St. Olaf's nursing program is designed for students who want a deep professional education without sacrificing the broad-based inquiry of a liberal arts college. Unlike many universities that offer a B.S.N., St. Olaf grants a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Nursing, reflecting its commitment to the humanities and social sciences as essential components of health. The program is competitive entry; students typically apply in the fall of their sophomore year after completing prerequisites in chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy & physiology. Once admitted, the professional sequence begins in the spring of the sophomore year and continues through the senior year.
A standout feature of the St. Olaf experience is the use of Cadaver Labs in foundational science courses—a rarity for undergraduate nursing programs—allowing students an unparalleled understanding of human anatomy. In 2019, the college opened a new Nursing Simulation Center equipped with high-fidelity manikins and recording technology for intensive debriefing. Clinical rotations are diverse, spanning urban systems in the Twin Cities, rural hospitals in Southern Minnesota, and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. The program also emphasizes research and global health, with many "Ole Nurses" participating in January-term (J-Term) study abroad programs or faculty-led research projects.
The program's success is evidenced by its outcomes: a perfect 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate for consecutive recent years and a 100% employment rate for graduates seeking jobs before they even cross the commencement stage. Compared to larger public programs, St. Olaf is distinguished by its intimate 8:1 clinical student-to-faculty ratio and its direct-entry option for a limited number of high-achieving incoming first-year students. The college is fully accredited by the CCNE, with its next on-site evaluation scheduled for 2030.
Do you manage this facility? Claim your profile now to suggest edits to this page.
Manage your clinical education on Nursa
Programs
A BSN is a 4-year university RN degree, widely preferred by employers and required for many advanced roles, whose graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.
Address
Manage your clinical education
Find Similar Schools
The West Palm Beach VA Medical Center is a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving veterans across southeastern Florida. It provides inpatient, surgical, outpatient, mental health, and extended care, with community-based clinics extending access from Palm Beach County through the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee region.
The VA Western New York Healthcare System is a Department of Veterans Affairs network based in Buffalo, New York, serving veterans across western New York. It operates campuses in Buffalo and Batavia, providing inpatient, surgical, outpatient, mental health, and extended care with academic ties to the University at Buffalo.
Stephens College is a private women's college in Columbia, Missouri, founded in 1833 and among the oldest women's colleges in the country. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs including health sciences, with graduate study open to men, on a campus near the University of Missouri.
Rockhurst University is a private four-year institution in Kansas City, Missouri, offering accredited BSN and MSN programs. Partnered with the prestigious Saint Luke’s Health System, the school emphasizes leadership and service, providing students with high-fidelity simulation and diverse clinical rotations to ensure exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates.
Pick Up a Job Today
Find per diem PRN job opportunities in your area. High paying CNA, LPN and RN and many more licences are available now.
Join Nursa
Track Your Clinical Placements
Nursa Study helps nursing schools, students, and clinical sites easily coordinate clinical placements.
Learn More