Nursing Admissions

Nursing Application Instructions

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Buntain College 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.

If you are applying for admittance to the Mark & Huldah Buntain College 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 2023 (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 the high school (like Running Start and Concurrent Credit), are invited to apply to Northwest’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 1300 or higher.*
Resume
Essay: Supporting essay describing how the student’s Christian faith will contribute to their success in nursing school and career in nursing.

*Covid-19 Test Optional Policy: Applicants for admittance in 2023 may submit test scores for purposes of application evaluation, scholarship eligibility, and academic advising. Due to limited testing availability during the Covid-19 pandemic, applications will be evaluated without submissions of test scores.

Early Action Application Deadline: November 15^th

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

Continuous full-time enrollment in the traditional undergraduate program at Northwest University, completion of all core curriculum requirements, and eligibility for the nursing major within 2 years of initial enrollment.
Complete the following pre-nursing core courses: Survey of Chemistry II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and General Psychology, with a minimum grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.00 scale).
Complete the College of Nursing online application through NursingCAS by January 31 of the student’s fourth semester at Northwest University.

*The first two years include completing prerequisites. Students enter the nursing program in the third year. Students with college credits can request a transcript evaluation to see which of their credits will transfer.

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 Chemistry II, 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 with 47 completed semester credits. These students must be at least 20 years old on the first day of classes.

** Applicants must receive a minimum grade of B- (2.7 on a 4.00 scale) for Survey of Chemistry II, 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 on October 1.
- 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).

Northwest provides a rigorous foundation for our nursing students to pursue both master’s and doctoral programs in nursing. Our students have been accepted into Johns Hopkins, the University of Washington, Gonzaga, Vanderbilt, the University of Pittsburgh, and Northwestern University. Northwest also offers its own Master of Science in Nursing.

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.

Great work in completing the RN program and considering your next steps to earn a bachelor’s degree. Northwest offers a fully accredited Online RN-BSN program for students to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Take a look at the program requirements.