Department of NursingAcademics
About the Department
Follow Your Passion and Care for Others
The world needs skilled nurses to take on the challenges of providing quality health care. Excellent nursing integrates holistic care, emotional intelligence, and public health advocacy. That's why the Nursing Department at Gustavus Adolphus College prepares future nurses by developing critical thinking and clinical reasoning abilities to meet ever-evolving health care demands. Grounded in the liberal arts experience, high-caliber and compassionate faculty collaborate with committed off-campus partners to provide unique hands-on experiences. The result is a well-rounded cohort of students who support each other and are ready to succeed in a nursing career. Learning from faculty with decades of clinical practice experience, you'll graduate from the Gustavus Nursing Program equipped to be an authentic leader in your field and an essential member of interprofessional healthcare teams.
Fast stats about the Gustavus Nursing Program
- 100% placement of Gustavus Nursing students before or within six months of graduation
- 35 states and U.S. territories where Gustavus Nursing alums practice
- 90% average first-attempt pass rate of Gustavus graduates on the NCLEX-RN®
Recognized as One of the Best Nursing Programs in Minnesota
When you enroll as a Nursing student at Gustavus Adolphus, you're joining an esteemed program recognized as a top option in the state. Located in Saint Peter, MN, the stunning Gustavus Adolphus campus is a perfect place to build close-knit relationships with proximity to big-city opportunities. You're minutes away from the medium-sized city of Mankato and an hour from the dynamic Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. On campus and beyond, enjoy rewarding hands-on experiences in collaboration with amazing healthcare partners.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Discover your path:
Majors, Minors, and Related Programs
The Gustavus Nursing Program prepares you for career accomplishment. Graduates are eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) to become a registered nurse. Graduates also meet the requirements for certification as a public health nurse in Minnesota. And keep in mind that our Nursing program opens you to a variety of career options. Behavioral health, pharmaceuticals, insurance, informatics…the list goes on, and we're here to support you in that journey. Whether you want to practice in hospitals, clinics, schools, public health agencies, or other community settings, pursuing your Nursing degree at Gustavus is that important first step toward your future. If you want to continue your education after Gustavus, you'll have a solid foundation for graduate study in master's and doctoral nursing programs in advanced practice, education, administration, research, and much more.
The Gustavus Nursing Program engages you with extensive clinical experiences in a variety of health care settings, as well as with state-of-the-art manikins in the simulation lab. Every Nursing course promotes whole-person wellbeing and multi-level care: one-to-one with individual patients, caring for and supporting families, and advocacy at the public health level. Throughout the program, you will partner with faculty to gain experience with hands-on clinical care. Nursing faculty are committed to connecting with all students individually so you can grow at every level.
Related Programs
Learn and Practice Without Leaving Campus
The facilities in Mattson Hall immerse you in large, updated classrooms and contextual lab spaces. Simulated patient care experiences allow you to enhance your assessment skills, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning abilities. You'll practice techniques related to intra- and interprofessional communication and collaboration. Mattson Hall houses three simulation suites equipped with high- and medium-fidelity manikins. Community members and students from the Theatre Department also participate at times to simulate patients in the real world. In addition to developing practical skills for safe patient care, additional experiences throughout the program build soft skills you'll need to provide empathetic, compassionate patient care.
Opportunities in Nursing
Gain New Perspectives Through Practical Patient Care
The Gustavus Nursing Department places you in experiential and community-engaged learning opportunities. You'll participate in clinical experiences and observations in hospitals, clinics, schools, community agencies, and client homes. These may include clinical partnerships and internships with urban and rural health care agencies that range from the heart of Minneapolis and St. Paul to Utqiagvik, Alaska. Additionally, the Nursing Department collaborates with other departments across campus to offer short-term study-away programs for academic credit.
Explore Opportunities in Nursing
- Clinical Learning Experiences — Build practical nursing skills with hands-on learning and observations in a variety of real-world settings
- Lab and Simulation — Prepare for clinical settings with activities that develop your ability to assess, intervene, and apply clinical reasoning
- Off-Campus Studies — Study nearby, far away, and even abroad to gain relevant experience for your Nursing career
- Internships — Participate in clinical learning experiences with agencies in Minnesota and beyond
- Student-Faculty Collaborative Research — Contribute to the knowledge base and explore opportunities in research alongside Nursing faculty
Gusties
will
Shine
Students in the Nursing Department are engaged in activities across campus, including student government, athletics, music, dance, and more. The faculty are active in the medical field, modeling the multi-faceted ways nursing cares for patients and communities. A liberal arts education plus involvement on campus and in the community prepares holistic graduates to lead in the nursing profession.
Emi Jono ’25
Nursing Major
“[Nursing Faculty] are understanding, supportive, and flexible, and I feel that I can come to them for questions and advice anytime.” Emi decided on a major in nursing due to the impact that nurses had on her life as a prenatal baby, saying “After contact with my neonatal nurse, my interest in nursing increased and […]
Keep in Touch With the Department of Nursing
As a Nursing student at Gustavus you will receive outstanding training for your professional career and have the opportunity to be immersed in a residential college experience where you can be involved across campus in the fine arts, athletics, and student organizations. You will gain a well-rounded education that will prepare you for success in your career. Start your journey in Nursing at Gustavus.
Contact Nursing
Email: nursing-chair@gustavus.eduPhone: 507-933-7317
Mattson Hall, 103
800 West College Avenue
Saint Peter, MN 56082