School of Nursing
Mission Statement
The Purdue Global School of Nursing mission is to prepare and develop a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate nursing students to launch, enhance, and change health care careers that contribute to the art and science of nursing. Our faculty are practitioners and scholars who provide a state-of-the-art education within an innovative and accessible learning environment. Our programs build student knowledge and confidence to transform health care. Graduates are prepared to effectively address health care priorities in local, national, and global settings with enriched professional attributes in evidence-based practice and scholarship, critical thinking, leadership, interprofessional communication, and lifelong learning.
General Policies
Upon acceptance to a nursing program, you will receive the School of Nursing Handbook. This handbook outlines policies and procedures specific to the nursing programs, in addition to the below.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to Purdue Global's general requirements, you must complete a criminal background check, as required by applicable federal and/or state regulatory agencies. See the Criminal Background Check Policy below for more information.
Refer to the program-specific policy pages for additional admissions requirements.
Criminal Background Check Policy
If you are a prospective or new student enrolled in an associate's or bachelor's degree program in the School of Nursing, you must submit a request for a criminal background check to the Purdue Global-approved vendor prior to the first day of your first term. No funding will be processed until an approved background check is on file. If your background check is not approved by the end of the third week of your first term, your enrollment will be cancelled.
Additional criminal background check information may be required based on your state and/or clinical setting's requirements. The state of Iowa requires that criminal background checks include information from the Iowa Department of Human Services relating to child abuse and dependent adult abuse. If you reside in Iowa, you must authorize the University to obtain this information.
Clinical Experiences
In particular phases of study, some courses include a clinical experience that is to be completed without compensation.
Although you are supervised by professionals at your clinical site, you must continue to participate in the online course activities and complete all assignments.
You must meet the following eligibility requirements prior to starting a clinical:
- You may not have an incomplete grade ("I") for any major course.
- You must have a 2.0 GPA for any prior practicum or clinical experiences.
During clinical training, you are expected to perform in an ethical, safe, and professional manner and to assist in all matters appropriate to the scope of practice. Failure to do so may result in course failure and dismissal from the program.
All clinical sites are carefully selected based on an evaluation of site personnel, facilities, geographic location, availability, and type of learning experience provided.
The University maintains affiliation agreements with a variety of facilities. Some facilities may have special requirements that must be met. If you have a particular interest in a facility with which the University is not affiliated, you may bring this to the attention of the Clinical Coordinator so the site may be evaluated.
If you are absent from clinical training, you must inform both the site and the clinical instructor. You must comply will all attendance expectations while completing a clinical experience.
Clinical sites may require a criminal background check or medical examination.
Refer to the Progression Requirements section of the program-specific policy pages for additional requirements.
Progression Requirements
The University may require you to submit to a drug/chemical substance test at any time during the course of the program if there is evidence of impaired behavior that may pose a risk to patients, other students, or the education program. The requirement to submit to a drug/chemical substance test is based on an assessment of behavior that reflects possible drug use and/or impairment. You must provide a valid, verifiable, current prescription and evidence of appropriate medical supervision for medications that may affect your academic or clinical performance during the nursing program. If you refuse the test, the University will assume you are using drugs/alcohol, which is considered a conduct violation.
State laws may permit the use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational use; however, federal laws prohibit the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana at educational institutions that are recipients of federal funds. You will be required to undergo drug testing according to the Purdue Global School of Nursing Drug Screening Policy. Any student testing positive for marijuana or derivatives will not be allowed continued enrollment in the nursing program.
Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams
Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or nongovernmental certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.
Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. If certain licensed occupations, vocations, or professions are not explicitly listed, Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements of those occupations, vocations, or professions. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.
You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, meeting other certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.
Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures, increase your knowledge and competence, and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice. The program emphasizes professional growth and continuous learning, and features a capstone course and a professional development plan that includes career planning.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing—RN-to-BSN
If you are a registered nurse, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing—RN-to-BSN program could provide you with the education to enhance your skills, better meet the complex demands of health care, and pursue employment in numerous nursing and management specialties. Additionally, the program is designed as a foundation to help you pursue graduate nursing studies.
Associate of Science in Nursing (Iowa and Nebraska)
The Associate of Science in Nursing program is a prelicensure nursing education program. The program offers a dynamic curriculum designed to organize and integrate content, skills, and procedures, increase your knowledge and competence, and provide the foundation for progressively higher levels of nursing practice.