Nursing Major
Our nursing program emphasizes critical thinking, clinical judgment and service to others. A nursing student can expect to be engaged in both theoretical and practical learning. You will spend time in the classroom studying the sciences, humanities and the fundamentals of nursing and health care delivery, and you will also apply this knowledge in the lab and during clinicals. Direct patient care experience is an essential component of a Stritch nursing degree that prepares students for career success.
Why Stritch Nursing
Hear from two Stritch students.
Tiffany Santoro, '22
Nursing Major
Being able to learn in the hospital setting taught me how to be successful as a nurse in the real world. There is difference between a simulation and the actual hospital and this was a big learning curve for most people.
Brandyn Cullen
Nursing Major
A unique experience I have had in the Nursing program would have been witnessing a live childbirth in my maternal newborn clinical. It was one of the craziest, most eye opening, and beautiful experiences I have had as a nursing student.
Yasmeen Almokhariq, '22
Nursing Major
Stritch has one of the top nursing programs in Wisconsin. Following graduation I'll be working as a medical/surgical nurse. I have gained clinical knowledge and perfected my nursing skills with which I can assume to have more responsibilities and opportunities when present.
Program Details
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program offers direct admission and is designed for students seeking a nursing degree with a liberal arts foundation in a university environment. The program is delivered in a semester format with classes meeting in the daytime. Students are admitted directly to the program if selected after completing admission requirements. Once admitted, students are guaranteed required program courses so that they may complete the degree in four years if academic requirements are met. The curriculum includes foundation courses in the arts and sciences as well as nursing courses designed to guide students in achieving expected student outcomes.
Students receive classroom, lab and clinical learning experiences which emphasize evidence-based decision-making and application of knowledge. Students who complete the BSN program are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
Program Coursework
- Professional Role I: Foundations of Nursing Practice
- Holistic Nursing and the Human Experience
- Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Nutrition for Health
- Evidence Based Nursing Practice
- Adult Health III: Complex Care
- Professional Role II: Leadership for Change
- Chronic Care Clinical
- Acute Health Care Clinical
- Behavioral Health Clinical
- Population Health/Wellness Clinical
- Women and Newborn Health Clinical
- Pediatric Health Clinical
- Transition Clinical
- Adult Health I: Chronic Health Care
- Adult Health II: Acute Health Care
- Behavioral Health and Wellness
- Population Health and Wellness
- Family Centered Care I: Women and Newborn Health and Wellness
- Family Centered Care II: Pediatric Health and Wellness
- Professional Role III: Transition to Professional Practice
The specific degree requirements on the website are for illustrative purposes and may change at any time. Please contact the Registrar's Office, Academic Advising or refer to the course catalog for detailed program requirements.
Liberal Arts Core
LEADERSHIP: 4 credits
- Freshman Seminar (1 cr.)
- Spiritual & Ethical Literacy (3 cr.)
*For ‘Writing for the 21st Century’ (English) and ‘Quantitative Problem Solving’ (Math), you may need additional courses depending on your placement.
- Personal Branding Communication (3 cr.)
- Writing for the 21st Century (3 cr.)
- Quantitative Problem Solving (3 cr.)
- Language & Culture (3 cr.)
- Narratives of Identity (3 cr.) - PL 102: Bioethics
- Science, Environment & Culture (4 cr.) - BL 111: Anatomy & Physiology I
- Social Tensions (3 cr.) - PS 190: Life Span Human Development
- The American Experience (3 cr.)*
- Approving the Better Things (3 cr.)*
*Course options can be found in the course catalog or on the academic advising page.
Freshmen Admission Requirements
Direct Entry
- minimum 2.75 (based upon 4.00 scale) cumulative high school grade point average
- completion of high school biology and chemistry classes with a minimum grade of C
- completion of a minimum of two years of mathematics including advanced algebra with a minimum grade of C
- minimum ACT score of 21
- submission of a one-page double spaced essay addressing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a career in nursing and describing the actions the applicant will take to ensure success at Cardinal Stritch University
- ATI TEAS V test recommended (although not required)
- SEM 110 Stritch Seminar
- BL 111 Anatomy and Physiology I
- CH 107 Fundamental Chemistry
- CA 108 Personal Branding
- EN102 Research Writing
Transfer Admission Requirements
Option 1 – Direct Entry (Recommended):
Required Prior to Admission Review:
- Have earned a 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from all prior coursework with a minimum of 12 completed hours
- Achieve a score of “Proficient” or higher on the ATI TEAS V (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
- Submission of a one-page double spaced essay addressing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a career in nursing and describing the actions the applicant will take to ensure success at Cardinal Stritch University
- Submission of a letter of good standing from the current Nursing program the applicant is enrolled in (if applicable).
- Submission of two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation
- Interview with the College
- Additional testing documentation
Option 2 – Direct Entry Holistic Review
Required Prior to Admission Review:
- Have earned a 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from all prior coursework with a minimum of 12 completed hours
- Submission of a one-page double spaced essay addressing the applicant’s reasons for pursuing a career in nursing and describing the actions the applicant will take to ensure success at Cardinal Stritch University
- Submission of two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation
- Submission of a letter of good standing from the current Nursing program the applicant is enrolled in (if applicable).
- F1Visa students where English is a second language are also required to submit a TOEFL (minimum score of 79) or IELTS (minimum score of 6.5) if they have not taken the TEAS V
- Interview with the College (strong recommended)
- Additional testing documentation – the TEAS V is highly recommended, but may also accept/recommend prior Nursing entrance exam scores, ACT/SAT scores, University placement test, etc.
Sample BSN Graduation Plan
Why now is a great time to earn your BSN
With more than three times as many RNs in the United States as physicians, nurses deliver an extended array of healthcare services. Primary and preventive care is provided by nurses and nurse practitioners with specialized training or education in areas including emergency departments, pediatrics, family health, women's health and gerontological care. The scope of the profession also includes cardiac, oncology, neonatal, neurological and obstetric/gynecological nursing and other advanced clinical specialties.
A shortage of registered nurses is projected to grow throughout the United States through 2030, according to the United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast: A Revisit published in the May/June 2018 issue of the American Journal of Medical Quality.
Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
Learn more about becoming a nurse, industry information and great scholarship opportunities at the AACN website.
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A Nurse's Prayer
Give to my heart, O Lord… Compassion and understanding. Give to my hands, skill and tenderness. Give to my ears, the ability to listen. Give to my lips, words of comfort.
Give to me, O Lord… Strength for this selfless service. And enable me to give hope To those I am called to serve.
AMEN
For additional information contact admissions or program faculty.
Lori R. Stutte
Chair - Undergraduate Nursing|Faculty - Nursing
