School of Nursing

IU Northwest's RN to BSN Degree Completion program is designed for the RN to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN). Classes are all online with options to graduate in 12, 18, or 24 months after general education requirements are completed.

Nursing courses are delivered in condensed 6-8 week learning modules, allowing you to continue working while taking classes. Students do not have to travel to campus for class. The program builds on courses that students have already completed, so that previous general education may be counted towards credit.

For more information about the statewide IU RN-BSN Consortium, please visit the website at IU Online.

Nursing curriculum and career preparation

As a BSN student, you’ll learn current trends in health care and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to these trends through changing practice. With a comprehensive academic foundation in the sciences and humanities, you’ll be well-prepared to meet the current and future health needs of society.

Your studies will focus on the following areas:

• Health promotion
• Disease prevention
• Health restoration
• Health maintenance
• Management of individuals/families coping with acute and chronic illness

Because this program builds on the courses you have already completed, you’ll also receive credit for most of the general education courses completed as part of your ASN or diploma program.

Completion options: See your coursework for both the full- and part-time options.

Advantages of the RN to BSN option

As part of the flexibility of the program, courses are available online, so students are not required to travel to campus for class. In some cases, the general education courses may be completed through Indiana University’s distance education programs or at another college/university in your area, with credits transferred to the School of Nursing's RN to BSN option.

The program is based upon a cohort model which means that you are part of a group of RNs who will progress through the program together. This allows us to offer coursework systematically in order to streamline your academic progress.

There is an option for documentation of prior learning via BSN nursing course K304. This course allows the RN-BSN student to apply nationally recognized specialty nursing knowledge and skills to the BSN degree, through authentication of certification for course credit. National specialty standards will be used to determine eligibility for course credit (3 credit hours).

Other advantages of this option include:

• Take classes from the comfort of your home
• Access course information online 23-24 hours a day (the university course management system, Canvas, generally undergoes maintenance from 5-6 a.m.)
• Complete course assignments at times convenient for you
• Learn where you work
• Build academic minors or majors in other areas, such as business or psychology
• Create your own unique capstone nursing experience
• Develop skills for lifelong learning