Nursing (BSN)
Enter a rewarding, in-demand profession sooner than you think.
- Available as
- Major
- Degrees/Options
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Length
- 4 years
- Locations
- Fort Wayne
Why Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)?
Healthcare employers are increasingly looking to hire RNs with bachelor’s degrees; as demand for nurses rises, earning a BSN could boost your opportunities and earning potential. Coursework and clinical experiences in a BSN program prepare you to work as a nurse generalist with clients, families and communities across the lifespan and in a variety of settings.
Graduating from an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can also help you meet the requirements to apply for RN licensure through the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
100%
of BSN graduates over the last five years were hired or enrolled in additional education within 6 months of graduation.
2023
#2
Saint Francis is ranked the #2 Best College for Nursing in Indiana and top 10% nationally.
Niche, 2023
$81,220
Median annual salary for RNs in 2022
BLS.gov
Why Saint Francis for Your Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
The University of Saint Francis is synonymous with excellence in nursing education. Our BSN students are highly sought for employment, and they lead, serve and succeed in their careers throughout the state and region.
Saint Francis’ accredited nursing program offers a foundation in holistic health and nursing and introduces you to patient-centered care in areas such as medical and surgical, maternity, psychiatric and mental health, community health, older adults and children and adolescents. You’ll develop assessment and communication abilities and build nursing leadership skills.
You will learn from expert faculty mentors, many of whom are active healthcare practitioners. With a strong liberal arts foundation and an education rooted in Franciscan values, you will leave Saint Francis ready to serve society as a compassionate, ethical nursing professional.
High-Tech, High-Touch Learning
You’ll put your classroom learning into action as you practice skills and participate in real-world learning scenarios in state-of-the-art facilities like our simulation lab and nursing resource center.
Our facilities are home to exam rooms, patient units, and top-notch equipment, including high-fidelity infant, child and adult patient simulators — all professionally designed to prepare you for exactly what you’ll find in the workplace today.
“At the start of my senior year, I already had a nursing job lined up at Lutheran Pediatric Hospital for when I graduate.”
Chandler (Stevens) Cone ’18 ER Nurse, Parkview Health in Warsaw
“I was hired by Parkview Hospital before I graduated as part of their student nurse apprentice program. I heard about the opportunity in one of my nursing classes and applied my junior year. Saint Francis offered so many opportunities—it seemed like every year, I made a significant connection or had a meaningful experience.”
Jasmin Hoot ’23 RN, Parkview Hospital
“It’s such a great program! The professors make it what it is. They really want us to do well, and they’ll go out of their way to help us. It’s a challenging program, but it should be. We need great nurses!”
Maria Solis Valtierra ’24 Nursing
“I secured my job (as an emergency room nurse at Parkview Randallia) before graduation. I worked there as a tech during college and then joined Parkview’s student nurse apprentice program my senior year.”
Kendyhl Black ’23 RN, Parkview Randallia ER
“When I was in my clinical rotations, I always heard Saint Francis nurses are the first ones hired. Now that I’ve been working, I can see why. The Saint Francis nurses are much more patient-oriented. They’re willing to go the extra mile for the patient, whether staying late or calling the family — it’s the human skills that set them apart.”
Emily Butzin ’21 Orthopedics and Trauma RN, Parkview Hospital
Hands-On Healthcare Experience
Earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Francis means graduating with more than 900 hours of supervised experience with diverse populations in a variety of clinical and community settings:
Clinical Nursing Experiences
Saint Francis’ accredited nursing program takes you into real-world healthcare settings where you will continue to develop your nursing skills. These clinical placements allow you to explore multiple aspects of patient care and experience working with various members of a caregiving team. Recent field sites have included:
- Dupont Hospital
- Parkview Behavioral Health
- Parkview Regional Medical Center
- Saint Anne’s Communities
- Lutheran Hospital
- Cameron Memorial Community Hospital
Community Nursing Experiences
Experience with diverse populations in urban and rural settings is important for future nurses, so our accredited nursing program also gives you community nursing experience at places like:
- Allen County Board of Health
- Allen County Jail
- Bowen Center
- Charis House
- East Allen Community Schools
- Fort Wayne Community Schools
- Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic
- Neighborhood Health Clinic
Campus and Community Involvement
As you prepare to enter a helping profession, you’ll be glad to know Saint Francis offers plenty of ways for you to serve others through campus ministries, student groups and service-learning projects.
Where You’ll Find Our Graduates
After earning their bachelor’s of science in nursing from Saint Francis, our graduates start and grow their nursing careers at employers such as:
- Adams Health Network
- Cameron Memorial Community Hospital
- Community Health Network
- Eskenazi Health
- Franciscan Health
- Fresenius Dialysis Clinic
- Goshen Health
- IU Health
- Lutheran Health Network
- Mercy Health Ohio
- Parkview Health
- Regional Home Healthcare Agencies
- St. Vincent Health
Nursing Career Advancement
As you progress through your nursing career, you might consider earning an advanced degree, either for professional development or career advancement, or both. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing could serve as your stepping stone to a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing or healthcare administration, or related degree. Saint Francis nursing graduates have advanced their education with a doctorate of nursing practice, or a Nursing (DNP).
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Saint Francis is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.