Mar 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin

Accelerated Baccalaureate Program for Second Degree Students, B.S.N.


This online program admits students who already hold a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing and have no previous nursing education, Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree with a Major in Nursing (BSN). Completion of the requirements for this program prepares a beginning, self-directed practitioner who is capable of initiating, implementing, and revising nursing care. The curriculum is designed for the adult learner and builds upon earlier educational experiences in the humanities, social studies, and sciences. It is based on the development of the individual and the family within a community.

The curriculum flows from both the University’s and the School’s philosophies and addresses the nursing needs of the community and the nation. It provides opportunity for individuals with changing career aspirations, and it is designed to prepare the learner for a variety of roles in professional practice. Following completion of the prerequisite courses, the program can be completed in three full-time semesters.

Graduates are educationally eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which must be successfully completed for registration as a professional nurse.

Prerequisites

  • Applicants must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  • Students who have graduated from an accredited institution and meet all other admission requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Admission is not guaranteed.
  • The following courses are required prerequisites:
  • a 3-credit course in Elementary Statistics
  • a 3-credit course in Nutrition
  • two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology, with related laboratory experiences
  • one semester of chemistry, with related laboratory experience
  • one semester of microbiology, with related laboratory experience
  • a minimum grade of 2.5 is required in the sciences. Students will be allowed to repeat a science course one time for a grade less than 2.5. A student who achieves less than a 2.5 in two nurses courses or less than 2.5 in the repeat of the same science course will not be able to progress into the nursing program.
  • Applicants whose native language is not English or who hail from non-English-speaking countries must submit satisfactory scores on the TOEFL along with their applications.
  • Check with the ABSN Program Coordinator about the aspect of screening/admission into the program.

Length of the Program

  • The total number of credits required to complete the Accelerated Baccalaureate Program for Second Degree Students, beyond the pre- and co-requisite requirements, is 48.
  • The Accelerated Baccalaureate Program for Second Degree Students can be completed in three full-time semesters.

Academic Progression


Follow the Admission and Progression policy of the Passan School of Nursing.

A student may be required to submit, at any time, a health evaluation by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner if evident limitations interfere with the student’s practice or learning.

Required Courses and Recommended Course Sequence


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 18


Total Credits: 15


Total Credits: 48


*Clinical Hours will be distributed among Acute, Chronic, and Community Settings

Additional Nursing Expenses and Fees for Accelerated Baccalaureate Students


Item Semester One Semester Two Semester Three
National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) $45    
Uniform Scrub Top $30 - $35    
Uniform Scrub Pants $25    
Uniform Shoes $40 and up    
Stethoscope, penlight,bandage scissors $55 - $85    
Hemostats $6    
BP Cuff $40    
AHA CPR Certification for Health Care Providers $35 and up    
Castle Branch Profile $175 and up    
Criminal Record Check $40 and up    
PA Child-Abuse-History Clearance $10    
Physical, Immunizations, and PPD $100 and up*    
Urine for Drug Screen $50 and up    

The School of Nursing Faculty reserves the right to revise the Nursing Major requirements as deemed necessary at any time to prepare students for new and emerging roles in nursing.

License to Practice

Candidates for a license to practice in the health field are required to have “good moral character.” The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing takes into consideration, when deciding on the applications for registration and a license to practice under their jurisdiction, whether candidates have been convicted of any felony or misdemeanor. Candidates are referred to the regulations specified in the Professional Nurse Law (P.L. 317, No. 69).