Iowa State University Launches RN-to-BSN Program

Iowa State University is in the process of enrolling its first-ever class of registered nurses seeking to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. The university is hopeful that the program will improve health care outcomes across the state.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has released a Future of Nursing Report which set a goal of having 80 percent of working nurses in the US earn their bachelor’s degrees by 2020. Less than half of Iowa nurses currently hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, but Iowa State University is hoping to increase that number.

Iowa State’s RN-BSN program will be housed in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and administered by the College of Human Sciences. 25 students are expected to join the inaugural class, but class sizes are eventually expected to grow to 50. The program will include classroom time, online courses, and practicum work in community settings. It is a program designed for working RNs and recent college graduates with an associates degree and licensure.

Program director Dr. Virginia Wangerin, clinical assistant professor and director of nursing education, tellsDesMoinesRegister.com, “We created a unique nursing program with a holistic approach to wellness… Nurses touch every patient in the health care system no matter where they are. If the nurse has a higher level of education and is prepared to see subtle early signs of complications and changes in condition, they can intervene sooner.”

To learn more about Iowa State University’s new RN-to-BSN program set to launch this coming fall, visit here.