The University of Nevada, Reno's Orvis School of Nursing is bringing nursing education to the Sierra Nevada with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University’s Lake Tahoe campus. Designed to prepare nurses for careers serving rural and mountain communities, the program will welcome its first cohort of students in Spring 2027.
The new Lake Tahoe BSN option expands access to nursing education while addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals in rural regions throughout Nevada and the Sierra Nevada. Students will complete the same rigorous, nationally accredited nursing curriculum offered at the University's Reno campus while gaining specialized preparation focused on the unique healthcare needs of rural and mountain populations.
"This program offers students an opportunity to learn nursing in a close-knit, supportive environment while serving communities that greatly benefit from skilled healthcare professionals,” Julie Sawyer, BSN Track Leader for the Lake Tahoe Campus, said. “Our goal is to prepare nurses who are clinically excellent and deeply connected to the rural and mountain populations they will serve."
Students enrolled in the Lake Tahoe program will benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty support and integrated clinical experiences with healthcare partners throughout the region. The Orvis School of Nursing will coordinate all clinical placements and provide transportation to clinical sites, ensuring students receive hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings.
“From the Lake Tahoe Basin to the I‑80 corridor, this program transforms nursing education into an adventure in purpose, connection and community impact," Dr. Shannon Richard, associate dean of Undergraduate Programs, said.
Students admitted to the Lake Tahoe cohort will live on campus at Prim-Schultz Residential Hall and participate in a campus meal plan throughout the intensive program. The residential model is designed to foster collaboration, academic success and a strong sense of community among future nurses while taking advantage of the Lake Tahoe campus's unique setting in the heart of the Sierra Nevada.
The accelerated 16-month BSN pathway is designed for students who have completed the required prerequisite coursework and are ready to enter the professional phase of nursing education. Applications for the inaugural Spring 2027 cohort will open Aug. 1 and close Sept. 7, 2026. The first class will include 16 students who will begin coursework in January 2027.
Prospective students interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. The session will provide an overview of the curriculum, admission requirements, student experience and career opportunities available through the new program. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.
As Nevada's oldest nursing school, founded in 1956, the Orvis School of Nursing has a long history of preparing nurse leaders who improve health outcomes across Nevada and beyond. The addition of the Lake Tahoe BSN program advances that mission by creating new pathways for students while helping meet critical workforce needs in rural and mountain communities.
