The Second-Degree BSN program is offered in Fort Wayne.
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 healing hand and mind of Jesus Christ, the Division of Nursing forms a diverse community of learners to serve others with virtue, compassion, and joy. 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 to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036-1120, 202-887-6791, www.aacn.nche.edu.
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 knowledge from nursing and other disciplines with best evidence to inform clinical judgment, improve health outcomes, and advance the science of nursing.
2. Provide holistic, compassionate, and person-centered care shaped by Franciscan values.
3. Collaborate with the health team to provide population health across the healthcare delivery continuum with an emphasis on access to care, advocacy, sociocultural sensitivity, and improving equitable health outcomes.
4. Integrate quality and safety principles as core values of nursing practice.
5. Demonstrate leadership through interprofessional collaboration and coordination of nursing care and resources to optimize patient outcomes in complex systems.
6. Use information, healthcare technologies, and informatics processes to support and deliver high quality nursing care in a variety of settings.
7. Cultivate a sustainable nursing identity that demonstrates ethical, accountable, culturally sensitive, just, and self-reflective professional practice.
8. Engage in activities that foster lifelong learning, personal resiliency, well-being, and effective leadership development.
Licensure
After successful completion of the BSN program, the graduate is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse by examination. The test used to determine licensure is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In Indiana and many other states, graduates must complete an application which requires disclosure of criminal history including, but not limited to, charges pending against the applicant or conviction regarding a violation of any federal, state or local law relating to the use, manufacturing, distribution or dispensing of controlled substances, alcohol or other drugs or drug addiction; and/or conviction of any offense, misdemeanor or felony in any state. This excludes minor violations of traffic laws resulting in fines. If the graduate responds affirmatively to any of the items on the application, all related details must be submitted to the board. The application is completed under penalty of perjury.
In addition, Indiana applicants must complete a criminal background check at the time of NCLEX-RN application. The Board of Nursing reviews the application and determines the applicant’s eligibility to take the licensure exam. The State Board of Nursing may request a personal appearance dependent on the criminal history. Final approval of the candidate’s NCLEX-RN application is at the discretion of the State Board of Nursing.
Applicants should contact their respective Board of Nursing for further information or clarification. Graduates with special learning needs must contact the State Board of Nursing if special consideration for testing needs to be made.
Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN entitles the graduate to practice as a registered nurse in that state. Applications may be made for reciprocal privileges with other states.
Degree Requirements
The BSN program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours:
- 65 credit hours in nursing courses
- Block transfer 36 credits for earned bachelor’s degree
- 19 credit hours in General Education courses