Bachelor of Science in Nursing


Why Choose Nursing at SAU

  • Students in the accredited SAU Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are sought-after in a variety of healthcare settings. And, every student from our most recent group of graduates is employed.
  • Our students have a wide variety of clinical learning experiences, including hospital and community settings in addition to interprofessional activities with other health sciences majors.
  • On-campus nursing students complete health sciences classwork in the SAU Center for Health Sciences Education on the Genesis Medical Center West campus. Our state-of-the-art simulation and hospital lab allow students to safely practice and rehearse skills before working with real patients. 
  • Online LPN or RN nursing students complete high-quality, student-centered coursework to earn their BSN.

Graduates of the SAU Nursing Program

Anitza Alvarado '22 stayed close to home to complete her Nursing degree. Read Anitza's story 

Mayra Vasquez '19 completed her 160-hour preceptorship in the burn unit at the University of Iowa Hospital. Read about Mayra's experience.

Cam Alvarez '19, BSN, is an ER nurse at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Read this story about Cam's Ambrosian education and experience.

Reina Glandon '18, BSN, is a pediatric-specialized in-home care nurse, traveling to Eastern Iowa areas such as North Liberty, Coralville, and Iowa City.


Ambrose Advantages

  • Our cutting-edge curriculum allows students to safely practice and rehearse skills in high fidelity simulation before working with real patients
  • Experience learning in real clinical settings through our collaboration with health systems throughout the midwest
  • 100% job placement post graduation

students with mother and baby

nursing students sitting

professor and student

The SAU approach to nursing education and healthcare sets the example of what it means to be deeply person-focused. Faculty and staff partner with you throughout your education because we also believe in doing what's best for those we serve.

READ OUR NURSING PROGRAM SHEET (PDF)


Learn About the Nursing Program

Watch our alumni talk about how their St. Ambrose education prepared them for a meaningful career in Nursing.

Start your application


More Information on the Nursing Program

For High School or Transfer Students

If you are not yet a nurse, learn more about plans to graduate below and read Nursing course descriptions in the online course catalog.

Interested in a part-time option of the traditional program? Contact our advisor by phone at 563-333-6082 or send an email to nursing@sau.edu for more information.

Four Year Plan to Graduate with Bachelor of Science in Nursing

This is the suggested plan of study to graduate in four years with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

This plan assumes the student has taken three years of foreign language in high school.

Year One

FallCREDITSSpringCREDITS
ENGL 101 English Composition 3 COMM Oral Comm 3
MATH 171 Elementary Functions 3 THEO/PHIL 100-200 level 3
PSYC 105 Intro to Psychology 3 SOC 101 Intro to Sociology 3
BIOL 101 Principles of Biology+Lab 4 CHEM 103 Principles of Chemistry+Lab 4
NSS 101 New Student Seminar 1 PHIL or THEO 3
IL 101 Information Literacy 1
KIN 149 Wellness Concepts 1
Total 16 16

Year Two

FallCREDITSSpringCREDITS
STAT 213 Statistics 3 PSYC 212 Life Span Development 3
BIOL 230 Human Anatomy & Physiology+Lab 4 BIOL 232 Advanced Human Anatomy & Physiology II+Lab 4
BIOL 211 Microbiology+Lab 4 Humanities Literature/Film 3
Creative Arts 3 PHIL or THEO 3
Humanities Elective Historical/Cultural 3 KIN Activity 1
CNA: Take at Community College PHIL 310 Biomedical Ethics/THEO Bioethics and Healthcare 3
Total 17 Total 17

Year Three

FallCREDITSSpringCREDITS
NURS 305 Introduction to Contemporary Nursing 3 NURS 360 Introduction to Theoretical Concepts 3
NURS 315 Nursing Process I Across the Lifespan 3 NURS 365 Nursing Process II Across the Lifespan 4
NURS 325 Applied Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 3 NURS 370 Applied Learning Experiences II 2
NURS 335 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology 4 NURS 375 Pathophysiology/Pharmacology II 3
NURS 350 Applied Learning Experiences I 2 NURS 380 Nursing Concepts of Mental Health 3
3 NURS 395 Clinical Application II              2
Total 15 Total 17

Year Four

FallCREDITSSpringCREDITS
NURS 410 Concepts of Population Health 3 NURS 460 Concepts of Applied Nursing Care 3
NURS 415 Nursing Process III Across the Lifespan 3 NURS 465 Concepts of Chronicity 3
NURS 425 Applied Learning Experiences III 2 NURS 475 Leadership & Contemporary Issues 3
NURS 435 Concepts of Children & Women's Health 3 WI-NURS 485 Professional Nursing Capstone 3
WI-NURS 440 Evidence-Based Practice 3 NURS 495 Advanced Nursing Practicum 3
NURS 445 Clinical Application III 2
Total 16 Total 15

WI=writing intensive

Certificate in Spanish for Health and Human Services Professionals (18 credits)

Required (12 credits):
SPAN 201, 202, 203, and LXS 201

Choose two courses (6 credits):
SPAN 312, 316, 317, 332, 335, 340, 350, or 360.

Study Abroad
It is recommended (but not required) that students seeking this certificate should Study Abroad in a high-immersion program.300-level electives taken abroad can count towards the elective credits for the minor, as long as the program and courses abroad are pre-approved by the department. Approved programs vary in length; students should consult with their Spanish advisor for information and planning.

9 credit hours towards the certificate must be taken on the SAU campus.

For Current LPN or RN

The Nano Nagle Online School of Nursing at St. Ambrose, launching fall 2023, will offer a flexible, remote LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN in addition to industry certifications designed to help working healthcare professionals learn while they earn. Signature features include:

  • flexible program designed around the needs of a working professional; The flexibility of learning while you are earning
  • High-quality, student-centered online instruction at premiere clinical settings from faculty and staff who are leaders in their fields
  • Integration of innovative methods of learning including person-centered care, interprofessional education, and simulation
  • Access to a robust joint network of healthcare systems for clinical and career opportunities
Faculty and Staff

Katie Browning, DNP, Assoc. Professor and Ann E. Hinkhouse Endowed Chair
Kara Baker, Office Administrator
Kari Crowder, MSN, Clinical Asst. Professor
Christina Cunningham, MSN, ARNP, RN, Clinical Instructor
Katrina DeToye, DNP, Asst. Professor
Deb Frankie-Lasher, Advisor/Recruiter
Ann Garton, DNP, Assoc. Professor
Danielle Hoffman, DNP, Asst. Professor
Lynnette Kruse, Clinical Asst. Professor
Erin Rennert, BSN, RN, Clinical Instructor
Rose Schultz, BSN, Lab and Office Assistant
Heather Scott, MSN, Clinical Assistant Instructor
Katie Sleaford, MSN, Clinical Instructor
Denise Westendorf, MSN, Lecturer
Holly Candor, Online Nursing Advisor/Recruiter
Amy Tallman, Recruiter and Academic Advisor
Lara Dague, Administrative Assistant
Connie Jo Hanson-Hullstrom, Clinical Assistant Professor and Adjunct Coordinator
Heather Sikora, Lecturer
Jenelle Wilson, Instructor

Scholarships and Grants

First-Year

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.

First-Year Scholarships and Institutional Aid 2024-2025

ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID

Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship
Pell-eligible Iowa residents, learn more here

Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate

Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school 

Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student

Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability

Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre

Faith Learning Justice Campus Ministry Scholarships: $2,000 per year
Recognition of involvement in church and community service and interest in strengthening faith and growing as a leader in campus ministry

Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.

State and Federal Grants, Work Study

Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.


Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum

Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
You must file a FAFSA to qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum

Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000

Outside Scholarships

There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:

Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.


Brandy Jurevitz ’19 BSN


Brandy knows a good nurse focuses on the patient, and the family, too. She gained that perspective during several volunteer positions and a preceptorship at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, where she now works as a general pediatric nurse. "Those experiences made me a better nurse. I not only take care of patients, but I also see how it is impacting the whole family and I try to take care of them as well," Brandy said. Going beyond was a value reflected in her SAU education. "I love the nursing program at SAU. Education is on a personal level and every professor makes you feel special and important, that you are smart and will be an amazing nurse.”

Read Brandy's Story
anitza anitza alvarado

Anitza Alvarado

Bachelor of Science in Nursing,Class of 2022


Inspired by healthcare workers caring for her grandmother and the desire to stay close to home made it easy for Anitza to choose St. Ambrose University's Nursing program.

See My Story

So, what's next?

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