Interested in going into nursing after college? You may already know that this popular academic path offers high job placement, a good starting salary, and many different specialties. Additionally, nursing offers many different certifications and degrees that can provide more earning power and leadership opportunities. But at Colorado State, it looks a little different. It’s important to know that CSU does not offer a traditional nursing major (BSN). So, let’s take a look at how CSU students can prepare to enter the nursing field after graduation.
What are my options at CSU if I’m interested in nursing or other medical careers?
CSU offers a health professions advising office, where you’ll get individual attention from an advisor who will help you prepare a competitive application for nursing programs. You can meet regularly with your advisor to ensure you’re on track with prerequisite coursework, find opportunities outside the classroom, and be guided through the application process to health professions programs.
If you’re interested in working in the medical field but not 100% set on nursing, CSU’s health professions advising is a great option. You’ll get top-notch advising to help you explore nursing and medical career paths (including physician’s assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, dentistry, and beyond), and to help you discover which is the best path for you. Health professions advising will allow you to explore your options alongside gaining experience and completing rigorous coursework to prepare you for whatever profession you choose to go into.
Additionally, since many of the courses needed for health professions apply to multiple occupations and disciplines within the sciences, you can benefit from more-challenging and diverse academic options.
I’m set on Colorado State and interested in nursing. What are my options?
There are options for you at CSU if you know you want to be a Ram and you are committed to nursing from day one. You’ll still be set up with health professions advising, where you can talk more in depth about your academic path at CSU and what you’ll need to become a nurse afterward. You’ll benefit from CSU’s rigorous science coursework and you’ll work to prepare for the work you’ll do in nursing school. You will be advised to either plan to transfer to an institution with a BSN program, or complete prerequisites at CSU and then apply to clinical programs at BSN-granting institutions. You can also earn a non-nursing bachelor’s degree while completing prerequisites, and then pursue an accelerated BSN program after graduation.
If you’re interested in programs that will get you to the field efficiently, you might consider an institution that offers the traditional BSN degree. While CSU is equipped to provide the hands-on learning, prerequisite classes, lab time, and test prep needed to become a nurse, a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing is not yet an option here.
Still exploring nursing or other professional health programs at CSU?
Watch our video on health professions advising and find out how to get in touch with an advisor to explore next steps.
