Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Bellarmine University prepares students to become compassionate, skilled nurses ready to meet the needs of patients, families, and communities. The program blends nursing education with a strong liberal arts foundation to develop clinical judgment, leadership, and ethical decision-making.
Through classroom learning, simulation experiences, and clinical placements across the Louisville healthcare community, students graduate prepared to practice nursing.
Why study Nursing at Bellarmine?
Bellarmine’s Nursing program combines personalized instruction, hands-on clinical learning, and strong partnerships with leading healthcare systems to help students launch successful nursing careers. Small class sizes allow students to work closely with experienced faculty who mentor and support them throughout their education.
Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine provides access to outstanding clinical environments and healthcare employers, giving students valuable real-world experience early in the program. Students benefit from funding partnerships with regional healthcare systems, which combined with Bellarmine’s strong academic preparation and supportive faculty help students graduate confident, career-ready, and prepared to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.
Learn in Louisville’s Top Clinical Settings
You’ll benefit from Bellarmine’s location in Louisville, Kentucky, with access to outstanding clinical settings and major healthcare employers. Small class sizes ensure your professors will be there to support you while you build critical-thinking and leadership skills.
Train with State-of-the-Art Simulation
Bellarmine University’s Healthcare Simulation Lab provides hands-on training in a safe and controlled environment. Students learn with advanced simulation technology to strengthen clinical skills through realistic medical scenarios.
“All the professors know my name. It's almost like an incentive to keep going, to keep learning, because you're holding yourself accountable to those professors and to yourself. You're not a number. [Bellarmine having] small class sizes was such a big thing and such a different experience than any other program I was looking into."
Brian Estrada '26, Nursing
91.4%
NCLEX First-Time Pass Rate (5-yr. Avg)
100%
New Graduate Employment
12:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Program Highlights
Our BSN program prepares you to function independently or in collaboration with other health care providers to serve individuals and families in hospitals and community settings. We’ve designed our program to encourage your active participation in achieving program outcomes and to build a strong foundation for continuing professional development and graduate education in nursing.
Graduates of the BSN program will be able to:
- Synthesize knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences, and the discipline of nursing, in the provision of professional nursing care
- Demonstrate leadership skills to ensure patient safety and enhance quality of care within the interprofessional team
- Integrate evidence-based practice in the planning of care for individuals, families, groups, and populations
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments in healthcare delivery and practice
- Implement population-focused nursing interventions across the lifespan
- Function as a professional nurse in accordance with standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct
- Incorporate information systems and patient-care technologies in the delivery of quality nursing care
Funding Opportunities
There are several funding opportunities available to assist your financial journey to becoming a nurse, from significant scholarships to loan forgiveness programs and more. Explore the information below to discover which funding opportunity might be right for you.
B.S., Nursing (including Accelerated Second Degree BSN)
Norton Healthcare – Norton Scholars Program
- The Norton Scholars Program, offered by Norton Healthcare, provides scholarships to students pursuing healthcare careers. Recipients commit to working at Norton Healthcare facilities after graduation, contributing to the provision of high-quality healthcare services in the Louisville, Kentucky, region.
- Receive up to $45,000 in tuition assistance and complete your Accelerated BSN in 12 months with no upfront tuition costs.
Baptist Healthcare Nursing Knowledge Program
- The Baptist Healthcare Nursing Knowledge Program is a comprehensive initiative designed
to enhance the knowledge and skills of nursing professionals within the Baptist Healthcare
system. Exclusive to Bellarmine, the program aims to promote continuous learning,
professional development, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
- Download the ABSN program flyer
- Download the traditional BSN program flyer
Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship
The Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship is available for students enrolled in the Norton Scholars or Baptist Nursing Knowledge programs. Students taking full advantage of these opportunities may receive up to $7,500 of funding towards the final semester tuition bill (excludes fees). The scholarship amount cannot exceed your total tuition balance due for that semester.
To qualify, applicants must be admitted to Bellarmine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and submit a signed contract from either Norton or Baptist by the scholarship deadline.
- May Cohort Deadline: May 1st
- January Cohort Deadline: January 2nd
Please note: Students receiving the Bellarmine Healthcare Partners Scholarship will not be eligible for the free first semester housing.
Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offers scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a commitment to serve in underserved communities. It supports the education of future nurses while addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in vulnerable areas.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program
- The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Health Professional Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students pursuing healthcare degrees in various disciplines. In return, recipients commit to serving in VA healthcare facilities after graduation, helping to address the healthcare needs of America’s veterans while advancing their own professional development.
ROTC
- ROTC programs offer funding opportunities for nursing degrees by providing scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and stipends. These programs allow students to pursue their nursing education while receiving financial support in exchange for a service commitment in the military as a nurse after graduation. Learn more.
Kentucky Board of Nursing – Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund
- Kentucky Board of Nursing’s Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to aspiring nurses in Kentucky. The program aims to increase the number of qualified nurses in the state by offering scholarships to individuals pursuing nursing education, fostering the growth of the nursing workforce.
UofL Health Nursing Scholar Program
- The UofL Health Nursing Scholar Program provides educational assistance up to $24,000 to students pursuing a pre-licensure nursing degree from an accredited school of nursing who commit to work for UofL Health in a direct-care RN role upon graduation.
Financial Aid (FAFSA)
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides funding opportunities for nursing degrees by determining a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. By completing the FAFSA, nursing students can access financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Learn more.
Graduate: MSN and DNP
Health Resources and Services Administration – Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
- The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Nurse Corps Scholarship Program offers scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a commitment to serve in underserved communities. It supports the education of future nurses while addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in vulnerable areas.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs – Health Professional Scholarship Program
- The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Health Professional Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students pursuing healthcare degrees in various disciplines. In return, recipients commit to serving in VA healthcare facilities after graduation, helping to address the healthcare needs of America’s veterans while advancing their own professional development.
Kentucky Board of Nursing – Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund
- Kentucky Board of Nursing’s Nursing Incentive Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to aspiring nurses in Kentucky. The program aims to increase the number of qualified nurses in the state by offering scholarships to individuals pursuing nursing education, fostering the growth of the nursing workforce.
Financial Aid (FAFSA)
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides funding opportunities for nursing degrees by determining a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. By completing the FAFSA, nursing students can access financial aid to help cover the costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses. Learn more.
Tuition Remission for Bellarmine Clinical Instructors*
As a Bellarmine Nursing Clinical Instructor, you may be eligible for the Bellarmine tuition remission benefit offered to Bellarmine employees. To apply to be a clinical instructor visit the Bellarmine employment opportunities page.
Partner Discounts (Baptist Health, Norton Healthcare)*
If you are an employee of one of our partner organizations, you may be eligible for a tuition discount of 15-19%.
- Doctoral Level (Rate $880) – Discount Rate (15% off): $750
- Master’s Level (Rate $795) – Discount Rate (19% off): $645
* Excludes DNP-Nurse Anesthesia and Accelerated BSN programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission into the Nursing program competitive?
No. As long as you meet the admission criteria, you will be accepted into the nursing program.
When do I get to start clinicals?
Clinicals begin your first semester, sophomore year.
What is Bellarmine's NCLEX pass rate?
Bellarmine graduates consistently surpass the national, regional, and local first-time pass rates, and over the last 5 years they have averaged a 91.4% First-Time Pass Rate. (Kentucky Board of Nursing data.)
What types of clinical settings do you offer?
Clinicals take place in medical, surgical, community, pediatric, psychiatric, maternal-child, and critical care settings. Students also complete a leadership clinical where they work with a nurse leader in a hospital setting.
How many graduates find a job when they graduate?
100% of our new graduates find employment upon graduation. Most have jobs secured in their last semester of the program.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you’ll be qualified for many roles in the field of nursing. Our alumni have gone on to rewarding careers in acute care hospitals, primary care outpatient clinics, community heath settings, school health, and as nurse educators. You’ll also be qualified to pursue a higher degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), or a doctoral degree in nursing (Ph.D.). This may include many tracks such as a nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, or nursing education, among others.
On Campus Experiences
Nursing students enjoy many experiences on campus. The Bellarmine Association of Nursing Students (BANS) organizes, represents, and mentors nursing students to convey professionalism in nursing practice, promote networking, and serve the local community through service projects.
- The Galileo Learning Community is designed for first-year students interested in careers in health and medical sciences
- Sigma Theta Tau is an honor society for nursing
- Students also have access to state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory
- Nursing students who qualify may participate in the Honors Program at Bellarmine
Faculty and Staff
Read profiles of all of our distinguished faculty and staff.
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leslie Leffler, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC | Assistant Professor | lleffler@bellarmine.edu | (502) 272-7974 |
| Lori Minton, EDD, RN | Director of Accelerated Program | lminton@bellarmine.edu | (502) 272-7967 |
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the BSN program you must first be admitted to Bellarmine University. Upon completion of all courses designated in the BSN curriculum for the freshman year, you must apply for admission into the BSN program. For a comprehensive list of admission requirements, please visit our Admission Requirements page.
Simulation Lab
Bellarmine University’s Healthcare Simulation Lab is a state-of-the-art facility that provides hands-on training to students in a safe and controlled environment. The lab is equipped with advanced simulation technology, including high-fidelity mannequins, task trainers, and virtual reality systems, to simulate a variety of medical scenarios. Students in the nursing, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy programs have the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience and improve their skills through simulations in the lab.
Contact
Diane Chlebowy, Ph.D., RN, CNL
BSN Department Chair
dchlebowy@bellarmine.edu
(502) 272-7101
The Baccalaureate degree program in nursing, Master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-master’s FNP certificate program at Bellarmine University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
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