Nursing Admissions

Nursing Application Instructions

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Buntain School of Nursing at Northwest University. Upon successful completion of the pre-nursing courses and nursing curriculum requirements, graduates are prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to practice professional nursing from a Christian worldview, demonstrating personal integration of faith, service, and cultural competence.

Application Deadline: January 31^st

If you are applying for admittance to the Mark & Huldah Buntain School of Nursing, please complete our online application through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS).

Make sure you are applying to the correct cycle by following the steps listed below:

Select Fall 2025 (the term you will start the nursing program).
Click the red "Apply" button.
Create an account.
Select the Full Programs List tab.
Locate Northwest University under the School drop-down box.
Click on the blue + next to Northwest University.

High School Seniors

All high school students, including those earning college credit in high school (like Running Start and Concurrent Credit), are invited to apply to Northwest University’s application for admissions.

Priority Placement: Complete All of Your Prerequisites at NU

Current students receive priority placement for the nursing program. By working closely with our nursing program, we’ll make sure you’re on track to apply. This is crucial due to the competitive nature of our program and long wait lists.

Direct Entry Nursing Admissions

Students demonstrating the highest levels of academic achievement and Christian commitment may be considered for direct admission to the nursing program. This decision is based on the following criteria:

Admitted Students: First-year undergraduate students admitted to NU’s Kirkland campus.
GPA: High school GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Test Scores are recommended. ACT score of 28 or higher and/or SAT Super Score of 1250 or higher, and/or CLT score 83 or higher.
Resumé.
Essay: Supporting essay describing how the student’s Christian faith will contribute to their success in nursing school and career in nursing.

Early Application Deadline: January 15^th

Progression and final admission into NU’s nursing program requires the following:

Maintain continuous full-time enrollment in the traditional undergraduate program at Northwest University (12 credit hours or more per semester).
All pre-nursing core courses and core curriculum requirements must be taken at Northwest University.
Complete all core curriculum requirements and be eligible for the nursing major within 2 years of initial enrollment.
Complete the following pre-nursing core courses: Survey of Organic and Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and General Psychology, with a minimum grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.00 scale).
If the student’s cumulative GPA at the end of spring semester freshman year and going forward, falls below a 3.5, or if a grade of less than B- (2.7 on a 4.0 scale) is received in a pre-nursing core course, the student will lose Direct Admission status.
Complete the School of Nursing online application via NursingCAS by January 31st of the student’s fourth semester at Northwest University.
Student conduct issues will be taken into account for progression into upper division nursing coursework.

Transfers and Post Baccalaureate

Transfer students who are completing their AA-DTA at a community college or transferring from a four-year college are invited to apply through Northwest University’s application for admissions. Transfer students bring a unique perspective to each nursing cohort.

Transfer Student Eligibility

To be eligible for Northwest’s BSN program, transfer applicants must complete the following:

Complete the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) or equivalent of 60 semester credits or complete NU prerequisites.
Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Complete the following pre-nursing core courses: Survey of Organic and Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and General Psychology, with a minimum grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.00 scale).
At the time of the nursing application deadline (January 31), applicants must have no more than 6 prerequisite courses outstanding. Plans must be in place to complete those courses prior to starting the nursing program.

Nursing Prerequisites

View a list of all of NU’s nursing prerequisites.

* Life Calling is waived for students who will turn 20 years old, or are older, during their first year enrolled at NU.

** Applicants must receive a minimum grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.00 scale) for Survey of Organic and Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and General Psychology.

How to Transfer: Transferring Credits to Northwest University

Eligible students will need to complete the following steps for direct admissions to the nursing program:

Apply to Northwest University’s general admissions application.
Complete the online application through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (Nursing CAS) by the January 31 deadline. Application opens in early October.
- Make sure you are applying to the correct cycle by following the steps listed below:
- Select the term you will start the nursing program
- Click the red "Apply" button
- Create an account
- Select the Full Programs List tab
- Locate Northwest University under the School drop-down box
- Click on the blue + next to Northwest University
Submit one Faculty Reference Letter and one Christian Leader or Mentor Letter.
Official Transcripts must be received by NursingCAS by January 31.

Increasing Priority Placement

You can earn prioritization for the nursing program by attending NU 1 to 2 semesters earlier to finish your prerequisites. This is a great opportunity to add a minor to your resume for a holistic educational experience. The following are a few of the many minors that we offer:

Business Management
Children & Family Ministries
Communication Studies
Global Development
Intercultural Studies
Psychology
Sociology

Attend a Nursing Info Session: Virtual or In-Person Visits

Frequently Asked Questions

Northwest is in great company in Kirkland, WA. Kirkland and Bellevue are home to leading hospitals and care facilities nationwide. These prime locations are where Northwest nursing students complete their clinical placements. Some of these include Seattle Children’s, Evergreen Hospital, Overlake Medical, UW Medical Center, and Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.

Our nursing students have access to incredible opportunities with the program’s cross-cultural ministry trip. Nurses care for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Whether working with the affluent in a metropolitan area or developing communities lacking resources, graduates will be equipped to show Christ’s love through their skills and compassion. Some of these trips include travel to India, Taiwan, Kenya, Philippines, Belize, Mexico, Alaska, Appalachia (VA), and Miami (FL).

The nursing program admits 48 students each year for the Fall cohort. Students are encouraged to enroll sooner in order to finish their remaining prerequisites.

Nursing transfer students, like every NU student, are required to complete the core Bible and Theology classes. Northwest is a distinctly Christian university and seeks to equip and empower students for spiritual formation through courses in Bible and Theology to develop and articulate an ever-changing biblical worldview. Students can check the nursing prerequisites to see the specific classes they’ll take.

First year students with college credits or transfer student can be assured Northwest is very generous and flexible with the credits they’ve earned. Whether those credits are through community colleges or four year universities, students can take a look at NU’s Transfer Guide on how their classes will transfer. Your admissions counselor is happy to answer any questions about specific courses.

Students are eligible to apply directly to the nursing program as long as they have no more than 6 outstanding prerequisite courses at the time of the nursing application deadline on January 31. Students will need to make plans to complete their remaining prerequisites. Northwest prioritizes current students who are finishing their prerequisites at NU. Transfer students and post baccalaureate students are welcome to apply directly to the nursing program if they’ve completed the eligible requirements.