Program Overview

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Introduction to the Purdue University Northwest Online RN-to-BSN Program

The Purdue University Northwest Online RN-to-BSN program is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based nursing education that prepares students for professional practice.

Program Mission and Vision

The mission of the Purdue University Northwest College of Nursing is to transform diverse students into lifelong learners who impact the metropolitan region through inclusive, affordable, and innovative education. The vision is to power intellectual, cultural, and economic healthcare development in northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Conceptual Organization of the Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program is guided by a conceptual framework that emphasizes person-centered care, evidence-based practice, and professional leadership. The framework is based on the following concepts:

• Person: Persons are viewed as developing across the lifespan and are holistic, dynamic, complex, and autonomous.
• Environment: Environment is the arena for lifespan development and provides the conditions for persons to grow, change, and meet their basic human needs.
• Nursing: Central to the practice of professional nursing is respect for the autonomy and dignity of all individuals.
• Health: Health is a subjective state, rooted in experiences, values, and beliefs, and is culturally defined and practiced.

Student Learning Outcomes

The program has the following student learning outcomes:

1. Utilize the nursing process to implement principles of person-centered care.
2. Demonstrate effective communication while collaborating therapeutically and effectively with healthcare system stakeholders.
3. Demonstrate professional leadership in the coordination of healthcare.
4. Implement the principles of evidence-based nursing practice in policy development and the provision of person-centered care.
5. Utilize information technology to coordinate and support decision-making in the provision of person-centered care.
6. Implement critical thinking strategies in the context of health promotion, health maintenance, health restoration, and palliation.
7. Exemplify professional values to include accountability for practice and principles of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice, and ethics.

Curriculum

The curriculum consists of 12 upper-division nursing courses, which are offered in a 5-week accelerated format. The courses are:

• NUR 18200: Conceptual and Theoretical Thinking in Nursing
• NUR 38801: Health Assessment for Nursing Professionals
• NUR 39000: Nursing Research
• NUR 39100: Professional Ethics
• NUR 39401: Health Promotion and Education
• NUR 39700: Nursing Care of the Aged, Disabled, and Chronically Ill
• NUR 41500: Pathophysiology
• NUR 45100: Nursing Informatics
• NUR 45200: Quality and Safety for Professional Nursing Practice
• NUR 48200: Nursing Leadership and Management
• NUR 48300: Community and Public Health Nursing
• NUR 49800: Capstone Course in Nursing

Plan of Study

The plan of study consists of two phases: Phase I and Phase II. Phase I courses must be completed before progressing to Phase II courses. The milestone course, NUR 39000: Nursing Research, must be completed before taking Phase II courses.

Registration and Course Offerings

Students must register for courses through the registration coordinator. Course offerings are available on the Nursing Carousel, which outlines the courses offered each semester.

Tuition and Payment Information

Tuition payments are due on or before the Friday before the start of class. Payments can be made online, in person, or by mail.

Program Completion

The program is completed when all course requirements have been met, including the capstone course. The capstone course is a 5-week course that requires students to design an evidence-based practice project.

College of Nursing Policies

The College of Nursing has established policies for grading, student conduct, and academic integrity. Students are expected to adhere to these policies and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to progress in the program.

Graduation

Degrees are awarded at the end of each semester. Students who complete all degree requirements may participate in commencement ceremonies.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from a course may be eligible for a refund, depending on the withdrawal deadline. Refunds are offered to students who officially withdraw from a course no later than the second day of class.