Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing is a single purpose institution offering an undergraduate program that leads to a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN). The program continues a 100-year tradition of excellence in nursing education, preparing men and women for the practice of professional nursing.

The curriculum for the 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 65 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 and Philosophy.

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. Synthesizes theories, concepts, and principles from behavioral, natural and social sciences, technologies and nursing as a foundation for the practice of professional nursing.
2. Implements culturally appropriate caring behaviors in nursing practice.
3. Integrates written, oral, technology and information literacy skills to facilitate communication within the nurse-patient relationship and interprofessional collaboration in a variety of health care settings.
4. Models critical thinking, skills of inquiry and problem solving skills for effective decision making in nursing practice based on best evidence.
5. Implements the nursing process to assist patients and families throughout the life cycle in reaching optimal health by facilitating adaptation of physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual well-being.
6. Applies leadership through engaging in professional nursing within a political, legal, ethical, social and financial framework to implement patient safety and quality within the context of the interprofessional team and health care system.
7. Demonstrates responsibility and accountability for personal and professional growth and development and is responsive to emerging roles within the profession.
8. Employs the process of self-reflection to continually improve practice and engage in lifelong learning.

Admission Criteria

1. Evidence of graduation from a high school approved by the State Board of Education or official score report of the G.E.D.
2. Home schooled applicants should submit the following:
   1. Official copy of the academic record indicating grade point average, a summary of all courses taught by the home school, the title of each course, the grade received, and the name of the instructor.
   2. Official transcripts received through any correspondence school or regional organization that provides the service for home schools.
   3. The Secondary School Report Home School Supplement HS.
3. Completion of 59 credit hours of required pre-nursing curriculum at a regionally accredited college or university with an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
4. 2.5 GPA for Anatomy and Physiology courses. This requirement is waived for registered nurses.
5. Required pre-nursing courses must be taken for a letter grade rather than pass/fail or credit/no credit.
6. Only grades of C or above are accepted for transfer credit.
7. A total of two courses may be repeated within the past five years. Each course may be repeated only one time.
8. Courses with a grade of D or lower taken five years or more before the date of application will be disregarded in the calculation of the admission GPA.
9. Acceptance of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) credit will be given individual consideration by the Admissions and Progression Committee.
10. Registered nurses must submit a copy of current license.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission is competitive and usually the average GPA of the admitted class is significantly higher than the stated minimum of 2.5.

Application Checklist

1. Application
2. $50 Application Fee
3. High School Transcript
4. Official College Transcripts
5. Copy of current RN license.

International Student Admission Criteria (BSN only)

1. International students must meet the same College of Nursing admission requirements as students who are educated in the United States of America.
2. A College of Nursing Application for International Admission and nonrefundable $75.00 application fee must be submitted to the College by the deadlines shown below. Late applications will be deferred to the next semester.
3. The College of Nursing will only accept international students with F-1 Student Visas as full time students into its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Full time enrollment is not available in the College of Nursing’s RN to BSN or graduate programs.
4. The prospective student must submit high school and official college transcripts, or its equivalent, in English (or a certified translation). The transcripts must be mailed directly to the College of Nursing from the institutions that were attended and must include the school’s seal.
5. Official transcripts that are not in English must be evaluated by an official credentialing center and a copy of the evaluation must be sent by the Center directly to the College. A Course-by-Course Evaluation is required. The prospective student assumes the responsibility for providing transcript evaluation and must pay for the evaluation.
6. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English. If the Bachelor or Master Degree was earned from a school in the United States of America, the TOEFL requirement is waived. To satisfy this requirement, the prospective student must take the TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 for paper/pencil or 79 for the Internet based exam. Students who do not pass the TOEFL must confer with a representative of the Admissions Office and be considered by the Admission and Progression Committee. Test scores cannot be more than two years old.
7. An interview is optional at the request of either the College or the applicant.
8. Prospective students are required to show assured support for the two years at the College. Bank certification is required to assure that the student has the amount required for cost of attendance. If funds are from a source other than the applicant, i.e., a sponsor, the sponsor must sign the form and note amount of funding pledged. The sponsor must also provide Bank Certification which must also have original seal of the financial institution. No photocopies or fax copies will be accepted.

Please print, complete and mail the International Application (PDF) to:

Admissions Office
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing
511 NE Greenleaf Street
Peoria, Illinois 61603

Curriculum

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 65 semester hours of coursework within the nursing major.

Prerequisites

59 semester hours of required pre-nursing curriculum to be completed at the college of choice prior to enrollment at the College of Nursing.

Application may be made upon completion of at least 30 semester hours of pre-nursing courses, which must include at least eight semester hours of physical/life sciences.

An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 plus a 2.50 GPA for anatomy & physiology I & II are required for admission. Only course grades of C or above are transferable.

If the hours total less than 59, an additional elective must be taken in any area of choice.

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.

Junior Year - First Semester

Junior Year - Second Semester

Senior Year - First Semester

Senior Year - Second Semester

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