PACE RN-BSN Program

"I am interested in enrolling in your RN-BSN program. What is my first step?"
Call the PACE office at 217-420-6778, or visit the PACE RN-BSN prospective students page. The PACE office will be able to direct your inquiries and get you started on the admission process.

"I have a question about the nursing curriculum. How can I get my questions answered?"
Contact the School of Nursing PACE RN-BSN advisor, Isabel Ososki at 217-424 6368 or iososki@millikin.edu or the PACE office at 217-420-6778

"Do I have to be a Registered Nurse to enroll in the RN-BSN program?"
Yes, you must be a RN wishing to earn a BSN to qualify. If you are not a RN, our traditional (non-PACE) BSN program would provide you with the opportunity to complete your nursing education. See http://www.millikin.edu/nursing/ for details.

"I am currently in nursing school. When can I apply?"
You will need to complete your current nursing program and pass the NCLEX licensure examination before applying for admission to PACE.

"Is the program considered full-time? Can I attend part-time?"
The PACE RN-BSN program is considered a full-time program, but because of the consecutive course structure and 6-month-long semesters, most working RNs can manage the 9-12 credit hours each semester. Although the program is built to allow students to progress together as a group or cohort through the curriculum, individual students may find that they need to proceed more slowly. In collaboration with the nursing advisor, individual plans of study will be designed. It would be important to realize that there is no guarantee classes would be held on a consistent night throughout the program for part-time students.

"Is this program designed for someone who works full-time?"
Millikin's PACE RN-BSN program is built with the working RN in mind!! Courses are taught one night a week and that night stays consistent throughout the program, which helps in long range scheduling at your place of employment. Coursework starts in the second week of January. The spring semester runs from January-June and the fall semester runs from July-December. Courses are typically taught from 6-10 p.m. and run for 5-10 weeks (clinical hours when applicable are in addition to theory class time). Each class is typically followed by a one- to two-week break.

How is the PACE RN-BSN program different than the traditional day BSN program?
Students in the PACE RN-BSN program must meet the same admission and graduation requirements as students in the traditional BSN program, but the PACE RN-BSN curriculum is structured in an accelerated evening format for the practicing RN adult student.

"What GPA do I need for admission?"
The School of Nursing requires a minimum transfer GPA of 2.5 for admission.

"How long does it take to complete the PACE RN-BSN program?"
It depends, but most students can complete the degree in approximately 19 months. We have an established curricular sequence based on the typical RN-BSN student's needs to meet Millikin's graduation requirements. We do a thorough transcript analysis after we receive your admission materials. We will then be able to tell you if there are courses you will need outside the curricular sequence to meet the degree requirements. Much of this depends on your previous course work and the type of degree you have.

"How many credit hours do I need to graduate from Millikin?"
121 credit hours including the hours that transfer in to Millikin from other institutions you have attended. With transfer credits, most RNs complete the remaining coursework in less than two years. The 121 semester credit hours required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing are made up of major course requirements, pre-major requirements, general education/university studies requirements, and elective requirements.

"When does the next class start?"
Students enter the PACE RN-BSN program once a year - courses start in the second week in January. The spring semester runs from January-June and the fall semester runs from July-December. Courses are typically taught from 6-10 p.m. one night per week (clinical hours when applicable are in addition to theory class time). Each 6-10 week class is typically followed by a one- to two-week break.

"How much clinical work is involved in the program?"
Three courses in the curriculum have a clinical component. NU 425, NU 311, and NU 430. Clinical hours are in addition to classroom hours. Faculty members teaching clinical courses strive to help students arrange clinical time in a flexible manner.

"How many courses do I take at once?"
Because the program is taught in an accelerated format courses are taught one at a time - in 5 to 10 week blocks - allowing the student to become immersed in the material for each course.

"How do I get credit for the nursing courses I took in my associate of science, associate of applied science, or diploma program?"
Millikin requires that students take the NLN Mobility exams to verify knowledge in Medical-Surgical, Parent-Child, and Mental Health-Mental Illness nursing courses. These standardized exams are taken during the first course in the RN-BSN sequence. Review in each of the areas is provided.

"What score do I need to achieve on the NLN Mobility Exams to satisfy the requirements for the medical-surgical, obstetrics/pediatrics, and mental health nursing courses??
Students must achieve a score at or above the 50% normalized percentile. This means that students must score at least as well as 50 percent of the national group on which the exam is normed.

"Besides my tuition and books, what expenses will I incur?"
Miscellaneous Expenses
Students should be aware of additional expenses associated with the PACE nursing curriculum. These expenses may include:
·Immunization, TB screen, and titer costs (both for the University and School of nursing)
·Uniform and nursing equipment
·CPR certification
·Drug screening (if applicable to clinical agency)
·Nursing composite photo
·School of Nursing pin
·NLN mobility exams
·Malpractice insurance
·CAT1 PACE tutorial
·Graduation expenses

"What types of payment options are available to me?"
Our Student Services Center can provide you with a variety of information about costs, payment options and financial aid. See the following link: http://www.millikin.edu/student_service_center

"How do I find out if I qualify for financial aid?"
Financial aid information can be found at the following link: http://www.millikin.edu/student_service_center/financial_aid.asp
In addition, a list of scholarship websites is available from the PACE office at 217-420-6778 or from the Nursing office at 217-424-6348.

"I hear Millikin University has master's degree programs in Nursing and Business. How do I get information about that the MSN or MBA?"
You can access information about the MSN program at: http://www.millikin.edu/nursing/MSN_program.asp
For information about the MBA program see:
http://www.millikin.edu/tabor/mba
In addition, your nursing advisor will be happy to provide information on both of these programs.

"How long do I have to wait after completing my BSN before I can enroll in Millikin's MSN program?"
If you meet the requirements, admission to the MSN program can be almost seamless. See your nursing advisor for information on Millikin?s MSN program or access the MSN web site at: http://www.millikin.edu/nursing/MSN_program.asp

"Can I take the graduate statistics course for the MSN program while enrolled as an undergraduate in the PACE RN –BSN program?"
Yes, the graduate statistics course is required before the student begins the MSN program. If the graduate statistics course can be worked into your schedule – and if you have the necessary pre-requisites completed – you may take the course.