Indiana Nursing Schools

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Indiana was home to almost 6.6 million people as of 2014. Out of the total population, the Department of Labor Statistics reports approximately 2.8 million Indiana residents were in the workforce earning an annual mean wage of $40,780 in 2013.Population growth and an aging population are expected to lead to ample opportunity for those in a wide array of medical professions. Registered nurses (RN), for example, are expected to see a 17.7 percent increase in employment in Indiana from 2012 to 2022.

Not only can these programs teach the basics of many nursing careers, but they can also introduce prospective students to the science behind of human body, including courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, and nutrition. Nursing schools in IN can also prepare students to take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, the main licensing tests required to earn certification as an RN or licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Online Nursing Degree Programs in Indiana

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) lists 49 Indiana schools where students can pursue a degree in nursing, some of which offer online and hybrid learning programs.

Different nursing professions come with different learning requirements, however, which is why it's important to determine which type of degree you need for your desired profession.

According to the BLS, LPNs and licensed vocational nurses (LVN) typically need to complete an approved education program that leads to a certificate or diploma. These programs usually take one to two years to complete. Meanwhile, many prospective licensed practical nurses choose to pursue an associate degree in nursing as well.

The BLS reports registered nurses need either an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing to find work in the profession and become certified as a registered nurse. Nurses who want to work in advanced professions have also been known to earn Master's degrees in Nursing.

Indiana nursing schools offer programs designed around each of these professions. The following table includes the nursing schools in IN that awarded the most associate degrees in registered nursing during the 2012-2013 school year:

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator, 2012-2013 data

The following table includes the nursing schools in IN that awarded the most Bachelor's degrees in registered nursing during the 2012-2013 school year:

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator, 2012-2013 data

The following table includes the nursing schools in IN that awarded the most master's degrees in registered nursing during the 2012-2013 school year:

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator, 2012-2013 data

Nursing Career Outlook in Indiana

Job prospects for nurses are expected to be excellent in Indiana in the coming decade. As we mentioned above, in-state employment for registered nurses is expected to increase 17.7 percent from 2012 to 2022. Meanwhile, job openings for LPNs and LVNs are expected to increase 22.1 percent during the same timeframe.

Pay for nurses in Indiana remains healthy as well. The BLS reports registered nurses in Indiana earned an annual mean wage of $58,320 in 2013. During the same year, LPNs and LVNs earned an annual mean wage of $40,070.

To pursue a career in nursing in Indiana, there are many different job roles could aim for. The BLS lists the following specialties as some of the most common:

• Addiction nurses care for patients as they recover from addiction to substances like alcohol or drugs
• Rehabilitation nurses provide care to patients as they cope with permanent or temporary disabilities
• Cardiovascular nurses provide specific care to patients with heart disease
• Genetics nurses monitor and test patients with common genetic disorders

Need More Information about Nursing Programs in Indiana?

For further reference, check out this list of four-year public schools that offer bachelor's degrees in this field:

• Ball State University
• Indiana University
• Indiana University- East
• Indiana University- Kokomo
• Indiana University-Northwest
• Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne
• Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
• Indiana University-South Bend
• Indiana University-Southeast
• Purdue University-Calumet Campus
• Purdue University-Main Campus
• Purdue University-North Central Campus
• University of Southern Indiana
• Vincennes University

The educational opportunities for nurses in Indiana are plentiful. To learn more about online and on-campus nursing programs, try contacting your school of choice and requesting more information.

Sources

College Navigator, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=IN&p=51.3901+51.3801

"Indiana, State & County QuickFacts," U.S. Census Bureau, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18000.html

"Indiana," Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2013 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_in.htm#29-0000

IPEDS Data Center, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter/Ranking.aspx?hfSelectedIds=31130|13|1|51.38|7

"Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses," Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-1

"Long Term Occupational Projections," Projections Central, http://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm

"Registered Nurses," Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-1