Bachelor of ScienceNursing (BSN)

Nursing students

Begin your rewarding journey as a nurse with our Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

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Why earn your nursing degree at Bellarmine?

At Bellarmine, you’ll learn from the best nursing instructors in the region, who will put you on the path toward a rewarding career in nursing. You’ll also benefit from the renowned Bellarmine undergraduate program, which teaches critical-thinking and leadership skills. Our small class sizes ensure your professors will be there to support you, and you’ll learn the highest standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct. And you’ll benefit from our location in Louisville, Kentucky, which has some of the best clinical settings and major healthcare employers in the nation.

Program Highlights

Our BSN program prepares you to function independently or in collaboration with other health care providers to serve individuals and families in hospitals and community settings. We’ve designed our program to encourage your active participation in achieving program outcomes. Upon completion of the program, you will have a recognition of and desire for continuing professional development and a sound foundation for pursuing graduate education in nursing.

Graduates of the BSN program will be able to:

  • Synthesize knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences, and the discipline of nursing, in the provision of professional nursing care. 
  • Demonstrate leadership skills to ensure patient safety and enhance quality of care, within the context of the interprofessional team.
  • Integrate evidence-based practice in the planning of care for individuals, families, groups, and populations.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments in healthcare delivery and practice. 
  • Implement population-focused nursing interventions across the lifespan. 
  • Function as a professional nurse in accordance with standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct. 
  • Incorporate information systems and patient-care technologies in the delivery of quality nursing care.
Graduate at hospital working

“Everyone within the nursing program at Bellarmine takes great pride in developing the best nurses possible. I will never forget Lori Minton, my first instructor in my sophomore year clinicals. She provided me with the basic skills and knowledge I needed to build a great foundation as a nurse. Whatever your passion is, you can pursue it at Bellarmine.”

Stephanie Wilson Oeswein FNP, APRN
Baptist Health CBC Group
BSN '11, MSN '14

Funding Opportunities

There are several funding opportunities available to assist your financial journey to becoming a nurse – from significant scholarships to loan forgiveness programs and more. Explore the information below to discover which funding opportunity might be right for you.

BS, Nursing (including Accelerated Second Degree BSN)

Norton Healthcare – Norton Scholars Program

  • The Norton Scholars Program, offered by Norton Healthcare, provides scholarships to students pursuing healthcare careers. Recipients commit to working at Norton Healthcare facilities after graduation, contributing to the provision of high-quality healthcare services in the Louisville, Kentucky region.
  • Receive up to $45,000 in tuition assistance and complete your Accelerated BSN in 12 months with no upfront tuition costs.

Baptist Healthcare – Nursing Knowledge Program

  • The Baptist Healthcare Nursing Knowledge Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of nursing professionals within the Baptist Healthcare system. Exclusive to Bellarmine, the program aims to promote continuous learning, professional development, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship

The Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship is available for students enrolled in the Norton Scholars or Baptist Nursing Knowledge Programs. Students taking full advantage of these opportunities may receive funding to cover the remaining tuition balance at Bellarmine University.

To qualify, applicants must be admitted to Bellarmine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and submit a signed contract from either Norton or Baptist by the scholarship deadline.

  • May Cohort Deadline: April 1st
  • January Cohort Deadline: December 1st

Please note: Students receiving the Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship will not be eligible for the free first semester housing.

Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program

ROTC

  • ROTC programs offer funding opportunities for nursing degrees by providing scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and stipends. These programs allow students to pursue their nursing education while receiving financial support in exchange for a service commitment in the military as a nurse after graduation. Learn more.

    Kentucky Board of Nursing – Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

    • Kentucky Board of Nursing's Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to aspiring nurses in Kentucky. The program aims to increase the number of qualified nurses in the state by offering scholarships to individuals pursuing nursing education, fostering the growth of the nursing workforce.

    UofL Health Nursing Scholar Program

    Financial Aid (FAFSA)

    • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides funding opportunities for nursing degrees by determining a student's eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. By completing the FAFSA, nursing students can access financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Learn more.

     

    Graduate: MSN and DNP

    Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program

    U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program

    Kentucky Board of Nursing – Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund

    • Kentucky Board of Nursing's Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to aspiring nurses in Kentucky. The program aims to increase the number of qualified nurses in the state by offering scholarships to individuals pursuing nursing education, fostering the growth of the nursing workforce.

    Financial Aid (FAFSA)

    • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides funding opportunities for nursing degrees by determining a student's eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. By completing the FAFSA, nursing students can access financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Learn more.

    Tuition Remission for Bellarmine Clinical Instructors*

    As a Bellarmine Nursing Clinical Instructor, you may be eligible for the Bellarmine tuition remission benefit offered to Bellarmine employees. To apply to be a clinical instructor visit the Bellarmine employment opportunities page.

    Partner Discounts (Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare)*

    If you are an employee of one of our partner organizations, you may be eligible for a tuition discount of 15-19%.

    • Doctoral Level (Rate $880) – Discount Rate (15% off): $750
    • Master’s Level (Rate $795) – Discount Rate (19% off): $645

     

    * Excludes DNP-Nurse Anesthesia and Accelerated BSN programs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is admission into the nursing program competitive?

    No. As long as you meet the admission criteria, you will be accepted into the nursing program.

    When do I get to start clinicals?

    Clinicals begin your first semester, sophomore year.

    What is your NCLEX pass rate?

    Bellarmine graduates consistently surpass the national, regional, and local first-time pass rates, and over the last 5 years they have averaged a 91.4% First Time Pass Rate. (Kentucky Board of Nursing data)

    What types of clinical settings do you offer?

    Clinicals take place in medical surgical, community, pediatric, psychiatric, maternal-child, and critical care settings. Students also complete a leadership clinical where they work with a nurse leader in a hospital setting.

    How many graduates find a job when they graduate?

    100% of our new graduates find employment upon graduation. Most have jobs secured in their last semester of the program.

    Career Opportunities

    As a graduate of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you’ll be qualified for many roles in the field of nursing. Our alumni have gone on to rewarding careers in acute care hospitals, primary care outpatient clinics, community heath settings, school health and as nurse educators. You’ll also be qualified to pursue a higher degree, such as a master of science in nursing (MSN), a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP), or a doctoral degree in nursing (PhD). This may include many tracks such as a nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, or nursing education, among others.

    On Campus Experiences

    Nursing students enjoy many experiences on campus. The Bellarmine Association of Nursing Students (BANS) organizes, represents and mentors nursing students to convey professionalism in nursing practice, promote networking and serve the local community through service projects.

    Faculty and Staff

    Here is a quick snapshot of a few of our faculty members. Read profiles of all of our distinguished faculty and staff.

    Leslie Leffler

    Leslie Leffler, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
    BSN Department Chair
    Phone: 502-272-7974
    Email: lleffler@bellarmine.edu

    Headshot of Lori Minton

    Lori Minton, EDD, RN
    Director of Accelerated Program
    Phone: 502-272-7967
    Email: lminton@bellarmine.edu

    Admission Requirements

    To be admitted to the BSN program you must first be admitted to Bellarmine University. Upon completion of all courses designated in the BSN curriculum for the freshman year, you must apply for admission into the BSN program. For a comprehensive list of admission requirements, please visit our Admission Requirements page.

    Simulation Lab

    Bellarmine University's Healthcare Simulation Lab is a state-of-the-art facility that provides hands-on training to students in a safe and controlled environment. The lab is equipped with advanced simulation technology, including high-fidelity mannequins, task trainers, and virtual reality systems, to simulate a variety of medical scenarios. Students in the nursing, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy programs have the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience and improve their skills through simulations in the lab.

     

    Disclosure for Students who Reside outside of Kentucky

    • Bellarmine University cannot confirm whether its courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Kentucky. Prior to enrolling in a Bellarmine program, a student who does not reside in Kentucky should contact applicable licensing board(s) in the student’s home state to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student resides.
    • Nursing licensure contacts: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm 

    Accreditation

    The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-master’s FNP certificate program at Bellarmine University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

    The BSN program is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
    312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300
    Louisville, KY 40222
    (502) 429-3300
    https://kbn.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx
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