Nursing (BSN)

Why study Nursing?

The profession of nursing is changing rapidly. Nurses are the leaders of the healthcare field, and in many communities, they are on the front lines of healthcare when people get sick. Modern nursing goes beyond the hospital and doctor’s office. Nurses are everywhere. They work in patient homes, public health clinics, corporate wellness departments, research labs, long-term care facilities, schools, medical flight firms, and the military. Nurses also play a big role in educating the public and addressing the social and economic causes of health issues.

Why study Nursing at AU?

Aurora University’s Nursing program is one of the most respected in the region. The program prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN, a nationwide examination for the licensing of registered nurses. After graduation from the School of Nursing, you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination to become licensed as a registered nurse.

At AU, you can begin nursing classes immediately in your first year. That's unlike many other colleges that require you to wait until your sophomore or junior year to begin taking classes in the subject.

You will work closely with dedicated faculty in AU’s state-of-the-art nursing and simulation labs to develop the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the ever-changing healthcare environment. You will apply those skills and gain hands-on experience as part of your clinical rotations, learning from experienced nursing faculty.

Following graduation, you will be prepared to enter the workforce as a baccalaureate-trained nurse, a highly recruited position in today’s healthcare market. You will also be ready to take your nursing license exam, a requirement to get your first job in nursing.

AU has been preparing students for careers in nursing since 1947. Today nursing is among the most highly respected careers. Registered nurses make up the largest contingent of the healthcare workforce – far more than doctors. And they make a good living.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Aurora University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

For 20 consecutive years, Americans have rated nurses as the No. 1 most ethical and honest profession. Gallup Poll 2021

Nursing School Dean Connie Zak on what to expect as an AU nursing student

At Aurora University you not only receive rigorous nursing skills training, but you learn the importance of earning the trust of each patient you treat and how to practice nursing with care, integrity, and professionalism.

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Why join the community of AU nursing students: As an AU nursing student, you will discover passionate faculty, supportive cohorts, and state-of-the-art nursing and simulation labs that will prepare you to succeed as a nurse in a wide variety of settings.

$81,220

2022 annual median salary for registered nurses

6%

2022-2032 projected job growth rate

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nearly nine out of 10 employers surveyed strongly prefer to hire new nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Curriculum Highlights
  • Anatomy
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Leadership
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychology
Campus Opportunities
  • AU Science Organization
  • Aurora Men in Nursing
  • Student Nurses' Association, AU Chapter
Experiential learning

Experiential learning

Nursing students gain hands-on experience at our high-fidelity simulation laboratory. In the lab, you will work with a human patient simulator that mimics the situations you will face every day as a practitioner. Students also take part in clinical experiences at hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Throughout your degree program, your professors will work with you in your clinical experiences to best prepare you for professional practice. They will serve as your nurse mentor.

Career possibilities

  • Community mental health specialist
  • Correctional health facilitator
  • Critical care nurse
  • Disaster relief nurse
  • Family healthcare/nursing
  • Infection control/epidemiology nurse
  • Maternal/Child nurse
  • Medical/Surgical nurse
  • Occupational health nurse
  • Oncology nurse
  • Public health nurse
  • Rehabilitation nurse
  • Transcultural nursing
  • Trauma/Emergency department nurse

Where our graduates work

  • Ascension Mercy Medical Center Aurora
  • Ascension St. Joseph Hospital Elgin 
  • Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
  • Edward Hospital
  • Hillside Rehab & Care Center
  • Illinois Youth Center
  • Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
  • Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • Rush Copley Medical Center
  • UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale