Nursing

The Traditional BSN track is designed for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree and beginning their path toward a career in nursing. This structured, academic route to earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing blends strong classroom preparation with meaningful, hands-on learning. Transfer students and students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply, provided they meet prerequisite requirements.

Students begin as Pre-Nursing majors and, based on GPA and completion of prerequisites, apply for admission into the formal Nursing program. The Traditional track includes two years of dedicated Nursing coursework, where students build a strong foundation in nursing science, clinical judgment, and patient-centered care. Clinical rotation experiences begin in the first semester of the Nursing program, allowing students to apply what they’re learning in real healthcare settings from the start.

Throughout the program, students gain practical experience through labs, high-fidelity simulation, and diverse clinical placements. In the final year, clinical rotations expand to hospitals and rural healthcare sites across the region through a special partnership between Western Colorado University and rural hospital systems. These immersive experiences help students grow confident in patient care while serving communities where skilled, compassionate nurses are needed most.

Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue licensure as registered nurses, ready to make an immediate impact in a variety of healthcare settings.

*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Western Colorado University is not yet accredited by a national nursing accrediting body. The lack of national nursing accreditation may limit future educational and career options for the students. Please read more information here.