Bradley University

Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois, which is about three hours from Chicago or St. Louis. The university was founded in 1897 and they currently offer over 100 undergrad programs and more than 30 graduate-level programs through their five colleges. The campus is located on the west side of the city of Peoria and is just a few minutes from the downtown area. The campus is also compact, ensuring that students can walk from one part of the campus to any other part within 10 minutes or less. Bradley University has also received many awards and honors, including ranking sixth nationally for producing Fulbright students.

The nursing programs offered at BU include the traditional BSN and MSN programs. Registered nurses and licensed nursing practitioners may enroll in the RN to BSN or LPN to BSN programs to earn their degrees. Each of the nursing programs is accredited by the relevant body, including the CCNE and ACEN. Students have access to hands-on training at two major hospital systems along with several public health facilities and nursing homes in the area. The clinical experience starts during the sophomore year of the BSN programs. The university also boasts one of the highest pass rates in the nation for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Updated on: 23 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

15-month
begins in May and runs through the following August
Full-time cohort model with start during May Interim each year
Total program credit hours: 59
Term credit distribution: Summer (13 hours), Fall (15 hours), Spring (14 hours), Final Summer (17 hours)

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing required
Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 hours of college coursework
All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to program start
Applicants must meet Bradley University and Department of Nursing admission standards

Prerequisites

Science and quantitative prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology (with lab); Fundamentals of Chemistry (with lab); Organic Chemistry; Microbiology; Pathophysiology; Nutrition; Statistics
Behavioral and developmental prerequisites: Developmental Psychology; Abnormal Psychology

Selection Process

Cohorts begin during May Interim and follow a prescribed sequential curriculum
Cohort size capped at eight students

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Practicum credit total across program: 22.0 credit hours (practicum courses include Fundamentals Practicum; Adult Health I and II Practicums; Maternal-Newborn Practicum; Nursing of Children Practicum; Psychiatric/Mental Health Practicum; Community Health Practicum; Senior Practicum I and II; Leadership Practicum)
Clinical sites in the Peoria area include OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, UnityPoint Methodist and Proctor hospitals, Pekin Hospital, Salvation Army, Tazewell County Health Department, Heddington Oaks skilled care center
Pre-practicum requirements: rubella and rubeola immunity documentation or titers; Hepatitis B series; two-step tuberculin skin test or negative blood test; tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis within 10 years; varicella titer or vaccination; CPR/BLS Health Care Provider certification; drug screen; fingerprint background check; student nurse liability insurance; personal health and hospitalization insurance; seasonal flu vaccine by October 31 each year

Contacts

Department chair: Borton
Senior Academic Director of Online Education: Erickson
Associate Dean for Student Success: Grugan
Professional staff: Daly; McKenzie

Not reviewed yet

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Accreditations

Nursing Programs Accreditations

Nursing (MNUR) - Master's program Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)

Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission)