• BSN Program Outcomes
• BSN Degree Requirements
• Registered Nurse Licensure
• BSN Sample Degree Completion Plan
• Admission to the BSN Major at Bloomington
• Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Option (Please note the South Bend campus also offers this program.)

The baccalaureate program provides a comprehensive academic foundation in the sciences and humanities essential in preparing students for a general nursing role. This program appeals to students wishing to combine general education with professional course work, and serves as the foundation for graduate study. It is recommended that those individuals who desire a career in a specific nursing specialty enter their nursing education at the BSN level.

The goal of the BSN major is to prepare entry level professional nurses who are able to function in many diverse roles. The BSN major takes three years of full-time study to complete. Students typically apply for admission to the major after the completion of a year of pre-nursing general education course work. Admission to the major is competitive. For students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in another discipline, the School of Nursing offers an Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Optionat the Indianapolis campus.

BSN Program Outcomes

All graduates of the Bachelor's Degree Program are expected to demonstrate the following qualities as:

A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, rational inquiry, problem-solving.
A culturally competent person who provides holistic nursing care to a variety of individuals, families and communities.
A knowledgeable care coordinator who facilitates access to resources necessary to meet health care needs of individuals, families and communities.
An individual who understands the political dynamics in various settings and participates in the change process to shape health care policy.
An individual who practices within an ethical and legal framework for the nursing profession.
An effective communicator who is able to share accurate information.
A competent provider of nursing care who functions in various professional nursing roles in structured or semi-structured health care settings.
A professional role model who promotes a positive public image of nursing.
A responsible manager who balances human, fiscal and material resources to achieve quality health care outcomes.

BSN Degree Requirements

Course work in the BSN curriculum is divided into three separate areas: General Education, Nursing Core, and General Electives.

1. General Education Requirements
   General Education courses help lay the foundation for the nursing courses and also serve to provide the student with a well-rounded education. The General Education portion of the BSN curriculum consists of 50 credit hours worth of courses divided into five distinct "Clusters."

   The Critical/Analytical Science cluster requires the completion of 20 credit hours of approved courses. Fourteen credit hours are specified through Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Finite Math. Nursing students are able to choose the remaining 3 credits from the Cluster Course Distribution List.

   The Communication cluster requires the completion of six credit hours of approved courses. Three of these credits are specified through English Composition, while the student is able to choose the remaining three credits from the Cluster Course Distribution List.

   The Social Competence cluster requires the completion of nine credit hours of approved courses. Six of these credits are specified through Introduction to Psychology and Introduction to Sociology. The remaining three credits can be met by any course listed within the Social Competence cluster on the Cluster Course Distribution List.

   The Humanistic Appreciation cluster requires the completion of three credit hours of approved courses. This requirement can be met by any course listed within the Humanistic Appreciation cluster on the Cluster Course Distribution List.

   The Cultural Diversity cluster requires the completion of six credit hours of approved courses, chosen from the Cultural Diversity section of the Cluster Course Distribution List.

2. Nursing Core
   The heart of the BSN degree are the nursing courses. These courses include lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences throughout the last three years of a student's education. The nursing core consists of 19 course topics and a total of 75 credit hours.

3. General Electives
   Six additional credit hours, chosen from any university courses (exception: courses taken for "Satisfactory/Fail" credit may not be used), are needed to complete the 125 credit hours required for the degree.