Program Description

The MSN Program at IU South Bend is part of the IU Regional MSN Consortium. Its courses use web-based and video technologies for maximum convenience. Serving in education, leadership, advanced, and administrative roles will provide opportunities for enhanced healthcare delivery systems and ultimately improved health for citizens. Nurses with master’s preparation are and will continue to be in strong demand. Healthcare is a growth industry. Continued regional growth in health care cannot be sustained without advancements in the level of nursing care.

Accreditation Information

The master’s degree program at IU South Bend is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org/). For the most up-to-date information on the accreditation status, visit the program website.

Admission Information

Master of Science in Nursing Admission Criteria: Admission to the IU Nursing Regional Consortium master’s program requires approval by the home campus and is based on the applicant’s official transcripts, references, resume, and personal statement. Acceptance into the program is competitive. The following criteria must be met for admission:

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary coursework
• BSN Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale from an NLN
• CNEA, ACEN, or CCNE accredited program
• Copy of current unencumbered RN license, with eligibility to obtain an Indiana license
• Statistics grade (by transcript or current completion at IU campus)
• Personal Statement Essential Abilities
• Criminal Background Check and Urine Drug Screen
• CV/Resume
• References
• Clinical practice

Indiana University South Bend MSN Transfer Credits Policy

Prospective students admitted to the program may petition to transfer up to twelve (12) credit hours of graduate–level coursework, using the following criteria:

1. Core courses and elective courses will be considered for transfer credits.
2. Courses must have been completed within 5 years of the date of the petition with a grade of B– or above.
3. Courses must have been taken at an accredited school.
4. Official transcripts for all requested courses to be reviewed.

Additional Academic Requirements

• Achieve a grade of B- or higher in all courses applied to the MSN degree.
• Complete all MSN 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.

Students should refer to the program handbook for detailed academic and clinical policies, ensuring compliance with program requirements and standards (i.e. GPA requirements, program dismissal, reinstatement, etc.).

Degree Requirements

Students receiving the MSN degree must complete 24 core credits. All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise indicated.</p

• NURS-D 615 Performance Improvement and Patient Safety in Health Systems
• NURS-F 570 Advance Health Assessment Across the Lifespan (2 cr.)
• NURS-F 585 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan Laboratory (1 cr.)
• NURS-I 630 Introduction to Nursing Informatics
• NURS-N 504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice
• NURS-P 505 Population Health
• NURS-R 500 Nursing Research Methods
• NURS-Y 515 Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
• NURS-Y 612 Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan

MSN Family Nurse Practitioner Track

Students receiving the MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track must complete an additional 20 credits. All courses are 3 credit hours unless noted below. MSN FNP students must complete 600 clinical hours.

• NURS-F 578 Primary Health Care Nursing of Families
• NURS-F 580 Primary Care I: Acute Illness Processes
• NURS-F 581 Primary Care II: Stable Chronic Illness Processes
• NURS-F 582 Primary Care III: Chronic and Complex Illnesses Processes
• NURS-F 586 Primary Care I: Clinical (1 cr.)
• NURS-F 587 Primary Care II: Clinical (1 cr.)
• NURS-F 588 Primary Care III: Clinical
• NURS-F 589 Primary Health Care Nursing of Families (3 cr)

MSN Nursing Education Track

Students receiving the MSN Nursing Education track must complete an additional 12 credits. All courses are 3 credit hours unless noted below. MSN Nursing Education students must complete 300 practicum hours.

• NURS-T 615 Nursing Curriculum
• NURS-T 617 Evaluation in Nursing
• NURS-T 670 Teaching of Nursing
• NURS-T 679 Track Practicum

MSN Nursing Administration Track

Students receiving the MSN Nursing Administration track must complete an additional 12 credits. All courses are 3 credit hours unless noted below. MSN Nursing Administration students must complete 300 practicum hours.

• NURS-L 530 The Legal Environment
• NURS-L 574 Administrative Management
• NURS-L 671 Financial Management
• NURS-L 579 Track Practicum