Department of Nursing
Online RN to BSN
Gain the Credentials You Need to Make a Bigger Impact in the Lives of Your Patients
As hospitals and health care systems make the push to hire more BSN-educated nurses, many RNs are considering returning to school to advance their education. Saint Francis University offers a flexible online RN-BSN path for you to advance your nursing career.
- Transfer-friendly (transfer up to 98 credits)
- Applicants who hold an associate degree are awarded 27 general education credits for past coursework.
- Advance-standing credits awarded for prior nursing courses
- Complete in as little as 11 months
- Rolling Admission: 3 starts per year
- Online theory classes
- Choices of direct care experieces
- Earn six MSN credits at BSN tuition rates.
- Students who successfully complete this program may consider enrolling in our MSN-FNP program.
- The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Saint Francis University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Competative Tuition Costs!
Students in the RN-BSN program pay the 2024-2025 tuition rate of $485 per credit hour online undergraduate programs. RNs employed by one of our partnering healthcare organizations will receive a 25% tuition scholarship off that rate.
Ask us for details!
Offered: Online with Direct Care Experience Hours
earn your BSN in as little as 11 months
transfer up to 98 credits toward your degree
opportunities to earn MSN credits at BSN tuition rates
Admission Requirements
RN to BSN
- Current, active, and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the state or commonwealth to complete clinical practicum coursework. Active current practice is required. (If a student plans to relocate out of the state or commonwealth of practice, while enrolled in the program, the student must immediately inform the online RN-BSN Program Director, to discuss the impact on completion of clinical coursework.)
- Graduate of an accredited Diploma or Association Degree Nursing Program with a minimum GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is required.
- Official transcript from each institution from which the student has earned college credits.
- The applicant must be in good academic standing at the most recent institution attended.
- Applicants located outside of the Commonwealth of PA should consult the University State Authorization website.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
RN to BSN
The online RN to BSN Program is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program which is an online degree completion program for nurses who already hold the RN licensure.
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Degree Path
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Learning Outcomes
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Technical Standards
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Degree Path
Our program prepares baccalaureate generalists in nursing to assist persons, families, and communities toward the goal of health throughout life.
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.
Plan of Study | Course Catalog - 24/25
Estimated Completion Time:
Full-time 3 semesters or Part-time 4 semesters
Admissions Deadline:
This program has rolling admission
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Learning Outcomes
BSN Student Learning Outcomes:
- Synthesize knowledge from the humanities and sciences, advanced nursing concepts, and applicable evidenced-based practice to enhance the art and science of nursing care;
- Espouse a life-giving mode of being derived from The Prayer of Saint Francis for use in interprofessional communication and collaboration to establish therapeutic and human caring relationships with individuals, families, and communities;
- Utilize technology and informatics to improve the delivery of nursing care, quality of care, health care outcomes, and the delivery of health education to multiple populations;
- Employ the caring-nursing process to maximize wellness in the delivery of culturally competent professional nursing care for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments;
- Affirm professionalism in the art and science of nursing care by understanding the ramifications of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing care;
- Assume the professional nursing roles of caregiver, teacher, advocate, and care manager by utilizing basic organizational and systems leadership skills to promote quality patient-centered care and patient safety.
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Technical Standards
Students are required to satisfactorily achieve program outcomes. Therefore, consideration is given to scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, personal qualities, emotional health and minimum functional requirements/technical standards, necessary to fulfill the objectives of the program.
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.
Program Director: Regina Barr, MSN, RN
Email: rbarr@francis.edu
Phone: 814-472-3146
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program and master of science in nursing program at Saint Francis University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CCNE Accreditation (aacnnursing.org
FAQs
Common questions about the RN to BSN to MSN Programs at Saint Francis University
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How much does the online RN to BSN program cost?
Students in the RN-BSN program pay the 2024-2025 tuition rate of $485 per credit hour online undergraduate programs. RNs employed by one of our partnering healthcare organizations will receive a 25% tuition scholarship off that rate. Ask us for details!
For a detailed breakdown of costs for online undergraduate programs, please visit our Division of Professional Studies Tuition & Fees page.
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I have my associate degree in nursing (ASN) do I need to complete all the liberal arts/general education courses for the BSN at Saint Francis?
No. If you have your associate degree, we honor the liberal arts core from that program, leaving you only a few required general education courses to complete plus the required 25 credits of major nursing courses. This will help streamline your pathway from RN-BSN, saving you time and money.
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Do you offer tuition discounts or scholarships to RNs wanting to complete their BSN?
Yes. We have many healthcare employer partners and provide a 25% scholarship off our listed online tuition rate. This scholarship is applied every semester until degree completion, providing you stay in good standing with the university.
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Can we use our employer tuition reimbursement to help pay for the tuition costs?
Yes. You are able to defer your payment for the semester by providing a letter from your HR department, outlining that you are an employee there and the particulars of your tuition reimbursement program. Once we defer your tuition bill and the semester ends, you will have 30 days to then pay your bill at Saint Francis University.
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How quickly can I complete my BSN degree?
Once we know how many credits you are transferring to the program, we will work with you to map out a degree completion plan. Some BSN online students complete their degree in as little as 11 months, depending on the number of transfer credits. The other factor regarding completion time is if you go part time or full time and both are an option and we will work with you to plan everything out.
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How many credits will you accept?
We can accept up to 98 credits including your nursing classes, science classes, and any other liberal arts or other courses you’ve taken in the past, even years ago. We have a very transfer-credit friendly policy at Saint Francis. We are happy to review all your transcripts and complete a free transfer credit evaluation for you. Email us at professionalstudies@francis.edu
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Do the online courses have set meeting times, or can we work at our own pace?
Our online courses are asynchronous, meaning you have no set meeting times so they are convenient and flexible for you. You can work on the course material any time you’d like as long as you’re meeting the weekly deadlines. The instructor is always there to guide and help you when you have questions or concerns.
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Will I have an advisor or am I on my own to figure things out?
You will have an admissions counselor assigned to you to help you through the admissions process and then our online advisor will help you get registered and oriented to Saint Francis. Our RN-BSN coordinator will serve as your main contact for the online BSN program and will advise you throughout your program. We are a school that prides itself on our personalized service to our students and are always there to help you and answer your questions.
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What if I’m struggling with a class or need extra help to be successful?
We have many support services available to you as an online student. First, be sure to reach out to your professor to see if they have any strategies to help you work through the material. Second, contact your advisor and let them know that you’re struggling and need some guidance and support. We have services available to you including tutoring, writing center, academic support, disability services, counseling, and more.
Students in the RN-BSN program pay the 2024-2025 tuition rate of $485 per credit hour online undergraduate programs. RNs employed by one of our partnering healthcare organizations will receive a 25% tuition scholarship off that rate. Ask us for details!
For a detailed breakdown of costs for online undergraduate programs, please visit our Division of Professional Studies Tuition & Fees page.
No. If you have your associate degree, we honor the liberal arts core from that program, leaving you only a few required general education courses to complete plus the required 25 credits of major nursing courses. This will help streamline your pathway from RN-BSN, saving you time and money.
Yes. We have many healthcare employer partners and provide a 25% scholarship off our listed online tuition rate. This scholarship is applied every semester until degree completion, providing you stay in good standing with the university.
Yes. You are able to defer your payment for the semester by providing a letter from your HR department, outlining that you are an employee there and the particulars of your tuition reimbursement program. Once we defer your tuition bill and the semester ends, you will have 30 days to then pay your bill at Saint Francis University.
Once we know how many credits you are transferring to the program, we will work with you to map out a degree completion plan. Some BSN online students complete their degree in as little as 11 months, depending on the number of transfer credits. The other factor regarding completion time is if you go part time or full time and both are an option and we will work with you to plan everything out.
We can accept up to 98 credits including your nursing classes, science classes, and any other liberal arts or other courses you’ve taken in the past, even years ago. We have a very transfer-credit friendly policy at Saint Francis. We are happy to review all your transcripts and complete a free transfer credit evaluation for you. Email us at professionalstudies@francis.edu
Our online courses are asynchronous, meaning you have no set meeting times so they are convenient and flexible for you. You can work on the course material any time you’d like as long as you’re meeting the weekly deadlines. The instructor is always there to guide and help you when you have questions or concerns.
You will have an admissions counselor assigned to you to help you through the admissions process and then our online advisor will help you get registered and oriented to Saint Francis. Our RN-BSN coordinator will serve as your main contact for the online BSN program and will advise you throughout your program. We are a school that prides itself on our personalized service to our students and are always there to help you and answer your questions.
We have many support services available to you as an online student. First, be sure to reach out to your professor to see if they have any strategies to help you work through the material. Second, contact your advisor and let them know that you’re struggling and need some guidance and support. We have services available to you including tutoring, writing center, academic support, disability services, counseling, and more.