BSN Degree - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
What Is a BSN Degree?
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an undergraduate nursing degree that provides a well-rounded education in nursing practice, patient care, health assessment, clinical judgment and evidence-based care. GCU’s pre-licensure BSN program is designed for students preparing to pursue initial licensure as registered nurses (RNs).
Throughout the program, you will be taught nursing concepts and develop clinical competencies for caring for patients across the lifespan and in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based and holistic nursing practices, quality and safety and care for diverse individuals, families and communities. Through nursing coursework and clinical experiences, you can prepare to apply your knowledge and clinical judgment to patient care and prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN(See disclaimer ®)) to become an RN.(See disclaimer 1)
Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
- 16+ years old
- High School Graduate
- 2.8+ Unweighted GPA
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
- ACT: 19
- SAT: 1000*
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
What To Expect in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
In the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, you will build nursing knowledge through classroom instruction, hands-on learning in skills labs, immersive simulation experiences and supervised clinical practice. Your studies are designed to help you develop clinical judgment, communication and patient care competencies while preparing to care for individuals across the lifespan.
As a GCU nursing student, you will also examine nursing practice through the lens of a Christian worldview, with an emphasis on compassion, ethical decision-making, human dignity and service to others. These experiences can help prepare you to approach nursing practice with a holistic perspective while developing the knowledge and competencies expected of a future registered nurse.
The Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree Experience at GCU
A Vibrant Nursing Student Campus Experience
On campus, you can study alongside other aspiring nurses while becoming part of GCU’s campus community. As an on-campus BSN student, you can engage with classmates, faculty and campus resources while participating in the broader student experience outside the classroom.
Clinical Experience
During clinical experiences, you will apply nursing knowledge while providing care to patients under the supervision of nursing faculty and clinical professionals. You will also complete a capstone experience that integrates research, evidence-based practice and concepts related to quality and patient safety.
Immersive Patient Care Simulations
The Lopes Center for Nursing Simulation gives you opportunities to apply nursing concepts in realistic patient care scenarios within a controlled learning environment. Simulation experiences are designed to help you develop clinical judgment, critical thinking, communication and patient care competencies before applying them in clinical settings.
Earn Your Degree From an Accredited BSN Program
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies. For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university licensures, please visit our Nursing Accreditation and Regulations page.
Support and Resources for BSN Students
You can access resources designed to support you throughout your nursing education, including information about clinical requirements, nursing policies, student expectations and other student resources available through the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions.
A BSN Graduate’s Experience at GCU
"My experience at the College of Nursing at GCU has prepared me super well for transitioning into real-life nursing. Not only based off the skills I'm learning, but the ways I'm learning to interact with other people."
"My experience at the College of Nursing at GCU has prepared me super well for transitioning into real-life nursing. Not only based off the skills I'm learning, but the ways I'm learning to interact with other people."
What Will I Study in the BSN Program?
The BSN program combines nursing coursework with hands-on clinical experiences designed to help you develop competencies in patient assessment, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, health promotion and patient-centered care. You will be taught how to care for individuals across the lifespan while examining areas such as adult health, behavioral health, pediatrics, obstetrics and pharmacology. Coursework also emphasizes nursing leadership, professional ethics, communication and the use of healthcare technology.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field or have prior college credits, consider GCU’s accelerated BSN (ABSN) program as another pathway to a nursing degree. This program builds on your prior college experience to help you earn your BSN degree sooner.
Core Course Topics in the BSN Degree
Your nursing coursework covers patient populations and areas of practice that can help you build a broad foundation for generalist nursing care. You will examine how health needs and nursing interventions can differ across stages of life and patient circumstances.
Core topics studied throughout the BSN degree include:
Head-to-toe health assessment
Develop systematic approaches to assessing patients and gathering health information that can inform nursing care and clinical decisions.
Adult health
Examine nursing care for adults experiencing acute and chronic health conditions, including assessment, interventions and health promotion.
Behavioral health
Explore nursing care for individuals experiencing mental and behavioral health concerns, with attention to therapeutic communication and patient-centered care.
Pediatrics
Study nursing care for infants, children and adolescents while considering developmental stages and the needs of patients and families.
Obstetrics
Examine nursing concepts related to pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care and the health needs of mothers and newborns.
Pharmacology
Study principles of medication administration, drug actions, patient safety and nursing responsibilities related to pharmacological care.
What Can You Do With a BSN?
A BSN can prepare you to pursue RN licensure and begin building a nursing career across a variety of patient populations and healthcare settings. After earning a pre-licensure BSN, you must meet applicable state requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN to become licensed. Depending on your interests and available opportunities, you may pursue nursing practice in hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient care centers, residential care facilities, community settings or schools, with areas of practice that can include medical-surgical, pediatric, behavioral health and community or public health nursing.(See disclaimer 2)(See disclaimer )
A BSN can also provide a foundation for continued professional development as your nursing career progresses. After gaining clinical experience, some RNs choose to pursue graduate nursing education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), to deepen their nursing knowledge, sharpen clinical skills or prepare to potentially pursue advanced or leadership roles. Career options and requirements vary by employer, role and state, so your BSN should be viewed as the educational and licensure foundation for a range of possible nursing pathways rather than preparation for one specific nursing position.
A BSN can provide a foundation for pursuing registered nursing opportunities across different areas of patient care. Examples of nursing specialties and areas of practice include:
Medical-surgical nursing
Provide nursing care to adult patients experiencing a range of medical conditions or recovering from surgical procedures.
Pediatric nursing
Care for infants, children and adolescents while addressing health needs that can vary throughout stages of development.
Behavioral health nursing
Support patients experiencing mental and behavioral health conditions through assessment, therapeutic communication and coordinated care.
Community and public health nursing
Promote health and help address healthcare needs among individuals, families and populations within communities.
GCU’s NCLEX first-time pass rate for Phoenix, Arizona in Q2 2025 was 98.11% (106)(See disclaimer 3)
Median annual salary for registered nurses as of May 2025(See disclaimer 4)
Explore BSN Degree Tuition and Financial Options
Planning for the cost of your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is an important part of preparing for college. Explore our on-campus tuition information, institutional scholarship opportunities and other resources that may help you understand your potential education expenses and financial options.
Over $404M in scholarships awarded to GCU students in 2025.
Ways To Save
Your education is an important financial investment, and there are several ways to help manage costs while earning your degree. GCU’s university counselors are available to help you explore available options and provide personalized guidance on your estimated cost of attendance.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine eligibility for federal grants and student loans. Since some aid is awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis, GCU recommends submitting the FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1 to maximize funding opportunities.
If you’ve earned college credits from another institution, you may be able to complete your degree sooner at GCU by transferring those credits. Submit the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation form, then connect with a university counselor who can provide you with personalized guidance.
You may be able to reduce your college costs by applying for GCU’s on-campus or online student scholarships. We invite you to explore available institutional scholarships and determine which opportunities you may be eligible for. GCU also encourages students to seek out third‑party scholarships and grants.
Explore Your Financial Options
Connect with a university counselor to learn more about tuition, cost-planning resources and available options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Nursing
Explore answers to common questions about earning a BSN degree, preparing for RN licensure and completing a pre-licensure nursing program.
Do I need to be an RN to get a BSN?
What does pre-licensure mean?
How does a BSN degree prepare you for passing the NCLEX-RN?
What can I expect from immersive simulation suites in the BSN degree program?
What Transition to Practice opportunities are available to BSN students?
How does an associate nursing degree compare to a BSN degree?
What Are the Admission Requirements for the BSN Pre-Licensure Degree?
GCU offers a streamlined admission process with no application fee, personal statement or essay required. High school students may qualify for admission by meeting either the minimum GPA requirement or minimum SAT or ACT test score requirements. Admission criteria may vary by degree or program, so please review the requirements for your chosen program.
You can apply to a degree program at GCU in just three simple steps. Your university counselor is standing by to assist you with any questions about the application process.
It starts with selecting the program that aligns with your goals from one of GCU's 380+ academic programs — from undergraduate degrees to post-master’s certificate programs to doctoral degrees.
Pick your program
Explore our on-campus, online or evening cohort options under the Degree Programs page to find the right program for you.
Complete our online application
Your university counselor will direct you to the online application. Fill in all required information and submit the form.
Submit supporting documents
Submit your official transcripts and any relevant test scores, and confirm with your university counselor that all forms for your desired program are submitted.
Program Curriculum
General Education Requirements
Required General Education Courses
Core Courses
Explore More on the BSN Program
Review nursing articles and resources to learn more about nursing education, the RN career path and topics that can help you prepare for your future in nursing.
Prepare for the next stage of your nursing education with GCU’s pre-licensure BSN program. Build nursing knowledge and clinical competencies through coursework, skills labs, simulation and supervised clinical experiences as you prepare to pursue RN licensure.
- All nursing students are responsible for understanding the state nursing licensure requirements for the state in which they plan to practice.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). Registered Nurses: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved November 2024.
- Arizona Board of Nursing. Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates. Retrieved September 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Registered Nurses, as of May 2025, retrieved September 2026. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as registered nurses, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.