SFU Nursing Ranked #1 Program in the State 2018
Saint Francis University's nursing program has been ranked the number one nursing program in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org.
Nursing programs were assessed on several factors, which represent how well a program supports students towards licensure and beyond. Past and present NCLEX-RN “pass-rates” weighted by year, were analyzed for this ranking.
Saint Francis University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program recently became the only program in the state to have 100 percent of its graduates pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for the past four consecutive years.
“I am so very proud of our nursing faculty, staff and students for this outstanding accomplishment. This recognition affirms the outstanding health science programs we have at the University,” stated Dr. Donald Walkovich, Dean of the School of Health Sciences.
“We are delighted by this ranking, and so grateful for all of the time and effort that the faculty students, and administration have put forth in achieving such outstanding outcomes,” said Dr. Rita Trofino, who serves as the Nursing Department Chair and Associate Dean in the School of Health Sciences.
According to Dr. Trofino, job placement has been excellent, as 100% of graduates who seek professional employment within 3 months of graduation have jobs in the profession. Most have jobs within 2 months of graduation. Areas of employment for recent graduates include: UPMC Altoona; UPMC Children’s Hospital; Mayo Clinic; Conemaugh Health System; Cleveland Clinic; Geisinger Medical Center; Pinnacle West Shore; Latrobe Excela; UPMC Mercy; Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; West Virginia University Medical Center, Ruby Memorial Hospital; and Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore. Dr. Kim Forst is the BSN Program Director, and can be reached 814-472-3314, or at kforst@francis.edu.
Saint Francis has been providing quality undergraduate nursing education for more than 30 years and has recently built upon that excellence with the new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Leadership/Education Track (L/E) which opened in fall of 2016. Dr. Camille Wendekier is the Program Director of the MSN, L/E Program, and can be reached at cwendekier@francis.edu , or at 814-472-2843. This degree provides BSN graduates with a new option to pursue administrative/leadership or educational roles, according to Dr. Trofino. This program is now accepting applications for its summer cohort.
Dr. Lenore Resick, CRNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, was recently hired as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Family Nurse Practitioner Track (FNP). The proposal for this new program was submitted to the PA State Board of Nursing in December of 2016. We are currently awaiting word on approval of this program. Dr. Resick can be reached at lresick@francis.edu or at 814-472-2833.
Students interested in nursing options at Saint Francis University may visit www.francis.edu/nursing.
The baccalaureate nursing program at Saint Francis University has full approval by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Application for accreditation of the graduate program has been submitted, and CCNE will make an accreditation site visit on March 14-16, 2018. Saint Francis University remains accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.