Deliver Passionate, Patient-Centered Care

A nursing student prepares a syringe at the UMass Lowell Nursing Simulation Lab.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing program at UMass Lowell provides students with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to deliver passionate, patient-centered care. Learn how to apply ethical principles and legal requirements in the delivery of care, develop therapeutic relationships with individuals and groups and promote health in diverse populations.

As a student in our program, you'll build skills and confidence in the Donna Manning Simulation Laboratories. By interacting with high-fidelity adult, pediatric and maternal manikins or simulated patients (trained actors), you'll develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills before advancing to your clinical rotations.

From Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities, you'll learn how to work in teams with students from different disciplines such as dietetics, public health, exercise physiology, physical therapy and pharmacy.

During your senior year, you'll experience a semester of immersion in the nursing specialty area of your choice, working one-on-one with an expert nurse preceptor.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to sit for the Board of Registration in Nursing’s National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurse (NCLEX) examination for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

High First-Time Pass Rate on National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) Exam

Our 2024 graduates had a 95 percent board licensure pass rate on their first try, exceeding the national average of 91 percent.

Nursing Career Options

UMass Lowell’s nursing graduates are in high demand, with 86 percent landing jobs or being accepted into graduate programs within six months of graduation.

Two nursing students smile as they work at laptops in the UMass Lowell Nursing Simulation Lab.

The clinical aspects of the nursing program are developed, coordinated and supervised by the nursing faculty and are provided in collaboration with members of our community agencies. 

Student clinical placements and places of employment may include:

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital
  • Greater Lawrence Family Health Service
  • Holy Family Hospital
  • Lahey Hospital and Medical Center
  • Lawrence General Hospital
  • Lowell Community Health Center
  • Lowell General Hospital
  • Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Tewksbury Hospital
  • UMass Memorial Medical Center
  • VNA of Greater Lowell Winchester Hospital

Courses You'll Take

Check out our degree pathways—a suggested four-year schedule of courses—for a possible pathway toward your B.S. in Nursing.

Visit the Academic Catalog for all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

Why Study Nursing at UMass Lowell?

A student uses a stethoscope to examine a child mannequin in the UMass Lowell Nursing Simulation Lab.

Advanced Nursing Laboratories

Build your confidence and experience before going into a care setting through our state-of-the-art facilities, which include: 

Nursing student wearing blue scrubs holds tubes near a patient bed in a UMass Lowell demonstration hospital wing

Hands-On Experience

Gain hands-on experience through our collaborative relationships with more than 250 clinical agencies, including:

  • Acute care hospitals (major teaching, community-based, medical centers)
  • Long-term care settings
  • Assisted living facilities
  • Primary care practices
  • School health settings
  • Visiting nurse and home care agencies
  • Occupational health setting
  • Child care and adult day health settings
Nursing student sits at an outdoor table

Fun Outside the Classroom

Put your learning into practice. Check out some of the fun ways UML students come together.

Nursing student wearing blue scrubs sits at a table in a UMass Lowell classroom

Bachelor’s-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined B.S/M.S. program
  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.500 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

Meet Our Alumni and Students

Meredith Ritze, a registered nurse, pictured at Lowell General Hospital with a patient.
Meredith Ritze '20
Family Health Nursing (NP)

After 12 years working as a registered nurse at Lowell General Hospital, Meredith Ritze developed specialized skills caring for people who struggle with urology issues. She applied to UMass Lowell to become a nurse practitioner to further her career.

I think science and art fuse in nursing because you need compassion, care and the desire to make improvements to the problems you confront.
Read More About Meredith Ritze 
Margaret Fitzgerald with a group of people at the Solomont School of Nursing's 50th Anniversary celebration at the Inn & Conference Center
Margaret Fitzgerald '86
Nursing

While working for 16 years in an intensive care unit, Margaret Fitzgerald decided that she could do more to prevent patients from ending up in the hospital. So she earned a master’s degree in nursing at UMass Lowell to become a nurse practitioner.

The influence that the School of Nursing has had on health in the Merrimack Valley and beyond is extensive, and I’m proud to be part of its legacy.
Read More About Margaret Fitzgerald 
headshot of Marbella Leal
Marbella Leal '20
Nursing

An Honors College student fellowship gave Marbella Leal a chance to work with at-risk students and do research with a professor.

I felt like I made a difference in their life, even if it was a small one.
Read More About Marbella Leal 
Caroline Klim with teammates.
Caroline Klim '23, '25
Nursing, Public Health

Lacrosse player Caroline Klim ’23 plans to apply public health knowledge to her future nursing career.

I am beyond grateful for the experiences and opportunities that UMass Lowell allowed me to have in my five years as a student-athlete.
Read More About Caroline Klim 

Accredited Program and Approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The UMass Lowell nursing program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.