The School of Nursing delivers learner-centered education and practice experiences that prepare outstanding scientists and excellent practitioners committed to developing sensible models of care that holistically approach complex problems. The school offers two pre-licensure options, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Nursing programs, and two graduate options, the Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD programs.
DNP program ranked #4 by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report placed the School of Nursing No. 4 in its 2025 ranking of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. This is the program’s highest rating in its history.
Nurse-midwifery ranked #8
The school’s nurse-midwifery Doctor of Nursing Practice program was ranked No. 8 in the 2025 specialty rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
Indigenous enrollment in DNP program continues to lead the nation
With seven new students joining the Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses, the school has 19 students in the program. The school has the most American Indian/Alaska Native doctoral students in the United States.
BSN program ranked #19
U.S. News & World Report placed the School of Nursing No. 19 in its ranking of Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
Immersion emphasizes role of rural nurse
All Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Nursing students have the opportunity to participate in a rural immersion clinical experience at Essentia Health – Deer River, which introduces students to nursing at a critical access hospital. The opportunity was developed through the Nursing Collaboratory that the school and Essentia Health established to foster innovation and improve the nursing pipeline.
DNP students help shape tomorrow’s nurses
While nationally nursing schools struggle with a dearth of clinical instructors, the School of Nursing utilizes current DNP students — who often are also practicing nurses — as teaching assistants for pre-licensure students. The TAs provide pre-licensure students with mentorship and share real-life experience, while giving TAs opportunities to hone their teaching skills and earn tuition remission.
Nurse anesthesia students participate in first-of-its-kind health assessment simulation
Nurse anesthesia students participated in a transnational health assessment simulation with peers from the University of Iceland. During the simulation, University of Minnesota students were onsite in Minneapolis, while University of Iceland students connected over Zoom. The aim was to enhance students’ competency-based skills related to preoperative history-taking and clinical examinations of anesthesia patients.
Improving clinical teaching in nursing homes
Professor Christine Mueller, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN, developed an interactive web-based resource to guide nursing faculty in creating exemplary clinical experiences for students in nursing homes. The toolkit was developed with Health Resources and Services Administration funding.
School names 46 Bentson Scholars
The school named 46 new Bentson Scholars, bringing the current number of Bentson Scholars in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program to 80 students.
Two Jonas Scholars named
PhD student Angela Miller and DNP student Priyanka Roy were named Jonas Scholars by Jonas Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Workforce grant supports rural nurses
The Minnesota Department of Health awarded the school funding for APRN Nursing Workforce for Northern Minnesota. In partnership with Essentia Health, the grant will assist Doctor of Nursing Practice students living in northern Minnesota rural communities and increase the number of clinical training sites in rural Minnesota.
Graduates encouraged to be curious, lead with heart
The School of Nursing celebrated the graduation of Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, Doctor of Nursing Practice students and PhD in Nursing students at a ceremony in May. Kenya Williams, EdD, MBA, MSN, RN, RP, CAE, FNYAM, FADNL, FAAN, chief executive officer of National Students Nurses’ Association and the Foundation of NSNA, delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to be curious, embrace lifelong learning and lead with their heart. Rhonda Kazik, chief nurse executive of Essentia Health, delivered the fall commencement address, where students in the Master of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD students graduated.
Nursing students encouraged to challenge the status quo
Sophomore students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and first-year Master of Nursing students were welcomed into the nursing profession at a ceremony in September. April Prunty, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, system director of Nursing Professional Development at Allina Health, delivered the keynote, noting students are positioned to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a nurse. It was announced that all students received National Student Nurses Association memberships.
DNP lecture focuses on behavior change for climate action
Caroly Shumway, executive director for the Center for Behavior and Climate, delivered the keynote lecture at the DNP Enhancement & Enrichment Programming Day, which is designed to foster relationships and engagement among the school’s students. Shumway stressed how important connections are to nature and to each other, and how an understanding of these connections can help them be more effective in talking to patients about climate and health.