Opportunities & Resources for Students
OSF HealthCare offers numerous opportunities for students, including our undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, IL and Saint Francis College of Nursing in Peoria, IL. Students from our colleges as well as other accredited programs are able to complete clinical or practicum nursing rotations at our facilities, with Dedicated Education Units located at several of our hospitals.
Saint Anthony College of Nursing
Saint Anthony College of Nursing was ranked No. 2 in the state of Illinois in 2021 by RNcareers.org. With an overall ranking of 96.89%, Saint Anthony College of Nursing is in the top tier of all nursing schools across the country, ranking 74 in the nation.
Saint Francis College of Nursing
At OSF Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, we have multiple flexible, affordable graduate programs. We offer bachelors, master’s or doctorate degrees, or post-graduate certification in multiple clinical interests and specialties. Find the one that’s right for you!
Dedicated Education Unit (DEU)
DEUs are currently located at our Peoria and Rockford hospitals. Here we pair nursing students with staff nurses who have a desire to teach as clinical instructors. Students benefit as there is individualized instruction, mentoring, and a realistic perspective of nursing; a clinical instructor who is current with medications, clinical procedures, regulations and the inner workings of the health care system provides education; and students are able to network for potential future job opportunities.
Summer Internship
At OSF HealthCare, we offer a 10-week Summer Student Nurse Internship program designed to provide nursing students with an educational opportunity to improve nursing skills in the clinical setting while at the same time providing summer employment.
BSN Preparation for Nursing
Studies continue to demonstrate that nursing education at the BSN level contributes directly to patient outcomes. At OSF HealthCare, we support the recommendation that at least 80% of nurses be prepared at the BSN level. To achieve this, OSF HealthCare provides financial support to nurses wishing to further their education.
Transition to Practice
New graduate nurses will participate in OSF HealthCare’s Transition to Practice Program: The First Year as a Nurse upon hire. Our transition to practice program was developed for both in-patient and hospital outpatient new graduate nurses. It integrates new Mission Partner orientation, nursing orientation, unit-based orientation, professional development courses, and a mentor program into one comprehensive nurse residency program.