Ball State University

Nursing Programs Offered

Accelerated BSN Programs
BSN Programs
DNP Programs (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Family Practice Nurse/Nurse Practitioner - Post-master's certificate
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs
RN to MSN Programs

RN to BSN Program Details

If you are already an R.N., this track offers a flexible and practical way to expand your knowledge and prepare for leadership positions in a variety of health care settings. It also provides you with the skills and credentials necessary to pursue graduate study.

The nursing courses in this track are offered completely online, with clinical components you arrange in conjunction with faculty to be with a preceptor in your community. Other course requirements can be satisfied with transfer credit, through online courses, or with courses through Ball State's Independent Learning Program. The length of the program varies depending on the number of transferable courses you have and the manner in which you choose to meet other requirements.

BSN Program Details

The basic baccalaureate nursing program is a traditional four-year, on-campus track that prepares graduates for licensure to work as professional nurses in both structured and unstructured health care settings. It also provides excellent preparation for graduate study. In years past, Ball State nursing graduates have annual pass rates of 94 to 100 percent on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Employers note that new graduates from this program are very well prepared for their profession.

RN to MSN Program Details

The School of Nursing offers two routes to a master's degree: the Online Master's Program and the R.N. to M.S. option. The online master's program has three distinct tracks: leadership (Educator or Administrator) and advanced practice nurse practitioner (adult or family). Depending on which track chosen, students will graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to begin advanced practice as a nurse practitioner or as an educator or administrator. Because we know that our current and potential graduate students lead busy lives, we've designed a program to provide flexibility. The master's program is offered completely online and can be pursued through part-time study. Clinical experiences are arranged right in student's area of study who will provide supervised experience. Students have up to 6 years to complete their master's degree.
The R.N. to M.S. program is a career-enhancing option that is available to registered nurses, who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. It allows students to earn a master's degree in nursing without first having to complete all the requirements of a second bachelor's degree in the field. All courses in the R.N. to M.S. option are offered entirely online, and can be pursued through part-time study. Clinical experiences are arranged right in students' own communities with an outside specialist (preceptor) in a student's area of study who will provide supervised experience.

The online master's program has three distinct tracks: leadership (Educator or Administrator) and advanced nurse practitioner (adult or family). The number of baccalaureate level courses needed to take depends on the degree held and previous experience. Students have up to 6 years to complete their master's degree.

The M.S. admission requirement is a B.S. in nursing. Because students in this option have a degree in another field, they will need to take 16 credit hours of upper division nursing courses at the baccalaureate level. These courses are offered online through our distance R.N. to B.S. Track. The courses will be scheduled as part of students' M.S. program.

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Details

The Ball State University School of Nursing, Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, is a post-master's degree program for nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives. The program is designed for a part time plan of study.

Graduates of the DNP program will be prepared with skills to assume leadership in nursing practice impacting health care outcomes at the clinical and organizational levels. The DNP program is offered completely online. Students will arrange clinical experiences in their own communities with qualified preceptors.

The DNP program is offered completely online. Students will arrange clinical experiences in their own communities with qualified preceptors. Advancements in distance education technology will be employed to enhance communication and learning.

Graduates of the DNP Program will:

Demonstrate advanced nursing practice.
Analyze and translate research and data to support evidence-based practice.
Design, implement, and evaluate health care delivery models.
Utilize information systems/technology to improve health care.
Provide leadership to enhance accessibility and quality of care.
Develop, influence, or implement health care policies.