Indiana’s RN to BSN Online Degrees: Find Top Schools for 2024
A BSN is the perfect move for RNs ready to take on new career opportunities. Explore our guide to going from RN to BSN online in Indiana.
If you’re an RN who got your start in the field after earning an ADN, then you’re probably aware that any one of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs can help you take your career to the next level. What you may not know is that these programs are designed specifically for working RNs to get their bachelor’s in a convenient and flexible way.
Earning your BSN can boost your salary, job satisfaction, and preparedness for the growing number of job openings in the Hoosier State. According to the Indiana Hospital Association, Indiana will need 5,000 new nurses by 2031. And as the Indianapolis Star points out, a crucial part of adding new nurses to the field is empowering experienced RNs to step into higher-level roles by offering clear paths for leveling up qualifications and responsibility.
With an RN to BSN online in Indiana, you can graduate with your bachelor’s in as few as ten 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 works for you. We’ve put together this guide to help you choose the best online Indiana RN to BSN program for you and get a clearer idea of the benefits and advantages they offer. Below, you’ll find three outstanding schools and all the information you need to make a the right choice for you.
A Look at RN to BSN Online Programs in Indiana
Looking for a top school to study for your RN to BSN online in Indiana? Take a look at these three quality programs. Each one provides online nursing students with the flexibility, academic rigor, and support to earn their bachelor’s while keeping up with their current professional and personal obligations.
Ball State University
The 100% online RN to BSN degree at Ball State University provides nursing students with a flexible, affordable, and convenient path to earn their degree. At Ball State, earning your BSN is made easier with asynchronous coursework that doesn’t require you to log in or attend online classes at a specific time of day. Instead, you’ll attend lectures when it’s most convenient for you and complete assignments on a weekly deadline schedule.
In fact, BSN students never have to set foot on campus to graduate from Ball State. While clinical hours for this program must be completed in person, Ball State works with students to arrange on-site work at local nursing facilities in their community. Full-time students can graduate with their BSN in just three semesters, while part-time students can complete the program in six semesters. Ball State’s program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Indiana University
Indiana University’s School of Nursing offers a fully online RN to BSN program designed specifically with working nurses in mind. IU recognizes that professional RNs need flexibility while completing their degrees, so all program coursework is available online in an asynchronous format, allowing students to set their own schedules without dropping the ball on their professional or academic commitments. For those pursuing their degree full-time, graduation is possible in just 12 months. Part-time students can complete their studies in 18 or 24 months.
A standout feature of this program is its adaptability. Practicums and clinical experiences can be performed at the student’s workplace, making the process of integrating their learning and practical experience as seamless as possible. With a competitive rate of $350 per credit hour and generous scholarships and financial aid, this online Indiana RN to BSN program is both accessible and affordable.
University of Southern Indiana
Like the other schools featured on this list, the University of Southern Indiana’s RN to BSN program was crafted to meet the needs of working professionals. Offered 100% online—with the added advantage of eight-week classes—this program allows students to complete their degrees in as few as 14 months. Thanks to asynchronous coursework, students can choose a schedule that works with their existing professional commitments, blending their professional and personal lives without having to compromise on either.
The program is designed for students who are ready not just to obtain their BSN but to transition into leadership roles in the field or set the stage for future graduate studies. Students can expect to pay $345 per credit, which can be offset by numerous grants and scholarships. All in all, this degree makes for an affordable investment. Multiple start dates each year mean students don’t have to wait to take the next step in their academic journeys. This CCNE-accredited program makes an excellent choice for anyone seeking a budget-friendly and flexible RN to BSN online in Indiana.
FAQs About RN to BSN Online Programs in Indiana
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 in Indiana.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in Indiana prepare me for more opportunities?
While an ADN qualifies you to provide clinical patient care, upgrading to a BSN can open more doors in your future. A bachelor’s degree provides a more robust curriculum of courses and topics that prepare you to take on leadership roles, analyze healthcare issues on a deeper level, and apply for a broader range of jobs. After a bachelor’s, you also have the option to continue your education with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
How long is an RN to BSN program in Indiana?
The length of your program depends on how many courses you’ve already taken, your chosen program, and how much time you can devote to coursework. The shortest of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs, like the one at Purdue Northwest, can be completed in just ten months. Most programs graduate students somewhere between 18 months and two years. However, if you need to study at a slower pace, many schools will allow you to spread your studies out over more time.
How much do RN to BSN programs in Indiana cost?
The total price of your RN to BSN online program in Indiana will depend on numerous factors, including the program you choose and the number of college credits you’ve already completed. Anderson University charges just $250 per credit. Meanwhile, Western Governors University opts for a per-semester cost of $4,685. To determine your degree’s potential price tag, count on a per-credit cost of $300-400 and at least 30 credits of coursework.
Is there financial aid available to Indiana RN to BSN students?
There are many scholarship and financial aid opportunities for Indiana RN to BSN students in Indiana. Purdue Northwest offers several scholarships, while Indiana Wesleyan provides tuition discounts. Students 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 requirements do I need to meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in Indiana?
All of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs are post-licensure degrees. This means that at a minimum you’ll need an active, unrestricted RN license. Most schools also require a minimum GPA of 2.5 in your ADN program coursework. Some schools, like Ball State University, also require you to be an Indiana resident while others require applicants to have taken additional prerequisite courses. Because admission requirements can vary so greatly, it’s important that you look closely at what each school asks you to include in your application. For more information on online RN to BSN and other bridge programs, check out our Nurse’s Guide to Online Bridge Programs.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in Indiana?
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 always confirm that 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 (ACEN). Check out our comprehensive guide on today’s top online RN to BSN programs to help you choose the program for you.
From RN to BSN: Benefits for Indiana Nurses
Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs provide a plethora of benefits for you and the patients you serve. BSN-qualified nurses have overall better patient outcomes, more opportunities for career and personal growth, and higher salaries than their ADN-prepared counterparts. Below, we’ve outlined some of the major benefits you can expect when you earn your bachelor’s.
Better Patient Outcomes
A bachelor’s in nursing is good for both patients and nurses. 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 amongst patients than facilities with fewer BSN nurses.
Career Advancement
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine recommended that nurses should hold a bachelor’s degree in their field. This sentiment has been adopted over the years across the country, including Indiana, as states roll out efforts to hire primarily baccalaureate-prepared nurses. A 2021 brief by the Indiana Registered Nurse Workforce found that 66.8% of Indiana RNs hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, making online RN to BSN programs a great way to keep up with the increasingly qualified field.
Enhanced Clinical Skills
An Indiana RN to BSN online is a chance to build on the clinical skills you learned in your ADN program and 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 even learn more about caring for specific populations, like Ball State’s focus on women, children, and vulnerable populations.
Expanded Knowledge Base
Over the course of your program, you’ll grow beyond the fundamentals of patient care, learning about current healthcare trends and how to recognize them in your practice. You’ll also gain a wider view of concerns on the local, national, and global levels and how to use health information tools and technology to address them. For example, at Valparaiso University, students take courses in nursing research, global health, and public health.
Higher Earning Potential
If you want to boost your earning potential, then an Indiana-based online RN to BSN program is a great way to do it. ZipRecruiter reports the average annual salary for ADN nurses in Indiana is $74,590. BSN nurses on the other hand command average annual salaries of $84,874. With a BSN, you’ll also qualify for more lucrative job openings.
Personal Growth and Satisfaction
While nursing is a noble profession, working in the same capacity for your entire career may lead to boredom or burnout. When you go from RN to BSN, you give yourself the option to branch out in your career. You’ll also have the potential to work for more diverse employers, take on leadership roles, or pursue higher education.
Advantages of Online RN to BSN Programs in Indiana
From affordability to flexibility, going from RN to BSN online in Indiana offers a wealth of benefits. Online programs provide you with the opportunity to spend less on your degree while pursuing your education on your schedule. We’ve outlined some of the biggest advantages of earning your BSN online below.
Affordability
The Education Data Initiative found that students who commute to college and university for in-person classes pay an additional $1,360 in transportation costs alone. As an online student, you’ll get to save that money. Online classes also allow you to stick with your current employer, avoiding any disruption to your work schedule (or paycheck), while working toward your BSN.
Flexibility and Convenience
100% online programs, like the RN to BSN at Vincennes University, allow you to work full-time while earning your bachelor’s. This flexibility means you can graduate in as few as ten months with an accelerated course format, or take your time and complete your program in up to five years. Clinical requirements at online RN to BSN programs in Indiana are also designed for your convenience. Most schools allow you to arrange clinical placements in your area. You also have the option to attend a no-clinicals program, like the one offered at ß Anderson University’s.
Self-Paced and Asynchronous Learning
Many of Indiana’s RN to BSN online programs are offered in an asynchronous format, meaning you can watch course lectures any time you like. You can also complete weekly assignments on your own schedule. Goshen College’s RN to BSN completion program is just one example of a self-paced online RN to BSN program in Indiana.
Access to a Wide Range of Programs
When earning an RN to BSN online in Indiana, you’ll get to choose electives that match your desired career path. For example, RN to BSN students at Purdue Global, are able to choose from concentrations in holistic nursing, palliative care nursing, ambulatory nursing, case management, or transcultural nursing.
