Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Offered by Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, Kentucky
Overview
Career outlook
Employers hire BSN-prepared registered nurses for direct patient care as well as roles requiring expanded leadership, research, and community-health competencies across nearly every healthcare setting.
Getting in
What Northern Kentucky University asks for, taken from its own admissions page.
What you'll need
- Prerequisite courses
- Transcripts
- Background check
- CPR certification
- Immunizations
- Health insurance
Separate selective application (start.nku.edu/register/BSNApplication) in addition to NKU admission; apply by January 15 for fall nursing courses or August 15 for spring (transfer transcripts due Feb 15 / Sept 15). Minimum cumulative GPA 3.00 (or 3.00 on the last 30 credit hours), C or higher in BIO 208 and PSY 100, eligibility for CHE 115, STA 205 and BIO 209, no more than one semester of science failures in the last two years, sciences under five years old; ACT required for transfers with fewer than 24 credits; a personal interview may be requested. Direct-admit Norse Nurse Scholar track for high school seniors needs ACT 27 or SAT 1280, 3.5 GPA and two essays by January 15. 124 credits, 8 semesters.
Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.
Paths
Routes into BSN. The first step is where you enroll today.
Pre-Nursing to RN
University BSN pathway
Ready to become a nurse? Start with Pre-Nursing, find university BSN programs that fit your goals, and get help planning your prerequisites and applications.
- Timeline
- 4 years
Pre-Nursing to RN
HBCU BSN pathway
Ready to become a nurse? Start with Pre-Nursing, find BSN programs at historically Black colleges and universities, and get help planning your prerequisites and applications.
- Timeline
- 4 years
CNA Exam Prep to RN
University BSN pathway
Ready to become a nurse? Start by preparing for your CNA exam, gain patient care experience, and get help planning your path into a university BSN program.
- Timeline
- 4 years
Georgia CNA to RN
University BSN pathway
Ready to become a nurse in Georgia? Start with your CNA, gain patient care experience, and get help planning your path into a BSN program at a Georgia university.
- Timeline
- 4 years
Acceptees
Acceptees whose paths lead to this program, and how they got in.
