Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Nursing - RN to BSN

Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (Post-Licensure RN to BSN)

Throughout the Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program, the nurse is a purposeful, self-directed individual who assumes responsibility and accountability to God, society, self, and clients who, made in the image of God, have intrinsic worth and value. Modeling the example of Jesus Christ, nurses are to protect and promote health, especially for people lacking access to health care, through the just allocation of health resources and services throughout the world.

What makes this Program Different?

Accelerated

Complete your BSN in 1year

30 credits

Flexible

Onsite, hybrid, or 100% online

Designed for the working RN
- one course at a time -

Why Pursue My RN to BSN Degree Online at IWU?

From evidence-based practice curriculum to offering nursing RN to BSN programs fully online, the IWU School of Nursing has been at the forefront of healthcare education for more than 40 years. Today, we are proud to offer a faculty of industry experts, a faith perspective for hope and healing, and the support you need to pursue better outcomes for your primary care career and your patients. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling nursing career. One more thing: your tuition rates are locked in the moment you start. You will experience no tuition hikes for the duration of your program.

What Will I Learn in a Nursing RN to BSN Program?

The nursing bachelor’s program explores the essentials of nursing practice—from evidence-based nursing and research to nursing ethics and interprofessional collaboration. Course studies explore nursing management and leadership, with specialized focus in strategic planning, fiscal responsibility and project management. A Capstone projects lets students apply learning to a real-world area of interest, such as public health or nursing case management, among others.

Program FAQs

The RN to BSN program is led by experienced nursing faculty dedicated to student success. Dr. Sheila Leis brings expertise in community health and faith-based nursing. As a certified Faith Community Nurse, her doctoral research focused on improving nutrition for individuals relying on community food banks. She also developed an innovative app that matches food bank inventory with individual health needs and preferences, reducing waste and improving care outcomes. Faculty in the program are committed to integrating clinical expertise with compassionate, community-focused care.

The RN to BSN program prepares nurses for leadership and advancement in healthcare settings. Students gain skills in healthcare technology, systems-based care, and population health. A unique feature of the program is the inclusion of an AI literacy component, equipping nurses to effectively use emerging technologies in clinical practice.

This program prepares licensed registered nurses to advance into higher-level roles that require a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Career pathways include charge nurse, unit manager, practice manager, community health nurse, school nurse, and other leadership or specialized nursing positions.

Key courses include Informatics and Healthcare Technologies (NUR-432), Systems-Based Healthcare (NUR-462), Population Health (NUR-474), and Professional, Personal, and Leadership Development (NUR-492). These courses build leadership, technology, and patient-centered care competencies.

Dr. Lara Pack is an IWU BSN, MSN, and DNP alum who works in an emergency department in central Ohio. She also teaches nursing at a local community college and serves as an adjunct faculty member at IWU, demonstrating the program’s strong pathway into both clinical practice and education.

Graduates often advance their careers through leadership roles or specialized certifications. Many also continue their education by pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing, including nurse practitioner, leadership, or education tracks.

While formal mentoring programs are not part of the curriculum, students often receive professional development opportunities through their employers while completing the program. Faculty also provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the student experience.

Internships are not required for this program. However, many students experience career advancement opportunities within their current workplaces while enrolled.

Working registered nurses who are motivated to complete their BSN and advance their careers thrive in this program. The one-course-at-a-time format supports balance between work, family, and education.

Faculty are highly invested in student success and work closely with students to support their academic and professional goals. The program emphasizes flexibility, practical application, and career advancement.

Yes. Christian faith is integrated throughout the program. Students participate in weekly devotions that encourage reflection on God’s Word and its application to nursing practice and patient care.

Yes. An active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license is required for admission to the RN to BSN program. This ensures that students entering the program have the foundational clinical knowledge and experience needed to succeed in advanced nursing coursework.

The RN to BSN program is designed to build on the clinical skills and knowledge gained during an associate degree or diploma nursing program. Coursework expands students’ expertise in key areas such as population health, evidence-based practice, leadership, and healthcare systems. This approach allows working nurses to advance their education while directly applying new concepts to their current roles.

A set number of traditional clinical hours is not required for RN to BSN students. Instead, students complete a capstone course that includes a quality improvement project proposal. This project is often completed within the student’s current workplace, allowing them to apply best practices and improve patient outcomes in a real-world setting.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares registered nurses for career advancement into leadership and specialized roles across healthcare settings. A BSN is often required for many nursing certifications and is a prerequisite for graduate-level nursing programs, including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and other advanced practice nursing degrees.

Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Associate degree with a major in Nursing.
Prior completion of at least 60 transferable credit hours is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
A maximum of 40 hours of credit may be earned through the assessed learning process toward the required 60 credits.
Applicants from a state board of nursing approved school of nursing (diploma or proprietary school of nursing) who have passed the NCLEX‐RN exam may be eligible to apply for credit through the evaluation process. A maximum of 40 credit hours awarded may be counted toward the required 60. This applies only to students applying to the Nursing program.
Proof of current unencumbered RN licensure;
An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 from all previous study. If an applicant's GPA is below 2.0, the student may be admitted on a probationary basis, as established by the guidelines of the college.
Conditional Acceptance: Students currently enrolled in an associate degree in nursing program (i.e. AAS or ADN) at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) may be conditionally accepted when they can show:
- Prior completion of at least 12 transferable credit hours
- Evidence of acceptance into an associate level nursing program. Full, unconditional admission to the RNBSN Program will be granted when the student meets the criteria for RNBSN Program admission.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of 120 semester hours.
Completion of the required core courses with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
All individual core courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Completion of 30 hours of General Education Requirements as specified.
Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

*Bachelor core courses that fall into general education categories may not be used to fulfill both the core requirement and the general education requirement.

*The remaining credits may be earned through classes, CLEP, or Portfolio.

*The costs of the remaining credits required to graduate are not included in the costs listed for the core curriculum.

Additional Requirements

Program Requirements

Students must complete each individual core course with a grade of "C" or higher.
To progress in the major, RNBSN students must have obtained a core GPA of 2.75 by the end of the third course.
Students must have an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of the practicum sites. If students have multi-state licenses, all must be unencumbered. Students may be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status in not maintained.
A criminal history background check, drug testing, and immunization tracking will be conducted at the student’s expense. Practice sites may have additional requirements, e.g., health physical, which will be conducted at the student's expense. Instructions for the criminal background check, drug screening, and immunization tracking will be sent to students by the Division of Post-licensure Nursing. Progression in the program will depend on compliance with and/or the results of these checks.
RNBSN students may complete the core nursing courses by following the recommended fast-track schedule. It is not recommended that students take more than two core courses at a time. Students who wish to take more than two core courses should contact their academic advisor to determine the potential impact of such a decision.
Students who take longer than six years to complete the program must petition to continue in the program.
Students must complete all core courses before taking NUR-492 (Capstone Course).

Practice Experiences

Practice experiences are an essential component of the RNBSN nursing program, culminating in the capstone course. In the capstone course, students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills acquired throughout the RNBSN program by assuming a leadership role in coordinating and managing a capstone project. If required by the facility, cost for placement is the responsibility of the student.

Students must maintain an active license in the state where any practice experiences are completed.
All RN licenses must remain unencumbered throughout the program.

NOTE: Students must meet all practice facility requirements.

Accreditation

Program Requirements

Students must complete each individual core course with a grade of "C" or higher.
To progress in the major, RNBSN students must have obtained a core GPA of 2.75 by the end of the third course.
Students must have an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of the practicum sites. If students have multi-state licenses, all must be unencumbered. Students may be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status in not maintained.
A criminal history background check, drug testing, and immunization tracking will be conducted at the student’s expense. Practice sites may have additional requirements, e.g., health physical, which will be conducted at the student's expense. Instructions for the criminal background check, drug screening, and immunization tracking will be sent to students by the Division of Post-licensure Nursing. Progression in the program will depend on compliance with and/or the results of these checks.
RNBSN students may complete the core nursing courses by following the recommended fast-track schedule. It is not recommended that students take more than two core courses at a time. Students who wish to take more than two core courses should contact their academic advisor to determine the potential impact of such a decision.
Students who take longer than six years to complete the program must petition to continue in the program.
Students must complete all core courses before taking NUR-492 (Capstone Course).

Practice Experiences

Students must maintain an active license in the state where any practice experiences are completed.
All RN licenses must remain unencumbered throughout the program.

NOTE: Students must meet all practice facility requirements.

Online Accelerated Post-Licensure RN to BSN Degree

Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (Post-Licensure RN to BSN)

Accelerated

Flexible

Why Pursue My RN to BSN Degree Online at IWU?

What Will I Learn in a Nursing RN to BSN Program?

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

Rooted in Christ

Superior Support

Mission Statement

Tuition & Aid

What You'll Study

Courses in this Program

After Graduation

Potential Careers

Work in Various Industries

Program FAQs

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Practice Experiences

Accreditation

Program Requirements

Practice Experiences

Take the Next Step

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