University of Indianapolis Nursing School Review
When it was established in 1902, the University of Indianapolis was named Indiana Central College. In 1975, it officially changed its name to the University of Indianapolis (UIndy). While many of its students are from Indiana, it attracts students from all over the United States and from foreign countries as well. In particular, the University of Indianapolis’s comprehensive nursing program is an attraction for prospective students.
The university offers nursing programs at the associate-degree level, the bachelor’s-degree level, and the graduate level; its programs hold accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Associate of Science in Nursing
A student who wishes to complete the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program must first apply to the University of Indianapolis. Once enrolled, he must complete classes in math, English, anatomy, and physiology before applying to the competitive ASN program. The nursing courses begin once a year, in the fall, and a student must commit to taking classes during the day. In total, a student in the ASN program must earn sixty-six credits in order to graduate; this takes two years. A graduate of the ASN program is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). If he passes the exam (and the University of Indianapolis boasts that it has a 100-percent pass rate for its ASN students), he will be called a Registered Nurse (RN).
Associate of Science in Nursing – LPN to ASN
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can enter the ASN program with advanced standing, thanks to her previous nursing coursework. By completing a test, she can place out of the first nursing course (worth seven credits) as well as pharmacology (worth three credits). She must complete the remainder of the ASN program along the traditional track.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares students for careers as RNs as well as for further, specialized graduate nursing studies in the future. The program consists of a strong liberal arts core (thirty-nine credits) in addition to nursing support classes (thirty credits) and nursing classes (fifty-five credits). A student in the BSN program will spend his first year taking liberal arts classes and nursing support classes, transitioning into nursing classes and clinical rotations in his sophomore year. A student can begin the nursing courses in either the fall or the spring. In total, the BSN program requires 124 credits. Typically, a student needs four academic years to complete the requirements. A BSN student is prepared to take the NCLEX-RN after graduating.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN
The University of Indianapolis’s RN to BSN program (also called the ASN to BSN program) allows working RNs who hold an associate degree to earn a full BSN degree. The program requires thirty credits of nursing courses; an RN can complete these credits in twelve months. The classes are offered in the evenings, and some classes are available partly or completely online. In addition to the nursing courses, an RN may need to complete additional general education classes that are required by the university. If these classes are necessary, the RN can take these in an accelerated format through the university’s School for Adult Learning.
Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP)
The twenty-seven-month-long Accelerated Masters Program allows a student who already holds a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing to complete both an undergraduate and a graduate nursing degree. Before starting the program, a prospective student must complete prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, organic chemistry, psychology, statistics, nutrition, pharmacology, and nursing research. With these courses completed, she can start the fifteen-month undergraduate course sequence. This begins in the summer only. At the conclusion of the fifteen months, she can take the NCLEX-RN. She then transitions directly into twelve months of graduate study, leading to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialization in Nursing and Health Systems Leadership. Most of the graduate nursing courses are offered online.
Master of Science in Nursing
The University of Indianapolis’s MSN program is extremely flexible, in order to accommodate the work schedules of enrolled RNs. The program can be completed on either a full-time or a part-time basis; many of the classes are offered online. Students may begin in the fall, spring, or summer. The University of Indianapolis offers seven different tracks within its MSN program.
Family Nurse Practitioner
In order to earn advanced practice certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), a student must earn forty-seven credits and complete 563 clinical hours. He will then be able to provide primary care to patients of all ages.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) track of the MSN program prepares a nurse to provide primary care to older adults. This track requires forty-six credits and 510 clinical hours.
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
In order to complete the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) track of the MSN program, a student must earn forty-eight credits and complete 630 clinical hours.
Nurse-Midwifery
The Nurse-Midwifery track of the MSN program has an intense clinical component. Students must complete 1035 hours of clinical practice, as well as fifty-five credits. The Nurse-Midwifery program has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
Nursing Education
A nurse who wishes to train future nurses can complete the Nursing Education track of the MSN program. This requires thirty-eight credits, and includes 240 clinical hours.
Nursing and Health Systems Leadership
In order to take a leadership role in nursing administration, a nurse may complete the Nursing and Health Systems Leadership track of the MSN program. This track requires thirty-nine credits and 360 clinical hours.
MSN/MSB Dual Degree
In cooperation with the School of Business, the School of Nursing offers a dual degree MSN/Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Students in this program simultaneously complete business and nursing classes, earning a total of fifty-nine credits. The MSN/MSB degree requires 360 hours of clinical practice.
Post-master’s Certificate Programs
While the MSN curriculum is designed for RNs who hold a baccalaureate degree, a nurse who has already earned an MSN degree is also welcome to enroll. An MSN-prepared nurse does not need to complete any core graduate nursing classes; she can simply take classes and complete clinical rotations in her chosen area of specialization (FNP, GNP, WHNP, Nurse-Midwifery, Nursing Education, Nursing and Health Systems Leadership, MSN/MBA Dual Degree).
Nurse Management Certificate
The Nurse Management Certificate program is open to RNs who have a BSN degree. It includes three classes (ten credits). These classes are offered online. Should the RN choose to earn a full MSN degree, specializing in Nursing and Health Systems Leadership, these ten credits will be applied toward the degree.
Clinical Educator Certificate
A BSN-prepared nurse can complete the Clinical Educator Certificate program in twelve months, taking one class per semester. Each class is worth three credits; the program requires three classes in total. If the nurse decides to complete the MSN program, specializing in nursing education, these nine credits will be applied toward the degree.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Certificate
The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Certificate program is open to nurses with a BSN degree. It consists of a four-credit class and a one-credit practicum. The class is not available online; students must travel to campus to take it.
Faith Community Nursing Primary Health Ministry Course
Drawing on its affiliation with the United Methodist Church, the University of Indianapolis offers a Faith Community Nursing Primary Health Ministry Course. Through this course, practicing nurses will focus on the spiritual dimension of nursing. They will learn to integrate spiritual health and physical health, focusing on each patient as a complete person. After completing the Faith Community Nursing Primary Health Ministry Course, a nurse will be prepared to provide nursing assessments within the context of his faith community.
Contact:
University of Indianapolis
1400 East Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46227
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