If you have some practical nursing (PN, LPN) experience, becoming a registered nurse (RN) may make sense to you.
Learn how to become a registered nurse in Indiana in about two to four years.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Registered Nurse in Indiana
The Indiana Board of Nursing sets the testing protocol for RNs.
Everyone who wants to become a registered nurse must pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which also requires approval by a nursing regulating body.
You can learn more about the NCLEX exam at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.
In addition, you can look up information about the licensing requirements for becoming an RN in the State Board Administrative Code documentation.
Verify that you have received the most current guidelines though.
5 Registered Nurse Schools in Indiana
1. Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech provides an Associate of Science in Nursing degree program.
It takes two years or less to finish.
Your coursework here prepares you for your NCLEX exam and equips you with knowledge and skills for enrollment in a pre-nursing program.
You can start your RN education here and transfer to a four-year university.
2. Purdue University
You may want to contact the school directly to find out what their undergraduate offerings are.
As of September 2022, the Nurse Journal website still has information about Purdue’s Post-Master’s Certificate Programs, which is also found on the college’s website.
Some options for you to enter if you already have nursing experience include adult Gerontology, Primary Care Family, or Pediatric nursing.
These programs are open to you if you have a Master of Science in Nursing from an Indiana Board-Approved institution.
3. Ball State University
You can start out by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Then, you could earn a Master’s or Post-Masters Nursing degree if you want.
If you currently work as an LPN, you can transition from becoming a practical nurse to becoming an RN at Ball State.
Program durations vary according to your current training level.
However, most programs take two to four years or less to complete.
4. University of Southern Indiana
The University of Southern Indiana meets you at your current experience level by offering several options for you.
You can become an RN while working toward your nursing bachelor’s degree, for instance.
After you earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you will have a better understanding of global health issues, medical technology, and more.
Then, you can enroll in master’s or post-master’s degree classes.
You can even earn a doctorate at this school, which could place you in leadership and educational roles.
5. Indiana University (IU)
IU has a School of Nursing that guides you through every level of training you need.
You can start out earning an RN certificate and work your way up to a Ph.D. starting with your IU education.
You will have access to real-world experience in modern medical centers and will also spend time in simulations.
Registered Nurse Schools in Indiana – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Indiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | 50 Walnut St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 |
| Purdue University | 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907 |
| Ball State University | 2000 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47306 |
| University of Southern Indiana | 8600 University Blvd, Evansville, IN 47712 |
| Indiana University | 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405 |
Salary
An entry-level RN in Indiana makes an average yearly income of $64,689 in 2022.
Depending on your work location, your annual salary could range from $58,029 to $73,951.
It’s possible to increase your earnings to $82,383 or more with additional training and experience.
You probably can start your job search near you or check out postings in Bloomington, Carmel, or Evansville.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in Indiana
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $64,620 |
| Fort Wayne | $61,950 |
| Evansville | $62,770 |
| South Bend | $62,620 |
| Gary | $66,850 |
| Hammond | $66,850 |
| Bloomington | $61,170 |
| Muncie | $61,260 |
| Anderson | $61,490 |
| Terre Haute | $60,970 |
Regional Salary in Indiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IN | 1,360 | $80,620 | $38.76 | $99,670 | $63,850 |
| Columbus, IN | 640 | $73,780 | $35.47 | $94,750 | $57,720 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 1,590 | $87,830 | $42.23 | $131,210 | $61,980 |
| Evansville, IN-KY | 4,650 | $80,100 | $38.51 | $99,700 | $57,190 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 6,630 | $79,430 | $38.19 | $102,380 | $61,790 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN | 26,510 | $85,580 | $41.14 | $103,710 | $62,930 |
| Kokomo, IN | 700 | $80,220 | $38.57 | $104,570 | $62,930 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | 1,810 | $77,860 | $37.43 | $96,550 | $59,670 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | 820 | $78,310 | $37.65 | $98,470 | $59,000 |
| Muncie, IN | 1,190 | $77,840 | $37.42 | $96,750 | $60,700 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 3,480 | $93,390 | $44.9 | $131,340 | $63,900 |
| Terre Haute, IN | 1,460 | $73,080 | $35.14 | $84,920 | $58,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an RN have to attend school?
It depends on how many years of experience you already have.
You may have a chance to join an accelerated training program that takes 18 months to two years.
Where do Indiana RNs work?
Many Indiana RNs work in hospitals.
However, some of them also find employment in public clinics or private practices.
Some blood donation centers might have one, or you might see them working at non-profit centers, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, and schools.
RNs also play a huge role in overseeing ambulance departments.
What does an RN do all day in Indiana?
RNs typically coordinate most of the care required by a patient, with final approval set by the physician on duty.
They also supervise LPNs, CNAs (certified nursing assistants), vocational nurses, and more.
In addition, RNs will communicate with and observe patients, and they interact with their staff, who provide updates on a patient’s condition, progress, last medication is taken, etc.
In smaller medical facilities, RNs might also take on administrative tasks that a medical assistant normally would do, such as making calls or scheduling appointments, and retrieving patient data.
How much does Indiana RN licensing cost?
The license application fee will cost you $50 as reported in 2022.
You can view and download the PDF application for more information.
That doesn’t count the cost of exam application and certification fees.
Do you need a degree to become an RN in Indiana?
Yes, you have to at least earn an associate’s degree to become an RN.
This usually takes about two years to complete.
Another option is to earn a four-year degree if you’ve never been a nurse before and gain LPN experience while continuing your education to become an RN.
