Department of Nursing
Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
The Department of Nursing offers the nursing major to registered nurses in two formats. The traditional credit format requires 192 quarter hour credits through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS). The competency based format requires 50 competencies through the School for New Learning (SNL). Both programs earn a bachelor of science with a major in nursing.
RN-BS Program (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Traditional Credit Curriculum)
Program Summary: Designed for registered nurses who want to complete a Bachelor's degree, this curriculum gives students a holistic education in the liberal studies and upper division professional nursing education along with basic preparation for community health nursing practice.
Admission Requirements:
- Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois
- GPA of 2.5/4.0
- Program Details
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Program Goals and Learning Outcomes:
The purposes of the undergraduate nursing program are to:
- Prepare registered nurses for:
- Professional practice and leadership roles in health promotion and illness care,
- Collaboration with others to meet present and future health needs of society,
- Community service to vulnerable populations in the Vincentian tradition, and
- Provide a liberal education that fosters a broad personal and professional perspective as a basis for continued growth and lifelong learning.
- Provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing and the health sciences.
The graduate of the program will:
- Apply nursing concepts, theories and research to a family-centered and community-based practice of professional nursing care and case management.
- Explore the philosophies of professional nursing in the context of its history and its evolution as a discipline.
- Demonstrate appreciation for the diversity and harmony of each unitary human being in mutual process with the environment.
- Contribute to excellence in health promotion and disease prevention through evidence-based professional practice, ethical care management and effective patient teaching.
- Assume responsibility for a collaborative role within the health team and the profession for safe, effective and affordable health care with individuals and families.
- Demonstrate independence and personal accountability for self-directed personal and professional development as a registered nurse.
- Use professional codes and standards as a basis for professional nursing practice and service to a multicultural society.
- Use information technology in professional nursing practice.
- *If you have completed Bachelor's degree in any field other than nursing, please look at our Masters Entry program designed especially for the college graduate who wants to become a registered nurse.
RN-BS Program Joint Degree with the School for New Learning (Competency-Based Curriculum)
Program Summary: This program is designed for the adult learner who is self-motivated and requires flexibility in their class schedules. Many courses are available on-line and through independent study. Students apply to and are admitted to the School for New Learning. Upon completion of most Lifelong and Liberal Learning competencies, students should complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) form transferring to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. The BS degree is awarded by both LAS and SNL and the diploma is signed by both deans.
