The curriculum for the Accelerated BSN program consists of 124 semester hours of coursework, plus mostly on-campus clinical experiences. The classroom requirements include 59 hours of liberal arts and sciences courses (achieved at an accredited college or university of the student's choice) and 64 hours of study in the nursing major at the College of Nursing.
The curriculum was designed by the faculty so that each course contributes to the overall program. The curriculum is based upon our Mission, Vision and Values.
Courses required in the pre-nursing sequence prepare the student for the study of the nursing major. Upon graduation, students are eligible to write the national licensure examination for practice as a professional registered nurse.
College of Nursing students enjoy the unique opportunity to gain most of their clinical
experiences without leaving the campus.
OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, an academic medical center affiliated with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, is the primary clinical site. OSF Saint Francis is located next door to the College of Nursing.
A Level I Trauma Center and tertiary medical center with the OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois, OSF Saint Francis also is recognized for its quality nursing care, having earned Magnet Recognition Status from the American Nurses' Credentialing Commission. In 2019, OSF Saint Francis won the ANCC Magnet Prize Sponsored by Cerner.
In addition to the nursing clinical at OSF Saint Francis, students also gain experiences at the Human Service Center, agencies of the Catholic Social Services and various other community agencies.
Upon completion of the BSN program, the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing graduate:
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree offered by the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing consists of a total of 124 semester hours of coursework. These hours are divided into 59 semester hours of required pre-nursing courses and 64 semester hours of coursework within the nursing major.
For a list of requirements from specific pre-nursing colleges, please review our transfer guides.
The requirements of the pre-nursing curriculum incorporate both the general education core curriculum adopted by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the specific courses required to support the nursing major.
Course | Semester Hours |
Humanities - (elective) | 3 |
Humanities - (elective) | 3 |
Humanities - (elective) |
3 |
Communications - Speech |
3 |
Communications - English Composition (2 courses) |
6 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences - Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences - Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
Social & Behavioral Sciences - Growth & Development through Life Span (2 courses) Note: if one course covers entire life span, then may take a 3 semester hour elective instead of a second growth and development course |
6 |
General Elective - (3 hours if needed) | 3 |
Physical & Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology (2 courses) Must include a laboratory component |
8 |
Physical & Life Sciences - Chemistry Must include a laboratory component |
4 |
Physical & Life Sciences - Microbiology |
4 |
Physical & Life Sciences - Nutrition |
3 |
Mathematics - Introduction to Statistics |
3 |
General Education - (elective) | 8-9 |
Course | Semester Hours |
NAC 344 - Fundamentals of Nursing and Health Assessment | 6 |
NAC 346 - Accelerate Pathopharmacology I | 4 |
NAC 348 - Nursing as a Profession |
3 |
NAC 352 - Adult Practicum I |
4 |
P342 - Catholic Principle of Healthcare Ethics |
4 |
Course | Semester Hours |
NAC 356 - Accelerated Pathopharmacology II | 4 |
NAC 358 - Concepts of Chronic and Acute Adult Health | 6 |
NAC 359 - Adult Practicum II | 6 |
NAC 362 - Concepts of Maternal - Child Health | 4 |
NAC 363 - Maternal-Child Health Practicum |
3 |
Course | Semester Hours |
NAC 432 - Concepts of Community and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing | 5 |
NAC 433 - Concepts of Community and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practicum | 4 |
NAC 436 - Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice |
3 |
NAC 440 - Leadership in Nursing and Healthcare |
4 |
NAC 444 - Clinical Immersion |
4 |
NAC 446 - NCLEX Prep Course | 2 |