Nursing: RN-BSN, B.S.N.

This program is being re-activated in May 2026. 

The purpose of the RN to BSN program is to allow licensed Registered Nurses with an associate’s degree to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares graduates 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 in valuing service, lifelong learning, and caring behaviors as the foundation for professional nursing. In addition to nursing roles, students engage in project-based practica, fulfill leadership roles, and evaluate and apply research to improve client outcomes. Knowledge from the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and life and physical sciences is synthesized with nursing theory and practice. The curriculum provides an academic background that serves as the basis for graduate education and continued personal and professional growth.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the University of Saint Francis is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, www.in.gov/pla/nursing.htm, and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, 202.887.6791 or www.aacn.nche.edu

BSN Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the University of Saint Francis Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are prepared for entry-level nursing practice as nurse generalists who will:

1. Integrate current, evidence-based nursing and interdisciplinary practices to deliver safe and effective patient-centered care that improves the quality of care and outcomes.
2. Demonstrate effective communication with patients and their families, and members of the healthcare team.
3. Apply the nursing process, technology, and interprofessional collaboration to provide safe, compassionate, and effective patient-centered care that promotes health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
4. Demonstrate evidence-based clinical reasoning, practice, and judgment to deliver safe, effective care that includes a commitment to lifelong learning.
5. Provide compassionate patient-centered care that demonstrates competency as a care provider capable of respecting cultural diversity and being culturally sensitive to patients of all backgrounds.
6. Model professional accountability, integrity, and ethical practice to promote quality care and ensure patient safety.

Degree Requirements

The RN to BSN program requires 120 credits, which include:

• 65 credit hours transferred from an associate nursing degree from an accredited institution
• 28 credit hours in RN to BSN nursing courses
• 12 hours of general elective courses
• 15 credit hours for holding an active registered nursing license

Admission Requirements for the RN to BSN:

• Graduate from an accredited community college or university with an associate degree in nursing or in the final year of the associate degree nursing program. 
• Grade point average of a minimum 2.0 in the associate degree program. 
• Hold an unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the state you practice. Please note that students who have not passed the NCLEX will be unable to register for and take the NURS-480 course until licensure is obtained. 
• Have an updated resume with all work history present. 
• Apply and be accepted to the University of Saint Francis. 
• Attend/View an informational session before the completion of the program application. (Students may be required to complete an attestation form for proof of completion.)  

RN to BSN Progression Requirements:

To progress in the nursing sequence, students must meet the prerequisites and co-requisites for each course, as noted in the RN-BSN curriculum plans and the Nursing Student Handbook. The following criteria must be met in order to progress in the nursing sequence:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
2. Must achieve a “C” or better in all nursing theory and clinical courses.
3. Must receive a minimum of “C” in all other required, non-nursing courses.
4. Must complete requirements for graduation for no more than 12 semesters, including summer (fall, spring, summer).

RN to BSN Graduation Requirements:

To complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, the student must meet the following criteria:

• Complete a minimum of 120 hours of credit. Total credit hours completed will depend on placement exams. Transfer students must complete at least 20 credit hours in nursing courses.
• Complete all required nursing and non-nursing courses.
• Meet the requirements for academic standards (see RN-BSN Progression, Probation and Dismissal Policies).
• Payment of all financial obligations to the University.
• Complete requirements for University graduation within five years after starting coursework within the RN-BSN program.