DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Nursing, Bachelor of Science

Introduction

Earn a Prestigious BSN Degree from Saint Francis University

To succeed in nursing, you need to be ready for an innovative, high-touch profession where learning never stops, and patient care is the top priority. The Saint Francis University Department of Nursing utilizes exceptional learning opportunities to prepare future registered nurses to provide safe quality care in various patient-centered health care environments.

 

Offered: On-Campus with Clinical Components

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our graduates have consistently exceeded the National First Time-Taker Pass Rates on the NCLEX-RN exam
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work hands-on with simulated patients in our ELC and with real patients through clinical rotations in hospital settings

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Franciscan values are embedded in the coursework, ensuring we graduate caring, ethical nurses

 The SFU LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Nursing the Saint Francis Way

Our nursing students enjoy a unique camaraderie through small clinical groups (1-8 faculty-student ratio). Faculty know students by name in our close-knit department.  Each student receives an assigned faculty advisor throughout the program. Planned online and face-to-face meetings ensure students have every opportunity to succeed.  

 

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Student Experience Highlights


  • Our Nursing program is ranked in the top 5 Best RN Programs in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org.
  • Access to state-of-the-art technology in our Experimental Learning Commons.
  • Our Nursing program incorporates Franciscan values into the curriculum to ensure that our graduates are prepared to be ethical, compassionate professionals. 
  • Our faculty dedicate themselves to helping students prepare for the Students and faculty regularly volunteer for University-sponsored clinics for the underserved in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
  • Members of the Student Nursing Organization regularly attend state and national conventions to gain exposure and build contacts.
  • Our well-rounded Nursing students often participate in DI athletics, Greek life, and many other collegiate activities.
CURRICULUM & COURSES

What You’ll Learn in the BSN Program

 Baccalaureate education in nursing provides each student with the knowledge base for practicing professional nursing. The curriculum is based on a liberal arts foundation in the Judeo-Christian tradition and utilizes the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice within an integrated caring curriculum. Upon completion of the curriculum, the graduate possesses a foundation for graduate study.

 

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  • Degree Paths
  • Key Topics
  • Learning Objectives
  • Professional Licensure
  • Undergraduate Degree Path in Nursing

     

    Bachelor of Science in Nursing (on-campus) 

    Successful graduates of this program earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and possess the foundation for graduate study. A graduate is eligible to sit for the R.N. licensure exam, NCLEX-RN®

    Plan of Study 

    Course Catalog - 24/25 


    Additional Degree Paths:

    Second Degree/Accelerated BSN (on-campus)

    Enables a non-nurse with a baccalaureate degree (BA/BS), the ability to earn a BSN in  as little as15-months

    2nd degree BSN | Saint Francis University

     

    RN to BSN (online)

    An online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program for nurses who already hold the RN licensure

    RN-BSN | Saint Francis University

     

    RN to BSN to MSN FNP (online)

    An accelerated program that prepares academically qualified undergraduate RN-BSN nursing majors to take a fast-track approach toward their professional future that includes graduate-level courses while enrolled in undergraduate studies

    RN-BSN-MSN | Saint Francis University

     

    Graduate Nursing Programs

    MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track

     

  • Key Topics Covered

     

    • clinical reasoning, cultural competence, patient care technologies, and interprofessional collaborative practice
    • professional nursing standards aligned with the American Nurses Association Standards of Professional Performance
    • strong science foundation including human anatomy, chemistry, and biology
    • the  "Art and Science" of nursing through robust humanity/liberal arts core 
    • ethics and values of a caring profession 
    • caring for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations
    • hands-on simulated and professional clinical experiences
    • nursing leadership and management theory

     

     

  • Upon successful completion of the undergraduate nursing program, you will be able to:
    • Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the arts, sciences, and humanities for the development of intellectual and practical abilities, which form the foundation for nursing practice. 
    • Embrace the concept of Patient-Centered Care as the core purpose of nursing as a discipline. 
    • Examine the principles of population health for the purpose of achieving equitable outcomes and improved health status. 
    • Utilize the research process to acquire evidence-based practices which enhance the nurse’s collaborative role in clinical decision-making, improving health, and providing optimal care. 
    • Employ quality care improvement and patient safety practices to achieve desired health outcomes that are consistent with patient preferences and current professional knowledge. 
    • Collaborate with the interprofessional team to establish healthcare goals for individuals, communities, and populations. 
    • Apply knowledge of healthcare systems to effectively coordinate resources in providing safe, quality, and equitable care. 
    • Utilize information and communication technologies and informatics processes to promote efficient communication, and to assist patients and consumers to improve health and manage health conditions. 
    • Exemplify a professional nursing identity that reflects the characteristics and values of the discipline. 
    • Develop personal, professional and leadership attributes to promote self-awareness, personal growth, and positive opportunities.
  • Certification/Professional Licensure

    Upon graduation from the BSN program, all students must pass the NCLEX to receive the RN license. 

     

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Department of Nursing Faculty

Benefit from our Experienced Faculty

The nursing undergraduate faculty teach with a philosophy of learning as a self-motivated and voluntary endeavor on the part of nursing students. Using our “curriculum of caring” as a source of inspiration, we have moved away from the traditional role of teacher to that of “facilitator of learning” to help you take on the responsibility of self-direction. We support you as you develop the best ways of learning and becoming the best nurse possible. 

 

Nursing  Program Chair:  Dr. Rita Trofino, DNP, MNEd, RN, Rtrofino@francis.edu, 814-472-3027

Accreditation

The baccalaureate nursing program at Saint Francis University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

 

 

BSN Program Outcomes

  • Program Completion Rates
  • NCLEX-RN Exam Results
  • Graduate Employment Rates
  • BSN program completion rates for students entering into the professional phase of the nursing program and graduating within 6 semesters are at a minimum of 70% or higher.

     

    2023 

    Graduates

    2022

    Graduates

    2021

    Graduates

    2020

    Graduates

    2019 Graduates
    89.3%95.5%100%100%93.1% 
  • BSN Program graduates have consistently exceeded the National First-Time Taker Pass Rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on their first attempt.  

     

    Year Number of First Time Takers Program First Time Taker Pass Rate National First Time Taker Pass Rate 
    20234092.5%89%
    20223585.5%79.9%
    20212495.83%86.06%
    20202195.24%90.29%
    2019 20  100% 91.22%
     Five Year First Time Taker Average93.83%87.29% 
  • The BSN program graduate employment rate is at a minimum of 70% or higher as evidenced through data collected within 12 months of program completion.

    2023

    Graduates

    2022

    Graduates

     2021
    Graduates
    2020 Graduates 2019 Graduates 

    100%

    employed

    100%

    employed

    100%
    employed 
     100% employed100% employed 

Career Outlook in Nursing

Nurses are in high demand.  Job placement is 100% for those seeking employment in the hospital setting and many nurses are receiving substantial sign-on bonuses!  

Career Opportunities

The field of nursing offers a wide array of career opportunities in areas such as;
  • hospitals
  • home health
  • nursing care facilities
  • outpatient facilities
  • military

Salary Potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics  the median pay for nurses in 2023 was $86,070 per year.  

 

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing and Saint Francis University

  • How are student achievements celebrated?

    We are proud to honor the achievements of our students every chance we get through celebrations such as the White Coat Ceremony where students receive their white lab coats and pins as an official welcome into the clinical phase of the nursing program. 

  • What are some of the career opportunities I will have upon graduating?

    Here are some of the opportunities that our graduates have taken:

    • Clinical nurse on a medical-surgical unit
    • Neonatal intensive care unit nurse
    • Cardio-thoracic intensive care unit nurse
    • Home health nurse
    • Nurse practitioner
    • Nursing professor
    • Hospital staff development instructor
    • Nurse administrator
    • Labor and delivery unit nurse
    • Army nurse
    • Nursing home administrator
    • Nursing home nurse