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A community where every student is part of our pack. Students at our Rio Rancho extension are part of a diverse community in beautiful Sandoval County.
From breathtaking views to state-of-the-art skills labs. UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho campus has all the benefits of a large university with a small school feel.
The campus is cozy. We even have a fireplace. There isn’t much hustle and bustle. The College of Nursing occupies most of the building with our students and faculty – besides the behavioral Health Clinic and the Medical Assistant program and a few helpful staff members.
The building is designed for you to thrive. Including classrooms, clinical skills lab and study areas equipped with high tech smartboards that promote collaborative studying. Not to mention the state-of-the-art-simulation center!
Park for free right next to the building. That may sound trivial but just try to park on ABQ campus – or any other university campus for that matter.
Experience photos of campus as part of our virtual campus tour.
Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Sandia. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We gratefully recognize our history.
Being a lobo nursing student is more than just simulations, clinicals and exams. It’s about the full experience. Our students are getting out in the community making a difference for all they serve. From participating in national nursing organizations to volunteering to administer vaccinations. Honored for their work–publications, scholarships, awards and grants. They are advancing the future of nursing. Learn about the student experience.
Learn to lead by leading. Build lifelong relationships. Join student nursing organizations and honor societies at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing.
Explore what being a UNM BSN student nurse looks like. Watch videos and testimonials that give you a glimpse into your future experience. Explore the virtual campus.
Undergraduate nursing student can participate in Honors electives in which they will engage in the various aspects of research to improve nursing outcomes and patient care. Providing them with the opportunity to work with our esteemed research faculty. Learn more about research & honors.
Your clinical experiences will be as diverse as your community. You will receive the necessary experiences to ensure you are ready for your career as a BSN-prepared nurse. You will be ready to give back.
Many of our students call Sandoval County home. Taking pride in staying and serving in their small communities’ hospitals and clinical sites as students and future nurses.
We have a strong partnership with UNM Health System. Each year, about 99% of our Pre-Licensure BSN HSC-RR students participate in clinical experiences right next door at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SMRC).
Our nursing students also participate in clinical placements with our other clinical partners across the county and some in Albuquerque at: UNM Health System, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Lovelace Health System, Bernalillo Public Schools and New Mexico Department of Health, among many others.
Explore more about your clinical experiences at UNM.
At UNM, you will practice and test the skills you learn in the classroom in our state-of-the-art simulation center and skills lab. Skills & simulation provides you with the hands-on learning you require in a low-risk environment. All simulation experiences follow strict COVID-safe guidelines to make sure you’re practicing in a safe way; the right way.
HSC-RR campus simulation center has a skills lab equipped with 8 beds and a newly expanded simulation lab totaling just over 4,100 sq ft. to support your skills and simulation needs.
Our high-fidelity manikins are fully interactive and mimic a real person. They can have conversations with you, blink and track their eyes, and even bleed.
Students also benefit from our low-fidelity manikins used for learning basic skills. We practice IVs, catheters, feeding tubes, wound care, positioning and much more.
Learn more about simulation at UNM.
New Mexico is a state. Over half of our students identify as a part of an underrepresented group. We are one of the most diverse student bodies in the country.
We value our diverse communities, students and faculty, and we strive to promote equity and advocate for inclusiveness. We value our partnerships with our community to enhance our understanding and learning.
Learn more about UNM’s Division of Diversity and Equity and Inclusion; the Health Sciences Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the UNM College of Nursing Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Nursing school is challenging but having a small cohort gives me a sense of community. We always support each other.
Spring Entry
August 1 - October 15
Fall Entry
November 1 - March 1
For the full list of admissions criteria and the application:
The majority of our students receive some form of financial aid – scholarships, grants, loans and/or work study.
We awarded over $825,000 in scholarships during academic year 2022-2023. Individual scholarship amounts range from $200-$5,000, annually.
UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus in all its New Mexico beauty.
With scenic views of the Sandia Mountains and SMRC.
A quiet space to study and take in those views.
Or go inside by the fire.
Benefit from a collaborative classroom set up.
Gaining hands-on experience in our skills lab.
Our skills lab is designed to mimic a hospital setting with 8 beds in the room.
Our students are practicing their skills with the aid of a low-fidelity manikin.
Explore the UNM College of Nursing’s Virtual Campus Experience and what being an undergraduate UNM student nurse means.
Learn more about your education, curriculum, academic calendar, clinical & simulation experiences at the UNM College of Nursing BSN Program HSC-RR.
There is a lot of information to consider as you prepare to apply to our BSN HSC-RR program. We know you have questions. We have answers.
Fill out the form below and our team will contact you.
Office of Admissions & Recruitment
College of Nursing
Building 214
Suite 1501
1 University of New Mexico
Pre-Licensure Program Director
Sasha Poole, PhD, RN
Interim Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education
Clinician Educator, Assistant Professor
SNPoole@salud.unm.edu