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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2024-2025

Nursing

School of Nursing

 
Program description

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students for a rewarding career in the healthcare field by providing a comprehensive education that combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experiences. The program is designed to develop skilled, compassionate, and knowledgeable nursing professionals who are equipped to meet the diverse healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities.


Key components of the BSN include foundational courses in the biological, physical, and social sciences, which provide a solid understanding of the principles underpinning nursing practice. Students also engage in specialized nursing courses that cover critical areas such as adult health, pediatrics, mental health, and community health nursing. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and effective communication skills.


Clinical rotations are integral to the BSN experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision of experienced faculty and clinical preceptors. These rotations take place in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, clinics, and community agencies, ensuring that students gain a broad and diverse clinical perspective.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the BSN are well-prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and embark on successful careers as registered nurses. They are also equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong learning and professional development in the ever-evolving field of nursing. Recent alumni find employment in public, private, and community settings and with employers like the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Corrections, Bon Secours, HCA Hospitals, and the Inova Health System.


The BSN fosters a commitment to ethical practice and cultural competence, ensuring that graduates can provide high-quality, patient-centered care in diverse settings. Faculty members are experienced nurses dedicated to mentoring students and supporting their academic and professional growth. With a strong network of alumni and clinical partners, the BSN offers robust career placement support, helping graduates transition smoothly into the nursing workforce. Alumni are recognized for their leadership, clinical expertise, and dedication to improving patient outcomes, making them valuable assets to healthcare teams across the country.

Change of major requirements

To be minimally considered for admission to the School of Nursing, applicants must be eligible for readmission or be in good standing at the last college or university attended; submit a completed application with all required materials to the School of Nursing, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 based on a scale of 4.0 on all college coursework; and present coursework in anatomy, physiology or microbiology earned within the last 10 calendar years and with a grade of B or above.


Applicants who are international or non-native English speakers without a degree from a U.S. high school, college or university must provide additional information with their application according to the English language proficiency guidelines.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Nurse
  • Nurse Manager
  • Public Health Nurse
  • Registered Nurse
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • STAT 208 or STAT 210 or STAT 212
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.5+
Transfer Maps

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Nursing
Contact name:
Office of Student Services
Building/room location:
1100 East Leigh Street
Phone:
(804) 828-0724
Email:
vcu_nurse@vcu.edu
https://nursing.vcu.edu/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
MCV
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community.
  • Consider applying to the Honors College.
  • Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
  • If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
  • Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
  • Meet with a VCU librarian to explore scholarship opportunities unique to nursing students.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
  • Begin considering what type of nursing you want to practice and create a shortlist of departments that interest you the most.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Review your plan of study with your advisor and ensure you are earning grades of B or above on all required coursework.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Begin cultivating your own nursing philosophy in NURS 201 and consider how you will give back to your community as a registered nurse.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
  • Excel in your 300-level nursing classes and ensure you are on track to graduating.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Get involved with cutting-edge, international research at the School of Nursing by joining a research team.
  • Use your time in NURS 403 to consider how models for evidence-based practice can help improve access to care in RVA.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Begin considering the locale in which you want to work after graduation and make a shortlist of local and international regions that interest you.
  • Expand your leadership skills in NURS 478 by leading a group presentation on improving health outcomes in a patient population of interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
  • Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Earn grades of B or above in NURS 416 and NURS 425.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Consider joining an international service organization like Nurses Without Borders.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Deepen your knowledge, skills, and experiences in complex patient care by taking IPEC 563.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Become a more competitive job candidate and share your final paper in NURS 498 with prospective employers.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Nursing

School of Nursing

Concentration(s):
No concentration
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Apply to live in a Living-Learning Community.
  • Consider applying to the Honors College.
  • Get involved, meet people, and develop your interests by joining one of VCU's 50 student clubs and organizations.
  • If living on campus, connect with your Resident Assistant, attend hall events, and participate in Community Council.
  • Participate in RAM CAMP to get a jump start on learning about VCU’s campus community.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
  • Meet with a VCU librarian to explore scholarship opportunities unique to nursing students.
  • Activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • If eligible, consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Seek research opportunities by applying for research funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • Set up a profile in the Student Opportunity Center to explore REAL opportunities.
  • Begin considering what type of nursing you want to practice and create a shortlist of departments that interest you the most.
Experience Year 2
  • Explore innovation and business/non-profit creation classes with the da Vinci Center.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Talk to professors about your research interests, electives, and strategies for success in your classes.
  • Review your plan of study with your advisor and ensure you are earning grades of B or above on all required coursework.
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • If living on campus, join the Residence Hall Association.
  • Learn about the Sophomore Year Experience in Cary & Belvedere.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Begin cultivating your own nursing philosophy in NURS 201 and consider how you will give back to your community as a registered nurse.
  • Apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship.
  • Explore social issues, develop cultural competency skills, and engage with faculty through iExcel pop-up courses.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty.
  • Make friends with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Explore global career options with a career advisor to set goals for getting your dream job.
  • Organize examples of your academic and professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections in an ePortfolio.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Meet with a coach in the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Year 3
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.See your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
  • Excel in your 300-level nursing classes and ensure you are on track to graduating.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Get required REAL experience and effect community change by using iExcel’s Active Citizen’s Toolkit to vote and volunteer.
  • Prepare for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams by showcasing your interpersonal skills on your resume.
  • Get involved with cutting-edge, international research at the School of Nursing by joining a research team.
  • Use your time in NURS 403 to consider how models for evidence-based practice can help improve access to care in RVA.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Get expert advice from VCU Alumni ranging from graduate school to your career simply by asking a question through Ask A Ram.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Begin considering the locale in which you want to work after graduation and make a shortlist of local and international regions that interest you.
  • Expand your leadership skills in NURS 478 by leading a group presentation on improving health outcomes in a patient population of interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services.
  • Make a plan with your advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
Excel Year 4
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Earn grades of B or above in NURS 416 and NURS 425.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners.
  • Master your answers to interview questions about your experience working with diverse populations.
  • Plan for how you will grow your cultural agility after graduation.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Consider joining an international service organization like Nurses Without Borders.
  • Consider becoming an educator through programs like RTR, which prepare graduates from a variety of majors to become teachers in high-need schools.
  • Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
  • Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
  • Deepen your knowledge, skills, and experiences in complex patient care by taking IPEC 563.
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Become a more competitive job candidate and share your final paper in NURS 498 with prospective employers.