Traditional Track

A BSN program for new undergraduate students

If you are a student pursuing your first baccalaureate degree, our BSN traditional track is designed for you.

Our cutting-edge, concept-based curriculum prepares you for a career as a professional nurse. You will study current trends in healthcare and participate in exceptional clinical opportunities, including interprofessional education (learning alongside students from other health schools and programs) and state-of-the-art simulation.

The techniques you will learn have been researched and proven to be the best methods of caring for patients and their families, allowing you to build a strong foundation for leadership positions and graduate study. Students in Indianapolis or Bloomington can also participate in an honors program or honors research, respectively.

When you graduate, you will be able to:

Demonstrate intellectual engagement and use evidence as a basis for clinical reasoning and decision-making
Provide culturally sensitive, holistic, individual, family, community, and population-centered nursing care
Coordinate care and facilitate access to resources across the continuum of healthcare environments to meet the evolving needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations
Understand and consider the impact of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments on care delivery
Practice in diverse healthcare environments with competence and professionalism

Embody the professional identity of the nurse who translates the inherent values of the nursing profession into the ethical and legal practice of nursing
Communicate effectively and collaborate with interprofessional team members, patients, and their support systems for improved health outcomes
Lead and manage while applying principles of systems, organizational processes, and balancing resources to promote quality care and patient safety
Embrace and employ innovations in information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient care

The BSN by campus

The IU Bloomington, IU Columbus, IU Fort Wayne, and IU Indianapolis campuses each offer the complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum. Although nursing courses are offered on each campus, they may be required in a different sequence or in a different semester than other campuses.

Course descriptions for all BSN nursing courses are listed below. The academic advisors at your campus will work with you to identify available general education courses and electives, as well as to inform you about the sequencing and semesters that nursing courses are scheduled.

Application deadlines

Fall entry

Applications available online:
- Traditional BSN: Mid-January to mid-April
- Accelerated BSN: Mid-March to mid-June
Priority deadline for course completion:
- Accelerated BSN: Mid-May
Final course completion deadline:
- Traditional BSN: End of spring semester
- Accelerated BSN: End of July
Notifications sent to students: Early-June

Spring entry

Indianapolis and Fort Wayne only

Applications available online:
- Traditional BSN: Mid-July to mid-October
- Accelerated BSN: Mid-August to mid-November
Priority deadline for course completion:
- Accelerated BSN: Mid-October
Notifications sent to students: End of December

Summer entry

Second Degree Accelerated track only

Applications available online: Mid-January
Deadline to apply: Mid-March
Priority deadline for course completion: Mid-February
Final course completion deadline: Mid-March
Notifications sent to students: End of March

Degree maps by campus

IU Bloomington

IU Columbus

IU Fort Wayne

IU Indianapolis

Bachelor of Science (BSN) Traditional Track

Table lists courses and credit hours required for the Bachelor of Science (BSN) Traditional Track -

Description	Course	Credits
Promoting Healthy Populations	NURS-B234	4
(Traditional) This course focuses on preventative health care and health promotion in individuals, families, and communities, considering the influence of culture and lifespan development. Using biophysical, environmental, sociocultural and economic determinants of health, students focus on improving health outcomes with individuals, families, and communities.
Health Populations Practicum	NURS-B235	1
(Traditional) Students assess individuals, families, and communities, providing needed education, preventative services, and support. Students provide individual and population based care in community based settings, giving consideration to the perspective of those being served.
*Comprehensive Health Assessment	NURS-B244	2 - 3
(Traditional) This course focuses on helping students acquire skills to conduct a comprehensive health assessment, including the physical, psychological, social, functional, and environmental aspects of health. The process of data collection, interpretation, documentation, and dissemination of assessment data will be addressed.
Comprehensive Health Assessment:Practicum	NURS-B245	2
(Traditional, Accelerated) Students will have the opportunity to use techniques of interview, observation, percussion, palpation, inspection, and auscultation in assessing clients across the life span in simulated and actual environments.
Professionalism in Collaborative Practice	NURS-B253	3
(Traditional, Accelerated)Students practice communication skills for working with health team members and clients, including self-awareness, interpersonal communication, team skills, and technological communication. Students are introduced to the scope and standards of nursing practice, roles of health team members, and components of professional practice. Students are introduced to leadership and ethical standards.
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice	NURS-B260	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course focuses on the fundamentals of nursing from a theoretical, evidence base. Students will gain a knowledge base for, and have an opportunity to apply, fundamental nursing concepts, skills and the nursing process. The evidence based knowledge gained forms a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making as students develop their nursing skills.
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing Practice	NURS-B261	4
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course provides a foundation in the pathophysiology of key disease processes and pharmacological therapies. Principles of pathophysiology and pharmacology are presented in an integrated manner to provide a basis for study of selected medications that are used to treat or manage diseases with an application to nursing practice.
Transitional Care of Families and Populations	NURS-B334	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) Using the childbearing family as an extensive exemplar, this course focuses on family and community health: community assessment, epidemiology, and intervention with individuals, families, communities and populations. Students address prenatal care, normal and high risk pregnancy and childbirth, newborn care, genetic counseling, care coordination, complementary care, and environmental health.
Managing Health and Illness across Care Environments	NURS-B444	5
(Traditional) Students study a focused clinical area of concern for nursing, exploring the ways in which culture, health disparity, transitions between care environments, and health policy impact care for an aggregate, population, or specialty. Immersed in a care environment, students gain relevant clinical knowledge as well as an understanding of the aggregate health concerns.
**Pediatric Clinical Immersion	NURS-H303	1
(Traditional) This clinical course addresses the specific needs of the pediatric population who are experiencing acute and chronic health problems using a patient and family centered approach. Emphasis will be placed on growth and development, family centered care, and the inter-professional approach to the care of this complex population.
Data Analysis for Practice and Research	NURS-H355	3
(Traditional) This course introduces nursing and other health sciences students to the basic concepts and techniques of data analysis needed in professional health-care practice. Principles of measurement, data summarization, and univariate and bivariate statistics are examined. Differences in types of qualitative data and methods by which these types of data can be interpreted are also explored. Emphasis is placed on the application of fundamental concepts to real-world situations in client care. (RN-BSN) This course introduces nursing and other health sciences students to the basic concepts and techniques of data analysis needed in professional health-care practice. Principles of measurement, data summarization, and univariate and bivariate statistics are examined. Differences in types of qualitative data and methods by which these types of data can be interpreted are also explored. Emphasis is placed on the application of fundamental concepts to real-world situations in client care.
Clinical Nursing Care 1: Biophysical Processes	NURS-H356	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course focuses on providing nursing care for individuals and families with acute and chronic biophysical illnesses across the lifespan. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at a beginning level.
Clinical Nursing Care 2: Interactive Processes	NURS-H360	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course focuses on nursing care management of individuals and families experiencing acute and chronic health problems related to interaction with the environment and others: sensory, motor, cognitive, affective, and interpersonal processes. Using a holistic approach this course addresses health problems occurring across the lifespan.
Clinical Nursing Care 3: Adaptive Processes	NURS-H371	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course builds on Biophysical Processes. The primary focus is on the nursing care management of individuals and families experiencing acute and chronic health problems using an adaptive and holistic approach. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at an intermediate level.
***Nursing Clinical Intensive	NURS-H403	2
(Traditional) This intensive clinical course, comprised of clinical and simulation experiences, incorporates skills, knowledge and behaviors consistent with the nursing process. Students will refine clinical skills and master the nursing process. Attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning, demonstration of critical thinking, and competent nursing practice at an advanced level.
Clinical Nursing Care 4: Complex Processes	NURS-H476	5
(Traditional, Accelerated) The primary focus is on the nursing care management of individuals and families experiencing complex and significant illnesses across the lifespan. Particular attention is focused on developing clinical reasoning and competent nursing practice at an advanced level.
Health Care Delivery Systems	NURS-L230	3
(Traditional) Students examine health care delivery systems, leadership, health policy, regulation and economics. Students explore quality practices of health care organizations. Students analyze the impact of informatics on health care and nursing including the electronic health record, information technology in healthcare, and information literacy.
Leadership in Healthcare Delivery and Policy	NURS-L430	5
(Traditional) This course focuses on development of effective leadership skills relevant in health care systems. Students examine health policy, information management, and processes that result in exceptional organizational outcomes. Students use healthcare data and research evidence in quality improvement and change initiatives.
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice	NURS-R375	3
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course focuses on nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students develop skills in retrieving and appraising literature relevant to clinical problems, understanding the research process, and critiquing evidence from research publications and other sources to inform evidence-based nursing practice. (RN-BSN) This course focuses on nursing research and evidence-based practice. Students develop skills in retrieving and appraising literature relevant to clinical problems, understanding the research process, and critiquing evidence from research publications and other sources to inform evidence-based nursing practice.
Applied Health-Care Ethics	NURS-S474	3
(Traditional, Accelerated) This course is designed to introduce the student to major ethical theory, principles, and models for the recognition, analysis, and resolution of ethical dilemmas in health-care practice. (RN-BSN) Building on the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, this course explores the nurse’s role in ethical clinical practice, academic work, health policy, and research conduct, focusing particularly on the advocacy role of the nurse. Common ethical problems are discussed and strategies for resolution of ethical dilemmas are applied.
Clinical Nursing Practice	NURS-S483	3
(Traditional, Accelerated). Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate competencies consistent with program outcomes and to refine their nursing care practice skills. Students will collaborate with faculty and a preceptor in choosing a care setting, planning and organizing a learning experience, and practicing professional nursing in a safe and effective manner.
Synthesis for Professional Nursing Practice	NURS-S488	2
(Traditional). Students integrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program: critical thinking, information technology, cultural competence, care coordination, leadership, collaboration, and communication skills. Students demonstrate competence in evidence-based practice and quality and safety initiatives, as achieved in a complex and changing health care environment. Students begin the transition to professional practice.
Total		76 - 77

* Clinical experiences may be differ across campuses
** Not offered on Bloomington campus
*** Offered only on Bloomington campus

Questions? Contact an advisor on your campus

IU Bloomington

IU Columbus

IU Fort Wayne

IU Indianapolis

Apply for the BSN track on your campus

Your path to becoming an IU Nurse begins with your application to the Indiana University campus of your choice.

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Already an IU student? Start your nursing application

If you are a current IU student at one of our four core locations—Bloomington, Columbus, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis—and you are finishing your prerequisite plan of study, you can begin your application to the School of Nursing.

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