Discover Top Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in IN

Examining Online RN to BSN Programs in Indiana

Those who have a current, unencumbered RN license can qualify for admission into an RN to BSN program in Indiana, which allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree in as few as twelve months. And because many of these programs are available online, you’ll be able to work toward the next stage in your career on a schedule that’s best for you.

However, keep in mind that there may be practical experience, or clinical practicum requirement. This means that while you can complete all of your coursework online, you will be expected to either come to campus for hands-on training in a simulation lab or get experiential learning at a healthcare facility. Depending on how much experience you have as an RN, you might be able to use your work experience to fulfill this in-person requirement. Be sure to check the curriculum and ask advisors because you could shorten the length and lessen the cost of your program if you can use your work experience to count as credit.

Below you will find profiles of some accredited online RN to BSN programs in Indiana you can choose from. Even if these schools are not right for you, you’ll get an idea of what programs are offering and what you can expect.

Answering Popular Questions about Online RN to BSN Programs

Before committing to one of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs, it’s important to understand what they entail. Asking the right questions can help you determine if a program is right for you. Below, we’ve answered some of our readers’ most common questions about going from RN to BSN online.

How will an RN-to-BSN program in Indiana prepare me for more opportunities?

While you can get a nursing license after earning a diploma or associate degree, and you can provide clinical patient care with this level of education, upgrading to a bachelor’s degree can open more doors in the future. A bachelor’s degree provides a robust curriculum of courses and topics that prepare you to incorporate more advanced skills into your work, analyze healthcare issues on a deeper level, and apply for a broader range of jobs. For example, if you want to become a military nurse, you will need to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re considering furthering your education, a bachelor’s degree is also a way to lay the foundation for graduate studies. For example, if you’re thinking about pursuing different nursing specialties, you will need to earn a graduate degree, and schools will generally expect you to have bachelor’s-level training to enroll in these programs.

Additionally, furthering your education can help you prepare for non-nursing jobs for nurses, such as administration and writing positions. For example, if you’re thinking about becoming a nursing instructor or researcher in the future, you will need to earn a doctoral degree. These programs will also require that you have the preparation for graduate studies that a bachelor’s degree provides.

How long is an RN to BSN program in Indiana?

This depends on several factors. The amount of time it takes to complete an RN to BSN program depends on how many courses you’ve already taken and your chosen program. Though the shortest of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs can be completed in just ten months, in most cases, you can expect to spend more like a year on your studies.

Additionally, the amount of time you can devote to coursework will impact how long it will take you to finish your RN to BSN program. The full-time programs can be completed in about one year. However, if you enroll in a part-time program, you may take 18 months to over two years to finish your studies. Although it means more time in school, working on your coursework at a slower pace can make it easier for you make time for your classwork.

Is there financial aid available to Indiana RN to BSN students?

Although online programs may offer the most affordable RN to BSN programs in the state, you still may need some help paying for your education. The good news is financial aid may be available from several sources.

For example, Purdue Northwest offers scholarships for students in its RN to BSN program that can significantly reduce the amount they pay. Also, students may be able to get help paying off their student loans through government programs. Those willing to commit to two years of service in an approved, underserved facility can receive student loan repayment through the Indiana State Loan Repayment Program or federal Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. Additionally, many private organizations and employers offer nursing scholarships, like the ones provided by Ascension St. Vincent.

What skills will I learn in an RN to BSN program in Indiana?

An Indiana RN to BSN online is a chance to build on the clinical skills you learned in your previous nursing training, as well as the experience you gained on the job. You’ll ramp up your knowledge of best practices in clinical care and take courses in specialized topics like community health, management, and health assessment. You may also learn more about caring for specific populations. For example, the RN to BSN program offered by Ball State University heavily focuses on women, children, and vulnerable populations.

When you finish your bachelor’s degree, what you’ve learned will help you boost the quality of the patient care you deliver. In fact, according to a study by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, healthcare facilities with more BSN nurses have more positive patient outcomes. Not only that, but they also boast significantly lower mortality rates among patients than facilities with fewer BSN nurses.

What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Indiana?

What you should look for in a program will be based on your personal preferences, such as whether you want to travel to campus or take courses entirely online. However, although every nurse is different, there are general characteristics prospective students should look for.

Above all, choose a program that meets your educational needs and career goals. For example, a school like the University of Southern Indiana might be best if you still need to take your general education prerequisites. It’s also essential that you confirm a program is accredited by a recognized programmatic accrediting body, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACNE).

Career Pathways and Projected Salaries: RN vs. BSN

As you advance in your education, you’re able to advance in your career—and make more money. You probably know, as a registered nurse, you make more than a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) because you’ve had more education to develop your skills. Likewise, when you earn a bachelor's degree, you’re able to make more money than you would when you have an associate degree or diploma. While nurses make a healthy salary at $76,431 per year when they have an associate degree, their earning potential boosts to $86,605 annually when they get a bachelor’s degree.

Just as a registered nurse has a higher level of clinical skills than an LPN or LVN, your skillset will significantly improve with a bachelor’s degree. And with this increased clinical knowledge, there will be opportunities to land higher-level positions. Some of the jobs that require a BSN include health educator, emergency room nurse, medical writer, pharmaceutical sales representative, and geriatric nurse positions.

As you can see, earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing can open up many doors for you, so it’s definitely worth serious consideration.

Ranking Indiana’s Best Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs

There are several choices for online RN to BSN bridge programs in Indiana. However, that doesn’t mean that each choice will be the right one for you. To figure out which schools have programs that will best help you meet your goals and needs, we have put together the rankings below. Here are the best that schools have to offer, which we generated based on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). If you want to learn more about how these rankings were compiled, be sure to review our methodology in the “About the Rankings” link below.