Nursing Degree Requirements

Associate of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate of Science in Nursing

Associate of Science in Nursing

Degree Requirements

The purpose of the program is to educate an associate degree nurse who is able to function in beginning staff-level nursing positions. The program is designed to meet the learning needs of students who are initiating careers in nursing as well as students who are changing career goals. The graduates of the associate degree program are prepared to provide nursing care to individuals with commonly occurring problems, in health care settings with established protocols and policies, with professional nurses and other health care providers. They are responsible for the management of care for multiple patients and for collaboration with health team members to implement the nursing care plan in an efficient and effective manner. In addition, associate degree nurses are prepared with the skills to assume responsibility for maintenance of competence within their scope of practice in a changing health care environment.

Students are responsible for meeting degree requirements. All candidates for the Associate of Science in Nursing degree must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Complete all prenursing courses (or their equivalent) required in the curriculum with a minimum grade of C (2.0) on a 4.0 scale by the second completed attempt, and maintain 2.0 overall and nursing GPAs to qualify for graduation from the School of Nursing.
2. Complete all general education courses concurrent with or prior to the nursing major. Complete a minimum of 41 credit hours in the nursing major and 29-31 credit hours in general education according to the "Associate Degree Basic Curriculum Design" table. Complete the degree requirements within four years of first enrollment in the nursing major. The record of the student who fails to comply with this requirement will be reviewed in terms of the current curriculum.
3. Complete a minimum of 51 percent of the nursing major on the campus that grants the degree.

Apply for the degree at the beginning of the final semester. The student must file an application for the degree with the School of Nursing office. The School of Nursing will not be responsible for the student's certification for the degree if the student fails to file the application.

‹‹ Back to Top

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Requirements (123 -125 cr.)

The purpose of the baccalaureate program is to offer a flexible program for the education of professional nurses competent to meet current and future healthcare needs of society. The curriculum prepares a generalist in professional nursing and serves as the basis for graduate study. The baccalaureate curriculum includes a minimum of 54 credits of prerequisite courses, followed by 69-71 credits of upper- division nursing major courses. Baccalaureate education in nursing provides a broad foundation in the sciences and humanities necessary for preparing professional nurses who are capable of practicing as generalists, and who act in responsible ways as 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 client advocate, care provider, manager/facilitator, teacher/counselor, change agent, case finder, collaborator, and consultant by using relevant research findings. As a learner, the graduate assumes responsibility for continuous growth, both personally and professionally, thereby enhancing the roles of citizen and health practitioner. The baccalaureate nurse is responsible and accountable for providing quality nursing care in practice settings that include, but are not limited to, hospital, 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.

Prospective students should study the requirements for admission to the School of Nursing, the specific curriculum requirements, course sequences, and requirements for the degree. Students are responsible for meeting degree requirements and for making application for degree candidacy. The School of Nursing is not responsible for certifying students for a degree if they do not file a graduation application. Application for the degree must be made by the deadlines published by Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing. All candidates for the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing must fulfill the following requirements: Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 122 credit hours that apply to the degree. Credits earned in remedial skills courses do not apply to the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Credits from courses that have been repeated may be counted only one time to meet degree requirements. Minimum cumulative and nursing grade point averages of 2.5. Minimum 2.5 grade point average required in the courses required to apply to the major. Minimum grade of C (2.0) in each required course or equivalent by the second completed attempt. May repeat no more than three (3) courses totaling 11 credit hours in the cluster courses to earn a C (2.0) or higher. Students beginning the upper-division nursing major must complete all course work within six years. Meet IU residency requirements.

‹‹ Back to Top

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Requirements (61 cr.)

Students must complete a total of 61 non-nursing credits: 31 credits from the Critical/Analytical cluster, 9 credits from the Communication cluster, and 15 credits from the Humanities cluster. Students should see the Coordinator of Nursing Student Services for details. The R.N. to B.S.N. student must also complete 6 credits of general electives. Nursing courses are delivered in an accelerated manner in 3 terms or "pods".

Pod I: Socialization to Baccalaureate Nursing

• NURS-B 244/B 245 Comprehensive Health Assessment ( 2cr./ 2cr.)
• NURS-B 304 Professional Nursing Seminar I (3 cr.)
• NURS-H 365 Nursing Research (3 cr.)

Pod II: B.S.N. Expanded Roles

• NURS-B 404 Professional Nursing Seminar II (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 481 Nursing Management (2 cr.)
• NURS-S 482 Nursing Management Practicum (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 484 Research Utilization (2 cr.)

Pod III: Managing Communities

• NURS-S 472 Health of the Community (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 473 Health of the Community Practicum (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 483 Clinical Nursing Capstone (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 485 Professional Growth and Empowerment (3 cr.)

Advanced Standing

Registered nurse students will receive credit for prior learning in the baccalaureate program. Following successful completion of Pod II special credit will be awarded for the following courses:

• NURS-B 248/B 249 Science and Technology of Nursing ( 2cr./ 2cr.)
• NURS-H 351 Alterations in Neuro-Psychological Health (3 cr.)
• NURS-H 352 Alterations in Neuro-Psychological Health: Practicum (2 cr.)
• NURS-H 353 Alterations in Health I (3 cr.)
• NURS-H 354 Alterations in Health I: Practicum (2 cr.)
• NURS-H 361 Alterations in Health II (3 cr.)
• NURS-H 362 Alterations in Health II: Practicum (2 cr.)
• NURS-H 363 The Developing Family and Child (3 cr.)
• NURS-H 364 The Developing Family and Child: Practicum (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 470 Restorative Health Related to Multi-System Failure (3 cr.)
• NURS-S 471 Restorative Health Related to Multi-System Failure: Practicum (2cr.)

A grade of S (Satisfactory) will be awarded on the student's transcript for the above courses.

‹‹ Back to Top

Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate of Science in Nursing

Degree Requirements

Licensed practical nurses (L.P.N.s) may enter the basic associate degree program as advanced placement students through the successful completion of the transition course NURS-A150 L.P. N. Transition to A.S.N. Practice. L.P.N.s with advanced placement will enter the second year of the basic associate degree program and continue toward achievement of the same program expectations for graduation. Credit for the following nursing courses will be granted and posted to the IU transcript upon successful completion of the nursing NURS-A150 transition course:

• NURS- A 136 Introduction to Science and Technology of Nursing (4 cr.)
• NURS- A 137 Application of Science and Technology of Nursing (3 cr.)
• NURS- A 146 Care of the Individual: Nutrition/Elimination (3 cr.)
• NURS- A 147 Nursing Practicum: Nutrition/Elimination (3 cr.)
• NURS- A 148 Care of the Individual: Alterations in Comfort/Function (2 cr.)
• NURS- A 149 Nursing Practicum: Alterations in Comfort/Function (2 cr.)

Interested L.P.N.s should contact the Coordinator of Nursing Student Services on the campus of desired enrollment for complete information regarding the mobility option open to them. L. P.N. to A.S.N. Mobility Option Eligibility Criteria, Progression, and Policies Criteria to be met before making application to begin the L.P.N. Transition program include:

Criteria to be met to apply to the Nursing major:

• Admission to Indiana University.
• Have successfully completed testing and hold a current Indiana L. P.N. license.
• Have an overall IU GPAof 2.0 (C) or better and a prenursing GPAof 2.0 (C) or better.
• Complete Elementary Composition requirement with a C (2.0) or above by the second completed attempt.
• Complete requirement in Anatomy and Physiology coursework with a C (2.0) or above by the second completed attempt. (See Coordinator of Nursing Student Services)
• Applicants must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in each required A.S.N. general education course by the second completed attempt. A grade of C- (1.7) is not acceptable.
• Applicants may repeat no more than three (3) required ASN general education courses. Of the three (3) courses, only two (2) failures will be allowed in science coursework.
• Criteria to be met before entry into the second year course work of the program include:
• Satisfactory completion of the transition course NURS-A150 and NURS- A 190 (Science Foundation). 17 credits of Special Credit will be awarded for NURS-A136, NURS- A 137, NURS-A146, NURS-A147, NURS-A148, NURS-A 149 once NURS-A150 has been successfully completed.
• Current CPR certification and immunization history submitted to the nursing office by stated deadline.

Criteria for progression in second year for graduation:

• Complete all second year nursing courses with C (2.0) or better or S (Satisfactory).
• Successfully complete Math Proficiency Exam.
• Complete required general education courses with C (2.0) or above by the second completed attempt to graduate:
  • PSY- P 103 General Psychology (3 cr.)
  • PSY- P 216 Life Span Psychology (3 cr.) (P: PSY- P 103)
  • SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
  • Communication Elective (3 cr.)

Refer to the "Academic Policies for All Nursing Programs," and "Associate of Science in Nursing Degree Requirement" sections of the current IU Kokomo Academic Bulletin for A.S.N. program progression and graduation policies.

The following are policies for L.P.N.s with advanced placement in the program:

• Students who fail to successfully demonstrate the skills contained in NURS-A137 must enroll in NURS-A137.
• Students who fail NURS A150 must enroll in the first-semester nursing courses (NURS-A136, NURS-A137).
• NURS-A150 may be taken one time only. Failure in NURS-A150 shall constitute one of the two course failures that would lead to dismissal from the program.
• Students enrolled in the nursing major are subject to the associate degree admission, progression, and graduation policies in effect.

‹‹ Back to Top