Nursing, B.S. (RN to BSN)

Saint Louis University School of Nursing's online registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers all the quality of a SLU nursing education with the resources and flexibility working RNs require.

RN to B.S.N. students at SLU are supported through individualized curriculum plans, faculty mentorship, and online access to the library and writing center.

Students can choose from either a full-time or part-time option. No testing is required to validate previous nursing education.

Benefits of this program also include several internship and career opportunities. SSM Healthcare, Missouri Baptist Medical Center and other area hospitals offer internships and fellowship programs for students enrolled in the B.S.N. program. Through these programs, students work in a clinical specialty area with a nurse preceptor.

In addition, the Saint Louis University Hospital recruits students at all levels to work as patient care technicians while enrolled in the nursing program. Students also work in hospitals in their hometowns.

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the professional licensure examination; however, the Missouri Nurse Practice Act, Chapter 335.066, states, “Completion of an educational program leading to a degree or diploma in nursing does not guarantee eligibility to write the licensure examination.”

Background checks are required of applicants for clinical rotations and again to apply for licensure.

Curriculum Overview

Students will complete a total of 120 credits in this program. Thirty of the final 36 credits must be completed at Saint Louis University.

RN to B.S.N. students are required to complete 55 credits (depending on transfer credits) of pre-nursing curriculum, including classes in communication, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics and life sciences through the School for Professional Studies.

Once credit for the pre-nursing courses have either been completed through SPS or transferred in, students transfer to the School of Nursing and can complete their B.S.N. courses in as little as two semesters.

Thirty-eight credits of nursing coursework can be awarded by passing the NCLEX exam or through prior experience. Remaining nursing coursework must be completed through the School of Nursing.

Careers

Nursing graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, an exam that measures the competencies needed to perform as an effective entry-level nurse. The School of Nursing expects its graduates to be successfully hired after graduation or accepted into graduate programs.

Admission Requirements

The minimum criteria for transfer to the School of Nursing is a cumulative grade point average of 2.50, or higher.

The following must be submitted as part of the application:

• Original transcripts from all colleges previously attended including a transcript noting completion of a non-nursing baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited US college/University or International equivalent.
• Official transcripts must accompany applications from hospital schools (including transcripts from affiliated colleges or universities), community colleges, and other schools of higher education attended.
• R.N. licensure and current health forms.

Transfer Credits

College-level courses completed at other Higher Learning Commission accredited institutions will be accepted for transfer, provided the grade received is “C” (2.00) or above. Exceptions include physical education, personal development, and technical courses.

Saint Louis University School of Nursing acknowledges the value of previous nursing education and nursing licensure. Thirty-eight nursing credits will be awarded in recognition of nursing licensure.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Discounted Tuition Options

Partnerships

Saint Louis University partners with several St. Louis area health care providers to offer its employees discounted tuition rates. Ask your employer if SLU is an educational partner for our RN to BSN program.

Employment Training Grants

The RN to BS program is eligible for federal funding for qualified students who are displaced, unemployed, underemployed, veterans or economically disadvantaged. Funding sources include the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Dislocated Worker Programs.  To determine eligibility, students should contact the Missouri Division of Workforce Development at jobs.mo.gov or 1-866-506-0251.

1. Graduates will be able to relate to people as unique individuals possessing worth, dignity, and potential for self-actualization.
2. Graduates will be able to synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and natural, social, behavioral, and nursing sciences to provide safe, effective nursing care.
3. Graduates will be able to establish relationships based on understanding of self and others, and of interpersonal and group dynamics.
4. Graduates will be able to practice in a variety of settings with clients of all ages and diverse sociocultural backgrounds.
5. Graduates will be able to utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills, in application of the nursing process, to achieve optimal client adaptation.
6. Graduates will be able to assist clients, at any point on the health-illness continuum, to mobilize and use adaptive resources for promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
7. Graduates will be able to collaborate with interprofessional colleagues, community representatives, and consumersd to enhance health care.
8. Graduates will be able to apply evidence-based knowledge as the basis for safe, effective nursing practice.
9. Graduates will be able to apply the professional code of ethics and professional standards to clinical practice.
10. Graduates will be able to demonstrate personal and professional responsibility, accountability, and self-direction.
11. Graduates will be able to demonstrate leadership principles in professional and interprofessional practice.
12. Graduates will be able to demonstrate understanding of health care policy issues, trends and strategies as they influence accessibility, accountability and affordability in health care delivery.
13. Graduates will be able to utilize appropriate information and healthcare technologies to enhance the delivery of client care.

A minimum of 120 credits is required; 30 of the final 36 credits must be completed through Saint Louis University or an approved Study Abroad program.

Nursing Core (55 credits)

Continuation Standards

The School of Nursing requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Full-Time Plan Option (1 Year)

Part-Time #1 Option (1.5 Years)

Part-Time #2 Option (2 Years)

Program Notes

1. No transfer course is accepted for articulation, if the student received a letter grade below “C”. 
2. Transfer courses do NOT count towards last 30 credits at SLU.
3. No SPS course is accepted towards degree completion if the student receives a letter grade below “C-”
4. No nursing course is accepted towards degree completion if the student receives a letter grade below “C”
5. No grade of P (passing) is accepted on transfer courses.
6. CLEP courses may be accepted for course credit per SLU policy.
7. Total credits must equal 120 or higher.
8. Thirty (30) of the final 36 credits must be completed at SLU. 
9. Be aware: once you transfer from SPS to SON there is a price change.
10. Students may not transfer to the School of Nursing with a cumulative grade point average (all transcripts) of less than 2.50. 
    1. ¹RN’s who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of SPS admission must take a minimum of six credits at SPS and earn a grade of C or better in all SPS courses in order to be eligible for transfer/admission to the School of Nursing.
    2. ¹RN’s who meet the GPA requirement at the time of SPS admission and have completed all required Arts and Science courses (including elective credits) may transfer to the School of Nursing and take nursing electives as needed to fulfill requirement #7.
11. Students are subject to dismissal from the School of Nursing for academic or professional reasons including being placed on academic or clinical probation for a second time, and “failing” two or more courses during the course of study. 
12. Please note that upon transfer to the SON, students will need to complete a criminal background check and HIPAA and blood-bourne pathogen training.  Students will need to submit a copy of current CPR certification, influenza vaccination, TB testing and other information prior to starting the community project course.  For the community project course, students complete a project with a preceptor in their community. 

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact,
Scott Ragsdale
Recruitment Specialist
SLU School of Nursing
(314) 977-8995
slunurse@slu.edu