Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (BSN)

Recommitting to the art of nursing in an age of evidence-based and data-driven care.

MISSION-DRIVEN

Innovate. Inspire. Transform. Our patient-centered education prepares compassionate nurses who drive positive change. Guided by Jesuit values of excellence, professionalism, and service, we advance the field and improve healthcare systems and communities.

FUTURE-VISION

Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of nursing leaders who will transform healthcare through innovation, compassion, service, and excellence. We strive to produce highly skilled and resilient nursing leaders who improve patient outcomes and advance the field through visionary leadership and patient-centered care.

TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE

The pandemic revealed disparities in the healthcare system, so our future nurses will receive critical thinking, professional development, innovation, entrepreneurial and experiential learning to rise into positions where they can make a positive difference in the industry.

NURSING LAB FACILITIES

high fidelity nursing simulation lab

HIGH-FIDELITY LAB

high fidelity nursing simulation lab

HIGH-FIDELITY LAB

high fidelity nursing simulation lab

HIGH-FIDELITY LAB

low fidelity nursing simulation lab

LOW-FIDELITY LAB

low fidelity nursing simulation lab

LOW-FIDELITY LAB

low fidelity nursing simulation lab with students in the classroom

LOW-FIDELITY LAB

Program Focus Areas

By joining our dedicated community, you'll be ready for the NCLEX-RN®.

nursing student smiling at medical mannikin

1. NURSING AS A SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINE

Students will develop an understanding of nursing as a scientific discipline that utilizes critical thinking, problem-solving, & evidence-based practices to provide safe and effective patient care.

2. HOLISTIC CARE

Students will recognize the interplay of physical, emotional, & psychosocial factors in patient care, & develop the skills to provide holistic care to patients.

nursing student and teacher practicing listening to pulse

3. DIVERSITY

Our program recognizes the importance of diversity in healthcare, & develop cultural competence to provide equitable and inclusive care to patients from diverse backgrounds.

4. EQUITY

Students will learn to recognize & address healthcare disparities, & advocate for equitable healthcare policies & access to care for all patients.

5. POPULATION HEALTH

Students will learn and understand the impact of social determinants of health & promote health & wellness across diverse populations.

Melissa Cole showcasing nursing mannikin technology

6. TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATICS

Students will understand the role of technology & informatics in healthcare & to develop the skills to use technology to enhance patient care.

Shanna Botos showcasing nursing mannikin technology

7. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Our program will cultivate a commitment to lifelong learning & stay up-to-date with the latest healthcare trends & best practices.

Nursing Preview Day mannikin demonstration

8. RESILIENCY

Students will develop strategies to promote self-care, stress management, & resiliency, both for oneself & for patients.

9. INTER-PROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION AND TEAM DYNAMICS

Students will understand the importance of collaboration & teamwork in healthcare, & develop the skills to work effectively with other healthcare professionals.

10. ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Students will develop an entrepreneurial mindset that supports the creation & implementation of new models of care delivery, as well as the development of nursing-led businesses and initiatives.

WHY JOHN CARROLL FOR YOUR BSN?

The student will understand:
- Integrate nursing knowledge with a liberal arts educational foundation to care for clients across the human lifespan, including ethical issues that affect the health and health care of all people, with special attention to those challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
- Apply scientific knowledge to reduce risk and limit disease in individuals and communities.
- Understand patient care technologies in the healthcare environment.
- Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with patients, families, and other healthcare providers in the professional healthcare environment.
- Demonstrate nursing leadership skills that exemplify Ignatian spirituality principles.

Explore the full four-year Nursing curriculum here!

2024-2027 Nursing Student Handbook

First-year John Carroll students pursuing healthcare (medical, dental, pharmacy, etc.) and nursing careers are eligible to apply for the SANUM Scholars award. These $6,122 scholarships are funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education and John Carroll and may be used in addition to any other sources of financial aid. For more information about eligibility requirements and to apply, visit our scholarships page.

Meet your Admission Counselor

Melissa Wenzler ’90, ’09G
Associate Director of National Recruitment, Alumni Engagement

FAQ's:
- Will my credits transfer to JCU?
  Prospective students can submit their unofficial transcripts for an unofficial credit review. Once students apply and official transcripts are received, the Office of the Registrar will conduct an official credit evaluation.
- How long will it take me to graduate?
  Enrolled students will meet one-on-one with an academic advisor to schedule classes and map out their remaining semesters at JCU. You can view credit requirements for each major and learn more about specific programs here.
REQUEST INFORMATION

All Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs rise or fall on the strength of clinical practice partnerships. We look forward to a long and mutual relationship with Cleveland’s world-class medical institutions and leaders from the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and the MetroHealth System. Early exposure to forward-looking, evidence-based nursing will serve as a cornerstone of the John Carroll University BSN.

Contact us

Nursing Faculty & Staff

melissa cole - dean of college of health

Melissa D. Cole, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, CENP is currently the Dean of the College of Health at John Carroll University (JCU). She is also Associate Faculty at JCU and will oversee the recently announced Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and the expansion of John Carroll’s academic healthcare portfolio.

Prior to coming to JCU, Dr. Cole served in a variety of leadership capacities at University Hospitals Health System (UHHS). Dr. Cole has been a registered nurse for 20 years and has practiced as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Medicine since 2012.

She earned a BSN (Ursuline College, 2003), an MSN (University of Tampa, 2012), and a DNP (Case Western Reserve University, 2022) and is a certified adult nurse practitioner and certified in executive nursing practice.

Dr. Cole is passionate about the community she serves and is committed to breaking down barriers for women in leadership roles and the stigmas that exist for the mental health and addiction population. She is currently on the board of directors at New Directions and Crossroads Health, which serves as the local mental health and drug rehabilitation centers throughout Northeast Ohio. Dr. Cole is a role model for others and enhances the patient services in her communities she serves.

Our first faculty hire for our Bachelor of Science Nursing program, Dr. Botos has been a nurse for 21 years. She joins us from Cleveland Clinic where for the last 7 years she has been practicing as an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner in pediatric hospitalist medicine. Some of her leadership roles include serving as chair of the Cleveland Clinic Enterprise APRN Council and as a fellow for the Johnson & Johnson Nursing Leadership program at Duke University. Dr. Botos received her Doctor in Nursing Practice from The Ohio State University in 2020. She is passionate about advocating for the profession of nursing and pioneering programs that improve the work environment of nurses and patients. Prior to coming to John Carroll University, Dr. Botos was part-time faculty at Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing where she improved the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, increasing the pass rate for the national certification exam to >80% per year. Please help us in welcoming Dr. Shanna Botos ‘00 back to John Carroll University.

Shanna was just named the Medical Mutual Assistant Professor at JCU.

Read more about Medical Mutual's investment

Lisa recently joined the Department of Nursing in a pivotal role where she will be responsible for overseeing clinical placements, assisting with program accreditation, and providing other administrative and operational support to the department. She comes to the department with over a decade of experience in higher education.

Lisa began her academic journey at Michigan State University followed by Kent State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in reading, and became a literacy specialist. Lisa channeled her passion for education by teaching in Perry Local Schools before transitioning into high education.

In 2009, Lisa joined John Carroll University as the Field Placement Coordinator where she managed student placements and worked to build a robust network of clinical affiliations. With her strong work ethic and tenure as a Field Placement Coordinator, Lisa was promoted to Coordinator of Student Records and Field Placements in 2019.

Lisa has joined the Department of Nursing with experience and knowledge of the education landscape. Her knowledge and passion for education make her a valuable asset to the department.

JCU NURSE ALUMNI

Long before establishing a formal BSN degree, John Carroll graduated students who went on to pursue nursing careers. These alumni work in many settings: General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, Physician Offices, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Healthcare, Outpatient Care Centers, Veterans Hospitals, Specialty Hospitals, and Elementary and Secondary Schools.

ALUMNI STORIES

It’s important to remember that nursing is not a “job”, it’s a profession. Your career possibilities are endless. Research, entrepreneurship, policy, administration. I took my two loves - chemistry and nursing - and put them together to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Technology is changing everything. The electronic health record allows data to drive better patient care. It can be as global as how hospitals manage bed flow and as granular as matching a patient’s anesthetic plan to a genetic profile. Clinical competence and technology will only become more and more synonymous.

John Escano ‘13
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

KEY ALUMNI

My education at JCU taught me how to think freely and critically, and these skills have allowed me to analyze my patient's conditions and see them as a whole person. The critical thinking skills I learned at JCU have aided in my ability to think quickly in the ER and develop delicate safety plans for my patients who have been victims of crime

Kathryn Hoepfner ‘18
Forensic Nurse Examiner

KEY ALUMNI

I would encourage anyone who is considering being a nurse to not be intimidated and go for it. I was lucky enough to start in the ICU and really enjoy it, but there are so many different specialties. Be diligent during clinical and find out what you can see yourself doing. Be sure to make care of yourself outside of work. The physical and emotional stress we endure as nurses can’t be compared to other fields, so sleep well, drink water, and eat healthy. Ask a lot of questions and know that we’re all looking out for you!

Corey Large ‘18
Intensive Care RN, BSN

CCNE Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at John Carroll University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.