Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) prepares nurses who are committed to local and global health equity and demonstrate the ability to think broadly, critically and creatively to optimize client-centered care. Students will experience a progressive nursing curriculum including foci on community-based, population health; reduction of health disparities; and health informatics to optimize outcomes. The ABSN program is an intensive, 16-month post-baccalaureate program that includes 65 credit hours and 540 clinical hours.

Who should apply?

Applicants to the ABSN program will have an earned bachelor’s degree in any field and will have completed 18-24 hours of prerequisite coursework prior to admission, including human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, basic statistics, human growth and development or developmental psychology, and nutrition. All prerequisite courses must have earned a “C” or higher. Applicants should have an undergraduate minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) minimum score of 65. As nursing is a profession that requires a strong foundation of science and math, these pre-requisite courses have been chosen to ensure that students have the foundational knowledge they need to succeed in nursing coursework and are prepared to apply these concepts to their practice as a nurse.

Program Highlights

  • Complete your BSN in 16 months starting in fall and finishing the following December.
  • Receive top quality on-site delivery instruction and first-rate clinical instruction at area hospitals and clinics.
  • Intensive simulation experiences, including high-fidelity manikins and standardized patients, with embedded formative and summative evaluations.
  • Community-driven, health-related service learning in collaboration with a local or global community partner/organization.
  • Development of effective and empathetic communication skills, including strategies for sharing difficult news, engaging in difficult conversations, listening actively and being emotionally present.
  • Pursuit of evidence-based nursing practice, including the location, critical appraisal, translation and contributions to the scholarly foundation of nursing as a discipline.
  • Responsibility toward professionalism and management of nursing practice, including nursing policy and regulation, communication and teamwork, quality improvement, safety and the use of informatics/technology to optimize outcomes.
  • Creation of personal wellness habits in healthcare providers, including development of resiliency and commitment to lifelong self-care.