or as part of the School's Global Initiatives' offerings, including:
- through the School's semester-long exchange program with the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia, during their fourth year
- during a summer study abroad experience at Clinica Esperanza, in Roatan, Honduras, for which students earn community health clinical hours
- or as part of a Maymester education abroad experience in St. Kitts and Nevis
Graduates of the traditional BSN program are well-prepared for and eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Pre-licensure students studying nursing, including those across our BSN and CNL programs, practice at a wide variety of sites across Charlottesville, Albemarle County, central Virginia, and the mid-Atlantic region, working alongside and being mentored by qualified preceptors and experienced nurses at sites including:
- Albemarle County Public Schools
- Augusta Medical Center
- Bon Secours Short Pump Emergency Center
- Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
- Camp Holiday Trails
- Charlottesville Catholic School
- Child Health Partnership - Charlottesville Office
- Child Health Partnership - Fluvanna/Louisa Office
- Clinica Esperanza
- Clinical Simulation & Learning Center (CSLC)
- CRHA Crescent Halls Neighborhood Community Clinic
- CRHA Westhaven Neighborhood Community Clinic
- CVHS - Charlottesville
- CVHS - Louisa
- Epworth Manor
- Fork Union Medical Associates
- Hospice of the Piedmont
- Innisfree Village
- JABA Louisa Adult Care Center
- JABA Mary Williams Community Senior Center
- Louisa County School System
- Louisa Family Practice, PLC
- Rockfish River Elementary School
- Sentara (RMH) Rockingham Memorial Hospital Med Ctr
- The Haven
- The Pearl at Watkins Centre LLC
- Triple C Camp
- Tye River Elementary School
- UVA - Primary and Specialty Care Pantops
- UVA Continuum Home Health
- UVA Dialysis Zion Crossroads
- UVA Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center
- UVA Employee Health
- UVA Family Medicine (Primary Care Center)
- UVA Family Medicine Stoney Creek
- UVA Health Orthopedic Center Ivy Road
- UVA International Family Medicine Clinic (IFMC)
- UVA Kidney Center Clinic (Home Dialysis)
- UVA Maternal & Fetal Medicine Clinic (Battle Bldg)
- UVA Medical Center
- UVA Medicine HOME Program
- UVA Pediatric Hematology/Oncology(Battle Building)
- UVA Pediatrics (Battle Building)
- UVA Population Health-Interactive Home Monitoring
- UVA Primary & Specialty Care Zion Crossroads
- UVA Student Health and Wellness Center
- UVA Teen and Young Adult Health Center
- UVA Transplant Center
- UVA-WorkMed
- Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
- Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA)
- Walker Upper Elementary School
- Western State Hospital
When is the application deadline?
November 1 for Early Action and January 1 for Regular Decision.
Do I need to meet with someone at the nursing school or be interviewed?
UVA does not interview any undergraduate degree applicants. If you would like to visit the School, we offer tours at noon on most weekdays during the school year (September to April).
What kind of experience are you looking for prior to applying to the School of Nursing?
The strongest applicants have solid academic experience and some kind of exposure to or experience in health care or nursing. Your experience may fall within a wide continuum of exposure to the field. You should be taking the most challenging courses available at your high school and have a solid academic record.
How many applications do you usually receive each year?
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive. Our applications have been steadily rising during the past three years. Last year, we received more than 15 applicants for each of our 75 first-year spots.
When am I notified about admission?
Admission decisions are posted online by January 31 (for Early Action) and April 1 (for Regular Decision).
What are the average test scores and GPAs of nursing applicants?
Because grading scales can vary from school to school, an average GPA is hard to compute. When we review academic records we are looking to see that you have taken challenging courses and done well. For more information about average test scores, please visit the UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission website.
What are the best classes for me to take in high school to prepare me for nursing school?
You should be enrolled in the most challenging college preparation courses your high school offers.
Will the nursing school prepare me for medical school?
A baccalaureate curriculum in nursing is not equivalent to a typical pre-med curriculum.
What kind of financial aid do you offer?
All financial aid for undergraduate students at UVA is administered through UVA Student Financial Services. To apply, you need to complete the federal FAFSA form and the CSS/Profile form. All aid is need-based; the University meets 100% of demonstrated need. Learn more about financial aid here.
Can BSN students study abroad?
YES. The School of Nursing has several opportunities for students interested in participating in education abroad, including a long-standing semester-long exchange program with two sites at which they can earn clinical experience: the University of Queensland, in Brisbane, Australia, and a summer experience in Roatan, Honduras, at Clinica Esperanza. Traditional BSN students may apply to be part of UVA's long-standing Valencia First program, which first-year BSN students may apply to be part of as they seek application to the University and the School. And there are other opportunities to study abroad as well during students' education, including through UVA's wealth of global programs, opportunities through the Center for Global Health Equity, January Term experiences, Maymester opportunities, and summer study abroad opportunities.
When can I visit the School of Nursing?
We offer student-led tours most weekdays during the academic year (please phone ahead: 434-924-0141) throughout the year. Zoom info sessions for all our programs are also offered throughout the year.
Want to learn more?