Contact Info
Office location: Education II North, Room 3255
Mailing address: 13120 East 19th Avenue, 3rd Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone number: 303-724-1812
Web Page: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/
Email: Nursing.admissions@ucdenver.edu
Overview: Multiple Pathways to Your Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
Earn your Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing degree in person or online, traditionally, or at your own pace, from one of the top ten programs in the country. The University of Colorado College of Nursing has been ranked among the best nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2017 and 2021.
The BS program is led by world-renowned faculty who understand the challenges of earning a degree. That's why our programs and classes are offered in multiple ways with varied schedules. From a traditional classroom setting to an accelerated track for those with bachelor's degrees in a non nursing field to an online format — we have something for everyone. All of our online courses are taught by the same top-notch teachers, researchers and writers as our in-person courses. We know one of our pathways will work for you. Students begin their journey at a community college or four-year university earning the necessary pre-requisites to enter the nursing program. After two years, you will move to the College of Nursing -- either online or at the Anschutz Medical Campus where you will focus on nursing studies.
CU Online courses in the College of Nursing are challenging and rigorous, but many are designed for students who are working full-time in professional nursing settings. Even if you live outside Colorado, you can be a part of CU through these cutting-edge, high-quality courses.
The courses will prepare you to practice general medicine as a nurse at the baccalaureate level. You'll learn to manage patient care with compassion through the advocacy of evidence-based, relationship-centered, and team-based care to enhance and sustain health and healing. Students work together with other disciplines across the campus including pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, and public health.
The University of Colorado College of Nursing offers three baccalaureate paths:
- A BS in Nursing degree with Traditional Pathway, including the Integrated Nursing Pathway track through the community colleges of Aurora, Denver, and Red Rocks. This is a full-time, 24-month option, designed for students who may or may not have earned a degree in the past. It includes classroom, clinical simulation, and clinical practice.
- An accelerated "UCAN" Pathway. Designed for those who have earned a Bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. You'll take courses in person year-round, including spring and summer semesters. It allows students to complete the BS in Nursing in 12 months and includes all of the same coursework as the Traditional Pathway.
- An online RN to BS in nursing for current associate degree in nursing (ADN) students or registered nurses (RN). The program allows you to transfer your ADN credits so that you can complete your bachelor's in 16 months, while working full-time.
Quick Guide to CU College of Nursing Bachelor's Programs
- If you have an associate degree in nursing (ADN), check out our RN to BS in Nursing program.
- Explore dual enrollment if you have been accepted into an ADN program and want to dually enroll and complete a BS in nursing.
- If you're looking for a fast way to earn your bachelor's degree, check out UCAN which allows you to complete a BS in nursing in 12 months.
- Looking to go the traditional route to earn a BS in Nursing? Check out our 24-month program.
Admission to the College of Nursing bachelor of science program is highly competitive. In order to keep the selection process fair, admission requirements are definitive and applied to each application in the same manner. Please keep in mind that applications are not reviewed until they are Verified by NursingCAS. Your application to the College of Nursing must be Verified by the application deadline to be considered for admission.
Applications are submitted through Nursing’s Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).
For complete updated information related to applications to the College of Nursing TRADITIONAL PROGRAM, please visit: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/bachelors-program/traditional-nursing-bachelors-admissions.
For complete updated information related to applications to the College of Nursing UCAN (Accelerated) PROGRAM, please visit: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/bachelors-program/ucan-accelerated-bachelors-admissions.
or complete updated information related to applications to the College of Nursing RN-BS PROGRAM, please visit: https://nursing.cuanschutz.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/bachelors-program/online-rn-to-bs-in-nursing-admissions.
Baccalaureate (BS) Nursing Programs:
Traditional Nursing Pathway
The Traditional Pathway is a full-time, 24-month Bachelor of Science option, designed for students who may or may not have earned a degree in the past. This program includes class room, clinical simulation, and clinical practice as part of the curriculum. Beginning with the summer 2019 cohort, the Traditional Pathway program will be primarily offered at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. However, Traditional students may be required to attend some classes or labs at the CU South Denver location in Lone Tree.
University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing (UCAN) Pathway
The accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing is a full-time, 12-month program option, which requires students have earned a previous bachelor’s degree by the semester or quarter prior to beginning the nursing program. The degree can be in a health-related or non-health related field of study. Beginning with the spring 2020 cohort, the UCAN program will be primarily offered at the CU South Denver location in Lone Tree, CO. However, UCAN students may be required to attend some classes or labs on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
RN-to-BS Pathway
Open the door to greater career options within the nursing field by completing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. The University of Colorado, College of Nursing Online RN to BS in Nursing program is completely online, allowing you to seek your BS degree, balance your life, and work at the same time. The availability of online courses supports the unique need for flexibility and access to adult learners who want to complete their bachelor of science degree while working. Educational technology, such as web-based courses, help to accommodate work schedules and other life commitments for our students.
- Apply if you are a licensed RN. Applications are not limited to Colorado residents.
- Transfer most previously completed prerequisite coursework from a regionally accredited institution.
- Complete the program in four semesters (balanced to work with tuition reimbursements).
- Enjoy the accessibility of online orientation and education.
- Join a cohort, beginning each fall and spring, for progression and connection within a group.
- Benefit from practicum experiences designed to meet your personal goals.
- Focus on an individual area of interest (create a project meaningful and useful to you and your organization).
- Take advantage of earning your BS in nursing from the CU College of Nursing.
Traditional Nursing Pathway
Summer
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Hours | |
| NURS 3023 | Patient-Centered Health Assessment Didactic 1.3, Clinical 1.5, All Term | 3 |
| NURS 3140 | Pathophysiology for Nurses Didactic 3.0, All Term | 3 |
| NURS 3880 | Nursing Role and Practice Didactic 2.0, All Term | 2 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Fall
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| NURS 3150 | Pharmacology for Nurses Didactic 3.0, All Term | 3 |
| NURS 3033 | Foundations for Quality, Safe Nursing Practice Didactic 2.5, Clinical 1.5, Block I | 4 |
| NURS 3667 | Nursing Care of the Older Adult Didactic 1.75, Clinical 0.25, Block I | 2 |
| NURS 3617 | Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice I Didactic 3.4, Clinical 2.6, Block II | 6 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Spring
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| NURS 4071 | Interprofessional Education: Ethics, Teamwork, Quality I Didactic 1.0, All Term | 1 |
| NURS 3267 | Health Promotion Didactic 2.0, All Term | 2 |
| NURS 3567 | Mental Health Nursing Practice across the Lifespan Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5, Block I | 5 |
| NURS 4617 | Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Complex Care Needs Didactic 3.0, Clinical 4.0, Block II | 7 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Year 1 total credit hours:
Didactic Hours: 25.65
Clinical Hours: 12.35
Total Hours: 38
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| NURS 3080 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Didactic 3.0, All Term | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| NURS 4072 | InterprofessionalEducation II: Ethics,Teamwork,Quality Didactic 1.0, All Term | 1 |
| NURS 3447 | Nursing Care of Children and Families Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5, Block I | 5 |
| NURS 3337 | Nursing Care of Childbearing Families Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5, Block II | 5 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Total Hours | 11 | |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| NURS 4917 | Immersion in Clinical Nursing Didactic 2.0, Clinical 6.0, Block I | 8 |
| NURS 4777 | Community & Population Focused Nursing Didactic 3.0, Clinical 2.5, Block II | 5.5 |
| Hours | 13.5 | |
| Total Hours | 13.5 | |
YEAR 2 TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:
Didactic Hours: 14
Clinical Hours: 13.5
Total Hours: 27.5
University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing (UCAN) Pathway
SPRING
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hours | |
| NURS 3023 | Patient-Centered Health Assessment Didactic 1.5, Clinical 1.5 | 3 |
| NURS 3033 | Foundations for Quality, Safe Nursing Practice Dadactic 2.5, Clinical 1.5 | 4 |
| NURS 3140 | Pathophysiology for Nurses Didactic 3.0 | 3 |
| NURS 3150 | Pharmacology for Nurses Didactic 3.0 | 3 |
| NURS 3267 | Health Promotion Didactic 2.0 | 2 |
| NURS 3617 | Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice I Didactic 3.4, Clinical 2.6 | 6 |
| NURS 3667 | Nursing Care of the Older Adult Didactic 1.75, Clinical 0.25 | 2 |
| Hours | 23 | |
| Total Hours | 23 | |
SUMMER
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| NURS 3337 | Nursing Care of Childbearing Families Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5 | 5 |
| NURS 3447 | Nursing Care of Children and Families Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5 | 5 |
| NURS 3567 | Mental Health Nursing Practice across the Lifespan Didactic 2.5, Clinical 2.5 | 5 |
| NURS 3080 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Didactic 3.0 | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
FALL
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| NURS 4080 | Professional Nursing: Transition into the Role Didactic 4.0 | 4 |
| NURS 4617 | Nursing Care of the Adult Patient with Complex Care Needs Didactic 3.0, Clinical 4.0 | 7 |
| NURS 4777 | Community & Population Focused Nursing Didactic 3.0, Clinical 2.5 | 5.5 |
| NURS 4917 | Immersion in Clinical Nursing Didactic 2.0, Clinical 6.0 | 8 |
| Hours | 24.5 | |
| Total Hours | 24.5 | |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:
Didactic Hours: 39,65
Clinical Hours: 25.85
Total Hours: 65.5
RN-to-BS Pathway
Year 1
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 4824 | Professional Nursing Role Development - RN | 4 |
| NURS 4850 | Introduction to Health Care Informatics - RN 3 Didactic credits | 3 |
| NURS 4800 | Evidenced-Based Nursing Practice & Research for the RN 4 Didactic credits | 4 |
| NURS 4860 | Quality, Safety, & Innovative Nursing Practice-RN 4 Didactic credits | 4 |
| NURS 4877 | Population-Based Nursing - RN 5 Didactic credits. 1 Clinical credit | 6 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Year 2
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 4887 | Nursing Leadership in Complex Organizations I 4 Didactic credits | 4 |
| NURS 4897 | Nursing Leadership in Complex Organizations II 5 Didactic credits | 5 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:
Didactic Hours: 29
Clinical Hours: 1
Total Hours: 30
BS Program Outcomes
Approved 12-2017
- Display novice/professional nursing leadership qualities to promote quality and safe care.
- Engage in effective communication and collaboration in intra-and inter-disciplinary teams across a variety of contexts.
- Provide socially just, ethical, and inclusive care to diverse populations across the continuum of care.
- Apply principles of health care informatics as a meaningful user of health information systems and technology.
- Reference relevant theoretical frameworks to improve patient and population health outcomes across a range of settings.
- Integrate evidence-based practice into patient-centered care using the nursing process across a range of settings.
- Articulate how policy, advocacy, finance, and regulatory environments influence health care delivery.