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 doctoral options, the Doctor of Nursing Practice and PhD programs.
School rises to No. 8 in U.S. News ranking of BSN programs
The University of Minnesota rose to No. 8 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 ranking of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. The school was tied for fourth among public universities in the publication’s survey of nearly 700 programs.
DNP No. 8, Nurse-Midwifery No. 4 in latest U.S. News rankings
The University of Minnesota is No. 8 in the 2026 Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) rankings conducted by U.S. News & World Report. In the ranking of Nursing-Midwifery programs, the University of Minnesota DNP specialty placed No. 4.
Indigenous enrollment in DNP program continues to lead the nation
With the addition of five new students, the Doctoral Education Pathway for American Indian/Alaska Native Nurses now has 20 students, solidifying the school’s position as the national leader in Indigenous DNP enrollment.
Building a shared language for better diagnosis
After publishing a first-of-its-kind series in the journal AACN Advanced Critical Care about diagnostic reasoning for nurse practitioners, faculty launched a new course focused on the essential competency required for nurse practitioner practice.
Enrollment growth in MN, Rochester
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing cohort in Rochester has grown from 32 in 2021 to 48 in 2025, with a commitment to add 20 students annually for five years. The Master of Nursing (MN) program also increased from 64 students to 84. The School of Nursing has early admissions MOUs with Crookston, Duluth and Morris for the MN program.
Whole person health woven through DNP curriculum
For the past two years, faculty have undertaken an initiative to intentionally weave whole person health concepts into the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and create holistic learning experiences to prepare nurses to address the interconnectedness of body, mind, spirit, community and environment.
Nursing informatics DNP first in country to receive CAHIIM accreditation
The Doctor of Nursing Practice nursing informatics specialty received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education. It is the first program of its kind in the country to receive this prestigious designation.
Cultivating community in high-acuity nursing
The nurse anesthesia specialty in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program layers volunteering, wellness activities and mentoring to foster student wellbeing. In a specialty that carries the highest rate of suicide among advanced practice nurses, Specialty Coordinator Joanne Donnelly, DNP, APRN, CRNA, FAANA, takes wellbeing seriously. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, she surveys students throughout the semester, gauging stress levels and adjusting clinical schedules accordingly.
HRSA grant supports new transitional care curriculum
Funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant, the school created two clinical requirements: a five-week placement in a transitional care setting for Master of Nursing students and a three-week Continuum of Care Practicum for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) seniors. Together, they ensure that every pre-licensure graduate leaves with firsthand experience navigating the complex ecosystem of transitional care.
Intensive clinical placements aim to improve student-preceptor relationships
Through a partnership between the school and Children’s Minnesota, Master of Nursing students now have the opportunity to complete an intensive clinical placement over three consecutive weekend days paired with the same preceptor. Replacing the traditional five-week, once-a-week model, this condensed approach aims to provide greater continuity, enhance hands-on student learning, and accommodate growing cohort sizes.
AAN’s Miyamoto tells graduates their future is now
The school celebrated the graduation of 174 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 105 Doctor of Nursing Practice and 2 PhD students at a ceremony May 15. Suzanne Miyamoto, CEO of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), delivered the commencement address, reflecting on optimism and the future. Melissa Fritz, chief nursing officer at Methodist Hospital, delivered the fall commencement address, where Master of Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice students graduated.
School holds first Honoring Ceremony for American Indian graduates
The Center for Indigenous People, Health, and Nursing of North America hosted its first Honoring Ceremony to celebrate the graduation of four students in the Pathway to Doctoral Education for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Nurses.
Nursing students welcomed into profession with message of teamwork
Sophomore students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from the Minneapolis and Rochester campuses and first-year Master of Nursing students were welcomed into the nursing profession at a ceremony on Sept. 5 at Coffman Theater. Carolyn Hughes, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, system senior nursing director at Essentia Health, delivered the keynote, congratulating the future nurses for choosing a path that’s equal parts challenging and rewarding. All students received memberships to the National Student Nurses Association.
DEEP Day keynote focuses on AI, learning
Cynthia Nebel, director of Learning Services at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, delivered the keynote lecture at the DNP Enhancement & Enrichment Programming (DEEP) Day about artificial intelligence and learning. DEEP Day is designed to foster relationships and engagement among the school’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students.