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Nursing Department

Nursing Education That Goes Well Beyond the Classroom

At Manchester University, we’re equipping the next generation of nurses with the high-tech training, expert faculty guidance and community-mindedness to best serve at the forefront of health care.

And we’re helping nursing students get there faster with our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program—students with a bachelor’s degree in another field or who have no other degree but have completed at least 60 credit hours can earn their ABSN in just 16 months.

Our traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (TBSN) Program offers students of all backgrounds a well-rounded education in pursuit of a nursing degree.

Manchester is committed to training each nursing student to provide high-level, compassionate care to all populations. All students have a community engagement course where they go out into the community and volunteer at various locations.

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Nursing Accreditation

Accreditation Status: The Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at Manchester University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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For High School Seniors Applying to the Nursing Program

The Florence L. M. Rolland Nursing Scholarship is open to high school seniors who reside in Allen, Dekalb, Noble, Whitley, or Huntington counties and are entering a nursing program. Potential applicants should contact their high school guidance counselors for more information. The scholarship is offered once every four years with the next application being available in Spring 2023.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is open to high school seniors, undergraduate students (all years), community college students transferring to four-year universities, and graduate students. Each year, the HSF selects 10,000 students as Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage. Additional criteria apply.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program covers full-tuition, required fees and book stipend for four years. Applicants must have a high school diploma from an Indiana high school accredited by the State Board of Education or by a national or regional accreditation agency recognized by the Indiana State Board of Education and must be residents of the state of Indiana. Recipients must pursue undergraduate study in a baccalaureate program on a full-time basis and may attend any public or private, Indiana four-year college or university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Selection criteria, selection procedures and application due dates vary by county and 143 scholarships are awarded annually.

The Lola Denise Jefferson Scholarship is a $1,000 award offered by the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA). The scholarship supports a BSN student who is pursuing a nursing degree out of high school. Applicants must be an NBNA member.

The Mae and Mary Legacy Foundation Scholarship Fund is dedicated to the advancement of African Americans in the medical and health care profession. Scholarships and prizes vary annually and are based on academic excellence and financial need. Applicants must be African American graduating high school seniors from anywhere in the U.S. Additional criteria apply.

The McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship is open to high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.8 who are eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study and who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. Additional criteria apply.

The Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship is an annual $1,000 scholarship awarded by Cascade Healthcare Solutions to an aspiring nurse who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program at a college or university, or is a high school student who has been accepted into a school with an undergraduate nursing program.

The Parkview LaGrange Hospital Scholarship is available to LaGrange County residents seeking a degree or licensure in a health-related field. Three high school senior scholarships are available as well as one adult scholarship.

For Current Nursing Program Students

TheA Nurse I Am Scholarship Program sponsored by Cherokee Uniforms is a $2,500 scholarship open to applicants who are currently enrolled in an accredited LVN/LPN, RN (ADN or BSN), diploma, or RN-to-BSN program. Enrollment may be part-time or full-time. Applicants must be currently attending classes that are related to their nursing major. Additional criteria apply.

The AAC Behavioral Health Scholarship provides financial assistance that would enable students to pursue careers in the areas of behavioral health and addiction-related studies. Applicants must be enrolled in an academic program in nursing, counseling, psychology, social work, marriage/family therapy, or other curriculum focusing on treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. One award of $5,000 and two awards of $2,500 are administered. Additional criteria apply.

The AACN Hurst Review Services Nursing Scholarship is offered in partnership with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Two scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded twice yearly. The deadlines each year are January 15 and July 15. Eligible pre-licensure students must be enrolled in a school that is a member of the AACN and pursuing a professional nursing degree.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society helps students move forward in their educational journeys by providing a wide range of programs and scholarship opportunities. Applicants must be an AISES member. Scholarships are available for students who are American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, or Indigenous peoples of Canada. Additional criteria apply.

The American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Foundation offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate male students who are members of AAMN. The number of scholarships and their value, as well as eligibility requirements, vary depending on donations received. Undergraduate and graduate male students currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program who are AAMN members are eligible to apply.

The Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Scholarship Program supports nursing education through scholarship funding to worthy students who are U.S. citizens in an accredited baccalaureate or graduate nursing or anesthesia program. Applicants must be students currently enrolled in an accredited baccalaureate or advanced degree nursing or nurse anesthesia program who are serving or have previously served in any branch, at any rank, of a component of the U.S. Army. Additional criteria apply.

The Asian-American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000. Applicants must have two years of AAPINA membership and active membership for the current year and are currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate nursing program with a GPA of 3.5 of greater. Additional criteria apply.

The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Foundation Scholarship awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a career in perioperative nursing, and to registered nurses who are continuing their education in perioperative nursing by pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

The Best Nursing Degree Honors in Nursing Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship available to any recently accepted or currently enrolled student in a CCNE or ACEN-accredited BSN, MSN or DNP program in any concentration or specialty area of nursing. Both pre-licensure and post-licensure programs are acceptable at any level. Additional criteria apply. 

The Church of the Brethren awards a limited number of scholarships each year to individuals enrolled in a nursing program. Candidates for the scholarships must be enrolled in a LPN, RN, or nursing graduate program and be members of the Church of the Brethren. Scholarships of up to $2,000 for RN and graduate nurse candidates and up to $1,000 for LPN candidates will be awarded to a limited number of applicants each year. Preference is given to new applications and also to individuals who are in their second year of an associate’s degree or third year of a baccalaureate program.

The CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship provides need-based scholarships to qualified African-American/Black or Hispanic-American students for their junior and senior years at a four-year college or university. Applicants must be a second-semester sophomore at the time of application and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 with an interest in pursuing a career in the health care sector. Additional criteria apply.

The Daughters of the American Revolution National Society offers scholarships in varying amounts to medical, nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy students. Applicants must attend or plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States. Awards are based on academic excellence, commitment to the field of study, and/or financial need, or other restrictions on specific scholarships.

The Diane R. Behrens Nursing Scholarship is offered through the Community Foundation of Whitley County. The award is given annually to a Whitley County resident who is a junior or senior nursing student or an associate or diploma degreed RN enrolled in an accredited BSN completion program in a college or university in the U.S. The deadline for applications is April 15.

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FSNA) offers undergraduate scholarships to students currently enrolled in a state-approved nursing program leading to an associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, direct-entry master’s degree, RN to BSN/MSN completion, LPN/LVN to RN, or accelerated programs. The General Scholarship Program awards scholarship funds based on a set of criteria established by the sponsor of the scholarship. These scholarships typically reflect a specific area of specialization within the nursing profession such as oncology, critical care, or emergency nursing or a certain population of the nursing profession that is often under represented. Funding is up to $7,500 per academic year.

The Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarship awards a $5,000 scholarship to a deserving hospital-based cardiac care nurse or nursing student pursuing a career in cardiac care, based on a competitive application process.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is open to high school seniors, undergraduate students (all years), community college students transferring to four-year universities, and graduate students. Each year, the HSF selects 10,000 students as Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage. Additional criteria apply.

The HSRA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HSRA). Awards vary to cover full tuition and related fees, a monthly stipend, and payment for costs such as books, uniforms, and supplies. Acceptance of the award initiates a contract with the federal government to fulfill the service obligation at a Critical Shortage Facility after graduation. Additional criteria apply.

The Indian Health Service Health Professions Scholarship provides financial aid to qualified American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate- and graduate-level students. Recipients must be members of federally recognized Tribes and enrolled in an eligible health profession degree program. Scholarship recipients agree to fulfill a service commitment in full-time clinical practice upon completion of their academic or post-graduate clinical training. Additional criteria apply.

The Indiana Center for Nursing Scholarship is awarded to member schools of nursing in the Indiana Center for Nursing. Applicants must be an Indiana resident enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or full-time/part-time graduate student in the nursing major with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Financial need is considered. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to work in nursing in the state of Indiana upon graduation. Additional requirements apply.

The Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship is available to nursing students (undergraduate or graduate) who have contributed volunteer service to or are employees of an American Red Cross Unit. Scholarship funds may be applied towards tuition, books and academic fees only. A unit may be a chapter; Humanitarian Services region; Blood Services region; Preparedness, Health, and Safety Services territory; or Service to the Armed Forces station. 

The National Black Nurses Association provides scholarship awards of varying amounts to students at all levels (LPN to doctorate). Applicants must be a member of the NBNA and a member of a local chapter (if one exists in the applicant’s area). Applicants must be currently enrolled in a nursing program (BSN, AD, Diploma or LPN/LVN, Master’s, and Doctoral) and in good scholastic standing at the time of application and must have at least one full year of school remaining. Additional criteria apply.

The National CPR Association Healthcare Training Scholarship recognizes the commitment to helping others through the practice of a medical profession by offering a $3,000 scholarship to aid in the endeavors to become a qualified professional. 

The NSCDA American Indian Nurse Scholarship was started by the NSCDA in 1928 to give students of American Indian descent the opportunity to pursue careers in nursing. Students are expected to return to work among their people to help improve health care. Applicants must be in good academic standing in pre-nursing or a healthcare or health education program. Additional criteria apply.

The Nurse.org Nursing Student Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship available to applicants who are at least 17 years of age with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must be accepted to or currently attending a nursing or medical related program at an accredited institution.

The Nurses Make a Difference Scholarship is an annual $1,000 scholarship awarded by Cascade Healthcare Solutions to an aspiring nurse who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program at a college or university, or is a high school student who has been accepted into a school with an undergraduate nursing program.

The Nursing Education Scholarship is offered by TravelNursing.org in the amount of $1,000. Applicants must be entering or are currently pursuing an educational program related to nursing or medicine. Applications are selected annually on August 1.

The Patient Care Medical Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship offered by Patient Care Medical to assist students who are also caregivers in paying for tuition and education-related expenses. Applicants must be enrolled in, or plan to enroll in, an accredited college or university with the intent to pursue an associate’s, undergraduate, or graduate degree. 

The Sharps Scholarship Program is open to all students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an accredited university in healthcare related studies. Applicants must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada. Three prizes are awarded in the amount of $1,500, $1,000, and $750.

The Soroptomist Live Your Dream Award for Women offers three levels of cash awards. Applications may be submitted August 1 – November 15. Applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support to themselves or their dependents (children, spouse, partner, siblings, and/or parents), has financial need, is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, and live in one of Soroptomist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela). Additional criteria apply.

The TravelNurseSource Future U.S. Nurse Scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000 to be applied toward tuition. Applicants must be a legal U.S. resident of at least 18 years-of-age with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship offers ten $10,000 non-renewable scholarships and 25 $5,000 non-renewable scholarships, awarded annually. Applicants must be a graduate student or a college senior who will be enrolling in graduate school who is a resident of the 50 United States, Puerto Rico or the District of Columbia and have one or more years of school remaining.

The Udall Undergraduate Native Healthcare Scholarship awards up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses. The scholarship is available to Native American and Alaska Native college students in their sophomore or junior year who are pursuing health-related careers. Applicants must be enrolled in a state or federally recognized tribe or band and be a permanent U.S. resident or U.S. citizen who is a member of the First Nations of Canada. Additional criteria apply.

The Virgil T. and Mildred C. Roy Scholarship is offered through the Questa Education Foundation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to nursing students who are enrolled full-time and are pursuing a BSN degree. Selection of recipients is based upon academic standing and financial need. Preference is given to Junior and Senior-status applicants. The application cycle opens annually in May.

For Adult (non-traditional) Nursing Program Students

The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Foundation offers academic education scholarships for applicants who are nurses enrolled full- or part-time in a nationally accredited school of nursing program and demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, occupational and environmental health. Applicants must have a current active membership with AAOHN and must have been a member of AAOHN for at least one full year. Additional criteria apply.

The Association for Non-traditional Students in Higher Education (ANTSHE) Scholarship assist non-traditional adult students who are at least 23 years-of-age in their college education. ANTSHE awards scholarships in varying amounts each academic year. Applicants are required to be enrolled full-time or plan to enroll for the academic year at an accredited college or university in a four-year undergraduate program of study. Applicants must join as active members of ANTSHE to qualify. Additional criteria must be met to be considered.

The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Foundation Scholarship awards scholarships to students who are pursuing a career in perioperative nursing, and to registered nurses who are continuing their education in perioperative nursing by pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.

The Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship is awarded each year to a non-traditional, full-time student pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. Scholarship winners receive a non-renewable scholarship of $1,000 payable directly to the institution in which they are enrolled. This scholarship defines non-traditional students as those who did not immediately continue their education after high school (at least a 3-year gap between high school and enrollment in a college or university).

The Bev Goss Nursing Scholarship is available to co-workers at Parkview Whitley Hospital.

The Darlene J. Tielker Memorial Scholarship is open to all eligible Parkview co-workers who are pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

The Emergency Nurses Association Foundation offers educational scholarships annually to further advance emergency nursing. Offerings include non-RN scholarships available to eligible applicants that include nurses pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing such as rescue-workers and emergency department employees. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and do not need to be a current member of ENA. Additional criteria apply.

The Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Academic Nursing Scholarship awards a $5,000 scholarship to a deserving hospital-based cardiac care nurse or nursing student pursuing a career in cardiac care, based on a competitive application process.

The Hope for the Warriors Military Spouse/Caregiver Scholarship celebrates and rewards the spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans for their strength, fidelity and resolve as they take on new and critical roles after experiencing the impact of war on their families. A variety of scholarships are offered. Eligibility is based on a spouse or caregiver’s ability to show their post-9/11 service member or veteran sustained a combat-related injury and/or has a 100% permanent and total VA disability rating to include Individual Unemployability. Scholarship awards are made payable to the recipient’s institution for payment of tuition, books and supplies. The scholarship is for U.S. colleges and universities only.

The Jill Dreyer Nursing Scholarship is open to all eligible Parkview Huntington Hospital employees who are pursuing a nursing education.

The Leon J. Ribley Scholarship is available to Parkview Wabash Hospital co-workers, and their dependents, who are attending or have been accepted into a post high school program related to a healthcare field.

The Parkview LaGrange Hospital Scholarship is available to LaGrange County residents seeking a degree or licensure in a health-related field. Three high school senior scholarships are available as well as one adult scholarship.

The Parkview School of Nursing Alumni Association Scholarship Fund was created by alumnae of the Parkview School of Nursing for the purpose of encouraging and supporting nursing students. Applicants must be a current Parkview Health employee and currently enrolled in an accredited BSN or MSN nursing program in the state of Indiana.

The Shirley Traster Nursing Scholarship is open to co-workers at Parkview Noble Hospital and Parkview Regional Medical Center who are enrolled in a certificate or degree program to advance their nursing career.

The Sue Johnson Nursing Scholarship is open to all eligible Parkview co-workers who are pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

For Accelerated BSN Students

The AfterCollege/AACN Nursing Scholarship Program fund supports students who are seeking a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree in nursing. Special consideration will be given to students enrolled in an accelerated nursing program; enrolled in a graduate program with the goal of becoming a nurse educator; or who are completing an RN-to-BSN or MSN program. Applicants must already be enrolled (not just accepted) at an AACN member institution.

The Helene Fuld Trust Scholarship; is provided by the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Applicants must be students currently enrolled in or admitted to either an Accelerated Second Degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at an accredited U.S. school of nursing. Funding is up to $5,000 per academic year.

The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FSNA) offers undergraduate scholarships to students currently enrolled in a state-approved nursing program leading to an associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, direct-entry master’s degree, RN to BSN/MSN completion, LPN/LVN to RN, or accelerated programs. The General Scholarship Program awards scholarship funds based on a set of criteria established by the sponsor of the scholarship. These scholarships typically reflect a specific area of specialization within the nursing profession such as oncology, critical care, or emergency nursing or a certain population of the nursing profession that is often under represented. Funding is up to $7,500 per academic year.

For International Students

The R&D Systems Scholarship supports education in science for students who are pursuing a major or degree declared in a science-related field (Life Science, Medical Science, or Health Science). The scholarship is open to all levels of education above high school to students studying at a college or university within the U.S., Canada, and European Countries only. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at time of application.

The Sharps Scholarship Program is open to all students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an accredited university in healthcare related studies. Applicants must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada. Three prizes are awarded in the amount of $1,500, $1,000, and $750.

The Soroptomist Live Your Dream Award for Women offers three levels of cash awards. Applications may be submitted August 1 – November 15. Applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support to themselves or their dependents (children, spouse, partner, siblings, and/or parents), has financial need, is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, and live in one of Soroptomist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela). Additional criteria apply.

Other Resources for Scholarships

Note that scholarship information may change over time and some scholarships may no longer be offered. Consult the scholarship’s official website for the most up-to-date information or contact the scholarship’s administrator directly. Additional scholarships may be available that are not on this list. For more information on financial aid opportunities, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Traditional BSN Program

Program Overview and Progression

As a nursing major, you’ll have access to facilities and resources at Manchester’s North Manchester campus and Fort Wayne location, the hub of MU’s health sciences programs.

Freshman year begins with an introduction to the nursing career and a focus on completing Manchester Core requirements as well as pre-nursing preparatory classes.

In the fall of your sophomore year, you’ll begin to take nursing-specific courses and, in the spring semester, attend clinicals.

Junior and senior year, you’ll be fully immersed in the nursing program and interprofessional health care experiences. You’ll also be participating in clinical and academic experiences at off-campus health care venues.

Student Groups and Campus Involvement

Nursing students at Manchester University have several opportunities to connect outside the classroom through student-led organizations and leadership roles. These groups support academic success, professional development, and peer collaboration throughout the BSN journey.

Key opportunities include:

  • Student Nurses Association (SNA): Offers leadership experience, networking, and service learning in the nursing community. Members attend state and national conventions and participate in volunteer activities.
  • Manchester University Nursing Honor Society: Recognizes academic excellence and leadership potential among junior and senior nursing students.
  • Peer Mentorship Programs: Upper-level nursing students often serve as mentors for underclassmen, helping with academic preparation and clinical transition.
  • Health and Wellness Club: A multidisciplinary student organization promoting campus-wide wellness education, open to all health profession majors.

These organizations help BSN students build relationships, gain practical leadership skills, and make lasting contributions to the campus and local healthcare communities.

Clinical Experience, Lab Resources, and Learning Technology

Students train in simulation labs on both the Fort Wayne and North Manchester campuses using high-tech manikins that simulate realistic patient responses. Clinical experiences occur at regional hospitals, clinics, and rehab centers in both urban and rural settings. Coursework is delivered through Canvas, supported by 24/7 tech assistance.

Inside Our Nursing Labs

Manchester nursing students practice basic and advanced skills in state-of-the art nursing labs on both the North Manchester and Fort Wayne campuses. Training equipment includes high-tech nursing simulation manikins that can mimic human reaction to illness – including the ability to cry, sweat and bleed. This practice before entering a hospital or clinical setting builds student confidence and promotes better patient care.

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Accelerated BSN Program 

Traditional BSN Overview and Key Differences

The Traditional BSN is a four-year undergraduate degree that includes Manchester Core requirements and progressive nursing coursework beginning sophomore year. Students participate in clinical rotations starting in the spring of year two.

In contrast, the Accelerated BSN is a full-time, 16-month second-degree program designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree. While the curriculum content is the same, the pace and structure differ significantly.

ABSN Courses and Curriculum

Manchester’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a 65-credit, full-time, 16-month program designed to fast-track your career in nursing. The curriculum is carefully sequenced for comprehensive learning, blending theory, lab experience, and clinical practice.

Fall (Year 1 – 15 credits)

  • NURS 125: Introduction to Nursing (online, 3 credits) – Covers nursing roles, medical terminology, the nursing process, ethics, and APA writing.
  • NURS 210: Pathophysiology for Nursing (3 credits) – Focus on disease across the lifespan and system homeostasis.
  • NURS 216: Health Assessment (4 credits) – Teaches history, physical exam, cultural competence, and health promotion in lab.
  • NURS 220: Fundamentals of Nursing (5 credits) – Hands-on practice, documentation, infection control, and clinical reasoning.

January Session (2 credits)

  • NURS 200: Nursing Calculations – Medication math, legal/ethical concepts in drug administration.

Spring (17 credits)

  • NURS 300: Maternal Newborn & Women’s Health (4 credits)
  • NURS 305: Pharmacology for Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 320: Adult Health I (6 credits, 126 clinical hours)
  • NURS 400: Pediatric Nursing (4 credits)

Summer (17 credits)

  • NURS 325: Adult Health II (6 credits, 126 clinical hours)
  • NURS 330: Mental Health & Wellness (4 credits)
  • NURS 405: Research for Evidence-Based Practice (3 credits)
  • NURS 410: Community Nursing (4 credits, 42 clinical hours)

Fall (Year 2 – 14 credits)

  • NURS 430: Critical Care Nursing (4 credits)
  • NURS 440: NCLEX & Practice Preparation (3 credits)
  • NURS 450: Capstone Practicum & Leadership (7 credits, 168 clinical hours)

Program Requirements:

  • Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, with all core nursing courses requiring a grade of C or higher.
  • A 75% average on all course exams is mandatory.
  • The program includes 756 total clinical hours across multiple internsemesters.
  • 65 credit hours total.

This rigorous curriculum equips students with deep clinical insight, strong critical thinking, and professionalism—all culminating in a capstone experience and preparation for the NCLEX licensure exam.

Student Community, Advising, and Support Resources

Manchester’s ABSN program fosters a strong learning community through small, collaborative cohorts, frequent faculty interaction, and personalized advising. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor and meets regularly for academic planning. Additional support is available through the Student Success Center. While there are no formal ABSN student groups, teamwork and peer support are built into the program. Info sessions and program events help students stay connected and informed.

Clinical Experience, Lab Resources, and Learning Technology

Students train in simulation labs on both the Fort Wayne and North Manchester campuses using high-tech manikins that simulate realistic patient responses. Clinical experiences occur at regional hospitals, clinics, and rehab centers in both urban and rural settings. Coursework is delivered through Canvas, supported by 24/7 tech assistance.

Mission and Philosophy

Mission

The mission of the Nursing Program is to prepare future nurses to respect the infinite worth of every individual, and to practice nursing by drawing on their faith to lead principled, productive and compassionate lives that inspire them to be servant leaders within the nursing profession.

Vision

To improve the human condition through service

Our Philosophy

We believe that excellence in nursing education is achieved through the purposeful dedication of nursing faculty and their commitment to teaching, student success, scholarship, and service to the community. We are committed to the value of high academic expectations and professional preparation to provide graduates with the necessary skills to lead healthy, productive and principled lives. Through dedication and fostering of this next generation of nurses, we are advancing the science and art of nursing through the empowerment of individuals, families, communities, and populations within our region, the nation, and the world.

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Conceptual Model

The four concepts that comprise the conceptual framework of the Manchester University Nursing Program include individual/community, environment, health, and nursing.

Individual

The individual is recognized as having inherent dignity, value, and purpose. Individuals self-actualize through the integration of relationships, and functioning within families, groups and communities.

Community

Community promotes positive self-identity, empowering individuals to evolve as healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Environment

Environment encompasses internal and external determinants that are constantly changing, affecting the individual’s physical, psychological, spiritual elements (internal) and (external) variables including cultural, social, biophysical, political, and economical. Nursing can serve as a resource to influence health promotion and maintenance within the environment.

Health

Health represents a dynamic and holistic phenomenon with balance between the individual and the environment. An individual’s health exists upon a continuum of optimal wellness to illness, disease, dysfunction and changes occurring throughout an individual’s life span, including end of life.

Nursing

Nursing is an interactive, interpersonal approach to assist individuals to achieve optimal health and wellness through compassionate, nurturing evidence-based holistic nursing care. Nursing education expounds upon the humanities, sciences, and liberal education courses, which are necessary to appreciate the holistic nature of the individual. Nursing faculty believe that excellence in nursing education stimulates the spirit of inquiry and lifelong learning. Respect for multiple perspectives guides students and faculty to provide effective intercultural care, contribute to local and global efforts to eliminate health disparities and advocate for vulnerable populations.

 

BSN Program Outcomes

THE LEARNER WILL:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the discipline of nursing’s distinct perspective and where shared perspectives exist with other disciplines, apply theory and research-based knowledge from nursing, the arts, humanities, and other sciences, and demonstrate clinical judgment founded on a broad knowledge base. (Knowledge for Nursing Practice)
  2. Engage with the Individual in establishing a caring relationship, communicate effectively with individuals, integrate assessment skills in practice, diagnose actual or potential health problems and needs, develop a plan of care, demonstrate accountability for care delivery, evaluate outcomes of care, promote self-care management, and provide care coordination. (Person-Centered Care)
  3. Manage population health, engage in effective partnerships, consider the socioeconomic impact of the delivery of health care, advance equitable population health policy, demonstrate advocacy strategies, and advance preparedness to protect population health during disasters and public health emergencies. (Population Health)
  4. Advance the scholarship of nursing, integrate the best evidence into nursing practice, and promote the ethical conduct of scholarly activities. (Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline)
  5. Apply quality improvement principles in care delivery, contribute to a culture of patient safety, and contribute to a culture of provider and work environment safety. (Quality and Safety)
  6. Communicate in a manner that facilitates a partnership approach to principles and values of team dynamics, use knowledge of nursing and other professions to address healthcare needs, and work with other professions to maintain a climate of mutual learning, respect, and shared values. (Interprofessional Partnerships)
  7. Apply knowledge of systems to work effectively across the continuum of care, incorporate consideration of cost-effectiveness of care, and optimize system effectiveness through application of innovation and evidence-based practice. (Systems-Based Practice)
  8. Describe the various information and communication technology tools used in the care of patients, communities, and populations; use information and communication technology to gather data, create information, and generate knowledge; use information and communication technologies and informatics processes to deliver safe nursing care to diverse populations in a variety of settings; use information and communication technology to support documentation of care and communication among providers, patients, and all system levels; and use information and communication technologies in accordance with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards, and workplace policies in the delivery of care. (Informatics and Healthcare Technologies)
  9. Demonstrate an ethical comportment in one’s practice reflective of nursing’s mission to society, employ a participatory approach to nursing care, demonstrate accountability to the individual, society, and the profession, comply with relevant laws, policies, and regulations, demonstrate the professional identity of nursing, and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion as core to one’s professional identity. (Professionalism)
  10. Demonstrate a commitment to personal health and well-being and demonstrate a spirit of leadership. (Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development)

Meet the Faculty