Type of Degree

B.S.

School or College

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Area of Study

Health and medicine

Program Format

On-campus, Full-time

Credit hours to graduate

123

Professional nursing at the University of Vermont is presented as both a science and an art.

Program Overview

You'll gain a competitive edge in your future career with our well-rounded education and access to state-of-the-art simulation and virtual reality technology, expert faculty clinicians and instructors, and the University of Vermont Health Network. With 594 hours of direct faculty-supervised clinical instruction, you'll have plenty of opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge and gain practical skills, preparing you for real-world clinical practice in your chosen area of interest within the healthcare field. You'll also have access to invaluable networking opportunities through our nursing program's partnerships with top healthcare organizations and community agencies.

Nursing students observe in the clinical simulation lab

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Vermont are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Master of Nursing program is a new program and as such is currently under review in the accreditation process.  The Office of Professional Regulation in the Vermont Secretary of State's office governs Vermont licensure requirements.

Curriculum

At UVM, you'll receive a well-rounded education with a balance of general and professional courses, providing a strong foundation for your nursing career. With a focus on both the sciences and humanities, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field of nursing. Plus, our curriculum structure ensures that you have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of nursing practice.

Nursing students practice skills on a mannekin in the simulation lab

Clinical Experience

Clinical experience begins in the second semester of the sophomore year and continues throughout the program. Students benefit from 594 hours of direct faculty-supervised clinical instruction. In the clinical setting, students apply theoretical knowledge drawn from the arts and sciences and based on evidence. Junior-level students experience intensive and diverse clinical practice in the acute care setting. Senior students have an immersion in Public Health and model their clinical experience either domestically or on faculty-led foreign travel education. In the spring of the senior year, students select a 126-hour clinical practicum in a preferred area of interest.

A Model Curriculum in Nursing

First Year

  • General Chemistry with Lab
  • Written Expression
  • Introduction to Psychological Science
  • Human Development
  • Introduction to Professional Nursing
  • Organic and Biochemistry with Lab
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Psychopathology
  • Fundamentals of Nutrition
  • Philosophy, Religion, or Ethics Elective

Sophomore Year

  • Undergraduate Human Anatomy and Physiology I
  • Microbiology and Pathogenesis
  • Elements of Statistics
  • Art and Science of Nursing
  • Undergraduate Human Anatomy and Physiology II
  • Research in Nursing
  • Health Assessment
  • Introduction to Clinical Practice

Junior Year

  • Pathophysiology
  • Gerontology
  • Pharmacology
  • Family-Centered Care for Women/Newborns
  • Elective
  • Health Alterations
  • Adult Health Nursing I
  • Child and Adolescent Health Nursing or Psych/Mental Health Nursing

Senior Year

  • Public Health Nursing
  • Adult Health Nursing II
  • Chronic and Palliative Care Nursing
  • Issues and Leadership in Professional Nursing
  • Practicum: Public Health Nursing
  • Transition to Professional Practice
  • Elective

Admissions

Nursing students gain experience at Appletree Bay Primary Care

Applicants are required to fulfill the university's general admission criteria.

Information Sessions

Consider attending an information session for prospective transfer or graduate students to discover the various nursing pathways available at UVM.

Outcomes

A nursing student inventories supplies in the clinic

Registered Nurse Licensing Exam (NCLEX) Pass Rates

PeriodUVM Pass RateNational Average
202396.15%87.62%
202289.52%82.95%
202187%86%
202092%86.5%
201995%92%

Sources include data from the University of Vermont and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

Costs and Funding

Plan for your education and explore numerous options for financial aid, including scholarships, loans, awards, and employment opportunities to help make your education affordable and accessible at Student Financial Services

Faculty speak with students in the task trainer room

 

More

You'll have options to gain experience and knowledge through travel study and exchange, research opportunities, and involvement in professional organizations such as the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, expanding your perspective and enhancing your nursing education. 

A nursing student practices CPR