Students in a blood work lab

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Prepare for a career in healthcare with a nursing degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) in our on-campus degree program. As a nursing student at SMWC, you will be prepared to assume a role in professional nursing or advance to graduate education.

As healthcare changes, you will be ready to integrate technology, utilize data, apply evidence-based findings, communicate and collaborate effectively and creatively plan solutions for the best client outcomes. Rooted in the strong foundation of liberal arts, science and Catholic education, graduates of the nursing program are expected to demonstrate the following outcomes:

  1. Utilize effective communication and collaboration skills through oral, written, and technology media with patients, nursing colleagues and interprofessional team members.
  2. Promote holistic health, including spiritual well-being, through the support of wellness and health-related activities for self and patients.
  3. Guard patient safety through critical thinking, information technology, data analysis and risk management strategies.
  4. Provide effective, culturally sensitive and compassionate nursing care through the use of the nursing process that is supported by current, evidence-based research as indicated by educational preparation and scope of practice.
  5. Demonstrate effective leadership and management abilities through the competent coordination of patient care across the health care continuum.
  6. Advocate for social justice through the promotion of access, resources, quality health care and prudent health policies.
  7. Exhibit professionalism through upholding the values, ethics and standards of nursing.

Our degree programs provide the flexibility to lead you to the career of your dreams. With your professional advisors helping you along the way, you can mix and match majors and minors to get the perfect degree tailored to you and your career aspirations. At SMWC, you will benefit from a variety of real-world education experiences. The nursing skills lab and modern chemistry lab provide students with state-of-the-art equipment. Thanks to partnerships with local healthcare organizations, students also have access to off-campus simulation centers and opportunities for clinical experiences.

All students are required to meet admission standards and take required courses.

Major curriculum – 120 credit hours

Progression of classes for the campus BSN program:

Path of Study

 

FAQs

Is there a required entrance test for the BSN program?
Yes, the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is required with a score of 58%. Students who have passed the TEAS within the last two years may request an official transcript from ATI. A student is allowed to take the TEAS examination twice during an admission cycle. More information and study materials can be found at www.atitesting.com.

How are students selected for the program?
The pre-nursing first year is open to any student. Internal applicant acceptance into the major occurs after the spring semester final grades are submitted each May—typically this is the Tuesday after finals week. Currently, the BSN Program at SMWC is allowed to admit 32 students per admission cycle. Students will be admitted in up to two applicant pools described below:

  • If there is a competitive applicant pool, student data used in the admissions process is as follows: (science GPA x 100) + (overall college GPA x 100) + TEAS score rounded to the nearest whole number= TOTAL SCORE. The students are then ranked by their TOTAL SCORE.
  • Currently, the BSN Program at SMWC is allowed to admit 32 students per admission cycle. Students will be admitted in up to two applicant pools described below:
    • Pool A: “internal applicants”—students who currently attend SMWC and have completed at least 12 SMWC credit hours. If there is a TOTAL SCORE tie, preference will be given to students who have higher science GPAs.
    • If there are open spots after evaluating the “internal applicant” pool, the committee will move to Pool B: “direct admit”—college transfers and incoming high school seniors who meet admission requirements (official college transcripts from a transfer institution or dual credit program must be provided). If there is a TOTAL SCORE tie, preference will be given to students who have accumulated more college credit hours.

Please see the Admissions Information tab below for additional details.

Is there a waiting list for the BSN program at SMWC?
Not at this time.

What are the prerequisite courses I must take before beginning nursing courses?
Students are required to complete Anatomy and Physiology I and II with a grade of C or higher through an accredited college or university. If taken outside of SMWC, official transcripts must be sent to the college before admission to the program can be awarded.

Where will I attend class and clinical?
Nursing students will spend most of their class time in Hulman Hall. This building houses the chemistry and biology labs as well as the nursing simulation laboratory. Cohorted clinical courses take place at our partner locations, including Providence Healthcare on campus; Davis Gardens at Westminster Village, Union Hospital, Regional Hospital, Hamilton Center, and Harsha Behavioral Center in Terre Haute, Indiana; and Hendricks Regional Hospital in Danville, IN. Seniors may complete their NU 485 and NU 495 precepted clinical hours at a variety of different facilities based on student requests and approval by the course instructor and clinical coordinator.

Is the BSN program offered online?
No. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is not available online.

What if I am an out-of-state student? Will I be licensed in my home state?
Our B.S. in Nursing curriculum allows students to be eligible for licensure in all 50 states and U.S. territories.

What is the estimated cost of the BSN program?
The cost of a credit hour is the same for nursing as any other course at SMWC. There is an additional $260 cost for each clinical course. There are ten clinical courses in the program. This fee pays for your ATI testing package, your licensure review course, malpractice insurance, nametag and consumable products. Students must pay for their own uniforms, shoes, textbooks and clinical management document systems, such as Acemapp or Castle Branch. All of these costs are included in the financial aid calculations.

Is financial aid available for nursing students?
Currently, nursing students are able to apply for any campus scholarships for which they meet the criteria.

I am a licensed RN, can I still complete my BSN at SMWC?
If you are a licensed RN interested in completing your BSN on campus please contact us. We accept RN-BSN students on a case-by-case basis if space is available.

I am a licensed LPN, can I complete my BSN at SMWC?
Yes, but this program is not a bridge program, so it could take three to four years depending on previously earned college credit. The Department of Nursing chairperson and BSN Program Director approve/deny all potential NU course transfer credits. Syllabi may be required for approval. Courses may not be approved due to the length of time since completion.

Why get a degree in nursing at SMWC?
The nursing department faculty at SMWC bring their real-world experience to the classroom and clinic teaching to help you learn how to deliver compassionate care. Graduates of our nursing program are prepared when they go into the healthcare world.

What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in nursing?
Graduates of our nursing program can have an immediate impact in healthcare or further their education. They could get their master’s in nursing or even go on to be family nurse practitioners. Some of the jobs you can get with a nursing degree:

  • Insurance adjuster
  • Occupational health nurse
  • School nurse
  • Health department nurse
  • Red Cross nurse
  • Acute care units
  • Long-term care units
  • Surgery nurse
  • Nurse educator
  • Flight nurse

What is the average annual salary of someone with a nursing bachelor’s degree?
As you look at starting salaries, keep in mind that the cost of living and opportunities to move with a career or industry sector should also factor into your decision. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for a registered nurse is $81,220.

What support and resources are provided at SMWC?
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) provides exceptional, personalized learning resource services to encourage student success. The LRC offers help with a range of academic support services, including a writing center, tutoring, college success courses and more.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is routinely ranked by US News and World Report among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and the Best Value Schools. Our departments are also routinely ranked for their individual degree programs.
See the SMWC Difference:

Rankings
Admission Information

Are you ready to become an SMWC nursing student? Here’s what you need to know.

  • Applications will be accepted until the cohort is filled
  • High school diploma or its equivalent, such as a general equivalency degree (GED).
  • Successful completion of the pre-nursing core course work with a grade of “C” or better and can only be repeated once for grade improvement, including BI 231 Anatomy and Physiology I and BI 232 Anatomy and Physiology II.
  • All attempted cognate courses must be completed with a “C” or better before graduation from the BSN program:
    • PS 111 Intro to Psychology
    • CO 111 Intro to Human Communication
    • EN 111 English Composition and Research Writing
    • MA 117 Quantitative Reasoning
    • CH 121 General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
    • BI 252 Microbiology for Allied Health
    • KHS 275 Human Nutrition
    • BI 330 Bioethics
  • Students are allowed 1 nursing course failure during the duration of the program. If the student does not pass the second attempt for the nursing course, they are dismissed from the program for a period of three years.
  • The Nursing Admission, Progression, and Reinstatement Committee will review all previously earned college credit, and students must have earned an overall 2.5 GPA.
  • Students need to score a 58% (“proficient”) on the Assessment Technology Inc. (ATI) entrance examination identified as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within the last two years of the admission deadline. Regardless of the location of the testing site, a student may only attempt this exam twice per admission cycle. If students attempt this exam more than twice, regardless of the location, the Department of Nursing will only look at the first two scores.
  • Current criminal background check within the last 30 days of application.
  • Negative 10-panel Drug Screen within the last 30 days of application.
  • Proof of Immunizations, CPR/BLS certification, negative TB test, and personal health insurance, are also required for admission. Questions regarding this documentation can be directed to the clinical coordinator, Cassidy.Wood@smwc.edu
  • If a student is ineligible for the nursing program they must wait a full year to reapply the following fall. If the student is ineligible for two consecutive years in a row, the student is not eligible to reapply for a period of three years.
  • A student cannot have failed out of another nursing program within the last three years.
  • Incoming college freshmen and transfer students are eligible to apply for direct admittance into the nursing major if they have successfully completed dual credit Anatomy & Physiology I/II, or an equivalent, and have earned an ATI TEAS score of 58% or higher. Please contact our Program Support Specialist, Morgan Reardon, for more details.
Accreditation

Our program is accredited by the following organizations:

Related Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Nursing