The Indiana University School of Nursing is working to solve the state’s nursing shortage by expanding enrollment across both undergraduate and graduate levels, welcoming its largest cohort of beginning nursing students ever this year.
Nearly 450 new undergraduate students are starting in the school’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program this fall semester — the largest beginning cohort in the school’s 110-year history.
With the fall 2024 cohort, IU’s nursing school reached its 2025 goal of increasing first-year enrollment by 50% one year ahead of schedule. With a $16 million gift from Indiana University Health, the School of Nursing on the Indianapolis campus recently completed renovations —including increased lab and simulation space, as well as the expansion of classrooms and student spaces — that are in place for the increased enrollment. This supports the mission of the IU 2030 strategic plan, which focuses on service to the state of Indiana and beyond through partnership and collaboration.
“We’re delighted to increase our undergraduate enrollment again this year and welcome the largest cohort of undergraduate students,” said Janet S. Carpenter, interim dean of the IU School of Nursing. “During their time at the IU School of Nursing, these nursing students will become critical thinkers while learning how to engage best practices to care for patients. They also will investigate and implement new and more efficient ways to provide health care in Indiana and throughout our global community.”
The IU School of Nursing is composed of three campus locations in Bloomington, Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. For the second year in a row, the school has enrolled its largest first-year class with 247 newly admitted students in Indianapolis, 120 in Bloomington and 79 in Fort Wayne. More than 1,700 undergraduate nursing students are enrolled for the fall semester across all three campuses.
The school also welcomed its first cohort of direct admit students this year. These 68 students demonstrated a commitment to nursing as their profession as graduating high school seniors. They will have immediate access to the School of Nursing academic advisors and have guaranteed placement in the nursing program beginning their third semester if they maintain eligibility.
“Last year, more than 80% of our graduates reported working full time here in Indiana,” said Rebecca Bartlett Ellis, executive associate dean for academic affairs. “Increasing our undergraduate enrollment directly impacts nursing in Indiana and helps address the nursing shortage both locally and throughout the United States. We are pleased these students have chosen to pursue their nursing education at Indiana University, and we take immense pride in knowing that these future IU nurses will make an impactful difference in the lives of others.”
The IU School of Nursing offers three tracks in the BSN program: traditional, accelerated and RN to BSN Degree Completion. The traditional track is designed for students who do not already hold a college degree, typically high school students. The accelerated track provides a pathway to nursing for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field of study and can be completed in 16 months. The online RN to BSN Degree Completion option is designed for licensed registered nurses who hold a two-year degree and want to earn their BSN.
Media kit: Nursing students inside new simulation lab in Indianapolis
