Pictured | Connor Dick | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Indianapolis, Indiana (hometown)
Honors Program
Club Affiliations | History Club, Political Science Club, Botany Club, Gamers' Guild (president), Dungeons and Dragons Club at IU South Bend (treasurer)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The BSN degree program is offered at several Indiana University campuses. All campuses share similar admission standards, program outcomes, and courses. Admission and transfer policies are set by individual campuses and course sequencing may vary.

The nursing curriculum is designed for the student to complete the general education and prerequisite courses for the nursing major in the first two years of full-time study, during which students engage in coursework with other students across the Dwyer College of Health Sciences and the university. This allows for the exchange of knowledge, development of professional communication and networking, and the generation of ideas and creativity required in healthcare today and in the future. The last two years of full-time study in nursing is concentrated on nursing theoretical, scholarly, and practice-oriented coursework in a wide variety of settings.

Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences Student Policies and Procedures  >>

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate of the IU South Bend School of Nursing will be:

• A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual engagement and uses evidence as a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making.
• A culturally sensitive individual who provides holistic individual, family, community, and population-centered nursing care.
• 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.
• An individual who understands and considers the impact of health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments on care delivery.
• 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.
• An effective communicator who collaborates with interprofessional team members, patients, and their support systems for improved health outcomes.
• A competent care provider who is prepared to practice to the full capacity of the professional nurse role in diverse health care environments.
• An accountable leader and manager who applies principles of systems and organizational processes and who balances resources to promote quality care and patient safety.
• An individual who embraces and employs innovations in information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient care.

Academic Policies

Students admitted to the clinical nursing major should consult the current IU South Bend Bulletin, BSN Program Handbook, BSN Central Canvas site, and School of Nursing website for policies governing their academic standing.

Admission, Progression, and Graduation Committee

Comprised of School of Nursing faculty, the Admission, Progression, and Graduation (APG) Committee addresses student concerns and issues related to admission, progression through, and graduation from the degree programs offered by the School of Nursing.

Academic Distinction

To graduate with academic distinction, bachelor’s degree candidates must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours at Indiana University. Academic distinction is conferred on graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and is based on grades earned through the eighth semester.

Academic Distinction
Highest Distinction | 3.90
High Distinction | 3.80
Distinction | 3.65

Good Standing

To remain in good standing, nursing and prenursing students must:

• Maintain a grade of C (2.0) or above in each course required for the degree, including all general-education prerequisite courses, without more than one repeat in any course
• Not declare a Pass/Fail in any prerequisite general-education course requirement
• Maintain a grade of C (2.0) or above in each nursing major course
• Maintain a CGPA of 2.0 or above
• Not be on probation and/or not be dismissed
• Be in compliance with the general policies of the School of Nursing

Grade Point Averages

Admission Grade Point Average

Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) is a calculation of the minimum set of all work completed which meets application requirements. See program admission policies.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is a reflection of all work completed at Indiana University. Courses transferred from another institution are not used in calculating this average. Transfer course grade point average (GPA) is calculated in the AGPA for the BSN application for admission. See BSN degree program admission.

Nursing Grade Point Average

Nursing grade point average (NGPA) is a reflection of all work completed, including grades earned in initial and repeat enrollment (FX policy applies) that apply toward the requirements of appropriate programs. Courses transferred from other institutions are included in calculating this average.

Science Grade Point Average

Science grade point average (SGA) is a reflection of all science coursework: Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Epidemiology and Biostatics.

Probation

Academic Probation

A prenursing student is placed on academic probation according to the policies of IU South Bend. A nursing student is placed on academic probation when the CGPA falls below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Academic probation is removed following the semester in which the cumulative and semester grade point averages are 2.0 or higher. Nursing students should also see progression policies listed under Clinical Progression in the School of Nursing Program.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary probation is administered under the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, the Statement of Essential Abilities, the American Nurses Association, and Code of Ethics for Nurses.

Dismissal

A nursing student is dismissed from the program when, in the judgment of the program director and the APG Committee, there is a lack of progress toward the degree. Lack of progress includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Failure to achieve a 2.0 semester GPA in any two consecutive semesters
• Failure to achieve a CGPA of 2.0 in any two semesters
• Failure to achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in any one nursing course by the second attempt, or any two nursing courses on the first attempt
• Failure to meet Indiana University School of Nursing essential abilities expectations (refer to the Statement of Essential Abilities listed under General Policies of the School of Nursing in this section of this publication)

Dismissal may occur without prior probation.

Any student who is academically dismissed at one Indiana University campus is also in dismissal status at all other Indiana University campuses. Falsification of records and reports, plagiarism, or cheating on an examination, quiz, or any other assignment may be cause for dismissal (see Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct).

The faculty reserves the right to dismiss any nursing student whose personal integrity, health, or conduct demonstrates unfitness to continue preparation for the profession of nursing. Integrity and conduct is judged according to the standards of the most recent Code of Ethics for Nurses as adopted by the American Nurses’ Association and the IU School of Nursing Statement of Essential Abilities.

The dismissal of any nursing student is contingent upon review by the School of Nursing APG Committee on the campus of enrollment. Nursing student dismissal is subject to the appeal process on the campus of enrollment.

Reinstatement

Students who have been dismissed and desire reinstatement must submit a written request for reinstatement to the School of Nursing APG Committee. The written request must be submitted by May 1 for fall reinstatement and October 1 for spring reinstatement. This request requires a list of the specific courses in which the student wishes to enroll and, as appropriate, an explanation of any extenuating circumstances that may have hindered previous academic performance, and a Plan for Success addressing areas of deficiency.

Reinstatement requests are evaluated individually by the School of Nursing BSN APG Committee on the basis of academic standing, potential for progress toward the degree, availability of resources, and satisfactory completion of any conditions and/or faculty recommendations existing at the time of dismissal. Reinstatement to the School of Nursing is not automatic and is limited to one review.

The wait period for students to reapply is one academic year. Appeals for immediate reinstatement are not considered except as warranted by extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, students reinstated by the BSN APG Committee have prescribed standards of performance for the semester for which they are reinstated. Failure to meet these standards results in an irrevocable dismissal.

Students who are reinstated must adhere to policies in effect at the time of reinstatement. (See BSN Program Handbook, the IU South Bend Bulletin, and policy updates.)

A nursing student is reinstated only one time. A reinstated nursing student is dismissed from the School of Nursing upon failure of one additional nursing course, breach of the Code of Ethics for Nurses, the Statement of Essential Abilities, or the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (see dismissal policy). For reinstatement priority, refer to Resuming Progression.

Program Admission

Courses required for admission may be taken at any Indiana University campus or may be accepted as transfer credit hours from other accredited institutions. However, admission is campus specific and priority consideration is given to those students completing the majority of their coursework at IU South Bend. Admission to the major is often competitive. Contact an academic advisor for more information.

Specific admission requirements vary from campus to campus at Indiana University. When choosing courses to meet curriculum requirements, students who begin pre-nursing coursework on one campus of Indiana University but plan to apply for admission on another campus of Indiana University should be in close contact with the School of Nursing advisor on the campus to which they plan to apply. Submission of an official credit transfer report (CTR) to the School of Nursing is required for all work being transferred from another university by established deadlines. To obtain an official CTR, the student must request an official transcript from the other institution(s) to be forwarded to the IU South Bend Office of Admissions for evaluation.

Admission to the university as a prenursing student and successful completion of the prerequisite coursework do not guarantee admission to the nursing major. The number of admitted students is limited to those who can be accommodated given available resources.

Application and Admission Requirements

Admission to Indiana University as a degree-seeking student requires

• CGPA of no less than 2.50 on a 4.0 scale.
• Application GPA of no less than 2.70 on a 4.0 scale. 
• Maintenance of a science GPA of no less than 2.70 on a 4.0 scale. (Although a 2.70 SGPA is the minimum requirement for application, admission is often competitive and a higher SGPA may be required in a given application pool.)
• Completion of chemistry (a one-year high school course, or CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry 1, CHEM-C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory 1 equivalent) with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.
• Passing a comprehensive criminal background check and urine drug screening.
• Completion of the following required courses with a grade of C or higher by the second attempt:

• CHEM-C 102 Elementary Chemistry 2
• ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I
• HSC-H 102 Lifetime Wellness for Health
• HSC-H 322 Epidemiologyand Biostatistics
• HSC-L 230 Health Care Delivery Systems
• MICR-M 250 Microbial Cell Biology
• MICR-M 255 Microbiology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• NURS-B 231 Communication Skill for the Health Professionals
• PHSL-P 261 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (4 cr.)
• PHSL-P 262 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (4 cr.)
• PSY-P 103 General Psychology
• PSY-P 216 Life Span Developmental Psychology
• SOC-S 161 Principles of Sociology

Application and admission are valid only for the semester designated. Students who are not offered admission upon the second application attempt become ineligible for admission. Students offered admission to the nursing major must enroll in nursing coursework at a time designated by the School of Nursing. Failure to enroll in nursing coursework in the designated semester necessitates reapplying to the program.

Students admitted to the nursing major must formally accept or decline admission to the degree program, in writing, prior to the beginning of the semester to which they are admitted. Students accepted to the program but decline acceptance must reapply to the program of choice and compete with the applicant pool for the semester in which they request entrance. Students have only one opportunity to decline admission, in writing, prior to losing their eligibility to apply.

Students admitted to the nursing major who withdraw from coursework within the first semester must reapply for admission to the program. These students have one opportunity for readmission, must reapply within a time frame that would allow the student timely completion of the program considering the seven-year limit of specific courses, and must adhere to the published dates for application on their campuses.

Repeat Policy

The School of Nursing policy requires students to achieve a grade of C (2.0) in each required course. Students who earn a grade less than a C in a required course must earn a grade of C by the second completed attempt. Students who earn a grade of less than C in a required course are strongly urged to successfully complete the course in the next semester of enrollment, providing the course is offered.
Both pre-nursing and nursing students who do not successfully complete all required general education courses with a minimum grade of C by the second completed attempt are ineligible for admission to the Nursing Program.

Students may repeat only three courses, or a maximum of 11 credit hours, of the required general-education courses in an effort to achieve a C or higher in each course. The School of Nursing follows the IU South Bend grade replacement policy.

Seven-Year Limit

Courses in life span development, required sciences, and statistics must have been completed within seven (7) years prior to the semester in which a student begins the nursing major. This policy does not apply to registered nurses in the RN to BSN program.

Transfer Students

Intercampus Transfer

Nursing students in good standing who wish to transfer between campuses should check for the process on the campus to which they are transferring. To transfer to the South Bend campus, the student must submit an intercampus transfer form found on the Registrar's site, a completed IU South Bend School of Nursing Clinical Transfer Application, available from the Advising Center and required supporting documentation. Applications must be received by May 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. The application will be reviewed and then forwarded to the School of Nursing BSN APG Committee and BSN Program Director for final approval at the end of the semester prior to requested term of enrollment. Intercampus transfer requests are evaluated individually on the basis of the student’s academic record, the availability of space in the required courses, and faculty and facility resources.

Transfer from Non-Indiana University Nursing Program

Nursing students in good academic standing at another university who wish to transfer should contact the Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences Assistant Dean of Student Success and Operations. Nursing courses completed at other universities must be evaluated by the Program Director and Assistant Dean of Nursing for transfer equivalency and for student placement. Students must pass the skills validation examinations and supply extensive documentation, including copies of the syllabi for each nursing course completed at another university and a release of information form. These syllabi must be evaluated in comparison to the IU South Bend nursing courses. This process can take time; therefore, students are encouraged to contact the IU South Bend School of Nursing at least three months prior to the semester they wish to begin at IU South Bend.

A.S.N./A.D.N. nursing courses are nontransferable to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.

Dismissed Transfer Students

IU South Bend School of Nursing does not accept students into the nursing major if the student has been dismissed or has a failing record from another nursing program, including Indiana University programs, in the past five years. If the five years have been exceeded an individual record review occurs. The Seven Year Limit Policy will be enforced.

Out-of-Progression

Nursing students who withdraw from the junior or senior year of coursework, or have failed a nursing course are considered to be out-of-progression. Students who do not meet health and safety requirement deadlines are considered to be out-of-progression. Nursing students who withdraw from all or part of the first semester junior year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program must reapply to the program.

Resuming Progression

Pre-nursing students who interrupt their studies and are in good standing may reenter at any time without prior approval of the School of Nursing. These students are subject to the policies in effect at the time of reentry and space availability.

Prenursing and nursing students in poor standing (or dismissed) must request approval to continue from the School of NursingBSN APG Committee. Students must include in their request a Plan for Success addressing areas of deficiency.

Nursing students who wish to reenter or progress must submit a written request for reentry to the School of Nursing BSN APG Committee by May 1 for fall reinstatement and October 1 for spring reinstatement. This request requires a list of the specific courses in which the student wishes to enroll and, as appropriate, an explanation of any extenuating circumstances that may have hindered academic performance, and a Plan for Success addressing areas of deficiency. All requests for progression are evaluated on the basis of available resources, and, if appropriate, on the satisfactory completion of any conditions and/or faculty recommendations existing at the time progression was disrupted.

Students who reenter must adhere to the academic policies in effect at the time of resuming studies.

For progression priority, refer to the previous section on Clinical Progression in this publication.

Skills Validation Policy

Transfer students who completed clinical courses in another program must successfully complete a clinical skills validation and mathematics proficiency for acceptance into the program. 

Clinical Hours Requirements

Clinical hour requirements are carefully calculated to meet academic and accreditation standards. Therefore, all clinical hours are mandatory, and all missed time must be made up. See the BSN Program Handbook and/or course syllabus for specific clinical requirements and policies regarding missed time. Insufficient clinical hours results in course failure.

Withdrawal Policies

Withdrawals (grade of W) are issued to students wishing to withdraw from any or all courses if the official withdrawal forms are completed by the deadline dates established by the registrar’s office for each semester. A grade of W appears on student transcripts when students complete the official withdrawal forms and obtain the appropriate signature(s).

• Students enrolled in a modular (half-semester) nursing course must withdraw from that course before the course meets for the sixth time.
• After the tenth week of a sixteen-week course, the grade awarded is an F unless the student petitions the faculty for an exception to the policy. An exception may be granted only if the student has a grade of at least C (2.0) and has compelling reasons for withdrawing. The faculty and campus dean (or designee) determine if the grade of W is issued.
• A grade of F is recorded on the official transcript if a student stops attending but does not officially withdraw from a class.
• Students must complete all required prerequisite general education courses before beginning the nursing program.
• Students withdrawing from nursing coursework must complete this work prior to progression in the program.

Students who withdraw from the nursing major in the first semester must seek readmission to the program. Admission is subject to competitive review.

Withdrawal from Nursing Program courses constitutes a disruption in progression and requires that a student seek reinstatement or reentry to the program. (Refer to reinstatement and/or progression policies.)

Students withdrawing from required nursing coursework are considered to be out-of-progression students. The date of graduation for out-of-progression students is not guaranteed.

More than three academic withdrawals in a semester is considered lack of progress toward the degree. A pattern of withdrawals may influence a request for consideration of progression, reinstatement, or reentry to the Nursing Program.

Graduation Requirements for the BSN

Students assume responsibility for meeting degree requirements and for filing an official application for a degree. Application for the degree must be made at the time of program planning for the final semester. The student must file the degree application with the School of Nursing recorder by September 15 for December graduation and by January 15 for May, June, or August graduation. Minors are declared and approved on the official application for degree and require the signature of the appropriate department chair to confirm completion of the minor.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program are responsible for meeting the following degree requirements. Though the School of Nursing makes every attempt to provide students with academic advising and program planning assistance, students are accountable for complying with all published academic policies related to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program. To be eligible for graduation from the program students must:

• Complete a minimum of 120 credit hours with a grade of C or higher in each course required for the degree. Of the 120 credit hours, 59 must reflect nursing major courses. Credit hours earned in remedial learning skill courses and repeated courses do not count in the 120 credit hour total, nor in the 59 nursing credit hour total.
• Achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied to the BSN degree in all clinical/practicum courses.
• Achieve an Indiana University CGPA of at least a 2.0 (C). This includes all transfer coursework applied to the degree.
• Complete at least 30 credit hours of required nursing major courses on the Indiana University campus awarding the BSN degree.
• Complete all BSN degree requirements within six years of enrolling in the first nursing course in the nursing major.
• Apply for degree candidacy the semester prior to completing all degree requirements, following the published procedures on the campus awarding degree.

Completion of Degree Requirements­­

The registrar must receive all removal of incompletes, deferred grades, special credit, and independent study grades no later than three weeks prior to the end of classes of the student’s last semester or summer session before graduation.

Application for Licensure Examination

The School of Nursing makes available the necessary forms to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in Indiana. Those students taking the examination in other states are responsible for obtaining the appropriate forms from those states. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the application procedure and provide the payment fee for taking the NCLEX.

The School of Nursing administers required assessment tools for preparation for the NCLEX in the last semester of the program. The assessment tools used will be introduced in the final semester courses.