BSN Program Houston

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at HCU stands among the premier nursing schools in Houston, TX, offering a comprehensive curriculum that interweaves rigorous academic preparation with hands-on clinical experience. This distinguished program holds full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing, ensuring students receive an education that meets the highest professional standards.

A Community of Care and Support

The nursing program at Houston Christian University fosters deep connections among students, faculty, and healthcare partners. Through shared experiences in clinical rotations, classroom learning, and spiritual formation, students develop lasting relationships that support their professional journey.

Work-study opportunities at partner hospitals offer select students hands-on experience while earning scholarship support, creating a seamless blend of practical learning and financial assistance.

Clinical Excellence in the Heart of Houston’s Medical Community

Students in HCU’s Houston nursing program experience clinical rotations throughout the renowned Texas Medical Center and various community health settings. These invaluable partnerships include:

• Memorial Hermann Hospital, where students engage in intensive care nursing and witness groundbreaking trauma care
• Texas Children’s Hospital, offering specialized pediatric care experiences
• Houston Methodist Hospital, providing diverse specialty rotations
• Harris Health System, exposing students to comprehensive public health services

The program’s strategic location near Houston’s premier healthcare facilities creates unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and professional growth.

Nurturing Future Nurse Leaders

At the heart of HCU’s nursing program lies a transformative curriculum that nurtures both professional excellence and spiritual development. Through intentional mentorship and Christ-centered education, students develop into healthcare leaders who minister to patients with extraordinary skill and deep compassion.

The program’s distinctive approach encompasses:

• Personalized Learning Communities: Small class sizes foster meaningful connections between students and faculty, creating an environment where every future nurse receives individual attention and guidance. This intimate setting allows for deep discussions, shared prayer, and authentic relationships that support both academic and spiritual growth.
• Advanced Simulation Experience: In the state-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center, students practice critical skills in a supportive environment that builds confidence and competence. High-fidelity patient simulators and realistic scenarios prepare students to provide compassionate care with technical precision.
• Mentorship That Transforms: Experienced nursing faculty walk alongside students as mentors and guides, sharing not only their clinical expertise but also their dedication to faith-integrated nursing practice. These meaningful relationships often extend beyond graduation, creating a lasting network of support and encouragement.
• Evidence-Based Practice with Heart: Students learn to blend the latest nursing research and best practices with genuine compassion, developing the discernment to deliver care that addresses both physical needs and spiritual well-being.
• Holistic Educational Foundation: A rich liberal arts curriculum combined with advanced nursing science creates well-rounded healthcare professionals who think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the human experience in all its complexity.
• Spiritual Formation Journey: Through chapel services, prayer groups, and faith-integrated coursework, students develop a deeper understanding of nursing as a sacred calling. Regular opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth help shape servants’ hearts ready to minister through healthcare.

Program Requirements and Excellence

The BSN degree requires completion of 121 semester hours, including:

• Liberal arts core curriculum
• Nursing prerequisites in sciences and psychology
• Professional nursing courses
• Clinical rotations and practicums

Students graduate not only with technical proficiency but also with a deep understanding of nursing as a calling to serve others with compassion and excellence.

Degree Plan

Review degree plan

Graduates of HCU’s nursing program emerge as compassionate healers ready to make a meaningful difference in countless lives. Their preparation opens doors to diverse opportunities where they can shine Christ’s light through excellent care:

• Critical Care and Emergency Services: Serve as a beacon of hope and skilled care in intensive care units and emergency departments, providing crucial support during patients’ most vulnerable moments. These high-acuity settings allow nurses to demonstrate both technical expertise and spiritual strength.
• Maternal and Pediatric Nursing: Minister to new mothers and children with tender care, supporting families through life’s most precious and challenging moments. This specialty allows nurses to witness miracles while providing essential education and emotional support.
• Community Health Outreach: Extend healing beyond hospital walls through school nursing, home health care, and public health initiatives. These roles create opportunities to build lasting relationships and address healthcare disparities with Christ-like compassion.
• Mental Health Ministry: Offer hope and healing to those facing mental health challenges, combining professional therapeutic skills with spiritual sensitivity to support the whole person’s journey toward wellness.
• Healthcare Innovation: Shape the future of nursing through research initiatives and nursing informatics, developing new ways to enhance patient care while maintaining the human touch that makes nursing unique.
• Advanced Practice Nursing: Continue the journey of growth through graduate studies, preparing for expanded roles such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nursing administrator. These advanced positions multiply the impact of Christ-centered care through leadership and education.

At Houston Christian University’s Linda R. Dunham School of Nursing, we prepare graduates for meaningful careers that blend professional excellence with compassionate care. Our BSN program builds strong foundations for rewarding opportunities in healthcare, where skilled hands and caring hearts come together to make a genuine difference.

Career Preparation and Growth

Healthcare organizations actively seek HCU nursing graduates, recognizing their exceptional preparation and heartfelt commitment to patient care. Our program opens doors to fulfilling careers with competitive compensation, including:

Hospital Care Teams

• Critical care units supporting patients and families through challenging times
• Labor and delivery departments welcoming new life into the world
• Pediatric units providing gentle care to young patients
• Surgical departments supporting patients through healing journeys

Community Health Impact

• Home healthcare bringing professional care into familiar spaces
• Hospice teams providing compassionate end-of-life support
• School nursing fostering healthy learning environments
• Public health initiatives strengthening community wellness

Professional Development and Advanced Opportunities

The BSN program creates pathways for continuous growth and advancement. Many graduates choose to expand their impact through:

• Advanced practice nursing roles (MSN)
• Healthcare leadership and administration
• Specialized certifications in areas of passion

Why Employers Choose HCU Nurses

Our graduates stand out in the healthcare community for their:

• Comprehensive clinical preparation and hands-on experience
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making abilities
• Deep commitment to patient-centered care
• Professional integrity and ethical practice
• Ability to connect meaningfully with patients and families
• Leadership skills and collaborative spirit

Through partnerships with leading healthcare institutions, evidence-based training, and dedicated mentorship, we ensure our graduates are ready to thrive in their nursing careers while making a lasting difference in the lives of others.