Nursing

Admission to the IU South Bend School of Nursing M.S.N. Family Nurse Practitioner Program is selective, requiring faculty approval. Admission is based upon the applicant qualifications as evidenced by previous academic performance, statement of professional aspirations, and references. A personal interview may be requested. The following criteria must be met for unconditional admission:

• Minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited program or GRE within the past two years with results to the graduate council by April 1 for a GPA less than a 3.0.
• Two years of full-time relevant clinical practice as an RN or equivalent in the past five years.
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary coursework.
• Copy of current Indiana Registered Nurse (R.N.) license :: A copy of the current Indiana license must be submitted at the time of application. Current unencumbered licensure as a R.N. in Indiana is requisite. Applicant must also complete a form attesting there is no action pending or have been taken against their licensure in Indiana or any other state they currently hold or have held a license to practice nursing or health care. International applicants not yet licensed in the United States will need to submit evidence of passing the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination before applying for an R.N. license in Indiana.
• 300-level course in statistics; 500-level course for 2016 admission :: Grade to be documented by transcript or current enrollment at IU South Bend. Applicants must attain a grade of B- or higher in a 3 credit hour, 300-level (or higher) class, taken within the last five years of the date of application. Applicants may request review of courses below the 300-level for acceptability. Such a request must be accompanied by course syllabi, not a course description. In 2016, the statistics requirement will be a 500-level or higher statistics course with a grade of B- or higher.
• Essay (goal statement) :: A 250-word essay following the guidelines stated in the online admission form.
• Interview :: Qualified applicants may be invited by the Graduate Faculty Council to engage in a professional interview.
• Computer skills :: Verification of ability to use computer technologies including accessing, retrieving, receiving, and communicating information.
• Evidence of proficiency in English as a foreign language :: Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Web-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which has a speaking portion. The applicant\xc2\x92s score must meet the requirements of the IU South Bend Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Statement of essential abilities :: Applicants must attest that they meet the requisites of the essential abilities policy of the School of Nursing. The policy states that students must demonstrate the designated technical standards or essential abilities in a variety of areas (judgment, neurological function, emotional coping skills, intellectual/ conceptual skills, and other behavioral attributes) as well as meet all program progression criteria.
• References :: Applicants need three professional references. Persons providing references must submit them via the online reference form.
• Criminal background check :: Applicants must provide verification and results of a federal criminal background check within the past 12 months. IU South Bend School of Nursing has specific requirements for the criminal background check. Applicants are encouraged to review the procedure and specific requirements with the graduate program director prior to completion of application materials.
• GRE :: The Graduate Record Examination is not required; but may be taken as supplemental required admission materials if applicant does not have a 3.0 undergraduate AGPA.

Provisional admission may be granted to applicants not meeting all admission criteria in some selective situations. Provisional admission is granted upon recommendation and endorsement of the IU South Bend Graduate Faculty Council. Students admitted with provisional admission status will be placed on academic probation and must meet the stated terms of their probationary status to progress in the program.

Admission is valid only for the enrollment period designated in the admission letter. Deferred admission may be granted upon written request of the applicant; deferred admission may be subject to changes in admission policies or requirements of the later enrollment period. Reapplication is required if a written request for deferred admission is not made at the time of initial application.