Nursing department

Professional nursing, as both an art and a science, encompasses disease prevention and promotion of health and wellbeing, chronic disease management, regenerative or restorative care, and hospice/palliative care. The USI nurse embodies caring, commitment, critical thinking, and clinical competence, ensuring high-quality care in every aspect of their practice.

The nursing program prepares students to plan, implement, and evaluate healthcare for individuals, families, and populations. It provides a foundation for professional practice and graduate study, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Graduates of the USI nursing program are well-prepared for employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, clinics, research facilities, and community settings.

The nursing program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at the University of Southern Indiana is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions. Admission is dependent on the availability of instructional resources and clinical learning sites.

There are two methods of admission to the BSN program: 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 ; CHEM 141  (or CHEM 142  and CHEM 143 ) or CHEM 262 ; ENG 101 ; ENG 201 ; CMST 101  or CMST 107 ; PSY 201 . 

• Students with three or more failures (D or F grades) in any of the required sciences courses are ineligible for the nursing program at USI.
• Anatomy and physiology and chemistry course credit must be earned, or equivalent competence demonstrated, within five (5) years of enrollment in clinical nursing courses.
• Students must achieve a C or better in BIOL 272  to start the first semester of nursing courses.
• Students must complete NUTR 376  (C or better), IPH 356 , and HP 302  to progress to the second semester of nursing courses.

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.

Non-native speakers of English must meet English proficiency requirements established by the USI Center for International Programs. For a full list of minimum scores for each of the acceptable English proficiency options and country exemptions, visit www.usi.edu/international/admissions/how-to-apply.

BSN Direct Admission

Students should apply for direct admission within the first calendar year of high school graduation. To qualify for direct admission, students must have both:

• A high school junior or senior year cumulative GPA of a 3.4 or above on a 4.0 scale
• One standardized exam score that meets the following requirements:
  • Minimum SAT combined score of 1210 (evidence-based reading and math, with minimum 560 in each area)
  • Minimum ACT composite score of 25

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 and by completing all prerequisite second year courses according to the curriculum.

To complete an application for direct admission, please submit the Direct Admission Application found online. Questions about the direct admit process can be directed to cnhpadmissions@usi.edu.

BSN Standard Admission

There are two admission cycles and entry points: Fall Entry (applications due in the spring) and Spring Entry (applications due in the fall).

Mission of the Standard Admission Process: The mission of the BSN Standard 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 Standard Admission Process: Develop nurses who embody attributes needed to become change agents within a global society.

Students may complete the online Application to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program once prerequisite courses are complete. Selection of applicants is based upon the following criteria:

• Pre-requisite GPA (on all required courses for admission) – 70 points maximum
  • Additional points for science grades in Biology 121 and 122, Chemistry 141. 
    • A = 3 points, B+ = 2.5 points; B = 2 points; C+ = 1.5 points; C = 1 point (max. 9 points)
    • Two additional points for each of the 3 science courses listed above taken at USI (max. 6 points)
• Interview – 30 points maximum
  • Applicants to the BSN program through standard admission may also be required to participate in an interview with faculty and community partners. Students will be scored on their interview.

Programs

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