Admission Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a limited-access program. Freshmen are admitted to Saint Leo as Pre-Nursing students. Admission as a Pre-Nursing major requires a 2.7 or better high school grade point average (GPA) and an acknowledgment of background check requirements. Students can be admitted into the Pre-Nursing program during both the Fall and Spring Semesters.

To be considered for admission to the Saint Leo Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, applicants must submit an application to NursingCAS the semester prior to the junior year and must meet minimum admission requirements for consideration. The strongest applicants will be selected; meeting minimum requirements to apply does not guarantee selection.

The Saint Leo University Explorations requirements and BS Nursing program prerequisite/support courses may be completed through the A.A. degree from a Florida College System institution only if the required BSN prerequisites and support courses are included. If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements for Pre-Nursing status which includes a 2.7 or better GPA and an acknowledgement of an acceptable background check. Catalog course descriptions and a copy of the course syllabus are required for review to determine if the prerequisite courses requested for transfer satisfy the prerequisite requirements. Transfer students may not apply to the BS Nursing program if they are not in good standing with their previous nursing program.

Only students who have formal, written unconditional acceptance into the BS Nursing program will be allowed to register for nursing courses and complete work for the major.

To be considered for admission to the Saint Leo University nursing program, applicants must meet the following minimum conditional admission requirements:

• Earn a grade point average of 3.30 or better for all coursework taken by the end of the semester prior to the semester for which application is made.
• Complete all required non-nursing courses for a total of 60 credits prior to beginning nursing program courses. Earn a grade of ‘C’ or better for all courses except MAT 151, BIO 140 and BIO 140 Lab and BIO 150 and BIO 150 Lab which require a B or better. Prerequisite courses may be repeated only one time.
• The following courses must be completed before the application deadline (February 15th) with a grade of B or better:  Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with lab, and College Algebra. 
• Take all parts of the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam and upload into the NursingCAS portal with the nursing application. A minimum composite score of 68 or greater is required. To be considered competitive, higher scores are recommended.  The most current version of the TEAS exam may be attempted three times in a calendar year with 30 days in between attempts.
• Matriculation into the nursing courses is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory history and physical signed by a provider and completion of required immunizations and other health requirements, including drug screening, completion of American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification, and completion of an acceptable background check; this occurs after receiving the conditional admission email and will be due by July 15^th .

Unconditional admission is granted when students have been selected for admission to the BS Nursing program and all admission criteria have been successfully completed.

Admission is extremely competitive and successful applicants may present much higher credentials for admission

The Application Period for entry into Fall 2024 junior-level nursing courses has closed.  

The next application period is for Fall 2025 junior-level nursing courses and the application is now open with a deadline on February 15, 2025.  

Career Outlook

No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply knowledge from nursing and other disciplines in forming the basis for clinical judgement and nursing practice.
• Demonstrate communication and collaboration skills to support achievement of positive health outcomes.
• Apply current evidence in nursing practice and principles of safety and quality in health care in care delivery.
• Demonstrate knowledge of nursing interventions supportive of a Culture of Health in delivery of holistic, person-centered care that supports achievement of positive health outcomes.
• Demonstrate professionalism consistent with the ANA Code of Ethics and the role of the BSN-prepared nurse in accordance with best practice, professional and regulatory standards, and the Saint Leo University Core Values.
• Apply organizational and leadership skills in systems-based practice to improve health.
• Engage in population health partnerships to support and improve population health outcomes which emphasize promotion of health and well-being/disease prevention, chronic disease care, regenerative or restorative care, and hospice/palliative/supportive care.

What can you do with an undergraduate nursing degree?

The bachelor of science in nursing program positions graduates for entry level employment in a variety of settings following completion of the national licensing exam, NCLEX-RN, and supports career advancement into leadership positions and graduate nursing degree programs.