Nursing Schools and Licensing Requirements in Indiana
| Staff Writers
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In 2013 RNs with bachelor’s degrees became more numerous than RNs with diplomas and associate degrees for the first time in the state. Correspondingly, the number of advanced practice nurses in the state has increased — between 2005 and 2013, the number of APNs went up over 50 percent. The future of nursing is changing in Indiana, as a younger, more educated generation prepares to take over. Read on to get details on salary, school and licensure information, and see if you want to be a part of the transition.
Top 10 Nursing Schools and Licensing Requirements in Indiana
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Methodology
To be considered for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria:
Accredited at the institutional level
Private nonprofit or public school
Minimum of 1 bachelor’s or master’s degree in subject area for 4-year schools
Minimum of 1 associate degree or certificate program in subject area for 2-year schools
Schools were then scored on factors such as:
Cost & Financial Aid
Number and variety of program offerings
Student-teacher ratios
Graduation rates (4-year schools only)
Placement and support services offered
Academic/Career counseling services
Employment services
Loan default rates
These factors were assembled for each school and rated using a peer-based-value (PBV) calculation. PBV compares the cost of a program to the cost of other programs with the same (or similar) qualitative score and cost. PBV denotes the overall value or “bang for your buck” of a college or degree program.
Indiana issues nursing licenses through the Indiana State Board of Nursing, which is a division of the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, nurse midwives and nursing schools all fall under the jurisdiction of the board.
Eligibility Requirements
Complete a state-approved nursing program at the associate level or above
Apply for licensure by examination with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency by completing the application form, paying $50 and providing a recent 2½ x 3½ photo that has the school seal, applicant’s signature and nursing program director’s signature on its lower front
Ask your nursing program’s director to fill out and send the certificate of completion form, which is included in the application packet, to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
Register to take the NCLEX-RN with Pearson VUE and pay $200
After receiving an Authorization to Test (ATT), schedule to take the exam within 90 days
Pass the exam
RNs licensed in another state can apply for an Indiana license by endorsement (meaning they do not need to register for and re-take the NCLEX) by submitting an application for licensure by endorsement and also submitting proof of a current license in another state and doing a criminal background check. Since exact requirements depend on the state of original licensure, applicants should consult the state’s website for more information.
Licensure Renewal in IN
Nursing licenses must be renewed on October 31 of every odd-numbered year. The state sends out renewal notifications via email and regular mail. Applicants can then renew online for $50. Indiana RNs do not need to complete continuing education credits to renew their license unless they have let it lapse for more than three years. It is important to keep in mind, however, that certain Indiana healthcare employers may require RNs to complete CE hours on a regular basis.
Steps for Advanced Practice Nurses in Indiana
The state of Indiana does not have licenses for advanced practice nurses, except for nurse midwives. Nurse midwives must first have a midwifery degree from an accredited program and also be certified by the American College of Nurse Midwives. After they have done so, they submit an application and a copy of their Indiana RN license along with $50 to the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
Nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners who wish to do so can submit an application for prescription authority, which includes a $50 fee. Certified registered nurse anesthetists are not legally allowed to prescribe medications.
Nationally, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of nursing jobs in the United States to increase by 16 percent between 2014 and 2024. An Indiana Center for Nursing report revealed that Indiana will need 18 percent more registered nurses by 2022 to meet state demands. The center proposes that Indiana train more specialty nurses, attract a more diverse population of workers to the field, and distribute nurses efficiently. For salary and employment statistics throughout the state, take a look at the charts below:
Top-Paying Areas for RNs in Indiana
Area
Hourly Median Wage
Annual Median Wage
Gary IN Metropolitan Division
$30.75
$63,960
Michigan City-La Porte
$30.37
$63,170
Indianapolis-Carmel
$29.64
$61,650
Columbus
$28.49
$59,250
Terre Haute
$28.48
$59,230
Anderson
$27.82
$57,870
Bloomington
$27.65
$57,510
Lafayette
$27.65
$57,500
South Bend-Mishawaka IN-MI
$27.58
$57,370
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area
$27.56
$57,320
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Indiana vs. National Numbers
Salary
Year
Annual salary(25th percentile)
Annual salary(median)
Annual salary(75th percentile)
Annual salary(25th percentile)
Annual salary(median)
Annual salary(75th percentile)
Registered Nurse
$47,660
$57,770
$69,660
$0
$54,620
$66,640
$81,080
Certified Nurse Midwife
$47,640
$81,990
$98,880
$0
$82,580
$96,970
$114,090
Nurse Anesthetist
$140,420
$172,460
$0
$0
$132,380
$153,780
$181,860
Nurse Practitioner
$82,230
$90,670
$100,520
$0
$82,720
$95,350
$113,470
Type
Indiana
National
Registered Nurse
59,610
2,687,310
Certified Nurse Midwife
80
5,110
Nurse Anesthetist
360
36,590
Nurse Practitioner
3,410
122,050
2022 occupational outlook 050,000100,00069,7507105203,7407,70043,900
The Black Nurses Association of Indianapolis supports African-American nurses in the capital. It is a chapter of the National Black Nurses Association.
INANA is dedicated to securing better visibility of nurse anesthetists in Indiana and promoting the importance of the profession. It is a state affiliate of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Leaders in the nursing profession are supported through IONE. The organization provides scholarships to aspiring nurse executives and hosts biannual conferences.
The Indiana State Board of Nursing issues licenses to RN and APNs in the state. It is the best source for up-to-date information on fees, education requirements and licensure steps.
The Indiana State Department of Health’s mission is to provide residents of the state with essential public health services, resources, and education. Indiana RNs can find helpful information on health promotion and disease prevention, vaccines, evidence-based best practices, and state data collection and analysis.
The Indiana State Nurses Association is the state affiliate of the American Nurses Association. A highly active advocacy organization, ISNA also runs continuing education courses.
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