St. Edward’s is proud to offer three exceptional programs that provide pathways and preparation for earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

The unique flexibility of our Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program gives practicing registered nurses several options for earning their BS in Nursing. Students can choose between full-time and part-time course schedules, with classes offered in online, in-person and hybrid formats.

The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (tBSN)* pathway gives undergraduate students an option for earning their BS in Nursing. Students can choose our Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Pre-Nursing Track and Bachelor of Science in Biology, Health Professions Track to prepare traditional undergraduate students to transition into the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (tBSN)*.  

The Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)* pathway gives students who previously earned a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree an option for earning their BS in Nursing.  

*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN) at St. Edward's University is pursuing initial approval by the Texas Board of Nursing Education for two pre-licensure BSN pathways. Applying for approval does not guarantee that approval will be granted.

Benefits of Our Nursing Programs

Answering the Growing Demand for Nursing Professionals in Texas and Beyond

Across Texas and the nation, the need for nursing professionals is at an all-time high. St. Edward’s is dedicated to partnering with communities to meet critical workforce needs. Our nursing education prepares highly skilled, compassionate nurses from all walks of life for careers at the forefront of healthcare equity and access for everyone.

To enhance their BS in Nursing degree and career mobility, students can earn bilingual certification while pursuing their undergraduate degree through an Advanced Spanish for Health and Helping Professions Certificate from St. Edward’s. Our BS in Nursing graduates are also educationally and experientially prepared to pursue a master’s degree in nursing to further advance their career.

BSN Registered Nurse talks with a Patient

To enhance their BS in Nursing degree and career mobility, students can earn bilingual certification while pursuing their undergraduate degree through an Advanced Spanish for Health and Helping Professions Certificate from St. Edward’s. Our BS in Nursing graduates are also educationally and experientially prepared to pursue a master’s degree in nursing to further advance their career. 

Hear Our Program Highlights

Dr. Donna Beuk, Director of Nursing, talks with KXAN News to discuss the unique benefits of our new Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. Dr. Beuk highlighted how the program equips working RNs with innovative training and hands-on experience, preparing them to advance as highly skilled and compassionate professionals in nursing.

Nursing Programs Reflect Our Commitment to a More Just World

The social-justice mindset of St. Edward’s reaches far beyond our hilltop campus, impacting Austin and contributing to the greater good and wellbeing of communities and the world. Guided by our Holy Cross mission and strategic plan, the core values of our Nursing programs focus on academic excellence, respectful care, integrity, ethics and social responsibility.

Graduates of our programs are uniquely positioned to address issues of disparity, justice and equity within healthcare, and to support culturally relevant care. In addition, the diversity of our graduates helps strengthen diversity within the nursing profession. Research shows that increasing diversity in the nursing workforce can help mitigate health disparities. 

A Message from Our Director of Nursing

St. Edward's is pleased to welcome Dr. Donna Beuk in the role of Founding Director of Nursing. Beuk is a longstanding educator and scholar, and a practicing nurse of 12 years. She leads the development of programs that prepare competent and compassionate nurses who will meet workforce needs in the rapidly growing healthcare field. See her welcome message to nursing students.

Facts and figures

Top 10

University in the West
U.S. News & World Report

Facts and figures

RN to BSN

Full-Time & Part-Time
Online, In-Person & Hybrid
Program Options

Facts and figures

13:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Facts and figures

30+ years

Hispanic Serving Institution

3 nurses walking together in hospital corridor
Nurse leaders meet to discuss patient care

Explore Our BSN Program and BSN Pathway Programs

Yellow Line
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Designed specifically to fit the busy schedule of working RNs, this flexible program offers full-time and part-time options, with a choice of online, in-person and hybrid formats. You’ll learn in small classes taught by experienced professional nurses who are experts in teaching coursework that is engaging and interactive.

The RN to BSN program builds on a variety of clinical knowledge that RNs already possess, with robust experiential learning embedded into the curriculum. Through research-based projects, leadership training and independent clinical practicums, you’ll gain additional expertise, skills and perspectives needed to be an effective leader in healthcare. You’ll be prepared to use evidence-based practice, informatics and teamwork, collaboration and systems thinking to address health policy and advocacy in the ever-changing healthcare environment.

RN to BSN Program Webinars

RN to BSN webinars provide prospective RN to BSN students with an overview of the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program at St. Edward's University. Important information about coursework requirements, the application process, clinical hours, practicum and more will be covered. Prospective students can get their questions answered by contacting Donna Beuk, Founding Director of Nursing, or Jesica Naiman, assistant professor of Nursing; RN to BSN advisor.

View the live recording of an RN to BSN Webinar

When prompted, enter the passcode V0*sK^!s

Eduardo Carrillo ’22, Biology, in Science lab
Students and Professor in Science Lab


Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (tBSN*)

The Traditional BSN (tBSN) program* prepares nurse generalists to work in acute/sub-acute/and outpatient, public health, long-term care, and community settings. The professional (tBSN) portion of the curriculum includes 54 credits and is designed to be completed in four semesters of full time study. 

A competency-based approach is used to foster development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning by supporting students’ ability to define, analyze, and create correlation among individual presentation, health data, and aspects of social determinants of health. The competencies are based from three areas of professional nursing education:  Texas Board of Nursing “Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs” (DECs, 2021), American Association of Colleges of Nursing “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education” (AACN, 2021), and “Quality Safety Education for Nurses” (QSEN, 2008).  

The competencies are introduced, reinforced, and evaluated throughout the curriculum using exemplars or case examples that a nurse will experience in their practice. One way our nursing students will demonstrate competency is through the use of our Simulation Learning and Resource Center. For example, a high-quality, standardized simulation scenario is created for a patient presenting with abdominal pain incorporating the integration of actors or simulated patients where appropriate. The exercise includes a pre-briefing and a debriefing (feedback and self-reflection) as well as assessment of learning outcomes. In this example, the student would be evaluated on their ability to complete a focused health history. Clinical skills evaluated would include inspection, auscultation, palpation, and percussion of the abdomen as well as accurate documentation. Variations of the scenario may require students to demonstrate competency in patient communication or inter-professional communication as well. Students and faculty will engage in active learning strategies designed to emphasize application of material rather than memorization.

Graduates will be prepared to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and apply for a RN State license or for a Compact State license.


Accelerated Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing* (ABSN)

The accelerated BSN (ABSN) program* prepares nurse generalists to work in acute/sub-acute/and outpatient, public health, long-term care, and community settings. The ABSN curriculum includes 51 credits and is designed to be completed in 3 semesters (13 months) of full time study. The ABSN track is appropriate for those who have already earned a Bachelor's degree (BS/BA) in another field of study, and have completed both the general education and prerequisite course requirements for BSN study. 

A competency-based approach is used to foster development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning by supporting students’ ability to define, analyze, and create correlation among individual presentation, health data, and aspects of social determinants of health. The competencies are based from three areas of professional nursing education:  Texas Board of Nursing “Differentiated Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Nursing Programs” (DECs, 2021), American Association of Colleges of Nursing “The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education” (AACN, 2021), and “Quality Safety Education for Nurses” (QSEN, 2008).

Program Approval and Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at St. Edward's University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN) at St. Edward's University is pursuing initial approval by the Texas Board of Nursing Education for pre-license BSN pathways. Applying for approval does not guarantee that approval will be granted.

 
Nationwide employment for registered nurses is predicted to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, accounting for 203,200 openings each year over the decade.

– The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 2022)