If you’re already a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and want to take the next step to become a Registered Nurse (RN), then Ball State has the perfect pathway for you.
Our LPN to BS track allows you to apply your existing experience toward completing your bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Whether your plans include expanding your nursing role in a hospital or other medical setting, or moving on to pursue graduate-level work, this program is an excellent precursor.
What You Will Learn
Nationally Ranked
Our program is recognized by the National League for Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
Ball State School of Nursing prepares you for the nursing profession by providing a blend of intense lecture material with practical clinical experience. You will work with high-fidelity simulators that create a real-life experience in our million-dollar campus labs.
In addition, students apply their nursing skills in various clinical sites throughout east-central Indiana, including:
- hospitals
- long-term care facilities
- clinics
- provider's offices
- home health care facilities
What It’s Like to Major in Nursing at Ball State
Our nursing lab has top-notch simulation, resources, and support for nursing students. Faculty members provide student learning experiences that enhance critical thinking skills and preparation for real-world application of simulated scenarios.
See the Lab
Members of our faculty are experienced in the nursing field, and many are currently active in their specific areas of nursing. They are student-focused and have high expectations for student success across each of Ball State’s baccalaureate nursing programs.
Read Their Bios
Our nursing program offers general medical-surgical nursing courses, which are rigorous and prepare students for practice in multiple areas.
We also offer specialty classes, such as psychiatric, pediatric, community health, and childbearing nursing that allow students to be exposed to various types of nursing, as well as prepare them for care of clients throughout the lifespan.
In our leadership and management course during the last semester, students have an opportunity to work directly with a nurse in various areas of practice. Our critical care course is also unique to our program, and it brings all concepts from the foundational medical-surgical courses together.
Because Ball State enjoys strong relationships with clinical agencies across east-central Indiana, we are able to provide our students with hands-on learning experiences in a wide variety of clinical environments. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience in environments from hospitals to private practice and long-term care facilities.
Explore Activities & Opportunities
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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing at Ball State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Credits
Total: 120
Courses
A few of the classes you will take include:
- Introduction to Nursing
- Health Applications
- Physical and Mental Health
- Pediatrics
- Childbearing
For a complete list of all the courses you will take and their descriptions, please see our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Summer Transition Semester
The summer semester that begins the LPN transition track is designed to allow you to acquire and demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ll be expected to have mastered by the end of your sophomore year in the traditional four-year baccalaureate program. The semester also allows you to get acclimated to Ball State, the School of Nursing, and the nursing curriculum. Upon successful completion of the semester, you will be ready to progress into the junior-year level of the nursing sequence.
Progress through the Program
The associate director of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program will work with you on an individual basis to develop a plan of study, including outlining the prerequisites you need and assisting you in determining the best way to progress through the nursing sequence and complete university Core Curriculum requirements.
The LPN transition track allows you to use previously earned science and general studies credits for the baccalaureate program. Other required courses and some elective credit hours can be transferred from other institutions. Ball State Core Curriculum courses (general studies courses) may be taken on campus or as independent learning courses (by correspondence) through the School of Extended Education.
What Can You Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
A bachelor’s degree in nursing prepares you to advance your career as a nurse, or to go on to graduate studies in nursing. This degree will prepare you to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, extended care facilities, clinics, homes, and community health agencies. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for National Council Licensure Examination for RN licensure (NCLEX-RN®).
You may pursue a career or further education as a/an:
- Registered Nurse
- Nurse Practitioner
- Postsecondary Nursing Instructor
- Nurse Anesthetist
Paying for Your Education
On top of the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards every year to its own students to recognize them for their achievements. Learn more.
Apply to Ball State
Admission to Ball State is selective, and we carefully evaluate all applications on an individual basis. Applying is easy. Use our convenient, comprehensive, and secure online application.
Apply Now
Want to Learn More?
The best way to get a true feel for Ball State is to spend some time here, so we encourage you and your family to schedule a campus visit. Take a tour, attend an information session, meet with a professor in our area, and ask plenty of questions. Or if you’d rather speak to someone directly by phone or email, please feel free to contact us.