BSN - Post-licensure (RNBS)

The School of Nursing Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org/) and Indiana Wesleyan University is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The program is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (202-887-6791). Memberships include the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Throughout the Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program, the nurse is a purposeful, self-directed individual who assumes responsibility and accountability to God, society, self, and clients who, made in the image of God, have intrinsic worth and value. Modeling the example of Jesus Christ, nurses are to protect and promote health, especially for people lacking access to health care, through the just allocation of health resources and services throughout the world.

The Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program is planned within the philosophy and conceptual framework of the baccalaureate program. (Adult learners want to take charge of their own learning and can be mutually responsible for the education process in partnership with faculty.) Small project teams and other strategies appropriate for adult education contribute to mastery of learning outcomes.

The curriculum will be completed in the order established by Indiana Wesleyan University. Indiana Wesleyan University reserves the right to modify the curriculum as necessary.

The same courses offered in the classroom setting are also offered via the Internet. Details are available at Online-Delivery.

Outcomes of the Baccalaureate Nursing Programs

At the completion of the baccalaureate nursing program at Indiana Wesleyan University the graduate will be prepared to:

• Apply leadership skills to professional nursing practice.
• Integrate nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice while providing culturally competent care.
• Employ effective communication and interprofessional collaboration for the improvement of client outcomes.
• Demonstrate spiritual values and professional ethics from a Christian worldview when providing nursing care.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree offered through the School of Nursing's Division of Post-licensure Nursing are as follows:

• Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
• Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at regionally accredited colleges or universities or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
• Associate degree with a major in Nursing.
• Prior completion of at least 60 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
  • Applicants with a diploma from a State Board of Nursing accredited hospital school of nursing may be eligible to apply for credit through the diploma evaluation process. A maximum of 40 credit hours awarded may be counted toward the required 60. This applies only to students applying to the Nursing program.
  • Applicants who have earned an A.S. in Nursing or equivalent degree at a proprietary school which holds a national accreditation are eligible to receive credit in transfer. A maximum of 40 credit hours of supporting science and nursing courses may be counted toward the required 60. This applies only to students applying to the Nursing program.
• Proof of current unencumbered RN licensure;
• An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 from all previous study. If an applicant's GPA is below 2.0, the student may be admitted on a probationary basis, as established by the guidelines of the college.
• Conditional Acceptance: Students currently enrolled in an associate degree in nursing program (i.e. AAS or ADN) at a regionally accredited institution may be conditionally accepted when they can show: 
  
  • Prior completion of at least 12 transferable credit hours
  • Evidence of acceptance into an associate level nursing program.

Full, unconditional admission to the RNBSN Program will be granted when the student meets the criteria for RNBSN Program admission.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a baccalaureate degree in nursing from the School of Nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University, the following requirements must be met:

• Completion of 120 semester hours.
• Completion of the required core courses with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• All individual core courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
• Completion of 30 hours of general education as specified (General Education Requirements).
• Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete each individual core course with a grade of "C" or higher.
• To progress in the major, RNBSN students must have obtained a core GPA of 2.75 by the end of the third course.
• Students must have an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of the practicum sites. If students have multi-state licenses, all must be unencumbered. Students may be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status in not maintained.
• A criminal history background check, drug testing, and immunization tracking will be conducted at the student’s expense. Practice sites may have additional requirements, e.g., health physical, which will be conducted at the student's expense. Instructions for the criminal background check, drug screening, and immunization tracking will be sent to students by the Division of Post-licensure Nursing. Progression in the program will depend on compliance with and/or the results of these checks.
• RNBSN students may complete the core nursing courses by following the recommended fast-track schedule.  It is not recommended that students take more than two core courses at a time.  Students who wish to take more than two core courses should contact their academic advisor to determine the potential impact of such a decision.
• Students who take longer than six years to complete the program must petition to continue in the program.
• Students must complete all core courses before taking NUR-495.