There are nine essential skills you should have in order to find, acquire, maintain, and grow within a job.

Essential skills build through majoring in Nursing include:

• Critical Thinking
• Professionalism & Work Ethic
• Teamwork & Collaboration

Click here to learn more about each essential skill.

Students graduating in Nursing often find themselves working in acute care, public health agencies, and community-care roles.

Click here to explore career opportunities by major.

Major milestones consist of activities students should complete during their first year, middle years and last year at MSU Denver. These milestones will help prospective and current students explore major and career options and create a year-by-year plan to integrate curricular (what happens inside the classroom), co-curricular (what happens inside and outside the classroom, and non-curricular (what happens outside the classroom) experiences. For example, milestones might list specific classes student should take at specific times along their journey or may suggest when students should participate in research opportunities with faculty members.

Simply put, Major Milestones are meant to enhance your student experience and set you up for success.

To use this tool to the fullest, follow these steps

1. Click on your year in school from the list below.
2. Read the steps listed in each category: Cultivate, Engage and Prepare.
3. Complete any necessary steps listed.
4. Check out further resources by connecting with your academic advisor, the Classroom to Career Hub, and your department faculty.

All options listed below are available in-person and online unless noted otherwise.

• Attend orientation and register for classes.
• Meet with your Academic Advisor.
• Complete FAFSA/CASFA/COF and the General Scholarship Application.

• Join a student organization and get connected to support on campus.
• Declare a major, (explore our fully online programs!) or meet with an exploratory advisor to learn about options.
• Attend signature events on campus (Convocation, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.).

• Visit the Nursing Department on campus
• Create a 4-5 year plan with your pre-nursing academic advisor
• Connect with your student success coach and/or access tutoring and other study tools

• Attend a nursing program information session
• Join the Student Nursing Association – available on Roadrunner Link
• Visit a healthcare setting to examine what a nurse does

• Meet with your pre-nursing advisor each semester
• Achieve high grades in your nursing prerequisite courses
• Explore nursing pathways to learn about the many types of job opportunities in nursing

• Consider adding a minor or certificate to your chosen major.
• Explore resources like the tutoring program or the writing center.
• Get familiar with MSU Denver’s Academic Planning Tool.

• Explore student leadership on campus and volunteering in your community.
• Earn credit and gain experience through an internship, study abroad, or community-engaged learning.
• Attend identity or interest-based campus events like the Richard T. Castro speaker series.

• Connect with the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship program.
• Attend an in-person Career Fair to network and secure a professional headshot.
• Connect with the Classroom to Career Hub (C2Hub) for opportunities for professional mentoring and job shadowing.

• Apply for acceptance into the nursing program
• Explore scholarship opportunities available only to nursing students
• Discuss alternatives to nursing with your pre-nursing advisor

• Experience healthcare as a provider, such as a CNA or other medical assistant
• Attend a Nursing Career Connection event, held each fall semester
• Review clinical placement opportunities, such as longitudinal or international

• Dedicate yourself to attending all class meetings, labs, and clinicals
• Make the grades needed to continue in program
• Meet with your nursing faculty advisor each semester

• Meet with your advisor to complete remaining graduation requirements.
• Ready to Graduate? Check out this guide from the registrar!
• Attend or present in-person at a major-specific or industry-specific conference or networking event.

• Attend in-person alumni and campus-wide networking events.
• Submit a proposal to present in-person at the Undergraduate Research Conference.
• Seek to collaborate with local civic organizations.

• Finalize your portfolio of relevant projects and skills.
• Attend in-person career-focused events with an industry-ready resume.
• Identify needs for Professional Certifications or MCAT/LSAT etc. and prepare for professional school admissions.
• Prepare and submit applications for jobs, graduate school, or relevant post-grad training.

• Begin studying for the NCLEX
• Consider which clinical experience you desire for your senior capstone
• Meet with your nursing faculty advisor to determine if you are meeting graduation requirements

• Connect with employers where you’ve had clinicals to discuss employment opportunities
• Consider mentoring a newer nursing student
• Join a national professional organization for nurses

• Create or update your resume
• Attend career fairs and networking events
• Apply for graduation and explore what you need to do to take the NCLEX