Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• You must have at least 60 college credits from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75.
• You must have all prerequisite courses completed before starting the January nursing cohort.
• You must not have any disciplinary action against you by any other nursing program including but not limited to academic (probation, dismissal, etc.) or behavioral.
• If you already have a bachelor's degree, core courses are waived, but prerequisites still apply.
• If you are a currently licensed LPN, you are required to complete the NLN exam before you begin your nursing courses.

Students who have evidence of 1000 hours of employment as an LPN within the last 3 years are eligible for advanced placement nursing credits with a passing score or 78% or higher on the NLN Foundations of Nursing NACE NLN exam.

Examinations are provided by NLN prior to the semester in which the course would be offered, and students receive one opportunity to take each examination.

https://www.nln.org/education/assessment-services/assessments/nace-assessment.

Advanced Placement examination credits are only applicable to the nursing major and are not calculated in the GPA and may only be taken by LPN-holding students already admitted to the program.

• Medication administration
• Vital signs and assessment skills
• Wound care and sterile technique
• Communication and documentation

Simulation helps students practice decision-making and teamwork before clinical settings.

• High-fidelity patient scenarios
• Structured debrief and reflection
• Safe environment to learn from mistakes

• Patient safety & infection prevention
• Therapeutic communication
• Prioritization and delegation
• Emergency response basics

An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, often called an Accelerated BSN or ABSN, is a fast-paced nursing pathway for students who already have college credit and want to prepare to become a registered nurse.

The ABSN program is designed for career changers, adults returning to school, transfer students, students with previous college credit, and students pursuing a nursing degree after a bachelor's degree.

The ABSN program can be completed in 16 months across four semesters and includes 54 nursing major credits.

The ABSN program begins every January with a new cohort. Students entering the cohort must have all prerequisites completed by the start of the cohort.

Students may enter the program at the pre-cohort level in Fall, Spring, or Summer. Misericordia's transfer coordinator and Nursing advisor can help prerequisite and non-degree students plan a progression into an upcoming cohort.

The ABSN program is hybrid. Lecture content is presented online, while lab sessions are held in person on weekends at Misericordia's Dallas, Pennsylvania campus and clinical placements are completed in person.

Lab sessions are held in person on weekends at Misericordia University's campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania.

Clinical placements take place within a 60-mile radius at respected healthcare facilities and are coordinated by the School of Nursing.

Required prerequisite courses include Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Nutrition, Psychology, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Basic Statistics, and General Chemistry. Any of these courses older than 7 years must be retaken.

A previous bachelor's degree is not required for every student. Students without a prior bachelor's degree must complete non-Nursing requirements such as core curriculum courses before cohort entry. Students who already have a bachelor's degree do not have to meet University core curriculum or free elective requirements, but prerequisites still apply.

Misericordia's transfer coordinator and Nursing advisor work with prerequisite and non-degree students to review transfer credit and plan a progression into an upcoming cohort.

The ABSN is an accelerated nursing program with online coursework, weekend labs, and clinical placement requirements. Students should speak with Admissions or their advisor about workload, scheduling, and whether employment is realistic for their individual situation.

Financial aid eligibility varies by student. Admissions and financial aid staff can help you understand next steps, required documents, and available options based on your individual situation.

No prior healthcare or nursing experience is required to apply, but students must meet the academic requirements and complete all necessary prerequisite courses.

Students who have evidence of 1000 hours of employment as an LPN within the last 3 years are eligible for advanced placement nursing credits with a passing score of 78% or higher on the NLN Foundations of Nursing NACE NLN exam.