What does the Nursing program prepare you for?
Bellarmine’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares you to serve in hospitals and community settings. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be qualified to perform many roles in the field of nursing. You’ll also be qualified to pursue a higher degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or a Ph.D. Graduate studies may include many tracks such as nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, or nursing education, among others.
What makes Bellarmine's Nursing program stand out?
At Bellarmine, you’ll learn from the best nursing instructors in the region, who will put you on the path toward a rewarding career. You’ll also benefit from the renowned Bellarmine undergraduate program, which teaches critical-thinking and leadership skills that are highly valued by healthcare employers. Our small class sizes ensure your professors can give you one-on-one support, and you’ll learn the highest standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct. You will also benefit from our location in Louisville, Kentucky, which has some of the best clinical settings and major healthcare employers in the nation.
The Student Perspective
Brian Estrada is a senior from California studying Nursing. Estrada was drawn to nursing after an experience in which a family member became acutely ill and is now interested in specializing in cardiac care. He intends to start practicing after graduation to apply what he has learned before going back to school for a graduate degree in the field.
Here’s what Estrada had to say about his experience in Bellarmine’s Nursing program:
Q: Coming all the way from California, what sold you on Bellarmine’s program?
BE: The class sizes were the biggest thing, especially for nursing. All the teachers know my name. It's almost like an incentive to keep going, to keep learning, because you're holding yourself accountable to those professors and to yourself. You're not a number. The idea that it was going to be a small class size was such a big thing and such a different experience than any other program that I was looking into.
Q: What does having close connections with your professors do for your studies?
BE: It honestly builds my confidence because, if I'm stuck with anything, I'll go to their office hours, I'll email them or even text them, and that really builds a sense of trust. It builds confidence that if I have an obstacle, I know how to resolve it. I know what my resources are. You can get extra help.
Q: What’s the relationship like with your fellow students in this major?
BE: With my peers, I feel like we're all friends. We're all there struggling together, succeeding together, and going through it all together. It really builds community, because I feel like if I were just a number, I wouldn't want to talk to anybody else. I wouldn't know where to start. And so, everybody pretty much knows my name and I know theirs. So, it's that trust, you know—we're all in this together.
Q: What kind of experiential, hands-on learning does the Bellarmine Nursing program provide?
BE: Basically what happens is you get your course lectures like any other class. You do your exams; you're learning the actual content. Then while you're starting off you have skills lab—that's more hands-on, taking vital signs, trying to do a manual blood pressure, taking and listening to heart rates, giving injections. Then you start transitioning into clinical experiences where you get placed depending on the class you're taking. Right now, we're doing our acute care rotation, so we're going to an acute setting with patients that are more ill and you have to do a little bit more advanced assessments, do more critical thinking trying to apply what you've learned.
Q: How important is the opportunity to learn in a hands-on, clinical setting?
BE: That's what I really valued. I didn't have any clinical or hospital experience. I didn't know what it was like. I'm from a small town, so we only have one hospital there and a couple of clinics, so I really didn't know the whole environment, especially how it is here in Louisville. [In Louisville] there are so many different hospitals, so many different places you can work, and they really try to fit you in there. Because that's just the best way to learn: hands on.
For me, Norton Scholars was a big help. It’s a program through Norton [Healthcare] that can help you with tuition assistance and then you can go work with them. That helps with networking and I’ve met amazing, amazing people at Norton. There's a floor at Audubon Hospital where I want to work, it’s a cardiac step-down. I've done clinical experience there twice. I've shadowed, I've talked to the manager, I've talked to so many nurses, and they just make your experience so much better. So, I want to stay with Norton because I feel like they're really empowering me and they care about me.
Q: How would you describe the learning environment at Bellarmine?
BE: The learning environment is pretty high quality, because there are so many different programs. You can go to the tutoring center, the writing center, there’s also the RISE program specifically for nurses. Even if you feel confident in what you've learned you can still go back there and polish your skills. Going through this challenging course, sometimes you need a refresher because you build up on what you've learned, you don't just leave it behind.
Q: Bellarmine is a liberal arts school, so in addition to your Nursing studies you're also required to take courses outside of Nursing. What has that experience been like for you, and has it influenced your Nursing?
BE: Yeah, definitely. I've been in so many different classes, whether theology, philosophy, English writing and stuff like that. Some may say we don't really need this stuff because we just want to go straight into our [Nursing] course. But I feel like it actually built me up to be a really responsible person. It really built me up to get in the habit of studying, actually doing your work. It gives you a break from [Nursing], but it also builds up your character as well. I would say that especially for philosophy and theology, I feel like I learned a lot about myself and I've felt that carried on to the other courses.
Q: What would you say to a prospective student who is interested in studying Nursing at Bellarmine?
BE: I would say to take the leap. My mentality is that the years will pass by anyways, so might as well make the most of it furthering your education if you have the opportunity. Don't let other people discourage you. Take that leap, take that first step, apply, go to info sessions, email the school, or go on tours and give it a try. They're very friendly to beginners. They have an Intro to Nursing course and stuff like that, so you get a feel for what it's going to be like. And then if you like it, you stay in there and keep going forward.
I would definitely recommend Bellarmine’s program. The networking experience, the assistance in learning that you get and also you get to go to clinical sites, you get to have very small professor-to-student ratios where they actually know your name, if you have any questions they see you in the hallway and you can ask them or meet with them. It's overall a really good experience, and I feel like you're not really going to find that anywhere else.
Q: Do you feel like this program has helped you find a purpose or calling for your life or career?
BE: I would definitely say yes. I did take that big first step coming way over here from California and, yes, I did want to go into [nursing], but I was also very unsure. I didn't have any experience at all. But, going through the program, you learn more about yourself, you get to know what kind of person you are and your likes and dislikes and there's so many different pathways in the Nursing program that you find where you fit. And I feel like that's very important. I was switching around different nursing practices that I wanted to do because I felt like I was growing and I was maturing and I was figuring out what I actually wanted. I felt like that actually helped going through it, learning so many different things and practicing as well.
I would definitely say take that challenge, no matter how big or small it may seem to you. Because if you never try it, you won't know. That has helped me going through here.
The Faculty Perspective
Leslie Leffler, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is an assistant professor of nursing in Bellarmine’s Lansing School of Nursing and Clinical Sciences. Her professional interests include clinical decision-making among nurses and family nurse practitioners, student success, and professional nursing practice.
Leffler notes that Bellarmine offers a highly respected, student-centered nursing program, and its graduates are consistently sought after by healthcare employers for their strong clinical competence, critical thinking skills, and compassionate approach to care. Students benefit from early exposure to clinical experiences, strong NCLEX pass rates, and meaningful opportunities for study abroad and community engagement.
“Our curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, cultural humility, and ethical decision-making,” Leffler says. “As our program has grown to meet workforce demands, students learn within a cohesive cohort model and benefit from faculty with a wide range of clinical and professional experiences, who are intentional about creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. Students build meaningful connections through repeated interactions across courses, clinical experiences, and advising, ensuring they are well supported academically and professionally. Our focus remains on preparing graduates who are confident, competent, and ready to practice in today’s complex healthcare environment.”
Bellarmine’s program stands out because it offers non-competitive admission, meaning once students meet the prerequisite requirements they are guaranteed a spot in the program. Once accepted, students enjoy a supportive, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating learning environment that encourages curiosity, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving others.
“The program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, reflective practice, and ethical leadership, shaping nurses who are prepared not just to work in healthcare, but to transform it,” Leffler says. “We integrate innovative simulation experiences, community partnerships, and real-world service learning to ensure students are prepared to meet today’s complex healthcare challenges.”
From advising and career coaching to personalized feedback and one-on-one support, Bellarmine Nursing students enjoy valuable guidance throughout the program. One example is the Clinical RISE (Recitation Initiative for Student Enrichment) program, which offers individualized support for students needing additional guidance to build safe and effective clinical judgment. Whether students need extra help with coursework, clinical performance, or just building confidence in their skills, Bellarmine Nursing faculty are there to guide them.
Leffler says these features make for a uniquely thorough and effective program where students can expect to reach their highest potential.
“A Bellarmine Nursing degree prepares graduates to lead with confidence, compassion, and competence. Students leave with not only a strong clinical foundation but also the critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills essential for today’s healthcare landscape. Our alumni work in top hospitals, community health settings, and advanced practice roles, and many pursue graduate education. Most importantly, they are prepared to care for diverse populations with empathy, cultural humility, and a lifelong commitment to learning and advocacy.”
Visit the Nursing program page for more information including program highlights, career opportunities, and contact information if you’d like to get in touch with the department.