Nursing, 16-Month Second Degree Bachelor of Science

Note: the program in no longer actively accepting applications

The full-time, four-semester Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows individuals who have at least one bachelor’s degree to pursue a career in nursing. The program emphasizes clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, health promotion and prevention, and quality improvement. Faculty are committed to providing innovative, evidence-based strategies to prepare you to deliver safe, high-quality nursing care to individuals and families with diverse needs. Graduates of the program are prepared to take the national nursing licensure exam (NCLEX) and be licensed as a registered nurse (RN). After receiving the BSN, you can immediately enter professional nursing practice or continue your studies toward an advanced practice nursing specialty or doctoral degree (DNP or PhD).

Program Requirements

How to Apply

Program in no longer actively accepting applications

Applications become available on January 15 and are due by March 1. On the “Apply to Purdue” page, select “Nursing Second Degree Application.” Once you begin the application process, select “Second-Degree Accelerated Nursing” for the upcoming year as your application type. Applications will be reviewed in March and select candidates may be asked to interview in April.

Application Materials

• A bachelor’s degree with a recommended 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university
• Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools
• Two letters of recommendation, one academic and one professional
• Current resume or curriculum vita
• An essay (300-500 words) explaining your reasons for changing careers, why you chose nursing as a major, why you are a good candidate for such a program and how the program will facilitate your career goals
• A score greater than 100 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT

Prerequisites

Applicants must complete prerequisite coursework with a grade of C or better from an accredited college or university prior to starting classes. Courses may be completed the summer prior to starting the program. An academic advisor in the School of Nursing must examine your transcript to determine if courses are acceptable. Credits earned more than 10 years prior to the start of the program are not acceptable for fulfillment of any prerequisite courses and must be retaken or have credit established through an approved competency exam.

The following Purdue courses or their transfer equivalencies are required:

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters, with labs):  BIOL 20300/20400 or BIOL 30100/30200
• General Chemistry (2 semesters, with labs):  CHM 11100/11200 or CHM 11500/11600 or CHM 12901
• Microbiology:  BIOL 22100 or BIOL 43800/43900
• Nutrition:  NUTR 30300 or NUTR 31500
• Research Statistics:  STAT 11300 or STAT 30100 or STAT 50300 or SOC 38200 or PSY 20100
• Lifespan Human Development:  HDFS 21000
• Sociology or Psychology: any PSY or SOC class

Five of the nine prerequisite courses must be complete at the time of application (by March 1) to be considered. Of the remaining four courses, no more than one may be left to the summer prior to starting the program.

View Plan of Study