The Indiana University East School of Nursing RN to BSN program will be offered in New Castle at the Danielson Center for the start of fall classes August 29.

IU East currently offers the RN to BSN program in Richmond, Lawrenceburg, Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, and online.

School of Nursing Dean Karen Clark said many students in the program will be current employees of health facilities, fully licensed, but seeking to upgrade skills and knowledge, and realize the benefits that a baccalaureate degree confers.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the United States projects a national nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. The shortage will be compounded with the fact that nursing colleges and universities across the country are struggling to expand enrollment levels to meet the rising demand for nursing care, according to the AACN.

“With the increased nursing shortage and ever-changing complexity of the health care system, clients and health care facilities need nurses with increasing levels of skill and knowledge which in turn will positively impact the health of the citizens in the region,” Clark said. “The need for education and experience outside the hospital environment is also imperative.”

Individuals who would like to learn more about the RN to BSN program are encouraged to attend an information session hosted by the School of Nursing and Henry County Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 15.

There will be two sessions. The first is for employees at the Henry County Memorial Hospital who are interested in receiving information about the program or to apply. Hospital employees will have the opportunity to talk with nursing staff. The sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4:30-5:45 p.m. outside of the hospital’s cafeteria.

Anyone interested in applying to the program may attend an information session at the Danielson Center at 2 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. in room 110. There will be a group informational session as well as the opportunity for individuals to speak directly with nursing staff. Students may apply to the program during the event.

The deadline to apply to the School of Nursing program is August 1, 2011.

The baccalaureate program offers a creative curriculum for the education of professional nurses competent in meeting the current and future health needs of society. The curriculum prepares graduates to function as practitioners in acute and long-term care, community settings, home care, and other nontraditional settings, and also provides a foundation for leadership positions and graduate study.

Nursing classes meet once a week over the course of four semesters and one summer. Students enrolled in the RN to BSN program are admitted to a cohort and will complete the nursing courses in sequence.

Students must complete three clinical courses in management, community health, and a capstone course which may be done in their community areas of interest as well as two transition courses. RN to BSN students receive credit for previous nursing coursework at no cost.

The IU East School of Nursing program is accredited by the Indiana State Board of Nursing and the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission.

For more information about the RN to BSN program, contact the School of Nursing at (765) 973-8213 or go online to iue.edu/nursing. For information on applying to the School of Nursing, contact Chad Beanblossom, advisor, at (765) 973-8353 or email chadbean@iue.edu.