It takes a special kind of person to become a nurse – someone motivated to take on the world and improve patient care. Make a difference and be a part of UNM’s Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program.
Be a part of the profession of nursing – a career that provides exciting opportunities in a wide variety of health care settings, with the added benefit of flexible working hours. You'll make a difference in the lives of all you care for.
The Pre-licensure BSN program is designed for students who do not have an RN License and will become a nurse for the first time. We offer 5 options to earn your degree – Health Sciences Albuquerque Campus, Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus, Freshman Direct-Entry, BSN Dual Degree and Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Option.
Explore your options below.
Option designed for highly motivated high school seniors who meet specific, pre-established criteria to apply for guaranteed admission into the prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at UNM Main Campus and the Health Sciences Campus in Albuquerque. Students are encouraged to continue their education in our graduate degree programs, including MSN, DNP and PhD.
Option designed for students who want to attend UNM Health Sciences Center Campus in Albuquerque, NM. Students apply in their sophomore year at UNM or as a transfer student.
Option designed for students who want to attend UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus in Rio Rancho, NM. Students apply in their sophomore year at UNM or as a transfer student.
Earn your Associates & BSN
Option designed for students who want to stay in their New Mexico community. You will be based at your local community college or branch campus and co-enrolled at UNM to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
This option is designed for students who already have a Bachelor's degree. This option acknowledges your previous success as you transition to an accredited nursing program.
Still not sure which option is right for you?
Check out our Path to your BSN Guide–a flowchart that helps you determine what options are right for you.
More than one option may be fit for you. We encourage you to apply to all program options you’re interested in.
Explore the UNM College of Nursing’s Virtual Campus Experience and what being an undergraduate UNM student nurse means.
In the BSN Pre-Licensure HSC-ABQ or HSC-Rio Rancho options you will take all classes, in-person, at UNM.
In the Dual Degree option, you will take most of the nursing curriculum through one of our partner schools and a handful of classes scattered throughout the program at UNM.
At the end of either program, the Pre-Licensure HSC-ABQ, HSC-Rio Rancho or the Dual Degree, you will earn a BSN from UNM.
In the BSN Pre-Licensure Freshman Direct-Entry option you will apply in your senior year of high school to the UNM College of Nursing. You will be a part of the College of Nursing while completing your nursing pre-requisites, and will be on the path to earn your BSN and prepare to continue directly into graduate school upon graduation.
In the BSN Pre-Licensure HSC-ABQ or HSC-Rio Rancho options you will apply to the College of Nursing after completing all nursing pre-requisites. You will begin nursing courses, in-person, at UNM HSC-ABQ or HSC-Rio Rancho Campus upon acceptance into the College of Nursing.
The Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Option is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and are interested in coming back to school to become a nurse. These students complete an intensive program of studies over 16 months. The other Pre-Licensure BSN Options are for students completing their first bachelor’s degree and are seeking to become a nurse.
Yes, we recommend students apply to multiple BSN program options to give yourself the best option to get into a program.
If you are a current UNM student you have access to LoboTrax Degree Audit. https://registrar.unm.edu/Registration/lobo-trax-degree-audit.html
If you are not a current UNM student you can request a Transcript Audit Request.
The College of Nursing has our very own designated Financial Aid Office. Please contact them at HSC-CON-FinancialAid@salud.unm.edu for any of your tuition, scholarship, financial aid questions.
Please note, if you contact UNM Main campus financial aid office about nursing specifically you may get incorrect information. Not because they are trying to give you wrong information, they just don’t know the specifics of our 20 different nursing programs.
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
College of Nursing
Building 235, Suite 255
505-272-4721
Pre-Licensure Program Director