Overview
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
The following student learning outcomes emphasize Christian values, critical thinking, clinical competence, and professional development:
- Integrate knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as the basis for clinical judgement.
- Apply quality improvement strategies to promote a culture of safety.
- Incorporate evidence-based practice to ensure effective nursing care.
- Use informatics and healthcare technologies to manage and improve the delivery of nursing and health care services.
- Demonstrate leadership strategies within the complex healthcare system to recognize and influence health policies and laws.
- Collaborate in interprofessional partnerships to optimize health.
- Provide health promotion and disease prevention interventions to improve population health outcomes.
- Incorporate professional and ethical behavior, the commitment to lifelong learning, and professional values into nursing practice.
- Provide holistic care to diverse populations across the lifespan.
Admission Requirements
General College Admission Requirements
The following are Mercy College of Ohio admissions requirements. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a program. Admission requirements are subject to change. Students should contact the Office of Admissions or consult mercycollege.edu for the most up-to-date information.
One of the following are required for admission to Mercy College of Ohio:
- An earned diploma from an accredited high school or a home-schooled program in a college preparatory course of study with a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher, OR
- A general equivalence diploma (GED) recipient with a score of 500 (score of 53 prior to 2002).
- Additional documentation may be required for College Credit Plus or Non-degree Seeking Students.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated Pre-Licensure Program Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting college admission requirements above, the following Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated Pre-Licensure Program admission requirements must be met:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field other than nursing from an institution that is approved/accredited by a historically regional accreditor.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completion of required prerequisite courses prior to beginning the first nursing course – see list below.
- 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)
Admission Process
- Submit a completed application with required documents. See table below for Priority Application Date.
- 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 |
Requirements for Clinicals or Professional Practice Experience
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.
Degree Requirements
General Education Requirements
Complete All of the Following Courses:
Oral and Written Communication (GCOM) - 6 minimum
Math, Statistics, and Logic (GMSL) - 3 minimum
| MTH 104 | Mathematical Formulas, Models, and Probability | 3 |
| or | |
| MTH 130 | College Algebra | 4 |
| | |
| MTH 140 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSBS) - 6 minimum
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity (must include 6 credit hours in Religious Studies) (GAHD/GAHR) - 9 minimum
| REL 290 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| SOC 211 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| General Education course in Arts, Humanities, Culture and Diversity – Religious Studies (GAHR) | 3 |
Natural Sciences, Technology, and Innovation (GNSI) - 6 minimum
Additional hours from one or more of the above categories - 6 minimum
| General Education Course in Arts, Humanities, Culture, and Diversity including Religious Studies (GAHD or GAHR); or in Social and Behavioral Science (GSBS) | 3 |
| General Education course at the 300/400 level | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 57-58 |
Required Nursing Pre-Licensure Program Course Requirements
Complete All of the Following Program Courses:
| NUR 101 | Introduction to Nursing | 2 |
| NUR 256 | Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 8 |
| NUR 259 | Pharmacology Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NUR 316 | Clinical Nursing Concepts I | 8 |
| NUR 318 | Professional Nursing Concepts I | 4 |
| NUR 326 | Clinical Nursing Concepts II | 8 |
| NUR 328 | Professional Nursing Concepts II | 5 |
| NUR 416 | Clinical Nursing Concepts III | 8 |
| NUR 418 | Professional Nursing Concepts III | 5 |
| NUR 426 | Clinical Nursing Concepts IV | 7 |
| NUR 428 | Professional Nursing Concepts IV | 3 |
| NUR 481 | NCLEX-RN Preparation | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 63 |
Credit Hour Requirements
| Total Required Bachelor of Science General Education Credit Hours |
57-58 |
| Total Required Nursing Pre-Licensure Program Credit Hours |
63 |
| Free Elective Credit Hours |
0 |
| 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 101 | Introduction to Nursing | 2 |
| NUR 256 | Fundamental Nursing Concepts | 8 |
| NUR 259 | Pharmacology Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NUR 318 | Professional Nursing Concepts I | 4 |
Semester II
| NUR 316 | Clinical Nursing Concepts I | 8 |
| NUR 328 | Professional Nursing Concepts II | 5 |
| NUR 418 | Professional Nursing Concepts III | 5 |
Semester III
| NUR 326 | Clinical Nursing Concepts II | 8 |
| NUR 416 | Clinical Nursing Concepts III | 8 |
Semester IV
| NUR 426 | Clinical Nursing Concepts IV | 7 |
| NUR 428 | Professional Nursing Concepts IV | 3 |
| NUR 481 | NCLEX-RN Preparation | 2 |
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.
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).