Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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Degree
Bachelor's
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School
Nursing
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Program Feature(s)
Study Abroad, Accelerated Pathways, Sponsorship Opportunities
Program Overview
Nursing is giving: giving care, giving compassion, giving hope, but most of all, giving of yourself.
It’s a profession not only rooted in science and technology but also in our Catholic and Franciscan tradition of social justice. Blend both worlds by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU). Rigorous training equips you to work in a range of settings as you prepare to build a career guided by a spirit of service, community needs and holistic care.
Whether you join our traditional or accelerated track, you get extensive hands-on experience through our Simulated Environment Teaching Hospital (SETH), as well as clinical rotations and service-learning opportunities. And you do it while connecting with teaching faculty who are tuned into your needs, ready to lend encouragement, support and expert instruction that equip you for what’s next.
On This Page
Program Contact
Undergraduate Admissions
Phone: (225) 526-1631
Email: admissions@franu.edu
Fast Facts About FranU BSN
“What I love most about FranU is the deep-rooted community spirit—it truly feels like my second home. The faculty and staff are incredibly supportive, creating an environment where we can truly thrive. It's a place where we grow together, forming lasting friendships while supporting each other through late-night study sessions and moments of prayer.”
Kayla
Accelerated BSN Student
Why should you pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at FranU?
Nursing, at its core, is about people. And while every nursing program will teach you about technique and practice, FranU’s guiding principles of honesty, respect, inquiry, creativity and collaboration lead us to seek the humanity of every patient we encounter.
That patient-centered approach, borne of our Catholic heritage, has guided us since we welcomed our first class in 1923. And while much has changed since then, our emphasis on using nursing as a way to serve our communities and make a difference is as steady as ever.
Explore a Career That’s Nationally Ranked
Registered Nurse is consistently ranked among U.S. News’ Best Jobs, recognized for its high demand, meaningful impact and strong career growth. FranU’s BSN graduates are prepared to enter this vital field as compassionate, skilled professionals—providing care, promoting wellness and improving lives in hospitals, clinics and community health settings.
Learn From Seasoned Nursing Practitioners
Experts. That’s one way to describe the members of FranU’s nursing faculty. All of our instructors has been a nurse themselves. With their specialties in areas as diverse as hospice, burn care, neonatal intensive care, women’s health, telemetry, oncology and many more, you can trust that the lessons they teach in the classroom are backed up by their own lived experience.
Another word to describe our faculty? Passionate. They understand the important role you’ve chosen and put in the time to support you in bringing out your best — whether that’s staying late to help you grasp key concepts, serving as a sounding board for your concerns or acting as mentors who can offer guidance as you find your place in the field.
BSN Tracks
FranU offers two prelicensure BSN track options, depending on your academic experience. Both result in a bachelor’s degree, both deliver above-average pass rates on the NCLEX licensing exam (100% in 2024) and both bring you closer to your dreams.
Traditional BSN
First-time college students, transfer students and associate degree graduates will join our traditional nursing program, which can be completed in five semesters, excluding prerequisite courses.
Accelerated BSN
If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field, our accelerated BSN enables you to earn your nursing degree in just 16 months, excluding prerequisite courses.
BSN Program Mission, Goals and Outcomes
Program Mission
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs build on a foundation of the arts and sciences to form self-directed, nurse generalists prepared to assume leadership roles in the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. The BSN programs develop professional nurses within an educational climate of honesty, respect, inquiry, service and collaboration.
Program Goals
FranU’s BSN program goals include:
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At least 80% of graduates who test will pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam on the first attempt.
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At least 50% of students from the first nursing course will complete the program within 100% of the program length
(Accelerated in 4 Semesters. Traditional in 5 semesters). -
At least 90% of graduates will be employed within 12 months of graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, graduates will be able to:
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Provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, communities, and populations across the lifespan, the health continuum and healthcare contexts.
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Integrate knowledge from the arts, sciences and nursing in the delivery of high-quality nursing care.
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Translate existing evidence into safe nursing practice.
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Communicate and collaborate in respectful partnerships to optimize health.
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Function as a leader and change agent within dynamic healthcare systems using knowledge of health policies and legal principles.
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Apply ethical principles while serving as an advocate and a caring healthcare provider.
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Demonstrate reflective practice to support continuous personal and professional growth
Nursing Curriculum
You will graduate from FranU ready to serve from the moment you put on your scrubs, regardless of the track you enter. Both the traditional and accelerated tracks provide extensive clinical experience focused on the practice of nursing across the lifespan and broaden your understanding of the nation’s healthcare system and community health.
Focus on Clinical Experience
Nursing is a hands-on profession. At FranU, you don’t just learn about nursing, you live it. Through immersive clinical experiences, simulation labs and real-world training, you’ll be prepared to deliver compassionate, competent care from day one. Clinical experiences through a variety of settings prepare you for the kind of clinical decisions nurses make every day and equip you to be a leader whom other staff, as well as patients and families, can turn to for guidance.
NCLEX Preparation
Before graduating, you take our Clinical Immersion and Transition into Practice classes, which prepare you both for the workforce as well as the nursing licensure exam. That preparation works: In recent years, 100% of FranU students obtained employment within 12 months of graduation. Additionally, 100% passed the NCLEX on their first try, compared to about 94% statewide.
What can you do with a nursing bachelor’s degree?
As healthcare becomes increasingly complex, more employers are turning to nurses with the skills and knowledge a BSN graduate delivers. That opens doors to more jobs in more healthcare settings, with opportunities in hospitals, community and outpatient, long-term and residential care.
You can count on higher pay, too: A typical registered nurse earns $93,600 a year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Benefits of Earning a BSN Degree
Work in high-pressure environments like intensive care units, providing life-saving
care to patients with serious conditions. BSN-prepared nurses are often preferred
for these roles due to their advanced clinical training and leadership skills. Serve communities by promoting wellness, preventing disease and improving access to
care. Public health nurses work in schools, government agencies and nonprofit organizations,
often leading health education and outreach efforts. Coordinate long-term care for patients with chronic illnesses or complex medical needs.
Nurse case managers work closely with physicians, insurance providers and families
to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time. A BSN degree opens doors to a wide range of careers. Whether you’re drawn to pediatrics,
oncology or informatics, your nursing education is a foundation for growth. Many nurses
pursue advanced degrees, become nurse practitioners or move into administrative roles.BSN Potential Career Outcomes
Critical Care Nurse
Public Health Nurse
Nurse Case Manager
Endless Opportunities
Preparation for Success
“At some nursing schools, they do not have the clinical exposure that we have. FranU
has done a phenomenal job of keeping us in the hospital every semester and [offering]
multiple rotations each semester. So they have exposed us to a lot of different patient
populations and illnesses.”
Joel Verret
“At some nursing schools, they do not have the clinical exposure that we have. FranU has done a phenomenal job of keeping us in the hospital every semester and [offering] multiple rotations each semester. So they have exposed us to a lot of different patient populations and illnesses.”
Joel VerretA Look Into the Career
FranU is part of Our Lady of the Lake Health System, giving students direct access to one of the region’s leading hospitals, just steps from campus. This close connection means our students learn alongside professionals who are shaping the future of health care.
Teaching the next generation of nurses is one of the best ways to give back. Fran U students are well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on the profession with humility, grace and skill; striving to be great!
Beth Hoover, MSN, R.N.
Professional Practice Director, Our Lady of the Lake
Being a nurse for 33 years has been one of the greatest honors and highlights of my life. I earned my ADN and BSN at FranU and now work with FranU students as an adjunct clinical instructor. Watching my students grow, learn and step into professional practice fills me with pride and gives me a profound sense of fulfillment. Helping shape the next generation of nurses is not only a privilege but also a calling that continues to inspire and give meaning to my life every day.
J. Gabriel Poche’, Jr. (Gabe), MSN, R.N. | Class of 1992
NPD Specialist – Medical/Surgical Divisions, Our Lady of the Lake
Nursing is truly a calling to serve, and those entering the nursing field couldn’t have selected a better career path than one that serves people when they are most in need. I serve by sharing my God-given talents with the next generation of nursing students, and it is the greatest reward!
Celyntha Dangerfield, MSN, R.N., NPD-BC
Adjunct Clinical Instructor
Admissions Information
Applicants to the BSN program must submit an application specific to the program to the Department of Admissions by January 30 for the August class or August 30 for the January class.
For admission to FranU’s traditional BSN track, students should:
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Be in good academic standing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.
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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.
- Have completed, with a grade of C or better, or have in progress the following pre-nursing
courses:
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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).
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Have earned a grade point average of 2.75 or higher on pre-nursing courses in the BSN curriculum.
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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.
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Additional factors may influence acceptance into the BSN program.
Final program acceptance is contingent on approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN).
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.
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.
Applicants to the Accelerated BSN track should meet the following minimum admission criteria listed below. Meeting minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission to the ABSN degree program.
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Be in good academic standing at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University.
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Have an earned bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Complete at least 12 hours of the following required prerequisite courses with a grade
of C or better before application to the clinical nursing program and must appear
on the transcript.
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BIOL 2310: Anatomy and Physiology I (3 hours)
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BIOL 2311: Anatomy and Physiology II (3 hours)
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BIOL 2325: Microbiology (3 hours)
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Science lab (1 hour)
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PSYC 2330: Developmental Psych (3 hours)
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PHIL or RELS: Ethics elective (3 hours)
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MATH 2315: Statistics (3 hours)
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BIOL 2320: Nutrition (3 hours)
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NURS 2510: Pathophysiology (4 hours)
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THEO 1310: Introduction to Theology (3)
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Have earned a grade point average of 3.0 on the combination of any completed required prerequisite coursework and all previous coursework (Elective Arts/Sciences courses) applied to the BSN program
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Students must earn a grade of C or better in NURS 2510 (Pathophysiology) 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.
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Have earned a grade of C or better in all courses applied to the ABSN program
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Additional factors may influence acceptance into the Accelerated BSN program.
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 Financial Aid page to learn more.
Regional Accreditation
For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.
ACEN Accreditation
The 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) 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.
To view the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program, please visit the ACEN website.
Become a Nurse in the FranU Tradition
For over a century, FranU has educated nurses as committed to individual patient care as they are to serving those most in need. Let us show you what it means to become a nurse in the Franciscan tradition.
The Learning Experience
Get a preview of FranU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, with two specialized tracks. View the full curricula on Smart Catalog.
- NURS 2330 Pharmacology
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NURS 2750 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
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NURS 3710 Nursing Concepts I
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NURS 4760 Nursing Concepts VI
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NURS 4760 Nursing Concepts VI
Award-Winning Excellence at FranU
Our nationally recognized programs set the standard in higher education.
See What Sets FranU Apart
Where Progress Makes Headlines
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University celebrated a $2M renovation of its School of Health Professions, enhancing labs, classrooms and hands-on healthcare training.
FranU Holds Ribbon Cutting for Renovated Health Professions Building
FranU to Hold Ribbon Cutting for Renovated Health Professions Building