Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

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.

Clinical Opportunities

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.

Baccalaureate Outcomes

Upon completion of the BSN program, the Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing graduate:

1. Demonstrates effective communication skills which foster mutual respect to enhance knowledge and experience.
2. Analyzes and evaluates data relevant to nursing.
3. Applies information from a variety of data sources within the health care setting to develop a plan to improve patient outcomes.
4. Implements culturally appropriate caring behaviors in nursing practice.
5. Analyzes decision-making skills and appropriate leadership styles for a variety of health care settings.
6. Demonstrates caring during interactions with patients, families and colleagues.
7. Analyzes evidence for use in planning and delivering nursing care.
8. Demonstrates accountability in providing safe and effective patient care.

Admission Criteria

Degree Requirement

Prior bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Minimum Coursework

• Minimum of 40 semester hours of required pre‑nursing coursework
• Application may be submitted after:
  • 24 credit hours completed
  • Including 12 credit hours of physical/life sciences

GPA Requirements

Overall GPA: 3.0 minimum

Transfer Credit

Only grades of C or higher accepted

Required Prerequisite Coursework

Natural Sciences

• Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab) – 4 credits
• Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab) – 4 credits
• Microbiology (with lab) – 4 credits
• General Chemistry (with lab)

Additional Sciences

• Human Nutrition – 3 credits
• Introduction to Statistics – 3 credits

Social/Behavioral & Humanities

• Lifespan / Developmental Psychology – 3 credits
• Ethics – 3 credits
• Humanities elective – 3 credits

Communication

• English Composition I – 3 credits
• English Composition II – 3 credits
• Speech / Oral Communication – 3 credits

Time Limit

• Natural science courses must be completed within 3 years of admission

Curriculum

Available at Saint Francis Only
Program Length: 12 months
Total Credits: 63

Fall Semester

• Fundamentals of Nursing – Didactic (3)
• Adult Health I – Didactic (3)
• Adult Health I – Practicum (5)
• Health Assessment – Didactic (2)
• Health Assessment – Lab (1)
• Pathophysiology / Pharmacology I (3)
• Ethics in Nursing Practice (3)
• Professional Identity and Clinical Judgement (2)
  Total: 22 credits

Spring Semester

• Chronic & Acute Adult Health II – Didactic (6)
• Chronic & Acute Adult Health II – Practicum (6)
• Pathophysiology / Pharmacology II (4)
• Community & Population Health – Didactic (2)
• Community & Population Health – Practicum (1)
• Psych‑Mental Health – Didactic (2)
• Psych‑Mental Health – Practicum (1)
  Total: 22 credits

Summer Semester

• Complex Adult Health – Didactic (3)
• Complex Adult Health – Practicum (4)
• Maternal Health – Didactic (2)
• Maternal Health – Practicum (1)
• Pediatric Nursing – Didactic (2)
• Pediatric Nursing – Practicum (1)
• Safety, Quality Improvement, and Informatics (3)

Practice Integration (NCLEX Prep / Professionalism) (3)
Total: 19 credits

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