Indiana University came in seventh on a list of the top 50 online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) programs in the U.S. The 2015 rankings were compiled by College Choice, an independent college search and rankings website.

IU East School of Nursing Dean Karen Clark said, “The Institute of Medicine has determined that 80 percent of the nursing workforce should be prepared at the baccalaureate (BSN) level or higher in order to best meet patient needs in our ever-changing healthcare environment. Indiana University is playing a key role in helping the state of Indiana reach this goal by offering a collaborative online program. Perhaps the most important part is that nurses can earn a quality education where they work and live. College Choice’s ranking is a wonderful endorsement of our program, especially since it verifies what we hear from our students and their employers.”

The IU East School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a RN to BSN Mobility option is offered to students at IU East’s Richmond campus and off-campus sites in New Castle, Madison and Lawrenceburg, and Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. IU East also offers a Master of Science in Nursing with three track options in family nurse practitioner, nursing education and nursing administration.

IU East joined the nursing consortium in September 2010 to provide an online option for registered nurses who are interested in earning a bachelor’s degree.

According to College Choice, the rankings were based upon a variety of factors, including faculty, technology, student support, accreditation and cost, as well as the national and regional reputations of each school.

“Our aim is to offer students a ranking of the top online nursing programs they can trust to deliver excellent quality, flexibility, affordability, and results,” said Sara Garbers, a website editor.

Available on eight campuses across Indiana where the school has nursing programs, the RN to BSN degree completion program offers a flexible choice for professional nurses who want to complete their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work. Many employers are taking advantage of the program to ensure that they will be able to meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation for their nursing staff.

“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,” said Janet Phillips, PhD, RN, director for the RN to BSN Degree Completion Program. “The graduate of the BSN program possesses a broad knowledge of nursing, the humanities, the biological and social sciences. The graduate applies well-developed problem-solving skills in caring for individuals, families, communities and populations.”

Classes are all online with options to graduate in 12, 18 or 24 months, after general education requirements are completed. Nursing courses are delivered in condensed eight-week learning modules, designed to allow students to continue working while taking classes. Students do not have to travel to campus for class.

The program builds on courses that students have already completed, so that previous general education may be counted towards credit.

For more information on the RN to BSN degree completion program, please visit iu-rnbsn.iu.edu.