Illinois State University - Nursing Programs

Illinois State University (ISU) was founded in 1857, making it the oldest public university in Illinois. The main campus is in the twin cities of Bloomington and Normal in the middle of the state. The university was founded as a training school for teachers, which is still a major focus of the university. The various graduate and undergraduate programs are offered through six colleges that are part of the ISU system, including the Mennonite College of Nursing. The university is also home to one of the largest libraries in the state. The Milner Library houses over 1.5 million volumes.

ISU nursing programs are offered through the Mennonite College of Nursing, which was founded in 1919. The college offers accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, and traditional BSN programs. They also provide graduate-level programs, including an MSN and PhD program. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE. The traditional BSN program is intended for students who are entering the university as freshmen or transferring from another college without a degree. Registered nurses who are interested in obtaining a BSN can apply for the RN to BSN program, which is offered entirely online with either a full-time or part-time plan of study.

Updated on: 23 Oct, 2025

Program Length & Format

15-month program, summer-to-summer sequence
65 credit hours required for the Accelerated BSN major
Full-time enrollment
On-campus delivery; clinical rotations in-person

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution required prior to summer enrollment
Minimum cumulative GPA 2.50; middle 50% GPA range 3.23–3.67
All prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better prior to program start
Official transcript showing C or better in Human Anatomy & Physiology I OR Microbiology required at time of application
Admission limited and based on space availability and applicant pool competitiveness

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Chemistry (CHE 110/112 or 140)
Statistics (NUR 138, ECO/GPOL/PSY 138, MGT 100 or MAT 150)
Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY 110)
Lifespan Development Psychology (PSY 213)
Microbiology and Society (BSC 160)
Human Physiology and Anatomy I (BSC 181 or KNR 181/183)
Human Physiology and Anatomy II (BSC 182 or KNR 182/184)
Nutrition in the Life Span (FCS 102)
Medical Terminology (HSC 105)
Grade of C or better required in each listed prerequisite

Deadlines

Application opens August 1 (annual)
Applications for Summer 2026 remain open until program capacity is reached
Applicants informed of admission status in December

Application

Official college transcripts for all non-ISU coursework required
Submit a 500-word essay responding to the program values statement (describe relevant personal, work, or volunteer experiences and alignment with values)
Supporting documents must be received by the Office of Admissions for application review
Health and safety compliance required prior to nursing course registration: drug testing, criminal background check, physical examination, immunizations, TB testing, influenza vaccination as applicable

Selection Process

Admission decisions based on space availability and applicant pool competitiveness
Factors considered: college courses completed, credit hours completed, grades in prerequisite courses, cumulative GPA, essay quality, healthcare experience, CNA certification (recommended but not required)
Meeting minimum requirements does not ensure admission
Review and interviews for applicants after the priority deadline at the college’s discretion

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Eight courses include a clinical component across 4–5 semesters within the 15-month sequence
Clinical placements within a 90-minute driving radius of Bloomington-Normal
Typical clinical schedule may include evening and weekend placements on two to three days per week
Students responsible for personal transportation costs to clinical sites
Simulation facilities include Nursing Simulation Lab (room 127B) and use of high-fidelity manikins and virtual reality
Multiple NUR courses have co-requisite clinical or lab sections (a01 sections)

Credit Transfer

Course equivalency resources available for Illinois community colleges and other institutions
Applicants may submit a form requesting review of higher-level or transfer courses that differ from listed prerequisites; reviews conducted by Assistant Dean for Student Services

International Students

Must meet International Applicant Requirements as directed by the Illinois State University Office of Admissions

Contacts

Barbra Oldenburg, office 127B Nursing Simulation Lab, phone (309) 438-2252
Accelerated BSN Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Student Success and Engagement (title listed for program advising)