Cost & earnings at Saint Martin's University What students borrow here, and what they go on to earn
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Martin's University is a professionally focused undergraduate programme that prepares students for Registered Nurse licensure and careers across clinical care, nursing administration, research and community health. It suits school leavers, transfer students and practising nurses seeking a baccalaureate degree who want a curriculum combining hands‑on clinical experience, leadership development and evidence‑based practice.
The BSN curriculum combines foundational sciences, nursing theory, evidence‑based practice and progressive clinical experience. Early coursework covers human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, lifespan development and health assessment. Nursing topics progress from fundamentals and pharmacology to medical‑surgical, maternal/child, paediatric, mental health and community/public health nursing.
Upper‑division study emphasises complex care, leadership, quality improvement, nursing research methods and population health. Students complete clinical placements in acute, long‑term, outpatient and community settings, and use simulation labs to practise skills and interprofessional teamwork. Elective and capstone options allow deeper focus on areas such as nursing administration, clinical specialities or nursing research.
Admission is based on a combination of academic preparation, prerequisite completion and demonstrated suitability for professional nursing. Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent plus completion of required prerequisite courses such as human anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry and college‑level English and mathematics. Transfer applicants should submit college transcripts showing completed general education and science prerequisites.
Additional requirements usually include a minimum competitive GPA, a personal statement or essay, and references. Accepted applicants must meet professional standards such as background checks, immunisation and health clearances, and current basic life support (BLS) certification prior to clinical placements. There are also pathways for registered nurses holding an associate degree to complete a BSN through a bridge or RN‑to‑BSN route.
Graduates are prepared to sit the national licensure examination for registered nurses and to enter diverse roles across healthcare. Typical first roles include staff nurse positions in hospitals, community health centres, long‑term care facilities and outpatient clinics. With the BSN preparation in leadership and research, graduates also move into roles such as charge nurse, case manager, quality improvement coordinator, public health nurse and clinical educator.
A BSN is the common foundation for nurses who later pursue graduate study in advanced practice (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist), nursing administration, nursing education or health systems leadership. Graduates may also find opportunities in research teams, health policy, and community and global health programmes.
Saint Martin's offers a personalised learning environment with relatively small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, emphasising whole‑person care in line with its Benedictine tradition. The nursing programme integrates classroom learning with extensive simulation and real‑world clinical placements through partnerships with regional hospitals and community providers, preparing students for immediate practice.
Faculty bring active clinical experience and a commitment to student success, including NCLEX‑RN preparation, advising for career and graduate pathways, and support for service‑learning and community engagement. The programme’s emphasis on leadership, ethics and evidence‑based practice helps graduates move into roles that shape patient care and health systems locally and beyond.
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