A baccalaureate education in nursing (BSN) prepares an individual for personal and professional growth. With a solid foundation in the sciences and liberal arts, baccalaureate-nursing graduates are prepared to participate in multifaceted healthcare environments. The program provides a foundation for thinking conceptually and contextually, in critical and creative ways. The baccalaureate curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate to practice as a nurse generalist independently or collaboratively with other health professionals in the areas of health promotion, risk reduction, disease prevention, and illness management. Through classroom, lab, and clinical experiences, students acquire knowledge and develop nursing skills, that enable them to provide quality health care and to qualify for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
As one of the first baccalaureate nursing programs in the state of Illinois, Saint Xavier University has graduated over 5,600 students throughout the past 85 years. Many nursing graduates hold key positions, both nationally and internationally, in nursing practice, education, administration and research.
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers three tracks that lead to a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). The Traditional Pre-licensure option is a 4-year program that prepares students to become registered professional nurses. The LPN to BSN option allows the licensed practical nurse (LPN) to complete the baccalaureate pre-licensure program within a reduced time frame. The Accelerated-BSN (BSN/ACC) option is an intensive year-round program that allows the student with an earned baccalaureate degree in another discipline to move through the baccalaureate pre-licensure program within 15 months.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Saint Xavier University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The goals of the program are to:
- Develop the liberally educated professional nurse who is prepared to practice in entry-level positions in various settings
- Provide a foundation for personal and professional development
- Provide a foundation for graduate study in nursing
*The curriculum is subject to change to meet standards congruent with accreditation standards and the Illinois Nurse Practice Act (2017) and its Rules for Administration.
Nursing Program Faculty
G. George, dean; P. Abbott; C. Beck; C. Bermele; C. Bruno; J. Dusak; F. Fitzgerald; V. Garcia; C. Gillen; P. Kelly; J. Kirk; J. Kwak; E. McCann; L. Meneghini; K. Moran; M. Murphy-Smith; C. O'Hearn; M. Pet; J. Reilly; J. Rogoz; Z. Samawi; K. Soso; M. Tiberg; J. Van Kempen; S. Ward-Santangelo; L. Watson; C. Wilson; K. Wood
Undergraduate Nursing Admission Requirements
Freshman Students
Please refer to the Freshman Student Admission page for detailed requirements. The priority deadline for admission of incoming freshman to the nursing major is May 1.
Accelerated Baccalaureate Students
Please refer to BSN/ACC page for detailed requirements. Completed BSN/ACC applications are reviewed for rolling admission until seats are filled.
Transfer Students
Please refer to the Transfer Into Nursing page for detailed requirements. Completed transfer into nursing files should be submitted by October 1 for admission into spring of the following calendar year and February 15 for admission into fall of the next academic year.
RN to BSN Students
This program is under review. No longer accepting applications.
Undergraduate Nursing Progression Requirements
Freshman, Transfer and LPN to BSN Students
In the freshman and sophomore years, students are enrolled in liberal arts and science courses, as well as courses supportive to the nursing major. Students admitted to the University as pre-clinical nursing majors must comply with the program requirements to progress in the nursing program.
Progression into the Sophomore II semester (nursing courses) requires the following: cumulative grade-point average of 2.75 at Saint Xavier University; grade of C or better in all science (BIOL 202, 203, 206 and CHEM 109) and support courses (PSYCH 101, 199, SOC Course, COMM 101, ENGL 120, MATH 135, PE 124). Such courses must be completed by May 30 for fall sophomore II start and by December 15 for spring sophomore II start. PSYCH 204 may be taken concurrently with Sophomore II nursing courses or prior to the Sophomore II semester. Students may repeat a science course only one time and may repeat only one science course. Students in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences must complete all science courses at SXU.
BSN/ACC Students
All science and supportive courses must be completed prior to the start of the BSN/ACC program with cumulative grade-point average of 3.0:BIOL 202, 203, 206 and CHEM 109,PSYCH 101, 199, 204, SOC/ANTH Course, COMM 101, MATH 135, and PE 124. Once admitted, students must maintain a cumulative nursing grade-point average of 2.3.
Additional Requirements
All Pre-licensure Students
Students are responsible for completing and clearing a criminal background check as a condition of admission to the nursing program and must do so annually thereafter. All students shall have an ongoing duty to report any violations of this policy and/or state and/or federal law. Nursing students must provide evidence of compliance with the following University and clinical agency health requirements: physical examination, titers, TdaP, annual TB screen and Influenza immunization, current American Heart Association BLS certification for health care providers and comprehensive health insurance, and additional requirements may be added depending upon Clinical Agency Partnership Requirements; Additionally, students are required to test negative for drugs in a random screening prior to beginning their clinical experience and as required by clinical agencies. The University and School of Nursing and Health Sciences reserve the right to require random drug screenings. Transportation to clinical sites is the responsibility of the student. Students are also responsible for any parking fees or other costs involved in traveling to clinical sites that may vary from site to site.
To remain in good standing in the undergraduate nursing program, all students must:
- Maintain at least a 2.30 for both cumulative grade-point average and nursing grade-point average (NGPA, includes required nursing courses only).
- Receive a grade of C or better in all nursing courses.
- Clear criminal background check annually while enrolled.
- Maintain updated American Heart Association BLS certification and proof of comprehensive health insurance.
- Provide evidence of compliance with all health requirements and clearance of 10-panel drug screen to the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
- Comply with essential abilities policy (see Nursing Program Admission Requirements).
- Comply with additional agency policies and requirements for clinical practice.
- Comply with annual health and mandatory requirement updates before the start of each semester.
A grade of F in a nursing course will result in dismissal from the nursing program. Students must repeat any required nursing course in which a grade of D or W is received. Students will be allowed to repeat a nursing course only once and may repeat only one nursing course.
NURS 102 serves as an introductory course and as such can be repeated without penalty.
Nursing students must have a cumulative nursing grade-point average (NGPA) of 2.30 to qualify for graduation. Students are responsible for complying with the policies and procedures in the current edition of the Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences also includes the Communication Science and Disorders program. The Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program offers a major and minor for undergraduate studies in communication sciences and disorders to prepare graduates for entry into graduate speech pathology programs and as preparation for persons interested in other service oriented professions, especially those whose focus is assisting persons with disabilities. Detailed information about the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, faculty, admission and program requirements can be found on their respective catalog page.
Health Sciences Programs
Additionally, the School of Nursing and Health Sciences has some interdisciplinary programs that allow preparation for a health related career. These Health Science majors include exercise science, gerontology, and sports and fitness administration. Minors include exercise science, gerontology, physical education, and sports and fitness administration.
The School of Nursing and Health Sciences reserves the right to amend policies and procedures, and other program information as necessary. All changes will be communicated promptly.