The purpose of the baccalaureate program is to educate professional nurses prepared to meet current and future healthcare needs of society. The curriculum prepares a generalist in professional nursing and prepares students for graduate study. Baccalaureate education in nursing requires a broad foundation in the sciences and humanities necessary for preparing professional nurses capable of practicing as knowledgeable generalists, and who are responsible, informed citizens in a democratic society. The baccalaureate graduate in nursing uses the nursing process to assist clients in attaining mutually established health goals and in adapting patterns of functioning to promote maximum health potential. As a generalist, the graduate practices in the roles of provider of care, manager of care, and member of the profession. The baccalaureate nurse is responsible and accountable for providing quality nursing care in practice settings that include, but are not limited to, hospitals, home, and   community. The graduate demonstrates leadership behavior in collaborating with interdisciplinary health team members and others to design health care plans and to develop more efficient and effective approaches to health care delivery and achievement of desired health outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing meet the nationally recognized standards: AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Practice (2021), the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, the ANA Standards of Practice, and the Indiana State Nurse Practice Act. Differences between tracks relate to the distinctive needs of the pre-licensure and RN to BSN student.

The IU Kokomo BSN graduate will meet program learning outcomes and embody them in their professional practice as a nurse who is:

1. A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual engagement and uses evidence as a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making;
2. A culturally sensitive individual who focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the provision of care to all individuals;
3. A knowledgeable care coordinator who facilitates access to resources across the continuum of health care environments in order to meet the evolving health care needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations;
4. An individual who understands and considers the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on care delivery;
5. An individual who embodies the professional identity of the nurse and who translates the inherent values of the nursing profession into the ethical and legal practice of nursing;
6. An effective communicator who collaborates with interprofessional team members, patients, and their support systems for improved health outcomes;
7. A competent care provider who is prepared to practice to the full capacity of the professional nurse role in diverse health care environments;
8. An accountable leader and manager who applies principles of systems and organizational processes and who balances resources to promote quality care and patient safety; and
9. An individual who embraces and employs innovations in information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient.

Degree Requirements

Prospective students should study the requirements for admission to the School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, the specific curriculum requirements, course sequences, and requirements for the degree. Students are responsible for meeting degree requirements. The School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions is not responsible for end of program student degree certification if students have not filed a graduation application. Application for the degree must be completed by the deadlines established by the Indiana University Kokomo Office of the Registrar. Enrollment in BSN courses is limited to IU Kokomo students admitted to the major. Exceptions/transfers will be considered by school administration on a case-by-case basis.

All candidates for the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Meet IU residency requirements;
2. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours that apply to the degree;
3. Credits earned in remedial skills courses do not apply to the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing;
4. Credits from courses that have been repeated may be counted only one time to meet degree requirements;
5. Meet the minimum cumulative grade point average that has been established for your track to apply to the major;
6. Minimum grade of C (2.0) in a required course or equivalent by the second completed attempt;
7. May repeat no more than three (3) courses totaling 11 credit hours in the general education courses to earn a C (2.0) or higher, of which no more than two (2) courses may be a science; and
8. Students must complete all coursework within six (6) years of receipt of a first semester sophomore year nursing course grade.

The nursing program is tailored to meet the needs of beginning students as well as experienced nurses returning to complete a BSN. The nursing program provides a robust background for students in practice and for future graduate study. The curriculum is based on the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Practice (2021), the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, and the Indiana State Nurse Practice Act.

Accreditation

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