Undergraduate Nursing Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program is inspired by a “simple to complex” course curriculum, educating students on the foundations of professional nursing and then advancing to coursework in acute care, population and global health, and chronic care and End-of-Life-Care (ELNEC) and palliative nursing concepts, as well as research to assure life-long focus on evidence-based nursing practice.

View BS Nursing Curriculum Plan

View BS Nursing Course Descriptions

View BS Nursing Program Fees

Additional information about tuition, fees and cost of attendance can be found at https://www.saintleo.edu/tuition-financial-aid/tuition

Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Saint Leo University prepares students for professional nursing practice through a curriculum that integrates liberal arts, sciences, and nursing coursework.

Through the Direct Admission pathway, qualified first-year students are admitted directly into the BSN major. Direct admission reserves a seat in the professional nursing sequence, provided students maintain all academic, professional, and clinical compliance requirements.

First-Year Admission Requirements

To qualify for direct admission into the BSN major, first-year students must:

• Have a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Meet Saint Leo University admission criteria.
• Sign an acknowledgement form confirming awareness of clinical compliance requirements.

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Transfer students must:

• Have a college or university GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Meet Saint Leo University admission criteria.
• Sign an acknowledgement form confirming awareness of clinical compliance requirements.

With the exception of NUR 303: Nutrition and Health, nursing courses completed at other educational institutions will not transfer.

International Student Admission Requirements

International students must:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Meet Saint Leo University admission criteria.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency through university-approved testing or an approved waiver process.
• Sign an acknowledgement form confirming awareness of clinical compliance requirements.
• Understand that certain clinical agencies may require additional documentation related to F-1 status or Social Security number availability.

Progression Requirements

Students admitted through the Direct Admission pathway must meet all academic, professional, and clinical compliance requirements to maintain their reserved nursing seat and progress into the professional nursing sequence.

Students must complete nursing (NUR) courses sequentially at Saint Leo University according to the curriculum plan.

Academic Standards

Students must:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Successfully complete all prerequisite coursework.
• Earn grades of B- or higher in Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, and College Algebra. Each of these courses may be repeated only once.
• Earn grades of B- or higher in all required NUR courses. Only one NUR course retake is permitted. Receiving two or more grades below B- across initial or repeat NUR course attempts does not meet progression requirements.
• Remain in good academic standing with Saint Leo University.

Professional Standards

Students must:

• Demonstrate professional conduct consistent with nursing standards.
• Comply with university conduct policies.
• Satisfy all nursing program progression requirements.
• Meet the essential functions for nursing practice outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook.

Clinical Compliance Requirements

Before entering junior-year NUR clinical coursework, students must complete all clinical compliance requirements, including:

• Criminal background screening
• Drug testing
• Immunization verification
• Physical examination
• American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification
• Health insurance verification
• Any additional requirements established by clinical partners or the nursing program

Satisfactory completion of all clinical compliance requirements is required to progress into clinical courses.

Program Capacity and Seat Reservation

The university determines BSN seat capacity annually based on approved enrollment targets, faculty resources, clinical placement availability, laboratory and simulation resources, and accreditation guidelines.

Students admitted through the Direct Admission pathway maintain their reserved nursing seat by continuing to meet all academic, professional, and clinical compliance requirements.

A Contemporary BSN Program Built for Today’s Healthcare System

Saint Leo’s nursing curriculum combines:

• Generalist nursing practice

• Applied clinical judgment
• Evidence-based nursing research
• A strong Culture of Health framework

Students develop advanced skills in:

• Interprofessional communication
• Patient-centered care
• Population and global health
• Acute and chronic care
• End-of-life and palliative nursing (ELNEC concepts)

Our curriculum follows a “simple to complex” progression, beginning with foundational nursing principles and advancing into specialized, high-impact clinical practice areas.

Career Outlook

No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in forming the basis for clinical judgement and nursing practice.
• Demonstrate communication and collaboration skills to support achievement of positive health outcomes.
• Apply current evidence in nursing practice and principles of safety and quality in health care in care delivery.
• Demonstrate knowledge of nursing interventions supportive of a Culture of Health in delivery of holistic, person-centered care that supports achievement of positive health outcomes.
• Demonstrate professionalism consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics and the role of the BSN-prepared nurse in accordance with best practice, professional and regulatory standards, and the Saint Leo University Core Values.
• Apply organizational and leadership skills in systems-based practice to improve health.
• Engage in population health partnerships to support and improve population health outcomes which emphasize promotion of health and well-being/disease prevention, chronic disease care, regenerative or restorative care, and hospice/palliative/supportive care.

What can you do with an undergraduate nursing degree?

The bachelor of science in nursing program positions graduates for entry level employment in a variety of settings following completion of the national licensing exam, NCLEX-RN, and supports career advancement into leadership positions and graduate nursing degree programs.