Founded in 1890, the University of Saint Francis is located on a
beautiful 108-acre campus on the edge of Fort Wayne featuring
Mirror Lake at its heart along with the historic Bass Mansion,
and the state-of-the-art Doermer Family Center for Health Science
Education.
Approximately 2,100 graduate and undergraduate students enjoy the
benefits of individual attention from dedicated faculty with a
student faculty ratio of 12-to-1. The quality of education
enables the university to claim an overall job placement record
of over 90 percent. More than 95 percent of students receive some
form of financial aid.
The Department of Nursing exists to prepare undergraduate and
graduate students for careers in professional nursing practice.
The faculty of the Department of Nursing facilitate learning and
personal and professional development in an environment that
reflects the university's Franciscan values and encourages
life-long learning.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
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The Associate of Science in Nursing is offered as a two-year associate degree program and a mobility program for the licensed practical nurse. LPNs seeking enrollment in the ASN Program are eligible for transfer credit for their previous education. The nursing roles of provider of care, manager of care and active member of the discipline are emphasized throughout the curriculum.
ASN Program Goals
The graduate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice in
clinically oriented environments. Each graduate will be able to:
- Value service and caring behaviors that assist individuals
and groups to achieve optimal health.
- Maintain effective communication and collaborative working
relationship with clients, significant support persons and
members of the health care team.
- Use the nursing process as a critical thinking framework
within diverse health care settings for the provision of
individualized nursing care.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional growth and lifelong
learning.
- Integrate related concepts from the physical, social and
behavioral sciences and humanities with nursing knowledge,
evidence-based practice and ethical practice.
- Demonstrate the roles of provider of care, manager of care
and active member of the nursing discipline.
- Use technology and information management resources to
promote safe and accurate care.
RN-MSN
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An RN-MSN Transitional Sequence is also available, allowing ASN
and diploma prepared nurses to enter the master in nursing
program after completing transition course work.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
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The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program prepares graduates for
entry-level practice as nurse generalists to practice
professional nursing with individual clients, families, groups
and communities across the lifespan in a variety of settings. The
BSN is available as a 4-year entry level track (Generic BSN).
BSN Program Goals
At the completion of the program, graduates will be prepared as
nurse generalists and will be able to:
- Integrate the concepts of holistic person and a
multi-dimensional definition of health into nursing practice.
- Integrate critical thinking into nursing care for individual
clients, families, groups and communities across the lifespan in
a variety of settings.
- Synthesize knowledge from humanities, social and behavioral
sciences, and life and physical sciences with nursing theory and
practice.
- Foster a caring presence through modifying communication
techniques and establishing therapeutic relationships with
individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Collaborate with members of the health team to promote
clients' health and welfare.
- Assume a leadership role in directing nursing activities and
initiating change to improve health care delivery integrating
information and health care technologies within a diverse world.
- Demonstrate legal and ethical responsibility and
accountability for professional nursing care.
- Implement a plan for professional growth and development as a
member of the nursing profession.
- Evaluate research and integrate evidence-based findings to
improve nursing practice.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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Graduate education builds upon knowledge and competencies gained
in baccalaureate education. Students use critical thinking
creatively and problem solving skills that require in-depth
nursing knowledge and are prepared to coordinate health care
within complex systems in an era of health care reform.
The MSN program encompasses two tracks: Family Nurse
Practitioner and Community Health and Education. The
Family Nurse Practitioner track prepares professional nurses to
function in advanced practice roles in primary care settings in
order to provide holistic, comprehensive nursing care. The
Community Health and Education track prepares professional nurses
who are able to provide community-based care to aggregates, has
grown in response to community-based care and increased public
awareness of health promotion efforts. Advanced practice nurses
work in specific nursing arenas such as:
- Education
- Community health
- Occupational health
- Primary care
The graduate programs are designed for part-time or full-time
study. Part-time students complete their degree requirements in
three years. Full-time students complete degree requirements in
two years.
Classes are offered in a hybrid format. Students are expected to
be on campus at scheduled times throughout the semester. All MSN
courses are web-assisted and online class work occurs with this
hybrid format.
