Nursing Major (Pre-Licensure BSN Degree)

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Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

You’re driven by the desire to make a difference and positively impact the world. The Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) can help you achieve your goals and meaningfully contribute to the well-being of others.

As a nurse, you’ll do more than provide quality care. The knowledge you gain at FranU prepares you to exercise ethical decision-making, advocate for your patients and educate families. The traditional 4-year BS in nursing program equips you with a holistic point of view so that you can consider the whole person — including their physical, emotional and spiritual needs — and lead a lasting career in healthcare.

School
School of Nursing
Career
Registered Nurse
Program Contacts

QUICK FACTS

Quick Links

Eight semesters totaling 120 credit hours

Application deadlines:

January 30 for fall admission

August 30 for spring admission


Why Choose FranU’s Pre-Licensure Nursing Major?

Study at a Mission-Driven University

We are a Catholic institution in Louisiana committed to our values of service, reverence and love for all of life, joyfulness of spirit, humility and justice. That means you learn how to deliver evidence-based nursing care to a variety of patient populations in an environment infused with honesty, respect, inquiry and collaboration.

As you begin clinical work, look forward to engaging with our Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital (SETH), a 19,000-square-foot state-of-the-art lab space. You practice your skills using state-of-the-art educational technology. This includes the Anatomage table and other high-fidelity simulations that enable you to learn hands-on without sacrificing your values.

Receive a Holistic Nursing Education

FranU’s pre-licensure BSN degree program prepares you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This test is required in order to become a registered nurse (RN).

Nursing classes provide education on care about people across the lifespan and in all healthcare settings — community,outpatient, inpatient, and more. With this foundation, FranU’s nursing program provides a holistic education that positions you for a lifetime of success.

Transfer College Credits You Already Earned

You worked hard to get where you are. Let us help you roll those credits into FranU’s Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program so you can take the next step toward becoming a nurse.

Not only are we transfer-friendly, but we also offer guaranteed admissions to qualifying transfer students. If you are transferring more than 30 hours of coursework and have at least a 3.2 GPA in the transferred courses, you may be eligible.

Learn about transfer student admissions or contact the Office of Admissions for more details.

BSN Program Curriculum Overview – What Will You Learn?

FranU's pre-licensure BSN program prepares graduates to excel as Registered Nurses, with the potential for future specialization or advanced practice roles. We accomplish this through rigorous didactic (in-classroom) education and hands-on clinical experiences.

Students build a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, chemistry and microbiology. Courses in writing, communication, mathematics and the humanities balance the curriculum and ensure graduates become well-rounded professionals capable of holistic patient care. Clinical immersion and service learning opportunities enable students to provide top-quality care and prepare them for the realities of the nursing profession.

Program Goals & Learning Outcomes

Program Goals

FranU’s pre-licensure BSN program goals include:

  1. At least 80% of graduates who test will pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam on the first attempt.

  2. At least 50% of students admitted to the pre-licensure BSN program will complete the program within 100% of the program length (5 semesters).

  3. At least 90% of graduates will be employed within 12 months of graduation.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduates can:

  • Provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, communities and populations across the lifespan, the health continuum and healthcare contexts.

  • Integrate knowledge from the arts, sciences and nursing in the delivery of high-quality nursing care.

  • Translate existing evidence into safe nursing practice.

  • Communicate and collaborate in respectful partnerships to optimize health.

  • Function as a leader and change agent within dynamic healthcare systems using knowledge of health policies and legal principles.

  • Apply ethical principles while serving as an advocate and a caring healthcare provider.

  • Demonstrate reflective practice to support continuous personal and professional growth.

What Can You Do With a BSN Degree?

Graduates of FranU’s pre-licensure BSN program can become registered nurses after passing the NCLEX and obtaining state licensure. As RNs, they can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, in-home care settings, clinics, schools or private practices.

Some graduates may pursue further nursing education to specialize in a particular area of nursing. FranU offers a Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice - Nurse Anesthesia program that can help RNs reach their career goals.

Nursing Major Admissions Information

Applicants to the Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program must complete an application specific to the clinical program. Applications are due on or before January 30 for fall admission or August 30 for spring admission.

Admission to the pre-licensure nursing bachelor’s degree program is competitive, and applicants must meet the minimum admission criteria. Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

More Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

For admission to FranU’s pre-licensure BSN program, students must:

  1. Be in good academic standing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.

  2. Complete the prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before applying to the program, and the courses must appear on the transcript (a grade of B or better in BIOL 2310 and BIOL 2311 is preferred). See the Prerequisite Course Requirements section for more details.

  3. Have completed, with a grade of C or better, or have in progress the following pre-nursing courses:
    1. BIOL 2320, MATH 2315, PSYC 2330, Ethics elective (PHIL 2320 or THEO 3345) and NURS 2510 (to be considered for admission, students must earn a grade of C or better within three years of admission; Students may only attempt NURS 2510 twice within a three-year period; any grade, including a W, constitutes an attempt).

  4. Have earned a grade point average of 2.75 or higher on pre-nursing courses in the BSN curriculum.

  5. Have achieved the category of proficient or higher on the TEAS Admission Assessment. The TEAS must include all content (Reading, Math, Science, English and Language usage) and must have been taken within the last five years.

  6. Additional factors may influence acceptance into the BSN program. The committee may require an interview and/or proctored completion of a written statement.

Final program acceptance is contingent on approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).

Admission After Dismissal

Students who were dismissed from a previous pre-licensure nursing program must wait to apply to the FranU nursing program until at least six months from the date of dismissal.

Guaranteed Admission

There are two paths for guaranteed admission into the pre-licensure bachelor’s in nursing program:

  1. A student who enters the University as a freshman is guaranteed admission into the BSN program when:
    • All prerequisite courses toward the BSN degree are taken at FranU with at least a grade point average of 3.0 on all prerequisite coursework.

    • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

  2. A transfer student is guaranteed admission to the BSN program when:
    • More than 30 hours of required coursework in the BSN program (including courses that are in progress at the time of application to the University) are transferred in with at least a grade point average of 3.2 in these courses.

    • A grade point average of at least 3.0 is maintained while completing the remaining prerequisite courses at the University.

    • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

    • NOTE: Students transferring in less than 30 hours of coursework may be considered for guaranteed admission. Students falling into this category should contact the Admissions Office.

Upon entry into the clinical portion of the program, ALL students must have attained a score of proficient or higher on the TEAS Exam and successfully completed all required prerequisite nursing courses with a grade of C or better.

Transfer Admissions

Students requesting transfer into the pre-licensure BSN degree program from an accredited nursing program must:

  1. Be in good academic standing and eligible to re-enter the previous nursing program.

  2. Meet the established admission criteria for the BSN program.

  3. Have earned a grade of C or better on all transfer courses in the BSN curriculum.

Process for transfer from an accredited nursing program:

  • Apply for general admission to the University.

  • Submit a clinical application for the pre-licensure BSN Program to the Office of Admissions by August 30 for the January class and by January 30 for the August class;
    • A letter of good standing from the previous nursing program must be submitted in support of the application and mailed to the Office of Admissions at the time of application.

  • Submit the following documents to the School of Nursing by the published nursing application deadline:
    • Letter indicating intent to transfer from another nursing program.

    • Transcript of all previous coursework.

    • Course descriptions and course content for completed nursing courses.

    • Letter of good standing from prior nursing program(s).

  • Schedule a meeting with the School of Nursing’s Associate Dean of Undergraduate Nursing to discuss transfer credits and placement in the curriculum. This meeting can only be scheduled after the School of Nursing has received all required documents.

Following the meeting with the applicant, Nursing Administration will review the applicant’s request and make a recommendation to the Admissions Workgroup regarding eligibility and transfer of courses. The Admissions Workgroup will make the final decision regarding admission to the program and transfer of nursing courses.

Upon admission, an evaluation of a student’s academic record is performed by the FranU Office of Admissions. To find out which courses will transfer in from another program, contact the Office of Admissions.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better before applying to the program.

ACSM 1110: Introduction to College Education (1 credit hour)

WRIT 1310: College Writing I (3 credit hours)

MATH 1315: College Algebra (3 credit hours)

CHEM 1310: Chemical Fundamentals (3 credit hours)

BIOL 2310: Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credit hours)

BIOL 2310L: Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit hour)

PSYC 1310: Introductory Psychology (3 credit hours)

WRIT 1311: College Writing II (3 credit hours)

COMM 2310: Professional Interpersonal Communications or COMM 2311: Professional Public Speaking (3 credit hours)

BIOL 2311: Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credit hours)

BIOL 2311L: Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit hour)

BIOL 2325: Fundamentals of Microbiology (3 credit hours)

BIOL 2325L: Fundamentals of Microbiology Lab (1 credit hour)


TEAS Exam

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS Exam) is a 170-question, three-hour-long assessment of a student’s preparedness to enter the health science field and is linked to predicted future academic success. FranU requires that students complete the TEAS exam.

Learn more about TEAS by downloading theATI TEAS Student Flyer. You can also utilize our guide on how to create a new TEAS account or how to register for the TEAS assessment.

Pre-Licensure BSN Program Financial Aid

Aid and Scholarships

FranU is proud to be one of the most affordable Catholic universities. We offer financial aid opportunities through grants, scholarships and loans, operating with the utmost care and respect for helping students and their families find financial aid options that work for them. Visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more.

Become an RN by Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at FranU

Receive the training you need to provide the best patient care as a registered nurse. You graduate prepared to work in a range of healthcare settings and make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Take the next step — apply to the pre-licensure BSN program today!

APPLY NOW

FAQs

How can I find out which courses will transfer in from another program?

Contact the Office of Admissions. Upon admission to the university, an evaluation of a student’s academic record is performed by the Office of Admissions.

Does dual enrollment in high school make me ineligible for guaranteed admission?

Dual enrollment in high school does not make a student ineligible for pre-licensure BSN admission.

Am I likely to be accepted into the BSN program?

The Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has a competitive selection process for admissions. Applicants to the program must meet the minimum admission criteria; however, meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission. If you have specific questions about admissions, please contact The Office of Admissions.

What is the industry outlook for BSN nursing graduates?

Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare system, providing personal care and assistance to patients and working to maintain health and safety standards. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers in nursing are expected togrow at a rate of 6% over the next ten years. BSN-prepared registered nurses in Louisiana can expect an average annual salary of $80,760, as reported by the BLS.

Nursing Student Resources

Download the Nursing Student Handbook for more information about the pre-licensure nursing program.

When can I reapply after dismissal from a nursing program?

Students who were dismissed from a previous pre-licensure nursing program must wait to apply to the FranU nursing program until at least 6 months from the date of dismissal

Accreditation

The Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) located at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is Continuing Accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees. Questions about accreditation of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website.

BSN Program Resources

Document TitleTypeFile Size
Document Title: Printable BSN CurriculumType: pdfFile Size: 145.018 KBDownload
Document Title: ATI TEAS Student FlyerType: pdfFile Size: 935.714 KBDownload
Document Title: TEAS How To Create New AccountType: pdfFile Size: 545.708 KBDownload
Document Title: How To Register for PSI TEAS AssessmentType: pdfFile Size: 669.119 KBDownload
Document Title: Undergraduate Nursing Student Handbook 2024-2025Type: pdfFile Size: 811.73 KBDownload

Curriculum

Curriculum Notes:

*All Italicized semester one and two courses must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to applying to the School of Nursing. All other italicized courses MUST be completed prior to beginning the nursing curriculum in semester four.

Students admitted to the BSN program who hold an active LPN license will receive 12 arts and sciences credit hours for their LPN education.

Courses from the geography, political science, accounting, kinesiology, astronomy, education and business management disciplines may also be used as arts and sciences electives.

See BSN Program Resources above for a printable version of the curriculum.