Nursing
- Bachelor of Science
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A passion for service. A commitment to learning. Your trajectory to a nursing career begins at Saint Vincent College.
There has never been a better time to become a nurse. And there is no better place to earn your BSN than Saint Vincent College. Our forward-thinking, clinically-immersive curriculum prepares you for nursing practice grounded in compassion for all, ethical behaviors, scientific rigor and spiritual and self-awareness. Guided by Benedictine values and wisdom, you will embrace a life-long personal and professional journey into the rewarding nursing profession.
Undergraduate Programs
Career Choices with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A BSN is the entry degree into professional nursing practice. The demand for bachelor’s-prepared nurses is growing rapidly in Pennsylvania, the United States and globally. Having a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College prepares you for a wide range of career opportunities in roles such as:
- Acute Care
- Critical Care
- Rehabilitative Care
- Long Term Care
- Ambulatory/Outpatient settings
- Public Health
- School Health
- Information Technology/Health Informatics
- Home Health
- Palliative Care
- Hospice Care
- Case Management
- Education
- Telemedicine
- Forensics
- Leadership
A bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent College also provides graduates with a strong foundation for graduate education in nursing, including:
- Master’s of Science in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Nursing students have access to the extensive educational and career support services offered at Saint Vincent College. Students receive one-on-one academic guidance, access to health and wellness services, and more. The Saint Vincent College Career and Professional Development Center helps with résumé and cover letter writing, career planning, job searching, internship programs, graduate school preparation, and interviewing techniques.
Earning Your BSN Degree at Saint Vincent College
Our four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is designed for high-school graduates who are ready to apply themselves to the rigors, demands, and responsibilities of professional nursing. Guided by experienced faculty, our students pursue academic and clinical excellence in state-of-the-art science and simulation labs, highly recognized health care systems, and community-based agencies.
At Saint Vincent College, you will enter the BSN degree program directly, putting you on a structured education path. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Successful completion of the examination earns you a license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).
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First-Year Living Learning Community for SVC Nursing Students
First-year nursing students will have the option to live together in a Living Learning Community (LLC), which is intentionally designed to support the transition to college while gaining connections within the campus and local community. Students living in LLCs have higher average GPAs, attempt and complete more credit hours, and are more likely to stay in college than their peers.
Located in the freshman residence Saint Benedict Hall, the nursing LLC allows our students to form study groups, share interests, and explore common academic aspirations which will augment the regular academic program and provide enriching experiences not normally found in the conventional classroom or residence hall. Details include:
- Dedicated, 24-bed on-campus community.
- Live and learn with other nursing majors.
- Social activities, including a meet-and-greet reception and monthly activities.
- Close faculty relationships to help establish you in your first year.
- Opportunities for personal and professional growth, community service, and program specific events and activities designed to engage and introduce students to the nursing profession.
- Interactions with nurses actively practicing in different clinical specialties.
- In-hall academic advising and tutoring throughout the year.
- Participate in the Freshman Seminar that is tailored for nursing students.
BSN Curriculum
Our 124-credit BSN nursing curriculum prepares you for a professional nursing career and personal transformation that opens you to realizing your values and life purpose in service to others through the lens of Benedictine wisdom. Alongside core clinical skills, our students learn how to practice nursing grounded in compassion for all, ethical behaviors, scientific rigor and spiritual and self-awareness.
Students will participate in the Listening, Learning, and Loving core curriculum, humanities and science courses, and nursing didactic and clinical courses. Unique to the program is the incorporation of micro-credentials integrated within existing courses that offer specialty training acknowledged on the student’s official transcript. Click the drop-down for courses that comprise the nursing curriculum:
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BSN Nursing Curriculum Courses
Course Number
Course Title
Credits
Core Courses
CORE 1400
Listening Seminar: Health, Wellness, and Self-Care
3
CORE 1500
Core Writing
3
CORE 1100
Elective
3
CORE 2500/CA120
Public Speaking
3
CORE 1203
Introductions to Sociology
3
CORE 2600/AN 285
Foundations of Public Health
3
CORE 11600/PL 218
Bioethics
3
CORE 2400
Learning Seminar
3
CORE 2100
Elective
3
CORE 2200
Health Policy and Social Justice
3
CORE 1507
Science Writing
3
CORE 3400
Loving Seminar
3
Humanities and Science Courses
PY 218
Life Span Development
3
MA 107
Quantitative Reasoning
3
CH 125
Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
3
CH 127
Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Lab
1
MA 121
Basic Applied Statistics
3
HSCI 222
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
3
HSCI 223
Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
1
BL 295
Fundamentals of Microbiology
3
BL 296
Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab
1
HSCI 224
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
3
HSCI 225
Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
1
BL 299
Pharmacology
3
BL 297
Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan I
2
BL 298
Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan II
2
Nursing Courses
NUR 110
Principles of Applied Nutrition
3
NUR 211
Introduction to Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice I: Health Assessment
2
NUR 221
Introduction to Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice I: Practicum
1
NUR 212
Perspectives on Nursing
2
NUR 213
Introduction to Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice II: Fundamentals of Assessment, Nursing Care, and Clinical Practice
2
NUR 223
Introduction to Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice II: Practicum
1
NUR 214
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Science
2
NUR 311
Nursing Care of Adults with Acute and Chronic Disorders
3
NUR 321
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Care in the Nursing Care of Adults with Acute and Chronic Disorders: Practicum
3
NUR 312
Nursing Care of Women, Newborns, and Families
2
NUR 322
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Care in the Nursing Care of Women, Newborns, and Families: Practicum
2
NUR 313
Genetics and Precision Health
2
NUR 314
Nursing Care of Vulnerable Populations
2
NUR 324
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Nursing Care in the Nursing Care of Vulnerable Populations: Practicum
2
NUR 315
Nursing Care of Children, Adolescents, and Families
2
NUR 325
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Nursing Care of Children, Adolescents, and Families: Practicum
2
NUR 316
Applied Epidemiology in Nursing
1
NUR 411
Nursing Care of Individuals with Psychiatric, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions
2
NUR 421
Clinical Reasoning and Personalized Care of Individuals with Psychiatric, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions: Practicum
2
NUR 412
Nursing Care of Populations
2
NUR 422
Clinical Reasoning that Addresses Population Health: Practicum
2
NUR 413
Leadership in Systems of Care
2
NUR 414
Nursing Care of Adults and Populations with Multiple and Complex Health Disorders
2
NUR 423
Professional Nursing Immersion - Leadership in Systems of Care
8
NUR 415
Application of Data Analytics, Informatics, and Healthcare Technology
1
NUR 416
Senior Capstone
1
Total Credits= 124; Total Clinical Credits = 23/1035 hours
Micro-credentials/Seminars
Seminar
Exploring the Nursing Profession
0
Micro-credential
Medication Mathematics
0
Micro-credential
Medical Terminology
0
Micro-credential
Professional Development for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
0
Micro-credential
TeamSTEPPS (Patient Safety)
0
Micro-credential
Palliative and End-of-Life Care
0
Micro-credential
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Nursing
0
Micro-credential
Organizational Excellence in Quality and Safety
0
Learning Outcomes for Nursing Students
Saint Vincent College nursing graduates, whose practice is grounded in Benedictine wisdom, are welcomed as members of health care teams in agencies across Western Pennsylvania and beyond. Our learning outcomes are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing [BSN] Education, designed to help our students succeed:
- Multi-disciplinary knowledge. Students will be able to integrate knowledge from the biophysical and behavioral sciences, humanities and Benedictine wisdom into the evolving art and science of nursing practice.
- Respect for individuals. Students will be able to deliver person-centered nursing care to individuals and families across the life span and spheres of care that is grounded in evidence, compassion, and ethical conduct.
- Equitable care delivery. Students will be able to participate in community organizations and partnerships to deliver equitable population-based health care that promotes health, diversity, inclusion, and manages disease, while respecting health traditions and choices.
- Application of evidence. Students will be able to apply evidence in nursing care delivery, translate evidence into practice and generate new evidence to improve health care delivery and nursing practice.
- Inter-disciplinary collaboration. Students will be able to collaborate with health care professionals, individuals, families, and others to deliver outcomes-driven care, with attention to diverse, vulnerable and under-served and under- represented populations.
- Leadership in health care delivery and quality. Students will be able to demonstrate leadership skills that implement, coordinate, and evaluate safe, equitable, and quality care delivery within a variety of settings.
Applying for Admission in the SVC BSN Program
Admission to the SVC bachelor’s degree in nursing is highly selective and competitive. We will review and accept students who match the following criteria in addition to fulfilling Saint Vincent College’s general acceptance criteria:
High school graduates:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)
- 3.2 GPA in all science courses
- Minimum SAT score of 1060
- Minimum ACT score of 21.
Internal transfer applicants (students transferring from other schools within the College):
- 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- 3.0 GPA in all science courses.
External transfer applicants (students transferring from colleges and universities other than Saint Vincent College):
- 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- 3.0 GPA in science courses.
- Credit transfer is based on the Saint Vincent College academic credit transfer policy. Nursing courses completed at other institutions are not accepted for transfer credit.
Test Optional Applicants:
- Submit an essay (750 words or fewer) that addresses: why nursing is chosen as a major and what the applicant can contribute to the nursing profession.
- Participate in an in-person or virtual interview with a College admission representative.
- Submit any additional information or testing as deemed necessary.
Submit your application or schedule a visit today!
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Mandatory Disclosures
Applicants are advised that clinical agencies utilized by the Department of Nursing require criminal background checks and/or drug testing prior to acceptance of the student into clinical facilities. Upon enrollment, Act 33/34 (Criminal Record Check/Child Abuse History) Clearances, FBI Fingerprinting, a drug screen and/or additional testing will be required by clinical facilities. Students who do not pass the criminal background and/or drug test will not be able to attend clinical courses and therefore will be unable to complete their program of study, resulting in course failure or withdrawal from the Program. Any fees or costs associated with background checks and/or drug testing are the responsibility of the student.
Accommodation Requests
Students requesting accommodation should contact the Saint Vincent College Office of Disability Support at (724) 805-2062 or academicsupport@stvincent.edu.
PA State Board of Nursing Licensure Information
Please note that the PA State Board of Nursing reserves the right to deny a license to any candidate who has been convicted of any felonious act. Conviction includes a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere, probation without verdict, or incomplete Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). Further, the Board shall not issue a license to any applicant who had been:
- Convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64) known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act; or
- Convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory, or country unless;
- At least 10 years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
- The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board, significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction such that the license should not create a substantial risk of further violations; and
- The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in this act.
BSN Program Approval and Accreditation
The Program meets the requirements set forth by the PA State Board of Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing [BSN] Education as a fully approved program within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Program is seeking national program accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).