Apply | College of Nursing (2024)

This entry-option is for current high school seniors only. If you have taken advanced placement/college credit courses in high school, you may still apply for this admission option.

To be considered, students first must complete the admission application to The University of New Mexico. Applicants should declare Nursing as their intended major at the time of application to UNM. Next, the applicant should apply to the College of Nursing through NursingCAS, the common application system for nursing programs at accredited institutions.

• To be considered for the Direct-Entry admission option, you must be accepted into the University of New Mexico and meet the following criteria:

  See Also

  Accelerated BSN Option | College of NursingExternal Scholarships | College of NursingTuition & Fees | College of NursingBachelor of Science in Nursing | College of Nursing
  • Have completed high school Math, Biology or Chemistry courses.
  • Have a minimum unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
  • Submit your completedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
  • Complete a NursingCAS application with the following:
    1. Unofficial High School Transcripts
    2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
    3. Full Transcript Entry for all college coursework completed.
    4. 3 short answer essay responses:
       1. Describe the significance of a leadership experience or award/honor you have received that has contributed greatly to your personal and/or academic growth?
       2. UNM has a tagline of "each of US Defines All of Us" - working with people from different backgrounds or cultures can be complex. Can you tell us about a time when you were challenged to adapt to people from different background s or cultures from your own? What did you do to resolve the situation?
       3. What attracts you to a career in nursing and what are some of your key areas of strength in managing the challenges and opportunities in the profession?
    5. 2 letters of recommendation:
       1. One from a high school math or science teacher
       2. One from a high school counselor or administrator
  • Submit official high school transcripts; if any college credits were completed while in high school also submit official transcripts from each institution attended at the time of application.
• VisitThe UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Undergraduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the nursing program.

• Complete the following coursesor their University of New Mexico determined equivalent prior to applying with at least 2.75 grade point average on a scale of 4.0:
  • ENGL 1110: English Composition I
  • ENGL 1120: English Composition II
  • BIOL 1140: Biology for Health Sciences Lecture
  • BIOL 1140L: Biology for Health Sciences Lab
  • CHEM 1120: Introduction to Chemistry Lecture/Lab
  • PSYCH 1110: Introduction to Psychology
  • NUTR 2110: Human Nutrition
  • NURS 224: Lifespan Growth & Development or PSYC 2120: Developmental Psychology
• Complete the following courses or their University of New Mexico determined equivalent while applying but before starting Nursing Level 1 :
  • MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics
  • BIOL 2305: Microbiology for Health Sciences Lecture/Lab
  • BIOL 2210: Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab recommended, but not required)
  • NURS 239: Pathophysiology I
• Complete theHESI A2 entrance exam, scoring a minimum of 75% overall and a 75% on each of the following subtests. Results of the exam are good for one (1) year:
  • Math
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Grammar
  • Vocabulary and General Knowledge
• Submit the Following to NursingCAS by the deadline:
  • Official Transcripts from all institutions you have attended
  • Complete Full Transcript Entry by the deadline.
  • Essay Responses ( Please answer the following questions with a maximum of 500 words each and upload your responses in three separatedocuments under the "Writing Sample" section)
    • Describe the significance of a leadership experience or award/honor you have received that has contributed greatly to your personal and/or academic growth.
    • UNM has a tagline of "Each of Us Defines All of Us". Working with people from different backgrounds or cultures can be complex. Can you tell us about a time when you were challenged to adapt to people from different backgrounds or cultures from your own? What did you do to resolve the situation?
    • What attracts you to a career in nursing and what are some of your key areas of strength in managing the challenges and opportunities in this profession?

• • 2 Professional Letters of Recommendation
  • HESI A2 test scores, no older than 12 months at the time of application submission
  • A current resume

• New Mexico residents will be given a preference.
• Submit yourcompleted NursingCASapplication by the posted deadline.
• Visit www.unm.edu/applyto submit your application and transcripts to UNM Undergraduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the nursing program.

• Complete the following coursesor their University of New Mexico determined equivalent prior to applying with at least 2.75 grade point average on a scale of 4.0:
  • ENGL 1110: English Composition I
  • ENGL 1120: English Composition II
  • BIOL 1140: Biology for Health Sciences Lecture
  • BIOL 1140L: Biology for Health Sciences Lab
  • CHEM 1120: Introduction to Chemistry Lecture/Lab
  • PSYCH 1110: Introduction to Psychology
  • NUTR 2110: Human Nutrition
  • NURS 224: Lifespan Growth & Development or PSYC 2120: Developmental Psychology

• Complete the following courses or their University of New Mexico determined equivalent while applying but before starting Nursing Level 1 :
  
  • MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics
  • BIOL 2305: Microbiology for Health Sciences Lecture/Lab
  • BIOL 2210: Anatomy and Physiology I (Lab recommended, but not required)
  • NURS 239: Pathophysiology I

• Submit yourcompletedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
• Submit the Following to NursingCAS by the deadline:
  
  • Official College Transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
  • Unofficial entrance exam score report (Complete the specific entrance exam required by your community college.)

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or foreign equivalent.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Completed the following coursesor their equivalent prior to acceptance.
  • BIOL 1140: Biology for Health Sciences Lecture
  • BIOL 1140L: Biology for Health Sciences Lab
  • BIOL 2305: Microbiology for Health Sciences Lecture/Lab
  • BIOL 2210: Anatomy and Physiology I
  • BIOL 2225: Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture
  • BIOL 2225L: Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
  • CHEM 1120: Introduction to Chemistry Lecture/Lab
  • MATH 1350: Introduction to Statistics
  • NURS 239: Pathophysiology I
  • PSYCH 1110: Introduction to Psychology
  • NURS 240: Pathophysiology II*
  • NURS 224: Lifespan Growth & Development or PSYC 2120: Developmental Psychology
  • NUTR 2110: Human Nutrition*
  • * Applicants who have not completed NURS 240 Pathophysiology II, NUTR 2110 Human Nutrition, and/or NURS 224 Lifespan Growth and Development, or an equivalent course prior to submitting their application may be considered on a case-by-case basis. These courses may be taken during the first semester of the program depending on the student’s course load. Please contact our Admissions & Recruitment Office with questions at hsc-con-admissions@salud.unm.edu or by telephone at (505) 272-4721.

• Submit your completed NursingCAS application by the posted deadline .
• Submit the Following to NursingCAS by the deadline:
  • Official Transcripts from all institutions you have attended. Full course entry must be completed by the application deadline.
  • Two Essay Responses:
    • Describe how you will build upon yourexperience as second-degree student to ensure your success in our competitive and compressed program of studies to become a bachelor’s prepared nurse. Why do you wish to have a career in nursing and what are some of your key areas of strength in managing the challenges and opportunities? Please consider when answering this question that the program of studies is compressed in 16 months and time management is critical. (750 words max)
    • UNM has a tagline of "Each of Us Defines All of Us". Please tell us what diversity and inclusion means to you? (250 words max)

• • 2 Professional Letters of Recommendation
  • A current resume
• New Mexico residents will be given a preference.
• Visit The UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Undergraduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the nursing program

• Achieve at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on all college-level coursework.
• Completion of ENGL 1120: English Composition II (or its UNM equivalent).
• Have at least 26 hours of transferable coursework.
  • An official transcript evaluation will be conducted by your academic advisor only after a complete application, including transcripts, has been submitted and processed by The UNM Main Campus Office of Admissions.
• Have a valid RN license or be eligible for an RN license in any U.S. state.
  • Recent graduate must obtain their RN license within 14 weeks of acceptance.

• Check to see if the program is offered to residents in your state prior to applying.
• Submit your application toThe University of New Mexico Main Campus Office of Admissions . A completed application contains:.
  • $25 Application Fee
  • Valid RN License
  • Official Transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
  • All transcripts should be mailed to:
    • The University of New Mexico
      Office of Admissions
      PO Box 4895
      Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895
  • Official electronic transcripts can be sent to the following email address: apply@unm.edu
    • Please note transcripts may take 1-2 weeks to process.

• You must have one of the following prior degrees:
  • A Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) from a nursing program accredited by either NLN or CCNE.
  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree prior to entering the PhD program.
  • A BSN and a Master's degree in another field will be considered on an individual basis.
• A grade point average of at least 3.0. Preference is given to students with 3.5 or higher.
  • A graduate-level statistics course within the previous 3 years with a grade of B or better by the date of admission.
  • Applicants who have a not completed this requirement are considered on an individual basis.
• A valid RN license in any U.S. state, territory, or foreign country.
• Submit your completedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
• Submit the following to NursingCAS:
  
  • A 2-page, double spaced letter of intent discussing the following:
    1. Goals for undertaking the PhD Program
    2. Your area of research interest
    3. Your identified faculty member matching your area of research interest. You must include an explanation of the potential faculty match you have chosen.”
  • Three letters of recommendation, including one from a reference with a PhD.
  • Official transcriptsfrom all institutions you attended.
  • Submission of a writing sample that demonstrates evidence of scholarly ability and the potential for scholarly growth. Examples include, but are not limited to, a thesis, a published or unpublished scholarly paper, or written creative work.
• Optional: GRE completed within the previous three years.
• If your application is selected to advance in the application review process, please anticipate an interview with the PhD faculty.
• VisitThe UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the graduate nursing program

Submit a supplemental application for admission to The University of New Mexico. Visit www.unm.edu/applyto submit an application and official transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions.

The Post-Bachelor’s DNP has the following six concentrations:

1. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
2. Family Nurse Practitioner
3. Nurse-Midwifery
4. Nursing Administrative Leadership
5. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
6. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

All concentrations must complete the below admissions requirements

• Submit a supplemental application for admission to The University of New Mexico. Visit www.unm.edu/apply to submit an application and official transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions.
• Applicants must have one of the following degrees:
  
  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited college or university
  • An Associates Degree in Nursing (with an RN License) and a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
    • Admitted applicants are required to complete courses within our RN to BSN program in order to meet AACN BSN Essentials per theUNM College of Nursing Policyprior to beginning graduate coursework.
      1. NURS 405: Genetic Literacy Across the Lifespan
      2. NURS 407: Care of Vulnerable Populations
      3. NURS 410: Foundations of Leading Change and Advancing Health
• Applicants should have at least a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the graduate level.
  • Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis and will be asked to provide a supplemental statement explaining their GPA.
• One year or more of work experience in nursing or a relevant field prior to starting the program.
• Submit your completedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
• Submit the following to NursingCAS
  
  • Three Essay Responses (No More than 500 words):

    • Question 1:
      Health equity and social justice are important core concepts in nursing and are emphasized and valued in the UNM College of Nursing DNP program.

      The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017) define health equity as, “when every person has an opportunity to attain his or her full health potential” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or othersocially determined circ*mstances.” And health inequity as, “the distribution and allocation of power and resources differentially, which manifest in unequal social, economic, and environmental conditions.” Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment.

      Please describe your professional experiences with one health inequity experienced by individuals in your care and discuss how you could address this inequity in your practice as a DNP prepared Advanced Professional Nurse to improve health outcomes.

    • Question 2:
      Healthcare is increasingly complex. Advanced nursing professionals should have extensive systems literacy to know how to negotiate the healthcare system and meet the challenges of modern healthcare while reducing cost and advancing health equity. Systems-based practice involves responding to and leading within complex systems of health care. This requires nurses to effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, high quality, and equitable care to diverse populations. Health care systems rely on DNP prepared nurses to be responsible for quality improvement and the promotion of optimal health outcomes for patients in our care.

      Please provide one example of a quality improvement project you would like to implement to improve the quality of care and include your rationale for this project (patient safety, access to healthcare, efficiency of services and care, and/or improved health outcomes).

    • Question 3:
      The health outcomes of patients, populations, and communities are impacted by local, national, and global structures, systems, and policies. Advanced nursing professionals learn leadership and advocacy skills to foster positive working environments that increase their reach to all these levels.

      What ideals encourage a positive and healthyworkplace? How do you plan to use these ideas for improving health outcomes in your community?

  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A current Resumeor curriculum vita
  • Current NM RN License
    1. If you do not have a NM RN License you must be eligible for a NM RN License and obtain this license within the first term of the program.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Full Transcript Entry completed by the deadline

Visit The UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the graduate nursing program.”

• Must have one of the following degrees:
  1. A Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) from a nursing program accredited by either NLN or CCNE.
  2. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN) and a master’s degree in a related field, (MBA, MPA, MPH, MSA).
• Applicants should have at least a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the graduate level.
  • Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis and will be asked to provide a supplemental statement explaining their GPA.
• If your application is selected to advance in the application review process, please anticipate an interview with the graduate faculty.
• Submit your completedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
• Submit to NursingCAS
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Three Essay Responses (No More than 500 words):

    • Question 1:
      Health equity and social justice are important core concepts in nursing and are emphasized and valued in the UNM College of Nursing DNP program.

      The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017) define health equity as, “when every person has an opportunity to attain his or her full health potential” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or othersocially determined circ*mstances.” And health inequity as, “the distribution and allocation of power and resources differentially, which manifest in unequal social, economic, and environmental conditions.” Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment.

      Please describe your professional experiences with one health inequity experienced by individuals in your care and discuss how you could address this inequity in your practice as a DNP prepared Advanced Professional Nurse to improve health outcomes.

    • Question 2:
      Healthcare is increasingly complex. Advanced nursing professionals should have extensive systems literacy to know how to negotiate the healthcare system and meet the challenges of modern healthcare while reducing cost and advancing health equity. Systems-based practice involves responding to and leading within complex systems of health care. This requires nurses to effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, high quality, and equitable care to diverse populations. Health care systems rely on DNP prepared nurses to be responsible for quality improvement and the promotion of optimal health outcomes for patients in our care.

      Please provide one example of a quality improvement project you would like to implement to improve the quality of care and include your rationale for this project (patient safety, access to healthcare, efficiency of services and care, and/or improved health outcomes).

    • Question 3:
      The health outcomes of patients, populations, and communities are impacted by local, national, and global structures, systems, and policies. Advanced nursing professionals learn leadership and advocacy skills to foster positive working environments that increase their reach to all these levels.

      What ideals encourage a positive and healthyworkplace? How do you plan to use these ideas for improving health outcomes in your community?

  • A current Resume or CV
  • A current NM RN license:
    1. If you are an if you are an advanced practice nurse or certified in a nursing specialty, a copy of your advanced practice license or certification must be submitted.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions you have attended
  • Full transcript entry completed by the deadline
• Must have arranged practice site(s) for residency and capstone courses to meet all clinical clearances and liability requirements of the site(s) by end of the first term of enrollment.
• Personal interview for select applicants.

VisitThe UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the graduate nursing program.”

• The Post-Graduate Certificate Program currently has the following three admitting concentrations:

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• All concentrations must complete the below admissions requirements:

  • Applicants must have one of the following degrees:
    • A Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) from a nursing program accredited by either NLN or CCNE.
    • A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP) from a nursing program accredited by either NLN or CCNE.
  • Applicants should have at least a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 at the graduate level.
    • Applicants with a graduate GPA below a 3.0 will be considered on an individual basis and will be asked to provide a supplemental statement explaining their GPA.
  • It is recommended that applicants have 2 years of experience with their APRN license if applicable.
  • If your application is selected to advance in the application review process, please anticipate an interview with the graduate faculty.
• Submit your completedNursingCASapplication by theposted deadline.
• Submit the following toNursingCAS
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Three essay responses (No More than 500 words):
    
    • Question 1:
      Health equity and social justice are important core concepts in nursing and are emphasized and valued in the UNM College of Nursing DNP program.

      The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017) define health equity as, “when every person has an opportunity to attain his or her full health potential” and no one is “disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or othersocially determined circ*mstances.” And health inequity as, “the distribution and allocation of power and resources differentially, which manifest in unequal social, economic, and environmental conditions.” Health inequities are reflected in differences in length of life; quality of life; rates of disease, disability, and death; severity of disease; and access to treatment.

      Please describe your professional experiences with one health inequity experienced by individuals in your care and discuss how you could address this inequity in your practice as a DNP prepared Advanced Professional Nurse to improve health outcomes.
      

    • Question 2:
      Healthcare is increasingly complex. Advanced nursing professionals should have extensive systems literacy to know how to negotiate the healthcare system and meet the challenges of modern healthcare while reducing cost and advancing health equity. Systems-based practice involves responding to and leading within complex systems of health care. This requires nurses to effectively and proactively coordinate resources to provide safe, high quality, and equitable care to diverse populations. Health care systems rely on DNP prepared nurses to be responsible for quality improvement and the promotion of optimal health outcomes for patients in our care.

      Please provide one example of a quality improvement project you would like to implement to improve the quality of care and include your rationale for this project (patient safety, access to healthcare, efficiency of services and care, and/or improved health outcomes).

    • Question 3:
      The health outcomes of patients, populations, and communities are impacted by local, national, and global structures, systems, and policies. Advanced nursing professionals learn leadership and advocacy skills to foster positive working environments that increase their reach to all these levels.

      What ideals encourage a positive and healthyworkplace? How do you plan to use these ideas for improving health outcomes in your community?

  • A current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • A current NM RN license:
    • If you are an if you are an advanced practice nurse or certified in a nursing specialty, a copy of your advanced practice license or certification must be submitted.
  • Official transcripts from all institutions you have attended
  • Full transcript entry completed by the deadline
• An interview is required as part of the admissions process.
• VisitThe UNM Main Campus Admissions website to submit your application and transcripts to UNM Graduate Admissions. If accepted into the College of Nursing, you must be admitted to UNM before you start the graduate nursing program