Nursing

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OVERVIEW

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Iowa State University is a RN-to-BSN program, designed for those who have obtained an associate degree in nursing or are eligible for NCLEX, and desire to further their nursing career and education to the next level. Iowa State’s RN-to-BSN program provides interactive learning opportunities where students can apply their real-world experiences and education to inspire innovation in their places of care. RN-to-BSN students will acquire knowledge, skills, and experience in four essential areas: research, leadership, population health, and self-care/health promotion. The program emphasizes providing professional, cultural, and ethically congruent care that respects the dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse populations and locations.

The Nursing program of study is not offered as an additional major, it is only offered as a full degree program. Students pursuing the Nursing degree program are allowed to pursue additional majors in other eligible programs of study if desired.

The baccalaureate nursing program at Iowa State University of Science and Technology located in Ames, Iowa is approved by the:

Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON)
6200 Park Ave. #100
Des Moines, IA 50321

The baccalaureate nursing program at Iowa State University of Science and Technology located in Ames, Iowa is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is initial accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to: 

1. Synthesize theory and concepts from the arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, and nursing as a professional holistic practice and scientific discipline.

2. Engage in professional, culturally sensitive, compassionate, and ethically congruent care that reflects the dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse populations and settings that seek to understand their lived experiences and connections to others.

3. Utilize information processes and technology to improve communication, address health literacy, manage knowledge, reduce errors, and support decision-making that assists in delivering optimal care for diverse individuals, families, and communities.

4. Translate research findings to support evidence-based, competent, safe, and effective nursing care to individuals, families, and communities in diverse settings across the lifespan.

5. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and professional identity that embodies the values and characteristics of nursing while incorporating the concepts of self-reflection, well-being, and continuous learning.

6. Examine the interconnection amongst the healthcare delivery continuum, including collaborative activities among stakeholders that impact equitable health outcomes through systems thinking, health promotion, and ethical response initiatives.

7. Develop personal, professional, and leadership skills with a commitment to personal growth, expansion of professional knowledge and expertise, and emboldens leadership practice in the healthcare industry.

8. Analyze how social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and social structure interact to affect access, provision of care, and health outcomes at local, regional, national, and global levels to improve population health while instilling a sense of global citizenship and ethical responsibility.

RN-to-BSN Admissions Criteria

Applications for the RN-to-BSN program are individually reviewed. Minimum requirements for admission to the BSN program include:

  • Licensed as registered nurse or NCLEX eligible 
  • Meet all Iowa State University admission criteria for transfer students
  • Official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • Minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA for all college coursework
  • Achievement of minimum “C” (not C-) for all prerequisite courses listed below
English Composition I and II (ENGL 1500 and ENGL 2500 equivalent)
Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM 1630 or CHEM 1T equivalent)
Statistics (STAT 1010 or STAT 1040 equivalent)
Introduction to Human Nutrition (FSHN 1670 equivalent)
Introduction to Sociology (SOC 1340 equivalent)

RN-to-BSN Progression Criteria

RN-to-BSN Graduation Requirements

  • At least 32 credits earned in residence at Iowa State University, and the final 32 credits taken through Iowa State University prior to graduation.
  • All general education requirements at Iowa State University must be met.
  • The BSN curriculum consists of 24 credits of NRS courses, 5 credits of FSHN courses, and 3 elective credits for a total of 32 credits in addition to prerequisite coursework.
  • Electives are selected by students to meet identified career interests, and total elective credits needed will vary based on individual transfer credits. 
  • Minimum credits for graduation is 120 credits.

International Perspectives: 3 cr.

U.S. Cultures and Communities: 3 cr.

Communications and Library: 10 cr.

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
Oral Communication course, select from: 3
COMST 2140 Professional Communication
SPCM 2120 Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Humanities and Social Sciences: 3 cr.

SOC 1340Introduction to Sociology3

College of Health and Human Sciences Students Only:

Additional Humanities and Social Sciences: 9 cr.
Humanities courses from approve list 16
Humanities or social science course3

College of Agriculture & Life Science Students Only:

Additional Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.
Humanities course from approved list 13
Ethics course from approved list 23
1

 Approved Humanities course list

2

 Approved Ethics course list

Math, Physical, & Biological Sciences: 7-8 cr.

Statistics course, select from: 3-4
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
CHEM 1630College Chemistry4
Total Credits7-8

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences students only: 

Additional Math, Physical & Biological Sciences: 7-8 crs. 
Select math course: MATH 1400, MATH 1430, MATH 1450, MATH 1500, MATH 1510, MATH 1600, or MATH 16503-4
Select biology course: BIOL 1010, BIOL 2110, or BIOL 21203
CHEM 1630LLaboratory in College Chemistry1
Total Credits7-8

Nursing Courses: 24 cr.

NRS 2500Introduction to BSN Nursing1
NRS 3200Essential Concepts for Professional Nursing Practice3
NRS 3400Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice4
NRS 3600Nursing Leadership and Management3
NRS 4200Promoting a Culture of Health and Wellness3
NRS 4400Population Health Nursing 3
NRS 4420Population Health Nursing Practicum1
NRS 4700Global Health Nursing 3
NRS 4800Advanced Concepts of Professional Nursing3
Total Credits24

May fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities requirement  - check current list

May fulfill the International Perspectives requirement - check current list

Select at least 3.0 credits of elective: 3 cr.

Nutrition: 5 cr.

FSHN 3650Obesity and Health3
FSHN 4300U.S. Health Systems and Policy2
Total Credits5

Electives: Select from any university coursework to earn at least ≥ 120 total credits prior to graduation.

Total credits for Nursing major = 32

Full-Time Enrollment Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NRS 25001NRS 44003
NRS 32003NRS 4420 (Select from:)*1
NRS 34004
A - Local
 
NRS 36003
B - Pine Ridge
 
NRS 42003
C - Norway
 
FSHN 4300**2
D - Cambodia
 
 NRS 47003
 NRS 48003
 FSHN 3650**3
 Elective as needed**3
 16 16
Total Credits: 32

Part-Time Enrollment Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NRS 25001NRS 47003
NRS 34004FSHN 3650**3
NRS 42003Elective as needed3
 8 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
NRS 32003NRS 44003
NRS 36003NRS 4420 (Select from:)*1
FSHN 43002
A - Local
 
 
B - Pine Ridge
 
 
C - Norway
 
 
D - Cambodia
 
 NRS 48003
 8 7
Total Credits: 32
*

Denotes Practicum Courses.

**

Denotes courses that may be taken before starting the nursing program.

Note

Plan of study does not include any unmet ISU general education requirements.