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Navigating the Nursing Profession in Indiana

Updated: Sep 2, 2022



Let us help you land on your dream job here in Indiana! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in Indiana, and more!


 

Through this article, you will be able to know the following:

  • Fees for the licensing

  • Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)

  • Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

  • Licensing and certification

  • Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Indiana

  • Popular hospitals in Indiana

  • Nursing associations in Indiana

  • Contact details



 

Fees for the Licensing

The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. For more details, visit the Indiana licensing page.



As a nursing compact state, Indiana lets nurses obtain multi-state licenses.


*Fees may change without any notice.

**A background check is required in most states, but prices are not usually indicated.



 

Licensing Renewal Process

  1. Check when your license expires by visiting the Indiana Board of Nursing website. Indiana has a Verification page for you to verify your license.

  2. Complete all your continuing education requirements BEFORE your license expires.

  3. Apply for your renewal process by going to the Indiana Board of Nursing. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information. Be reminded that if your Primary State of Residency is not Indiana, you can not apply for a licensure in Indiana because it is a compact state. You must declare that Indiana is your Primary State of Residency to be able to do so.



 

Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in Indiana.

  • For RN/LPN, no CEU is required.

  • For APRN, you must complete 30 contact hours every 2 years in which 8 hours of it must be in pharmacology.

The Indiana Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

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Licensing and Certification


Step 1: Education

To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. These programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete. If you have an ADN but you wanna pursue your bachelor’s, there are certain programs that let you earn your BSN in 12 to 18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. Said programs let you save on time and money as you work towards advancing your career.


Step 2: Licensing

Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.

The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.


Step 3: Experience

This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.

Step 4: Certification

Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.

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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in Indiana

Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. The average annual salary is currently $68,890.


Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if Indiana is the right place for you.

 

Popular Hospitals in Indiana

Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in Indiana or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in Indiana. Here are some of them:

  • Indiana University Health Medical Center – (Indianapolis, IN):

    • Regionally ranked #1 in Indiana and in Indianapolis

    • Nationally ranked in 2 adult specialties and 9 pediatric specialties

    • Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 9 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®

    • Specialties include Colon & Lung cancer, Heart attack, Diabetes, Gastroenterology & GI surgery, and Nephrology

  • Deaconess Hospital – (Evansville, IN):

    • Regionally ranked #2 in Indiana

    • Rated high performing in 9 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®.

    • Specialties include Colon cancer surgery, Heart failure, Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, Diabetes, and Neurology & neurosurgery

  • Ascension St. Vincent Hospital – (Indianapolis, IN):

    • Regionally ranked #3 in Indiana

    • Rated high performing in 7 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®.

    • Specialties include Heart care, Critical care, Gastrointestinal care, Orthopedic services, Pulmonary services, Stroke care

  • Community Hospital of Anderson and MAdison County – (Anderson, IN):

    • Regionally ranked #4 in Indiana, and #3 in Indianapolis

    • Rated high performing in 6 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

  • Franciscan Health Indianapolis – (Indianapolis, IN):

    • Regionally ranked #4 in Indiana, and #3 in Indianapolis

    • Rated high performing in 7 adult procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.

 

Nursing Associations in Indiana

Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in Indiana.

Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership: “Nurses in this organization innovate, exercise and handle care.”

Indiana State Nurses Association: “This institution provides access to its members to varied services and programs in helping them succeed both professionally and personally. They become leaders and influencers because of the help of their organization.”

Indiana Center for Nursing: “This association of nurses gives emphasis to educating the nurses and making sure that they are a highly qualified workforce, meeting the needs of Indiana’s healthcare.”

For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.


 

Contact Details

Indiana Board of Nursing

Phone: (317) 234-2043

Email: pla2@pla.IN.gov

402 W. Washington Street

Room W072

Indianapolis, IN 46204


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