Nursing

OVERVIEW

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Iowa State University is a RN-to-BSN program, designed for those who are already a Registered Nurse (RN), 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 be challenged to enhance health promotion and disease prevention, apply nursing science and evidenced-based patient-centered care, focus on the culture of health for nurses, individuals, and communities, and demonstrate the continuum of care, from a nurse’s self-care to patient care to community and population health.

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program who wish to add an additional major, must pursue multiple degrees. Likewise, students in other programs who wish to add a Bachelor of Science in Nursing must pursue multiple degrees.

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)
Riverpoint Business Park
400 SW 8th St., Suite B
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 281-3255

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 in the holistic practice of professional nursing.
2. Integrate knowledge of historical and contemporary nursing with leadership skills and principles to facilitate optimal patient and systems outcomes.
3. Translate research findings to support evidence-based, competent, safe, and effective nursing care to individuals, families, and communities in diverse settings across the lifespan.
4. Utilize current technology effectively and efficiently to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, support decision making and accomplish goals related to the delivery of safe, quality care for diverse individuals, families, and the community.
5. Examine how healthcare policies, including financial and regulatory, influence healthcare systems, nursing practices and population health.
6. Incorporate principles of effective communication and collaboration when working with members of the health team, recipients of care and interested groups to improve health outcomes for individuals, groups and communities.
7. Integrate concepts of health promotion and disease management, health literacy and patient-centered care to improve population health.
8. Engage in professional, culturally competent, and ethically congruent care that reflects dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse populations and locations.
9. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and model the values of advocacy, compassion, integrity, human dignity, cultural competence and social justice while embracing the concept of continuous learning.

RN-to-BSN Admissions Criteria

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

• Licensure as a Registered Nurse
• 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 150 and ENGL 250 equivalent)
Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM 163 or CHEM 1T equivalent)
Statistics (STAT 101 or STAT 104 equivalent)
Introduction to Human Nutrition (FS HN 167 equivalent)
Introduction to Sociology (SOC 134 equivalent)

Admissions requirements are congruent with the Iowa Action Coalition, RN-to-BSN Task Force Recommendations. 

RN-to-BSN Progression Criteria

• Must earn a “C” grade or better in all NRS courses and meet the university's academic standards for progress toward a degree

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 21 credits of NRS courses, 8 credits of FS HN 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. Diversity: 3 cr.

Communications and Library: 10 cr.

ENGL 150	Critical Thinking and Communication	3
ENGL 250	Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition	3
LIB 160	Introduction to College Level Research	1
Oral Communication course, select from:		3
COMST 214 Professional Communication
SP CM 212 Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Humanities and Social Sciences: 3 cr.

SOC 134

Introduction to Sociology

3

College of Human Sciences Students Only:

Additional Humanities and Social Sciences: 9 cr.

Humanities courses from approve list 1		6
Humanities or social science course		3

College of Agriculture & Life Science Students Only:

Additional Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.

Humanities course from approved list 1		3
Ethics course from approved list 2		3

¹

 Approved Humanities course list

²

 Approved Ethics course list

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

Statistics course, select from:		3-4
STAT 101	Principles of Statistics
STAT 104	Introduction to Statistics
CHEM 163	College Chemistry	4
Total Credits		7-8

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences students only: 

Additional Math, Physical & Biological Sciences: 7-8 crs. 

Select math course: MATH 104, MATH 105, MATH 140, MATH 143, MATH 145, MATH 150, MATH 151, MATH 160, or MATH 165		3-4
Select biology course: BIOL 101, BIOL 211, or BIOL 212		3
CHEM 163L	Laboratory in College Chemistry	1
Total Credits		7-8

Nursing Courses: 21 cr.

NRS 250	Orientation to RN - to - BSN Nursing	1
NRS 320	Essential Concepts for Professional Nursing Practice	3
NRS 340	Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	4
NRS 420	Promoting a Culture of Health and Wellness	3
NRS 440	Population and Community Health Nursing †	3
NRS 442	Population and Community Health Nursing Practicum	1
NRS 460	Nursing Leadership and Management	3
NRS 480	Advanced Concepts of Professional Nursing	3
Total Credits		21

†

May fulfill the U.S. Diversity Requirement  - check current list

Select at least 3.0 credits of elective: 3 cr.

Nutrition: 8 cr.

FS HN 364	Nutrition and Prevention of Chronic Disease	3
FS HN 365	Obesity and Health	3
FS HN 430	U.S. Health Systems and Policy	2
Total Credits		8

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
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
NRS 250	1	NRS 440	3
NRS 320	3	NRS 442*	1
NRS 340	4	NRS 460	3
NRS 420	3	NRS 480	3
FS HN 364**	3	FS HN 365**	3
FS HN 430**	2	Elective or U.S. Diversity as needed**	3
	16		16
Total Credits: 32

Part-Time Enrollment Option

First Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
NRS 250	1	NRS 460	3
NRS 320	3	FS HN 365**	3
NRS 340	4	FS HN 430**	2
	8		8
Second Year
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
NRS 420	3	NRS 440	3
FS HN 364**	3	NRS 442*	1
Elective or U.S. Diversity as needed**	3	NRS 480	3
	9		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.