College of Nursing and Allied Health
The new world of health care challenges the knowledge and flexibility of today's nurses. Registered nursing students prepare for these challenges through classroom and clinical coursework developed individually to meet the needs of each RN. Excluding completion of general education requirements, the upper division coursework may be completed in as little as one year. Courses are offered one night a week usually in eight-week blocks, by highly qualified, dedicated faculty. The entire Fast-track program is available on-line, except for clinical rotations.
Advanced placement credit is awarded upon submission of transcripts from an associate or diploma nursing program. Graduates of an NLN accredited nursing program may be awarded advanced standing in several ways:
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Through formal articulation agreements between the University and the community college (see the Director of the Fast-track Option for current information concerning these agreements).
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Through the credit escrow process. Students using this process must complete 6 hours of upper-division nursing credit with a grade of A or B.
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Through the work experience portfolio process. Students interested in this option will work with faculty to validate through documentation, nursing competency.
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Maximum credit available through the advance placement option is 34 semester hours.
Graduates of non-NLN accredited programs may receive advance placement through the escrow process, through examinations, or through portfolio development.
The University of St. Francis accepts most CLEP and DANTES examinations.
Additional Information about the CLEP examination can be found by clicking
CLEP and additional
information about the DANTES examination can be found by clicking on
DANTES.
REQUIRED LOWER-DIVISION GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
The
21st Century health care setting demands strong clinical skills in nursing
as well as excellent critical thinking skills. As a result, USF nursing
students are educated to graduate with a broader knowledge base of the
biological, physical, social and behavioral sciences. All nursing preparation
programs require specific coursework and/or competencies specified by
the National League for Nursing. USF prerequisites include:
| English Composition I and II (6 s.h.) | Anatomy and Physiology I & II (8s.h.) |
| Speech (3 s.h.) | General Chemistry (4-5 s.h.) |
| Theology or Religion (3 s.h.) | Microbiology (4-5 s.h.) |
| Philosophy ( 3 s.h.) | Intro to Statistics (3 s.h.) |
| Literature (3 s.h.) | Computer Science (3 s.h.) |
| History (3 s.h.) | General Elective (5-7 s.h.) |
| Intro to Psychology (3 s.h.) | Nutrition (2 s.h.) |
| Human
Growth and Development (3 s.h.) |
Intro to Sociology (3 s.h.) |
| Lifespan Developmental
Psychology (3 s.h.) |
A
cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required of all the above prerequisites except
for the general elective.
REQUIRED UPPER-DIVISION COURSES FOR RN/BSN
| Concepts of Prof. Nursing (3 s.h.) | PNPIV Community Health (4 s.h.) |
| *Computers in Health Care (2 s.h.) | Principles of Management (3 s.h.) |
| Nursing Research (3 s.h.) | Professional Nursing Seminar (2 s.h.) |
| Ministry
of Nursing (3 s.h./1 week course) |
*Two
(2) upper-division electives (6 s.h.) |
|
*Applied
Clinical Concepts (4 s.h.)
|
*Physical Assessment for RNs (3 s.h.) |
*Eligible to be challenged.
Successful completion of a minimum of 33 semester hours of nursing coursework onsite, online (or credit by portfolio or challenge exam),along with completion of required general education courses, allows the RN to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of St. Francis.
ADMISSION TO THE FAST TRACK PROGRAM
Registered nurses seeking admission into the College of Nursing and Allied Health Fast-track completion program must
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Submit an application to the Fast-track Program with application fee of $25
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Submit proof of current licensure as a registered nurse
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Submit transcripts of all college work and/or prior nursing education
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Submit proof of professional liability insurance
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Submit references from current employer attesting to clinical competencies.
TUITION COSTS, PAYMENT OPTIONS
2003-2004 (per year)
Effective Summer 2003
Tuition, per credit hour...............................................................................$345
Challenge exams.........$100 examination fee; $25 transcript posting fee per credit hour
Payment options: Monthly payments, Tuition deferment payment, check or credit card
For
more information, contact:
Nursing and Allied Health Admissions: (800) 735-7500
e-mail: nursing@stfrancis.edu
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of St. Francis 500 Wilcox Street Joliet, Illinois 60435 (800) 735-7500
A Catholic, Franciscan University
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