Nursing
Major in the School of Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers students a dynamic course of study that is both theoretical and practical.
The BSN program prepares graduates to work in a wide variety of clinical settings and provides the necessary foundation for masters and doctor degrees in nursing. Graduates of the BSN program will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Passing this examination is one of the requirements for licensure through the Board of Nursing (BON) for the State of Texas.
The field of nursing offers a vast array of career choices. The nursing profession represents the largest segment of the health care workforce, with more than three million nurses in the U.S. alone. Nursing graduates work in many practice environments, such as hospitals, schools, academia, homes, retail health clinics, long-term care facilities, military service, flight nursing, management and hospital administration, global health organizations, and community and public health centers. Some specializations in nursing require an advanced degree.
Declaration Requirements
ShowProspective University of Texas at Austin students should visit UT Admissions to learn about the application process and how to declare a major.
How to Declare
ShowUndergraduates currently enrolled in another college or school at The University of Texas at Austin who wish to pursue a degree in Nursing need to apply for an internal transfer to enter into the Professional Nursing Program. Learn more about the internal transfer process.
View application deadlines for admissions into the School of Nursing
Once admitted into the program, BSN students are designated by the semester in which they are enrolled.
- Students in the first semester of their sophomore year are referred to as Soph1, and in the second semester of their sophomore year as Soph2
- Students in the first semester of their junior year are referred to as J1s, and in the second semester of their junior year as J2s
- Students in the first semester of their senior year are referred to as S1s, and in the second semester of their senior year as S2s
Required Courses
ShowReview the degree plan and required courses, found under BSN Resources: Forms and Documents.
Students must be majors in the School of Nursing in order to take Nursing (N) courses. Visit the BSN website for more information.
Specializations
ShowThere are no specializations within the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
However, the School of Nursing does offer other programs that may be of interest to students with certain backgrounds.
For highly motivated students interested in enhancing their educational experience, the school offers an Undergraduate Nursing Honors Program. Students with prior undergraduate degrees in another discipline may opt to complete pursue a master's degree as part of the Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing program.
Personality
ShowThere are many different personality traits that make one well suited for multiple career options in nursing. A nurse should be compassionate, empathic, and optimistic. He/she should be driven to succeed, should genuinely like people and have a desire to take care of others.
Skills
ShowAll students accepted into the nursing program are expected to safely perform their responsibilities in clinical settings. Students must have sufficient motor, sensory, and observation skills, and they must be able to communicate well and analyze data in a timely manner. In addition, there are certain skills, competencies, and requirements necessary for licensure by the Texas Board of Nursing. Visit the Board of Nursing website for an overview of these requirements.
