Online Nursing: Accelerated Second Degree (BSN)

Program Availability

Indiana residency is not required. However, it is strongly recommended to facilitate visits to campus and outlying clinical sites. All clinicals must be completed in Indiana.

Why Earn the Online Nursing Accelerated Second Degree at Indiana State?

Indiana State’s accelerated program is a fast and convenient path for career changers to pursue their passion for nursing and enter this high-demand field as a registered nurse (RN).

Benefit from a Program Designed for Adult Learners

The Accelerated Second Degree Hybrid/Online Program is a track of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) offered by Indiana State University’s School of Nursing. It is designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a non-nursing field.

The program is a combination of online coursework and hands-on, in-state, and on-campus clinical experiences, allowing you to balance your education with other life responsibilities. Most of the theory and didactic components are delivered asynchronously in an online format. Clinical training is comprised of online simulation, on-campus skills training, and clinical practicum in community settings.

This full-time program is completed in 15 months (consecutive summer, fall, spring, and summer semesters).

Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

As a student in Indiana State’s Nursing program, you will benefit from faculty dedicated to providing quality, hands-on learning opportunities through innovative course design, clinical experiences, and service-learning projects. Faculty research and specialties encompass areas such as medical-surgical nursing, infection control, acute care, emergency nursing, and patient outcomes and safety.

Benefit from Learning Resources and Opportunities

The School of Nursing’s Learning Resources Center (LRC) provides a realistic clinical environment where judgment, critical thinking, decision-making, delegation, and teamwork skills are strengthened. You will work with lifelike human anatomy models to learn various procedural skills, including airway management, intravenous line (IV) procedures, nasogastric (NG) tube placement, and lumbar punctures.
You will have opportunities to develop leadership skills by participating in a variety of organizations, including the Indiana State University Student Nurses Association; Lambda Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing, and other University organizations.

What You’ll Learn in the Online Nursing Program

The Accelerated Second Degree Nursing program includes courses in nursing theory, leadership, research, pharmacology, health assessment, and patient care, as well as clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings.

View the full curriculum.

Admission Requirements

You must first be admitted to the University before you are eligible to apply to the nursing major. Admission to the University as a nursing student does not constitute admission into the nursing major. Students complete prerequisite courses as pre-nursing students before applying to the nursing major.

Admission is competitive. For more information, view the admission requirements and criteria.

Career Possibilities for Nursing Graduates

Indiana State’s Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Program is recognized as the basic preparation for professional nursing practice. Our graduates are prepared as generalists and, after passing the NCLEX-RN, assume beginning leadership roles.

There are many and varied employment opportunities for registered nurses who have a baccalaureate degree. In hospitals and other healthcare settings, baccalaureate nurses practice in ways that utilize their educational preparation and nursing competencies.

Baccalaureate nurses have complex nursing care responsibilities in providing patient care. They supervise other personnel who provide care. They also collaborate with other healthcare professionals in developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive healthcare plans for patients of all ages.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of registered nurses to grow 6% from 2021-2031, with demand increasing across most types of healthcare settings, including hospitals and outpatient centers.