Paramedic Science to Professional Nursing - B.S.

Healthcare facilities throughout the nation have struggled to meet an extensive workforce crisis. Individuals who may have an interest in entering nursing careers are facing barriers such as daily campus classes and weekly clinicals. Many paramedics desire to advance to the role of a registered nurse, but at the same time, there is tremendous pressure to continue their employment. This online PM-BSN will be an option to reach their career goal.

The track is designed for paramedics who have completed an associate of applied arts, an associate of science degree or hold a paramedic license without additional earned higher education credits.

The program will be an online offering to work with varied work schedules and enable paramedics to remain employed in the field while completing this degree.

While it is an online offering, it is only offered in the State of Indiana unless officially approved by other state boards of nursing.

The track is only offered once a year starting in January.

The goal of this BSN completion program is to expand the student’s competencies in health promotion, leadership, evidence-based practice and nursing discipline-specific knowledge.

The PM-BSN program requires 125 credit hours of coursework and 60 clinical hours.

Two campus visits are required. One during the first week (Saturday and Sunday before classes start) of the program and one during the last semester.

Admission Information

• Applications will be accepted until the cohort is filled
• Must have an earned associate of applied arts or associate of science degree in paramedic studies or hold a current paramedic license.
• Must be an Indiana resident or willing to attend in-person clinicals in Indiana (Illinois residents who hold an Indiana Paramedic license would be eligible for this program.)
• The Nursing Admission, Progression, and Reinstatement Committee will review all previously earned college credit, and students must have earned an overall 2.5 GPA.
• Students need to score a 58% (“proficient”) on the Assessment Technology Inc. (ATI) entrance examination identified as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) within the last two years of the admission deadline. Regardless of the location of the testing site, a student may only attempt this exam twice per admission cycle. If students attempt this exam more than twice, regardless of the location, the Department of Nursing will only look at the first two scores.
• For information on testing dates, please contact the Department of Nursing.
• Must have a current criminal background check within 30 days of application to the program.
• Must have a negative 10-panel Drug Screen within 30 days of application.
• Proof of immunizations including COVID-19 and Flu, CPR/BLS certification, negative TB test, and personal health insurance are also required for admission.
• Virtual simulations equivalent to 36 contact hours are required in Mental Health Nursing, Maternal Infant Nursing, and Child Adolescent Nursing.
• In Medical Surgical Nursing I, II and III there are a total of 36 patient care clinical hours (Three 12-hour shifts) at a local acute care facility in your area as well as virtual simulations.
• The last clinical course will have 60 patient clinical hours.

Application Process:

• Completed online application
• Official transcript of all collegiate work
• A current résumé

Program Learning Outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes for this undergraduate track are congruent with the traditional baccalaureate in nursing degree and align to the College Core (CC) outcomes.

1. Utilize effective communication and collaboration skills through oral, written, and technology media with clients, nursing colleagues, and interprofessional team members (CC2: Communication; CC3: Leadership/Collaboration).
2. Promote holistic health, including spiritual well-being, through the support of wellness and health related activities for self and clients (CC 6: Integration of Knowledge).
3. Guard client safety through critical thinking, data analysis, and risk management strategies (CC1: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving; CC 7: Application of Skills).
4. Provide effective, culturally sensitive, and compassionate nursing care through the use of the nursing process that is supported by current, evidence-based research (CC 4: Technology Adaptiveness; CC 6: Integration of Knowledge; CC 7: Application of Skills).
5. Demonstrate effective leadership and management abilities through the competent coordination of client care across the health care continuum (CC 3: Leadership/Collaboration).
6. Advocate for social justice through the promotion of access, resources, quality health care, and prudent health policies (CC5: Social Responsibility).
7. Exhibit professionalism through upholding the values, ethics, and standards of Nursing (CC 8: Professional/Career Development).