Transfer InformationDepartment of Nursing
Why study Nursing at Gustavus?
Preparing nurses to provide safe and quality care begins with classroom and clinical learning experiences. Nursing courses at Gustavus are engaging, interactive, and promote critical thinking and clinical reasoning. Additionally, our clinical learning experiences occur in urban and rural settings. 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.
The Gustavus Nursing curriculum provides a broad understanding of the discipline of nursing as a way of looking at the world. Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to apply for initial licensure by examination for registered nurses offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
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
- 97% average first-attempt pass rate of Gustavus graduates on the NCLEX-RN®
Application instructions
- Complete the NursingCAS application
- Request that official transcripts from all U.S. institutions attended be sent to NursingCAS
- Complete an interview and proctored essay with Gustavus Nursing Department faculty members
The NursingCAS Application is the only required application for both admission to Gustavus and the Nursing Program.
Minimum requirements for admission
- Cumulative GPA of 2.85 All Nursing prerequisite courses taken for a letter grade
- Successful completion of all Nursing prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA of 2.85
- A grade of C or higher in 8 of the 9 prerequisite courses (a grade of C- in one of the prerequisite courses will be accepted)
- Current certification as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR, accepted certifications include: American Heart Association BLS or American Red Cross BLS/CPR for healthcare certifications)
- Physical exam, immunizations (Mantoux/Tuberculosis, MMR, Hep B, Chickenpox/Varicella, Tdap, COVID-19 and Influenza), and proof of health insurance
- Successful background check
Required prerequisite courses
The following courses must be completed before admission to the Nursing program:
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Lifespan Development
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Psychology
- Pre-Health Professions (may be substituted for a similar course or taken concurrently upon admission)
- Sociology or Anthropology
Check how your coursework will transfer to Gustavus by contacting KP Pauly, Assistant Dean of Transfer Admission.
Nursing Department mission and program outcomes
The Department of Nursing fosters the development of nursing professionals who demonstrate the values of justice, faith, community, excellence, and service through cognitive practice, integration of learning, ethical reflection, and intercultural understanding.
“My transfer experience has been great. All the staff at Gustavus, especially in the nursing department, have been extremely helpful in guiding me to where I want to be. My decision to transfer has been one of the best decisions I could've made for my future.”
Brooke Remington ’24, Nursing Major