Indiana University came in seventh on a list of the top 50 online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) programs in the U.S. The 2015 rankings were compiled by College Choice, an independent college search and rankings website.
Linda Delunas, PhD, RN, CNE, director of the School of Nursing at IU Northwest, said that online education enables more nurses to complete their degree and, even better, they are getting one of the best educations available.
“Students can do all courses online and can complete clinical requirements independently or in their place of employment. Our students have a high success rate in this option and are very satisfied with the learning experiences,” Delunas said.
“The Institute of Medicine has determined that 80 percent of the nursing workforce should be prepared at the baccalaureate (BSN) level or higher in order to best meet patient needs in our ever-changing healthcare environment. Indiana University is playing a key role in helping the state of Indiana reach this goal by offering a collaborative online program. Perhaps the most important part is that nurses can earn a quality education where they work and live. College Choice’s ranking is a wonderful endorsement of our program, especially since it verifies what we hear from our students and their employers,” said Karen Clark, Ed.D, RN, dean and associate professor of Nursing, Indiana University East.
According to College Choice, the rankings were based upon a variety of factors, including faculty, technology, student support, accreditation and cost, as well as the national and regional reputations of each school.
“Our aim is to offer students a ranking of the top online nursing programs they can trust to deliver excellent quality, flexibility, affordability, and results," said Sara Garbers, a website editor.
Available on eight campuses across Indiana where the school has nursing programs, the RN to BSN degree completion program offers a flexible choice for professional nurses who want to complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work. Many employers are taking advantage of the program to ensure that they will be able to meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation for their nursing staff.
“The curriculum prepares graduates to function as practitioners in acute and long-term care, community settings, home care, and other nontraditional settings, and also provides a foundation for leadership positions and graduate study,” said Janet Phillips, PhD, RN, director for the RN to BSN Degree Completion Program. “The graduate of the BSN program possesses a broad knowledge of nursing, the humanities, the biological and social sciences. The graduate applies well-developed problem-solving skills in caring for individuals, families, communities and populations.”
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 eight-week learning modules, designed to allow students 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 on the RN to BSN degree completion program, please visit www.iu-rnbsn.iu.edu.
About Indiana University Northwest
As one of seven Indiana University campuses, IU Northwest leads the region as the premier, urban campus dedicated to serving the needs of more than 6,000 students from the state’s most diverse and industrialized region. Committed to helping its local Northwest Indiana communities thrive, IU Northwest is best-known for providing a personal, quality and affordable education close to home. IU Northwest positions its students to be leaders with more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. For more information, please visit www.iun.edu.