Info about St Francis College of Nursing

sweet_lime · May 5, 2009

Hi! I've been accepted for the Spring at SFMCCON, too! I'm likewise trying to decide between Saint Francis or my local state university that is just starting their nursing program. So I'm looking for more info, too!

I'm from IL about 1 1/2 hour away from Peoria. They are a magnet hospital, so they get trauma transports from this region. I know lots of people who have been treated there, including family (my husband has been there with trauma and I got to be at my sister's most recent birth). All the nurses that I have had contact with from OSF are awesome.

lvaliav · May 5, 2009

i heard the program was really good.....

girly8208 · May 5, 2009

Thanks for your replies!! This will make me feel much better about making the move if I do decide to go there!! I'm glad to know I have a good option if I don't get in anywhere else!!

rubysunshine · May 28, 2009

We have the St. Anthony College of Nursing (also part of the OSF family) which puts out great nurses, so if St. Francis is anything like it it'll be great there :)

sweet_lime · May 28, 2009

I decided to go! girly8208 what did you decide?

girly8208 · May 29, 2009

As of now its a yes!! I went there this past weekend to check it all out. I'm just waiting to make sure my husband will be able to transfer his job there or work remotely for the two years. Hopefully it all works out!!

rntobe7733 · Jun 1, 2009

I will be starting my second semester at St. Francis this fall. LOVE IT!!! I had to decide between a 1 year accelerated state University program, as well as another local school. St. Francis was not the cheapest (actually it was the most expensive) of the three. However, in my opinion it is by far the best of the three programs. With a magnet hospital with so many different areas, the clinical experience is priceless. While I imply no disrespect to LTC facilities, I know that many universities use them to train nurses in school. However, with different charting requirements, and typically less complicated conditions, I feel that these would leave many nurses ill-prepared for the amount of equipment and degree of illness that a new nurse may encounter in a hospital setting. Additionally, I've had some great surgeons in my area (outside of Peoria), say that they send their sickest patients to St. Francis simply because of the level of care they receive. They currently have a sign on program involving the potential for $12,000 of forgivable loans with a three yr work commitment at the hospital ($4000/semester (last three semesters). It involves an interview process and not everyone is selected, but they do tend to choose quite a few. I will say that it is certainly a challenging school, (the grading scale is not the 90/80/70, but is actually 93-A, 85-B, and 77-C, and below a 77 is failing). However, as long as you work your tail off, you will do great and learn a ton. Perhaps I'll see you in the fall! Best of luck on your decisions and classes:) Congrats on your acceptance!! :yeah:

girly8208 · Jun 3, 2009

Wow, thanks for the great information!! As of now, it is definitely my #1 choice! And did I mention just how nice everybody was when we went to visit the school?!!?! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my husbands job will let him make the move. I am currently looking at places that we might live while I am in school (any suggestions??)!! It is so exciting!

sweet_lime · Jun 7, 2009

I think that Peoria Heights is a nice neighborhood and that they have a good school district. I have also heard that the north of War Memorial Drive in general is pretty nice. Otherwise outside of Peoria, there are quite a few smaller communities, it depends on how far that you would be willing to commute & if you need to take school districts into consideration. Dunlap is a good school district, Washington is a good community. I go through Kickapoo on my way into town and have liked the looks of it. Stay away from the South side of Peoria, though.

rntobe7733 · Jun 8, 2009

I don't live in Peoria, but agree with the above poster in terms of what I've heard from other students:)

girly8208 · Jun 12, 2009

Ok, thank you for the information! I think we are going to get our name on some waiting lists, it seems most of the nice apartment places have quite the wait!! Unfortunately, I don't think we will be able to bring our dog with us :cry: