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Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree continues to be highly valued by healthcare employers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of registered nurses to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 189,100 openings expected each year. Although a BSN is not required for every registered nursing position, it can provide access to a broader range of career opportunities, leadership roles, specialty positions, and graduate education.
Preparing students for a successful nursing career is a responsibility we take seriously. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, simulation, and traditional and preceptor-led clinical experiences, you will develop the knowledge, clinical judgment, and practical skills needed to provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based patient care.
Our nursing facilities offer realistic learning environments, including a five-bay medical-surgical area, an intensive care unit room, a home health room, and a medication administration room. Guided by experienced and dedicated faculty, you will build the confidence and nursing skills needed to care for patients in acute care and other healthcare settings.
Our nursing program offers three degree completion pathways.
Traditional B.S.N. Four-Year Program
This track is for incoming freshman, sophomore, and transfer students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Students in this track will also earn a minor in health care management.
Accelerated B.S.N. Track
Take the fast track towards your B.S.N. degree! Already have a bachelor’s degree or at least 70 hours completed towards a bachelor’s degree? Regardless of the field, you can apply credits from your current degree to your B.S.N., helping you gain your nursing degree in much less time. You’ll learn the same things as a traditional B.S.N. nursing student – just at a faster rate. By doing so, you can complete the program in as little as 12 months!
RN to B.S.N. Degree Completion
The RN-to-BSN degree-completion track is designed for licensed registered nurses who hold an associate degree in nursing and wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is currently undergoing a comprehensive curriculum revision and is not admitting new students at this time. The revised RN-to-BSN track is planned to relaunch in fall 2027.
Minor in Healthcare Management
A minor in Healthcare Management is built-n to both the traditional B.S.N. pathway.
Nursing students can also choose to pursue additional health care minors, making students more competitive and more competent. Students can choose from:
- Long-Term Care Administration
- Health Information and Informatics Management
- Infection Prevention and Control
RN Licensing Prep
NUR 440 - Seminar Review of Nursing Concepts
This course helps prepare students for the RN licensing exam (NCLEX). With the exception of those in the RN to B.S.N. track, this seminar is required for all students during their last semester of enrollment.
Students may be required to purchase and develop an account within a clinical management system for clinical placement.
Immersive Learning Environment
Students in the B.S.N. program may have the opportunity to reside in a Living Learning Community (LLC), where they live on campus with students with similar career goals and interests in the healthcare industry.
Registered Student Organization
The SIUC Student Nurses’ Association provides a great opportunity for students to find their place among others with similar interests while making potentially lifelong connections. In addition, having other students to study with make this RSO a great asset for B.S.N. students.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
www.ccneaccreditation.org
Career Outlook
Pursuing a career in nursing is both rewarding and challenging. The payoff is graduating with a B.S.N. from SIU and enjoying a successful career in a variety of settings, including hospitals doctor’s offices, home healthcare, residential care facilities, schools, cruise ships, and camps.
With a B.S.N. from SIU, a wider selection of nursing careers and career tracks becomes available, including surgery, critical care, emergency room, burn unit, oncology, acute care, plastic surgery, research, nurse midwife, outpatient care, to name a few.
Scholarships
Nursing students are eligible for a variety of scholarship opportunities through the University, as well as degree specific scholarships available specifically for students nursing and related healthcare degrees.Contact Information
Heather Brown
Program Director of Nursing
ASA Building Room C120A
1365 Douglas Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
heather.n.brown@siu.edu
