Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Pre-Licensure

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (ABSN) prepares graduates for professional nursing practice. The ABSN program is designed for individuals who have already completed a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing.

The ABSN is a four-semester program, starting in the summer semester. Graduates of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (ABSN) are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse. The baccalaureate nurse is prepared to plan, provide, and coordinate care for clients experiencing problems across the health-illness continuum.

Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing from a regionally-accredited four-year college or university.
  2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Completion of required prerequisite courses prior to beginning the first nursing course – See list below.
  4. Completion of prerequisite math and science courses within the past seven (7) years with a grade of C or better.

Prerequisite College Level Courses

  • Chemistry with lab (4 total credit hours – any combination of inorganic, organic and biochemistry)
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (4 total credit hours)
  • Anatomy and Physiology II with lab (4 total credit hours)
  • Microbiology with lab (4 credit hours)
  • Pathophysiology (3 credit hours-  may be taken in the first semester of the nursing program).

Graduation Requirements

Students must meet the graduation requirements required by Mercy College of Ohio for a baccalaureate degree. Students may transfer up to 61 credit hours from previous bachelor’s degree(s). Graduate credit hours will be transferred according to Mercy College of Ohio’s transfer policy.

Requirements for Clinical

Criminal background checks, drug screens, health records, and titers/immunizations are required prior to the start of the clinical program. Program requirements and instructions are maintained on the College website at https://mercycollege.edu/background. The Policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

Admission Process

  1. Submit a completed application with required documents. See table below for Priority Application Date.
  2. Submit official transcripts from higher education institution(s) where the bachelor’s or higher degree was obtained and any subsequent coursework thereafter.

A candidate who applies after the priority application date will be considered based on seat availability.

Application for Priority Application Date for file to be Completed Review of Candidates
Summer Start (May) January 15 February 15 and ongoing

Degree Requirements

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, students must complete all college requirements including:

General Education Requirements

Specific courses are required by the program.

Complete All of the Following Courses:

Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum
ENG 101English Composition I

3

ENG 102English Composition II

3

Math, Statistics and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
MTH 104Mathematical Formulas, Models, and Probability

3

Or

MTH 130College Algebra

4

MTH 140Introduction to Statistics

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSY 201Lifespan Psychology

3

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity (includes Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
REL 290Medical Ethics

3

SOC 211Cultural Diversity

3

Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity – Religious Studies course

3

Natural Sciences, Technology and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
BIO 201Physiological Basis of Nutrition

2

BIO 210Microbiology

4

BIO 220Anatomy and Physiology I

4

BIO 221Anatomy and Physiology II

4

BIO 290Pathophysiology

3

CHM 111Basic Organic and Biochemistry

4

Total Credit Hours:51-52

Required Nursing Pre-Licensure Program Course Requirements

Complete All of the Following Program Courses:

NUR 101Introduction to Nursing

1

NUR 256Fundamental Nursing Concepts

8

NUR 259Pharmacology Nursing Concepts

4

NUR 316Clinical Nursing Concepts I

8

NUR 318Professional Nursing Concepts I

4

NUR 326Clinical Nursing Concepts II

8

NUR 328Professional Nursing Concepts II

5

NUR 416Clinical Nursing Concepts III

8

NUR 418Professional Nursing Concepts III

5

NUR 426Clinical Nursing Concepts IV

7

NUR 428Professional Nursing Concepts IV

3

NUR 481NCLEX-RN Preparation

2

Total Credit Hours:63

Credit Hour Requirements

Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours 51-52
Total Required Nursing Pre-Licensure Program Credit Hours 63
Free Elective Credit Hours 6
Total Credit Hours for Graduation 120-121

Students may be required to take additional free elective credits to reach the 120 credit hours required for graduation. Free elective credit may be satisfied through prior coursework and transfer credit. See academic advisor for more details.

To complete college requirements students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of 300 to 400 level coursework.

Sample Program of Study

Semester I

NUR 101Introduction to Nursing

1

NUR 256Fundamental Nursing Concepts

8

NUR 259Pharmacology Nursing Concepts

4

NUR 318Professional Nursing Concepts I

4

Semester II

NUR 316Clinical Nursing Concepts I

8

NUR 328Professional Nursing Concepts II

5

NUR 418Professional Nursing Concepts III

5

Semester III

NUR 326Clinical Nursing Concepts II

8

NUR 416Clinical Nursing Concepts III

8

Semester IV

NUR 426Clinical Nursing Concepts IV

7

NUR 428Professional Nursing Concepts IV

3

NUR 481NCLEX-RN Preparation

2

Graduates of the accelerated baccalaureate nursing program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) examination to practice as a registered nurse. The baccalaureate nurse is prepared to plan, provide, and coordinate care for clients experiencing problems across the health-illness continuum.

During the summer semesters of the ABSN, some courses will be offered the full semester, and some will be offered in a condensed format (e.g. 6, 7, or 8 weeks).