The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares graduates for entry level practice as nurse generalists to practice professional nursing with individual clients, families, groups and communities across the life span in a variety of settings. Guided by the Franciscan Values, students are assisted to value service, lifelong learning and caring behaviors as the foundation for professional nursing. In addition to basic nursing roles, students practice in structured and unstructured settings, fulfill leadership roles, and evaluate and apply research to improve client outcomes. Knowledge from humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and life and physical sciences are synthesized with nursing theory and practice. The curriculum provides an academic background which serves as the basis for graduate education and continued personal and professional growth. After completing the degree, graduates are eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). (Click here for Requirements for Licensure to Practice)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERIC BSN PROGRAM
A point system is used to evaluate applications of qualified candidates in order to accept applicants into the program as either a pre-nursing or nursing major. The point system used by the Nursing Program Admissions Committee will be provided to an applicant upon request.

1. TRADITIONAL STUDENTS (up to age 24)
   a.  Graduate from an accredited high school.
   b.  Have a 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
   c.  Earn a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) re-centered score of 1000 or above or an
        American College Test (ACT) composite score of 21 or above.
   d.  Have successfully completed (“C” or better) one year of high school algebra and 
        biology and one year of high school chemistry with a "B-" or better.
   e.  Have completed the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) entrance examination.
    
2. Adult Students (25 years & older)
   a.  Graduate from an accredited high school.
   b.  Have a 2.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
   c.  Students who did not graduate from high school must have completed the General
        Education Development (GED) tests with a combined total battery GED score of
        2500 with no sub-test score below 500.
   d.  Have Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores from
        high school that would be equivalent to the current requirement of 1000 SAT or 21
        ACT.
   e.  Have successfully completed (“C” or better) one year of high school algebra,
        biology and chemistry.
   f.   Have completed the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
    

3. TRANSFER STUDENTS
   a.  Meet university entrance requirements for transfer students.
   b.  Have a minimum transfer cumulative GPA of 2.7.
   c.  Have successfully completed one year of high school algebra and biology with a
        grade of "C" or better and one year of high school chemistry with a grade of "B-" or
        better or one semester of college level algebra, chemistry and biology with a grade
        of "C" or better.
   d.  Only nursing courses with a grade of "B-" or better can be considered for transfer
        credit.
   e.  A minimum of 32 credit hours in nursing must be taken at the University of Saint
        Francis to be awarded a bachelor degree in nursing from the University of Saint
        Francis.
   f.   Have completed Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

Once admitted to the nursing major, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7, achieve a "B-" or better in all nursing courses and earn a grade of "C" or better in all required non-nursing courses.

Students who do not meet the nursing admission criteria may be admitted to the university as a pre-nursing or an undeclared nursing major.

Entry into a clinical sequence is based on availability of enrollment openings for the course. When it is necessary to form a waiting list for clinical courses, the following criteria are used for prioritizing students to begin the clinical sequence:
1.  GPA earned at the University of Saint Francis
2.  Date of entry into the nursing program.
3.  Number of credit hours completed toward the degree, including transfer credits.
4.  Grades in non-nursing courses, especially math and sciences courses.  

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
The Department of Nursing uses a system of external assessment and remediation for pre-licensure students. All pre-licensure students purchase a designated testing package upon enrollment in the first nursing course. The primary purpose is to help prepare students for NCLEX-RN success. Testing results are also used to evaluate course outcomes.

Pre-licensure students are required to complete designated tests including content mastery assessments at specified points in the curriculum. Additionally, a nationally-normed comprehensive examination designed to predict success on the NCLEX-RN will be administered during the final clinical nursing course. Students must much achieve a designated satisfactory score on the comprehensive examination in order to meet course requirements.

MATH COMPETENCY
A math competency program provides student assessment of math calculation knowledge and skills, and consistent testing practices in pre-licensure programs.

BSN PROGRAM GOALS
At the completion of the program, graduates will be prepared as nurse generalists and will be able to:

• Integrate the concept of holistic person and a multi-dimensional definition of health into nursing practice.
• Integrate critical thinking into nursing care for individual clients, families, groups, and communities across the life span in a variety of settings.
• Synthesize knowledge from humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and life and physical sciences with nursing theory and practice.
• Foster a caring presence through modifying communication techniques and establishing therapeutic relationships with individuals, families, groups and communities.
• Collaborate with members of the health team to promote clients’ health and welfare.
• Assume a leadership role in directing nursing activities and initiating change to improve health care delivery within an increasingly technological and diverse world.
• Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibility and accountability for professional nursing care.
• Implement a plan for professional growth and development as a member of the nursing profession.
• Evaluate the applicability of research findings to validate and improve nursing practice.

MAJOR COURSEWORK
Click here for the curriculum plan and course descriptions for the BSN. Changes may be made in the curriculum as necessary.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT
The BSN degree offers students the educational mobility to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing degree. USF offers the choice of two tracks within the MSN degree: Family Nurse Practitioner and Community Health Promotion and Education.

• MSN Program

ACCREDITATION
The Generic BSN Program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

updated 7/08