Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Our Program Background Preparation Clinical Work Experience
Faculty Job Outlook
Become a BSN Registered Nurse. A registered nurse (RN) treats patients, educates patients and the public about various medical conditions and provides advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record medical histories and help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results. As a registered nurse you will operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation. An RN prepared at the BSN level is prepared for leadership, community health, research, and education roles.
Our Program
Your RN to BSN program offers you educational mobility as a registered nurse. We offer you the opportunity to use your prior nursing education and professional experiences to earn advanced leadership roles in your workplace. If you are a registered nurse who has a diploma and a current, valid license, you will receive 36 credit hours towards your BSN.
Your coursework can be spread over six years. You will be able to complete 10 credits a year by taking one three- or four-credit hour course each academic semester (fall, spring and summer). You can take most courses in the late afternoon and evening, and most meet once each week. Your liberal arts and science courses are offered at various times throughout the weekdays and evenings. Online courses are part of the curriculum. A course on caring in a diverse health care environment, applying theory to practice, is included.
Background Preparation
You will need a minimum 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. You will also need a copy of a current, valid license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Iowa or to demonstrate progress toward licensure. If you wish to begin BSN coursework, but have not passed the NCLEX-RN examination, you may take nursing classes for one semester only. You will be granted full admission upon receipt of licensure.
Our BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and has approval of the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Clinical Work Experience
You will experience direct patient contact during your clinical experience (called practicums) at Mercy Medical Center. You will also work at many other leading health care providers in central Iowa to gain hands-on learning throughout your course of study.
Faculty
Our BSN faculty team includes all full-time graduate-prepared faculty. As a student, you will receive an exceptional level of personalized instruction.
Job Outlook
Once you have completed your BSN degree, you will be employable nation wide. Jobs for RNs are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations and many new jobs will result. For more details and statistics about specific roles and job opportunities go to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
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