University of Southern Indiana Nursing School Review
The University of Southern Indiana (founded in 1965) is located on a large campus just outside Evansville. Over 10,000 students are enrolled in its degree programs, and an additional 15,000 students participate in noncredit courses each year. As part of its College of Nursing and Health Professions, the University of Southern Indiana (USI) offers a wide variety of programs in the nursing field.
Both prospective nurses and nurses who wish to continue their education will find a suitable program. The University of Southern Indiana holds accreditation for its nursing programs from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Each fall, the University of Southern Indiana begins the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) course sequence. The course sequence takes four years of full-time study to complete (not including summer semesters). A student who wishes to enter this program must spend three semesters completing general education requirements. After completing the first two semesters, he may apply to the nursing program. If accepted, he will begin nursing courses in the spring of his second year. In total, he must earn 128 credits in order to graduate. After graduating, he is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
The University of Southern Indiana’s RN to BSN program is designed for Registered Nurses (RN) who hold an associate degree or diploma. They can complete a BSN degree completely online through the RN to BSN program. Like the students in the regular BSN program, they must earn 128 credits in total. The University of Southern Indiana will accept thirty-six credits of nursing coursework from the student’s previous degree, as well as up to twenty-four transfer credits toward the university’s general education requirements. A student on the RN to BSN track must complete the remaining general education requirements as well as twenty-four credits of nursing courses. Classes are offered online, and students may complete clinical rotations in locations that are convenient for them. The length of the program can vary, depending on whether the student chooses to enroll part-time or full-time, as well as on the number of general education classes she must take.
Master of Science in Nursing
Each fall, a new group of students is accepted into the university’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The program consists of core graduate nursing classes, as well as classes in a chosen area of specialization. Clinical rotations are included; students must work with an advisor to find an appropriate clinical site in a location that is convenient for them. Besides the clinical rotations, all coursework for the MSN program is offered online. The University of Southern Indiana offers six different areas of concentration for its MSN students.
– Acute Care Nurse Practitioner:
In order to prepare for certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), a student must earn forty-five credits and complete 705 hours of clinical practice.
– Clinical Nurse Specialist:
A prospective Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) must earn forty-five credits and complete at least 545 clinical hours.
– Family Nurse Practitioner:
In order to provide primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to the elderly, a nurse can complete the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track of the MSN program. This requires forty-five credits, and includes 665 clinical hours.
– Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner:
A student on the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP) track of the MSN program must earn forty-seven credits and complete 645 clinical hours.
– Nurse Educator:
A prospective nurse educator must earn forty-five credits total. While he must complete clinical rotations as a part of his core graduate nursing classes, he does not need to complete clinical rotations as part of his nursing education specialization.
– Nursing Management and Leadership:
In order to take a leadership role in running a healthcare facility, a nurse can complete the Nursing Management and Leadership (NML) track of the MSN program. This requires forty-two credits in total.
Post-master’s Certification
A nurse who has already earned her MSN degree in one area can earn certification in a different graduate-level specialty. She does not need to complete the core graduate nursing classes; she only needs to complete the classes in her selected area of specialization. The University of Southern Indiana offers a post-master’s certification option for four of its six MSN programs: FNP (eighteen credits), ACNP (eighteen credits), Nursing Education (eighteen credits), and NML (twenty-four credits). Like the students in the traditional MSN program, students on the post-master’s certification track begin in the fall and complete coursework online.
Master of Science in Nursing – RN to MSN
In order to enter the regular track of the MSN program, a student must hold a BSN degree. However, the University of Southern Indiana does offer the RN to MSN track for graduates of an associate-degree or diploma program who want to earn a graduate-level nursing degree. These students must complete all the undergraduate general education classes, as well as the upper-level undergraduate nursing courses. (They will receive thirty-six transfer credits for the lower-level nursing coursework). To shorten the program and ease the transition from undergraduate to graduate study, an RN to MSN student can substitute twelve credits of graduate-level nursing coursework for twelve credits of upper-level undergraduate nursing coursework. After earning the 128 credits he needs for the BSN degree, he can complete a transition class and enroll in the graduate-level coursework for his chosen area of specialization.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is open to nurses who have already completed an MSN degree. In addition to their MSN coursework, students in the DNP program must earn thirty-six credits. This can take two years (including one summer) on a full-time basis, or three years (including two summers) on a part-time basis. Students can complete the majority of the coursework online, traveling to campus several times over the course of the program for intense, three-day sessions. Students in the DNP program can either focus on leadership in an advanced practice field or on leadership in a management role. While the same courses are required regardless of the chosen area of concentration, students must complete a capstone project in their area of concentration.
Certificate Programs
The University of Southern Indiana emphasizes continuing education for nurses. In order to promote this, it offers a wide variety of online certificate programs. These programs take six to eight weeks to complete, and are typically offered twice a year. The university offers certificate programs in the following areas:
Alzheimer’s Disease Management
Anticoagulation Patient Self Testing Educator
Anticoagulation Therapy Management
Case Management
Clinical Simulation
Diabetes Management
Health Promotion and Worksite Wellness
Heart Failure
Hypertension Management
Lipid Management
Oncology Management
Pain Management
Parish Nursing
Stroke Management
Telehealth for Home Health
Wound Management
Contact:
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Boulevard
Evansville, IN 47712
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