Colorado Free Application Days | October 15-17, 2024

CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Nursing Bachelor’s Program

CU Denver + CU Anschutz Partnership


The University of Colorado College of Nursing (CU Nursing at Anschutz Medical Campus) has a partnership program with the University of Colorado Denver for students interested in pursuing a career in Nursing. The CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway was created to promote the diversity of healthcare professionals and to better serve the healthcare needs of the State of Colorado. Students take prerequisite courses at CU Denver and then transition to CU Nursing to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway is designed for students currently enrolled at CU Denver. With this partnership, program participants at CU Denver will have the opportunity to receive early admission to the CU Nursing Traditional BS program (TRAD). Upon admission to CU Denver, interested students should reach out to cuprnubridge@cudenver.edu or Pre-Health Advising at CU Denver for guidance on course sequence. Additionally, students will have opportunities to earn a health certificate while enrolled at CU Denver, creating opportunities for students to be competitive applicants for employment after completing a BS in Nursing.

Students accepted into the CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway will receive personalized advising as well as exposure to nursing concepts/experiences provided by both CU Denver and CU Nursing. Visit CU Denver's Health Professions Programs for additional details.

  • Human Anatomy and Lab (or A&P I)
  • Human Physiology and Lab (A&P II)
  • Microbiology and Lab
  • Statistics
  • General Chemistry*
  • Science*
  • College Algebra
  • General Sociology
  • General Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cultural Anthropology or Multicultural Studies
  • English Composition II
  • Creative Arts
  • Nutrition
  • Two from: Foreign Language, History, Microeconomics, Philosophy, or Political Science (courses must be from two different content areas)

*One of these science lectures must have an accompanying lab.

  1. Display novice, professional nursing leadership qualities to promote quality and safe care.
  2. Engage in effective communication and collaboration in intra– and interdisciplinary teams across a variety of contexts.
  3. Provide socially just, ethical, and inclusive care to diverse populations across the continuum of care.
  4. Apply principles of healthcare informatics as a meaningful user of health information systems and technology.
  5. Reference relevant theoretical frameworks to improve patient and population health outcomes across a range of settings.
  6. Integrate evidence-based practice into patient-centered care using the nursing process across a range of settings.
  7. Articulate how policy, advocacy, finance and regulatory environments influence healthcare delivery.

A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in nursing provides a wide variety of career choices. Upon successful completion of the BS nursing program and the national licensure examination (NCLEX), baccalaureate prepared nurses are able to choose from a wide variety of practice settings.

Additionally, unlike graduates prepared with an associate degree in nursing, bachelor's prepared nurses are able to pursue advanced degrees in nursing including careers as an adult or pediatric nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife or certified nurse anesthetist. Doctorate level education is also possible for bachelors prepared nurses who wish to pursue a PhD or DNP (doctor of nursing practice).

Examples of potential practice areas for a bachelor of science graduate include:

  • Providing patient care in the hospital settings (the most popular choice of nursing graduates).
  • Caring for patients in community based settings.
  • Providing nursing leadership through nursing management positions.
  • Pursuing a nursing career at Magnet designated hospital facilities.
  • Providing nursing care to individuals, families and communities internationally.
  • Working in clinical research by coordinating human subject studies.
  • Helping shape future nursing clinicians through teaching opportunities.

View the BS Alumni Report 2016 to see which positions and settings our undergraduate alumni move on to following graduation.

For more information on the wide variety of career options available to BS in nursing graduates, please visit the Johnson and Johnson Discovering Nursing website.​​


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