Pre-licensure Nursing Division

Pre-licensure Nursing programs lead to a Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) degree. There are two programs of study available to students: nursing traditional format (four year) and accelerated track degree. The undergraduate program prepares students for professional nursing practice and provides a foundation for advanced study in nursing. Following successful completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) in Indiana or other states, subject to that state's guidelines and regulations.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The Pre-licensure Nursing program is committed to educating professional nurses who are prepared to change their world of influence through nursing practices grounded in the Christian ethos. The division's mission is to provide quality nursing education within a Christian liberal arts university that equips professional nurse generalists for practice in diverse environments.

The nurse is perceived as 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.

General Education Competencies

Students in this major meet the general education competencies by taking the approved courses.

Outcomes of the Pre-licensure Nursing Program

The outcomes of the Pre-licensure Nursing program are to:

1. Call students to Christian character.
2. Expect students to develop academic excellence.
3. Equip students for success in the profession.
4. Mentor students in leadership.
5. Prepare students for service.

Pre-licensure Nursing Entrance Requirements

High school courses that provide a foundation for nursing are biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, speech, algebra, social studies, and writing. Students should submit the university application to the director of admissions at Indiana Wesleyan University. Acceptance will be in accordance with the established admission policies. Students are advised to declare nursing as their choice of major when applying for admission.

Admission and Progression in the Pre-licensure Nursing Major

The Admission and Progression Committee approves admission to the Pre-licensure Nursing major. The following criteria must be met for admission to the major at the sophomore level:

1. Completion of 29 credits.
2. Minimum GPA of 2.75.
3. Minimum grade of "C" in Foundations of Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Intro to Organic and Biochemistry, Intro to Microbiology, and Math 107 or higher (113 preferred).
4. Completion of health clearance form.
5. American Heart Association CPR certification.
6. Certified criminal background check.
7. The TEAS Test or HESI Admission Assessment (A2) is required for all students applying for acceptance into the Pre-licensure Nursing Program.  The benchmark for passing the TEAS is 65% comprehensive. The benchmark for the HESI A2 is 75%. If the student meets the benchmark or higher, they have satisfactorily completed the TEAS or HESI A2 section of the application process.  If the student does not meet the benchmark for the, they will be required to do remediation. The Freshman Level Coordinator will determine the remediation depending on the Student’s area of weakness.  Once remediation is completed, the student will have satisfactorily completed the TEAS or HESI A2 component of the application process. 

Application forms for admission to the nursing major may be obtained from the IWU SON website. All admission requirements must be completed by the end of May term for September admission into the nursing major or the end of fall term for January admission.

Once a student is admitted to the nursing program, he or she must complete all coursework within 4 1/2 years (9 semesters). Progression through the major requires a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.75, a minimum grade of “C” in all nursing courses, as well as, General Psychology and Developmental Psychology, ongoing health clearance, and current CPR certification. Progression is monitored by the Admission and Progression Committee.

Guaranteed Acceptance Pathway (GAP)

Select High School students are eligible to apply for the Guaranteed Acceptance Pathway (GAP) in the IWU School of Nursing (SON).

Guaranteed Admission – we save your spot so that when you are done with prerequisites as outlined below you can jump right in to clinical nursing.

Streamlined pathway into nursing clinical coursework

No requirement to apply to the clinical nursing program as all other students do between the Freshman and Sophomore years.

Eligibility for GAP

1. High School Seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
2. Fully accepted at Indiana Wesleyan University (not available to transfer students) as a fulltime, first-time Freshman
3. An ACT score of 22 or higher, of RSAT of 1110 or higher
4. High School course work that includes 4 years of English, 3 years of Math including Algebra, Natural Sciences including one chemistry and one biology course.

Maintaining eligibility during the Freshman year

Students who are granted GAP admission must:

1. Transcript 29 course credit hours during the Freshman Year
2. Maintain a 2.75 or higher GPA
3. Complete four supporting science courses:
   • Anatomy and Physiology I and II
   • Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry,
   • Microbiology
4. Must earn a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses
5. Complete Foundations of Nursing (NUR 145) with a minimum grade of C.
6. Complete the university Math requirement (one math course at or above MAT 107 – MAT 113 is preferred) with a minimum grade of C.
7. Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) assessment with a composite score of 65%

Students who do not meet the requirements for GAP are eligible to apply for admission to clinical nursing courses following the traditional process and will be given full consideration for admission. Not meeting those requirements may delay admission to Pre-licensure Nursing.

Fees

Fees are assessed annually and applied each semester after admission into clinical nursing courses. The fee is non-refundable after the last day of the drop period, and is added to the student’s tuition automatically. Fees cover student malpractice insurance, administrative costs for clinical placement, skills lab accessibility, testing and other items. 

Probation

Probation in the Division of Pre-licensure Nursing applies to students having a cumulative and/or major GPA less than 2.75 and/or who are repeating a nursing course. See details in the Pre-licensure Nursing student handbook.

Advanced Standing in Nursing

Transfer Students

Admission with prior credit is granted to those who meet the university requirements and who have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from the transferring institution. It is recommended that transfer into the program be made no later than the first semester of the sophomore year. Students contemplating transfer into the program from another college or university must contact the Pre-licensure Nursing Division for the transfer policy and:

1. Be admitted to the university.
2. Must have their nursing course syllabi and science course syllabi approved by the Pre-licensure Nursing Division and the Division of Natural Sciences and/or Mathematics (wet labs required).
3. To be considered for full admission into the nursing major, all admission criteria and credit transfers must be completed by May 31 for September admission, or December 22 for January admission.
4. Must complete three semesters of clinical nursing courses in the IWU Pre-licensure Nursing program (minimum of 1 1/2 years residency requirement).
5. Transfer of clinical courses requires successful completion of appropriate skills proficiency exams. See Orientation, Registration and Credit Options.
6. For students accepted into the Pre-licensure Nursing program (traditional track) at IWU, previously completed college nursing courses (C or higher from regionally accredited colleges/universities) will be evaluated for IWU course equivalency as long as they are no more than five years old from the time of completion to the time of starting the nursing program at IWU. If the time limit criterion is met, course syllabi and course calendar from the transfer institution will be evaluated for IWU course equivalency.

All criteria for acceptance will be successfully completed before any nursing coursework is attempted.