Nursing

Nursing as an art and science is based on scientific, aesthetic, and ethical knowledge. The professional nurse diagnoses and treats human responses to illness, helps restore wellness, promotes health, and brings comfort to the dying patient. Caring, commitment, critical thinking, and practice competence are characteristics of the USI nurse.

Graduates of the USI nursing program are employed in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, clinics, research facilities, and numerous other community settings. Clinical specialty areas include medical, surgical, maternal-child, geriatric, and psychiatric nursing. Additional education and experience provide career opportunities in teaching, research, management, and independent practice.

The undergraduate nursing program is designed to prepare the professional nurse as a generalist to plan, implement, and evaluate health care for individuals, families, and groups in institutional and community settings.

Completion of the undergraduate program provides the foundation for professional practice and graduate study in nursing. Students completing and meeting the requirements for graduation from the nursing program will be eligible to sit for the registered nurse licensure exam.

In addition to classroom instruction and simulated learning activities, clinical learning occurs in local hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, clinics, and other agencies. Students gain experience with patients in medical, surgical, psychiatric, maternity, pediatric, gerontology, oncology, operating room, critical care, emergency room, post-anesthesia, and community settings. Clinical practice prepares students for employment in these areas following graduation.

The nursing program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Washington D. C. 20001, 202-887-6791.

RN to BSN Program

Students who have earned an associate degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program and are licensed as a Registered Nursing in the U.S. and wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing can apply for admission to USI’s Online RN to BSN program: Nursing Major, B.S.N. (RN to BSN) . The information below applies to students seeking a BSN degree who have not already earned an associate degree in nursing.

BSN Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the USI baccalaureate nursing program requires admission to the University and a separate application to the nursing program. Admission is competitive and limited by the availability of instructional resources and clinical learning sites. The number of students admitted to the nursing program each year is dependent upon learning resources.

There are three methods of admission to the program: direct admission, conditional direct admission, and standard admission.

To be admitted/enrolled in nursing program courses, students must have a minimum grade of C or better in BIOL 121 ; BIOL 122 ; BIOL 272 ; CHEM 141  (or CHEM 142  and CHEM 143 ) or CHEM 262 ; NUTR 376 ; ENG 101 ; ENG 201 ; CMST 101  or CMST 107 ; PSY 201 ; plus one course from either Ways of Knowing/Social Inquiry or BS Skills/Social Science.

• Students earning less than a C grade in two sciences and/or nutrition courses will not be eligible to be admitted or enrolled in nursing courses.
• Students may enroll in the required science courses a maximum of two times per course, including transfer credits from any university or college.

All students selected for admission to the nursing program also must meet clinical agency requirements, present evidence of satisfactory health status, be eligible for RN licensure, and capable of fulfilling clinical practice requirements. Admission to the nursing program is based on academic qualifications and is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal record check and drug screening. The number of students admitted to the nursing program is limited by the availability of instructional resources and clinical learning sites.

Non-native speakers of English must provide an official report confirming a satisfactory level of English proficiency. USI accepts results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), IELTS, Cambridge English Advanced, Duo Lingo, EIKEN, or Pearson Test of English Academic exams. For a full list of minimum scores for each of the acceptable English proficiency options and country exemptions, visit www.usi.edu/international/admissions/apply.

BSN Direct Admission

Direct admission to the nursing program is possible for students with outstanding high school grades and SAT/ACT scores. Students should apply for direct admission prior to their first semester at USI. To qualify for direct admission, students must have both:

• A high school fall semester senior year cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
• One standardized exam score that meets the following requirements:
  • SAT taken after March 2016 with a combined score of 1240 (reading and math, with minimum 580 in each area)
  • ACT composite score of 26

Accepted direct admission students must maintain eligibility by earning a college GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale, by completing the first year prerequisite courses (see below*) prior to August 1 after their first year of college, and by completing all prerequisite second year courses according to the curriculum.

To qualify for conditional direct admission, students must have one of the following:

• A senior year (fall or spring) cumulative high school GPA of 3.4 to 3.49 on a 4.0 scale and minimum ACT of 26 or a SAT after March 2016 with a combined score of 1240 (evidence-based reading and math, with minimum 580 in each area).
• A senior year (fall or spring) cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale and minimum ACT of 25 or a SAT after March 2016 with a combined score of 1210 (evidence-based reading and math, with minimum 560 in each area).

To complete an application for direct admission please complete and submit the Direct Admission Application. The application should be submitted PRIOR to the start of your course work at USI. A 200 word essay explaining your desire to pursue nursing as a career is required with the application and must be submitted separately either by email to cnhpadmissions@usi.edu or to the secure fax 812-465-7092.

BSN Holistic Admission

• Initial Undergraduate Nursing Program Application Deadline July  1
• Required Supplemental Documentation Deadline August 5
• In-person Interviews in late August

Holistic Admission to the undergraduate nursing program may occur after completion of 31 hours of required university courses. Students accepted through the holistic admission process must maintain eligibility by completing all prerequisite second-year courses according to the curriculum.

USI’s undergraduate nursing program uses a paperless application system. Applicants will complete the initial undergraduate nursing program application and required supplemental documentation online.

Mission of the Holistic Admission Process: The mission of the BSN Holistic Admission process is to identify compassionate, dedicated applicants, with diverse experiences in leadership and community engagement, who possess a broad knowledge base, and the communication skills necessary to grow into nurses who are safe, competent, critical thinkers prepared to meet the constantly evolving needs of the community.

Vision of the Holistic Admission Process: Develop nurses who embody attributes needed to become change agents within a global society.

Holistic Admission Process

Admission to the program is competitive and selection of applicants is based upon the applicant’s academic performance, personal statement and resume, and interview. The maximum achievable score is 100.5 points.

Personal Statement and Leadership and Community Engagement Resume (20 points)

The student will submit a personal statement of 150 words or less describing why they want to become a nurse.

The student will complete a form showcasing leadership and community engagement activities. List the most current extra-curricular and community service activities, awards/honors, and work experience first. Describe work experience and include any leadership roles if applicable. Do not duplicate any entries.

Interview (30 points) 

The student will participate in a personal interview in late August.

Application Requirements

• Acceptance to the University of Southern Indiana as an undergraduate student
• Application to the Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program at the College of Nursing and Health Professions
• Submission of a Personal Statement and Leadership and Community Engagement Resume
• Participation in a personal interview in late August
• Non-native speakers of English must meet English proficiency requirements as established by the USI Center for International Programs

Programs

• Nursing Major, B.S.N.
• Nursing Major, B.S.N. (RN to BSN)