
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
RN to BSN or RN to BSN to MSN
Introduction
Gain the Credentials You Need to Make a Bigger Impact in the Lives of Your Patients
As hospitals and health care systems make the push to hire more BSN-educated nurses, many RNs are considering a return to school to advance their education.
Luckily we have two paths for you: RN to BSN online or RN to BSN to MSN online program in Leadership Education.
Offered: On-Line with Clinical Components

earn your BSN in as little as 11 months

transfer up to 98 credits toward your degree

opportunities to earn MSN credits at BSN tuition rates
Admission Requirements
RN to BSN or RN to BSN to MSN
- Current, active, and unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse in the state or commonwealth to complete clinical practicum coursework. Active current practice is required. (If a student plans to relocate out of the state or commonwealth of practice, while enrolled in the program, the student must immediately inform the online RN-BSN Program Director, to discuss the impact on completion of clinical coursework.)
- Graduate of an accredited Diploma or Association Degree Nursing Program with a minimum GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is required.
- Official transcript from each institution from which the student has earned college credits.
- The applicant must be in good academic standing at the most recent institution attended.
- Applicants located outside of the Commonwealth of PA should consult the University State Authorization website.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
RN to BSN
The online RN to BSN Program is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program which is an online degree completion program for nurses who already hold the RN licensure.
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Degree Path
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Learning Outcomes
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Technical Standards
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Degree Path
Our program prepares baccalaureate generalists in nursing to assist persons, families, and communities toward the goal of health throughout life.
The curriculum is based on a liberal arts foundation in the Judeo-Christian tradition and utilizes the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice within an integrated caring curriculum.
Plan of Study | Course Catalog
Estimated Completion Time:
Full-time 3 semesters or Part-time 4 semesters
Admissions Deadline:
This program has rolling admission
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Learning Outcomes
BSN Student Learning Outcomes:
- Synthesize knowledge from the humanities and sciences, advanced nursing concepts, and applicable evidenced-based practice to enhance the art and science of nursing care;
- Espouse a life-giving mode of being derived from The Prayer of Saint Francis for use in interprofessional communication and collaboration to establish therapeutic and human caring relationships with individuals, families, and communities;
- Utilize technology and informatics to improve the delivery of nursing care, quality of care, health care outcomes, and the delivery of health education to multiple populations;
- Employ the caring-nursing process to maximize wellness in the delivery of culturally competent professional nursing care for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments;
- Affirm professionalism in the art and science of nursing care by understanding the ramifications of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing care;
- Assume the professional nursing roles of caregiver, teacher, advocate, and care manager by utilizing basic organizational and systems leadership skills to promote quality patient-centered care and patient safety.
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Technical Standards
Students are required to satisfactorily achieve program outcomes. Therefore, consideration is given to scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, personal qualities, emotional health and minimum functional requirements/technical standards, necessary to fulfill the objectives of the program.
CURRICULUM & COURSES
RN to BSN to MSN
The online MSN-LE program prepares registered nurses for advanced roles that require increased accountability, expertise, and leadership. Graduates of Saint Francis University’s School of Nursing MSN program are prepared to assume roles as administrators and nursing educators.
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Degree Path
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Learning Outcomes
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Technical Standards
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Degree Path
The RN to BSN to MSN online program in Leadership Education Program (MSN-LE) is an accelerated program that prepares academically qualified undergraduate RN-BSN nursing majors to take a fast-track approach toward their professional future that includes graduate-level courses while enrolled in undergraduate studies. Students who qualify for this program may earn up to 12 master’s nursing credits by the completion of their BSN degree at Saint Francis University.
Plan of Study | Course Catalog
Estimated Completion Time:
Typically 4 years of full-time study
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Learning Outcomes
BSN Student Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize knowledge from the humanities and sciences, advanced nursing concepts, and applicable evidenced-based practice to enhance the art and science of nursing care;
- Espouse a life-giving mode of being derived from The Prayer of Saint Francis for use in interprofessional communication and collaboration to establish therapeutic and human caring relationships with individuals, families, and communities;
- Utilize technology and informatics to improve the delivery of nursing care, quality of care, health care outcomes, and the delivery of health education to multiple populations;
- Employ the caring-nursing process to maximize wellness in the delivery of culturally competent professional nursing care for individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of health care environments;
- Affirm professionalism in the art and science of nursing care by understanding the ramifications of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on nursing care;
- Assume the professional nursing roles of caregiver, teacher, advocate, and care manager by utilizing basic organizational and systems leadership skills to promote quality patient-centered care and patient safety.
MSN Student Learning Outcomes
- Exercise a selected advanced nursing practice role to ensure the delivery of high quality direct patient care and/or to foster an organizational climate in health care and nursing educational settings that serve to promote high quality patient care;
- Exercise leadership in interdisciplinary collaboration to develop and/or refine organizational structures and processes through which high quality, evidence-based and cost-effective care, and the improvement of patient outcomes are assured;
- Participate in political processes at a variety of levels to influence health care policy that benefits patients, the profession, and the interdisciplinary community of health care providers;
- Make critical, constructive, and effective use of scientific evidence in the implementation, evaluation, and revision of health care services to better serve the health needs of individuals in the context of their families and communities;
- Exercise leadership to cultivate a highly ethical, culturally competent, and caring health care culture through the promotion of self-awareness, effective communication, effective group dynamics, values-based realism, courage, and principled action;
- Employ administrative and clinical information technology to access and leverage knowledge effectively, ethically, and legally in the interest of safe, effective, patient care in a variety of settings.
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Technical Standards
Students are required to satisfactorily achieve program outcomes. Therefore, consideration is given to scholastic aptitude, academic achievement, personal qualities, emotional health and minimum functional requirements/technical standards, necessary to fulfill the objectives of the program.

Department of Nursing Faculty
Benefit from our Experienced Faculty
The nursing undergraduate faculty teach with a philosophy of learning as a self-motivated and voluntary endeavor on the part of nursing students. Using our “curriculum of caring” as a source of inspiration, we have moved away from the traditional role of teacher to that of “facilitator of learning” to help you take on the responsibility of self-direction. We support you as you develop the best ways of learning and becoming the best nurse possible.
Nursing Program Chair: Dr. Rita Trofino, DNP, MNEd, RN, Rtrofino@francis.edu 814-472-3027
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program and master of science in nursing program at Saint Francis University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CCNE Accreditation (aacnnursing.org)
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About RN to BS OR RN to BS to MSN Programs and Saint Francis University
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What is the online RN to BSN Tuition?
For more information on program costs please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
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What is the Online RN to BSN to MSN Tuition?
For more information on program costs please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
For more information on program costs please visit our Tuition & Fees page.
For more information on program costs please visit our Tuition & Fees page.