Nursing (RN to BSN)

Applying to Illinois State

This sequence is for licensed registered nurses who wish to obtain a BSN. Applicants may still be in progress toward completing the Associate Degree in Nursing, nursing prerequisites, and general education courses at the time of application.  Qualified applicants will be admitted on a rolling basis.

Please note, freshman or transfer student applicants interested in the Nursing major should apply to the Traditional BSN.

Application Dates

The College may continue to accept and review applications after the priority filing deadline until target enrollment is met.

General Requirements

• Graduate from a state-approved diploma school of nursing or an associate degree nursing program (ADN).
• Proof of unencumbered RN licensure – Submit a copy of your unencumbered RN license if you are already a licensed RN, as evidence of licensure in your current state of practice. Students completing their ADN program may provide NCLEX test results as evidence of having passed the NCLEX. Once you receive a copy of your RN license you will submit that to the college.
• Have a 2.0 GPA or higher. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Cumulative GPA refers to all courses completed that have generated college credit.

Required Courses

A minimum of 55 credit hours (of which 37 must be IAI General Education) and prerequisite courses.

All IAI GE requirements must be completed with a C or better to receive a BSN:

• IAI C1 900 Writing Composition I - 3 credit hours
• IAI C2 900 Oral Communication (Speech) - 3 credit hours
• IAI C3 901 Writing Composition II - 3 credit hours
• IAI M1 900 Mathematics - 3 credit hours
• IAI P1 900 Physical Science - 4 credit hours
• IAI L1 900 Life Science - 3 credit hours
• IAI Social & Behavioral Science: 3 courses needed from 2 disciplines - 9 credit hours total
• IAI Humanities & Fine Arts: 3 courses total, at least 1 humanities and 1 fine arts - 9 credit hours total

The following prerequisites or equivalents must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to the start of the program:

• Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY 110)
• Lifespan Development Psychology (PSY 213)
• Microbiology and Society (BSC 160)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)
• Human Physiology and Anatomy II (BSC 182 or KNR 182/184)
• Nutrition in the Life Span (FCS 102)

Official transcripts verifying completion of Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)  OR  Microbiology (BSC 160) displaying a grade of C or better must be received by the supporting material deadline of February 1 by the ISU Office of Admissions, Campus Box 2200, Normal, Illinois  61790-2200.

Additional Information

• Prior to enrolling in nursing coursework students must meet health and safety compliance requirements, to include drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations. Students not compliant with health requirements are not permitted to participate in clinical and therefore will not be able to begin the Nursing program.
• International applicants must comply with the International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions. Please apply early in the application time frame to ensure adequate time to review transcripts.

Retention in the Major

RN to BSN students must:

• Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA to remain in the major.
• Obtain a C or better in all nursing courses; dismissal from the major will result when a student receives a grade of less than C in any two nursing courses or twice for the same course.
• Maintain consecutive fall-spring enrollment at the university. Any student who has not been enrolled in ISU coursework for more than one fall or spring semester or who has been academically dismissed from the major must reapply to the major. Readmission will be granted on a selective basis.
• Meet all health and safety compliance requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in dismissal from the major.
• Those students who are dismissed from the major will be changed to "Undeclared" major status.

Global Access to Online Degree Programs

When applying, international students applying to a fully online program must agree to our international online and hybrid programs disclosure and disclaimer statements. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.

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