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RN to BSN Program Information

 
Welcome
The University of Southern Indiana baccalaureate nursing program offers nurses with associate or diploma degrees the opportunity to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing. The nursing courses required for the RN to BSN completion option are provided through a combination of technologies, including Internet delivery, video streaming, computer conferencing, and email. The flexibility of the RN to BSN program provides nurses with the opportunity to complete the course requirements in their own home and on their own schedule with minimal costs. 

The curriculum is built upon a foundation of biological, physical, and social sciences with acknowledgment of previously learned content. No further testing of prior knowledge is required if a nurse holds a valid RN license and is in good standing in their current state of employment. 

The University of Southern Indiana baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation is an indication of public approbation, attesting to the quality of the educational program and the continued commitment of the sponsoring institution to support the program. 

For further information about the accreditation of the program, please contact the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education at the following address: One dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036-1120, (202) 887-6791. 

 
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Admission Requirements
The requirements for admission to the USI baccalaureate nursing program include: 

University Admission
1) Completion of the University application and the Undergraduate Nursing application.
2) Documentation of current immunizations 

Baccalaureate Nursing Program Admission
1) Completion of an associate degree or diploma program in nursing with a cumulative grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale in previous academic work.
2) Unencumbered RN license
4) Submission of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to the Nursing Program and the University Admissions Office. 
5) Students must be currently employed or have access to a health care work environment to complete course requirements. 
6) Two years of recent RN experience prior to application to the University is preferred.

Click here to view an Advising Worksheet 

 
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Advising
Upon acceptance to the RN to BSN completion program, the RN student will be assigned an advisor who is a faculty member teaching in the RN to BSN program. The advisor will assist the RN student in the development of a plan of study for non-nursing and nursing courses.
 
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Courses
(click here to review the RN to BSN nursing curriculum)
A total of 128 credit hours is required to graduate with a baccalaureate in nursing from the University of Southern Indiana; 70 of these hours must be nursing and health profession courses . Up to 36 hours of nursing credit from an associate degree or diploma program may be transferred to the University to meet nursing and health professions course requirements. A maximum of 64 credit hours may be transferred from a community college. Additional general education courses may be taken via distance education from a four-year college convenient to you. Typically an RN student will have 31 hours of University Core Curriculum courses (including a test out option of Nutrition 376) and 33 hours of nursing courses to take to complete the program.
 
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Clinical Practice Sites and Preceptors 
Four nursing courses include a clinical practice component. You will be responsible for identifying nurse preceptors and clinical sites in your community for your clinical experiences. Approval of selected preceptors and clinical sites must be obtained from course faculty prior to implementing clinical experiences.  You may also receive credit and acknowledgment for professional certification and/or previous gained clinical experiences/expertise through the completion of a portfolio validation process. Your faculty advisor will assist you with the validation process.
 
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Validation Process

Registered Nurses who have three or more years of full-time (or equivalent) experience in a clinical area may validate partial or complete achievement of outcomes in selected nursing courses through current certification in a specialty area and/or through the development of a clinical portfolio and testing. The courses listed below have a validation option available. By clicking on the course number, the course syllabus and validation guidelines may be viewed.

Nursing 452: Care of the Critically Ill Adult
Nursing 454: Community Health Nursing
Nursing 465: Care of the Chronically Ill Adult
Nursing 466: Nursing Management 

 
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Technology Requirements 
In order to participate in required course work, you will need to have access to a computer and the Internet. For students who wish to use a home computer, it is recommended that your computer have a(n): 
-Pentium processor that runs at 500 MHz or higher; with 128 MB or more of RAM, 
-16-bit sound card, speakers, a CD-ROM, and a 65,000-color video display card,
-operating system of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP, 
-access to the Microsoft Office Suite software package (containing programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint),
-Internet Explorer 5.5 or later.
Students with computers that are more than 5 years old may need to consider upgrading or purchasing a new computer. 

 

 
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Computer Skills
Required computer skills to complete the nursing courses include using word processing, sending e-mails with or without attachments, using PowerPoint and Excel software packages, and having access to the Internet, and Microsoft Office software. 
 
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

How do I apply? 
To begin the process, complete the University application and Undergraduate Nursing Program application both of which are online (Refer to Admission Requirements section). Upon completion and review of the applications and transcripts, you will be assigned an advisor. Your advisor will help develop a plan of study and schedule you for your courses. 
 

Can I get credit for work or military experience? 
Yes. Students can receive some credit for military service. The university and nursing advisor will assist you with this process. 
 

How long will it take to get my degree? 
The amount of time required to complete the degree will depend upon how rapidly you wish to complete the courses. If you are working full time, one or two courses a semester may be an appropriate course load. If you are working part time, more than two courses each semester may be feasible. The total number of credits you are transferring and your schedule requirements will also determine the length of time needed to complete the degree. 
 

What happens if I transfer or move to another location during my program?
The nursing courses are offered online through the Internet so as long as you have access to the Internet, the course work can be completed at any site. The clinical portion of the courses can be arranged at your new location. 
 

Who teaches the classes?
Nursing faculty, prepared at the master or doctoral level, teach the nursing courses. All nursing faculty have years of experience in their specialty area and in teaching online courses. 
 

Can I test out/CLEP any of the non-nursing courses? 
Testing out or using CLEP exams is possible and should be discussed with your advisor.

Am I required to come to the USI campus at any time during the completion of my degree? 
While there may be activities that are held on the USI campus, you will not be required to attend these events. Other equivalent assignments or videotapes of the event will be arranged. 
 

How do I take tests? 
Course exams are online through the Internet. Specific directions are given in each course for exams. 
 

How much does it cost?
Cost and financial information can be found on USI’s website by going to http://www.usi.edu/admissn/index.asp

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