The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program is a 12-month, full-time program designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field who are called to transition into the nursing profession.
months to complete degree
credits to complete the degree
hours combined clinical experiences with simulation
This intensive three-semester program provides students with the knowledge, clinical experience, and skills needed to become a registered nurse (RN). Upon completion, graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam.
The ABSN program blends online coursework with hands-on clinical training to provide a comprehensive nursing education:
- Online, asynchronous coursework designed and delivered by CSON faculty.
- On-campus sessions for simulation labs, procedural skills training, and competency validation.
- Clinical practice rotations at hospitals, schools, and community centers with CSON’s respected clinical partners.
- Simulation and clinical experiences that exceed the 650-hour requirement set by the D.C. Board of Nursing.
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ABSN Admissions Requirements
- A completed Catholic University online application (No fee is required.)
- An earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Completion of the Test of essential academic skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 57 or the Heath Education System Inc. (HESI) examination with a minimum score of 80
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions and official test scores (Unofficial transcripts can be used for the admissions review.)
- Completion of the prerequisite courses listed below with a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no grade lower than a C. Science courses must be completed within the last 5 years.
Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at cua-gradadmissions@cua.edu or 202-319-5057 with any questions regarding the admissions process.
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Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses will be offered online at Catholic University starting in Fall 2025 and can be completed in one semester.
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Psychology
Curriculum
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Semester 1
Name Didactic Hours/Credits Biomedical Ethics (Can Be Taken as Prequisite) 3 Pharmacology 3 Pathophysiology 3 Health Assessment 3 Health Assessment Laboratory Experience 1 Fundamental Applications 3 Fundamental Applications Clinical Learning Experience 1 Dosage and Calculations: Mathematics for Nursing* 1 *Students can take an exam to see if they are eligible to opt out of this course.
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Semester 2
Name Hours/Credits Community and Population Health 2 Community and Population Health Clinical Learning Experience 1 Adults in Health and Illness 1 2.5 Adults in Health and Illness 1 Clinical Learning Experience 1 Adults in Health and Illness 2 2.5 Adults in Health and Illness 2 Clinical Learning Experience 1 Women's Health and Illness 2 Women's Health and Illness Clinical Learning Experience 2 Children and Adolescents in Health and Illness 2 Children and Adolescents in Health and Illness Clinical Learning Experience 2 -
Semester 3
Name Hours/Credit Mental Health Nursing 2 Mental Health Nursing Clinical Learning Experience 2 Adults in Health and Illness 3 3 Adults in Health and Illness 3 Clinical Learning Experience 2 Nursing Leadership and Management 2 Nursing Research/Informatics 3 Transition to and Strategies for Professional Practice 3 Transition into Practice Clinical Learning Experience 3
Courses, Simulations, and Clinical
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Courses
The courses in the ABSN program are offered online asynchronous mode, which allows you to access course materials and complete activities at a time that suits your schedule while still meeting assignment submission deadlines.
Students who need to finish prerequisite courses prior to entering the program can complete the courses and labs online asynchronously in just one semester at Catholic University through our School of Professional Studies.
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Simulations
The simulation experiences are interactive learning opportunities that allow you to practice clinical skills in a safe environment. These simulations will take place in person in our new Conway School of Nursing building, which offers state-of-the-art simulation experiences.
The building includes 16,664 square feet of simulation, skills and lab space, and houses simulation suites that mimic hospital rooms and an emergency department. Working with mannequin “patients” (that faculty electronically direct) allows you to engage in immersive medical scenarios.
The simulation experiences will be held throughout the week and may include, days, evenings, and weekends.
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Clinical Settings
The Catholic University of America Conway School of Nursing currently partners with more than 15 world-class healthcare facilities in Washington, D.C., and adjoining areas of Maryland and Virginia.
Those sites include, but are not limited to, Adventist Shady Grove Medical Center, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Children's National Medical Center, Dominion Hospital, The George Washington University Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, The INOVA Health System, MedStar Georgetown Hospital, Reston Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, Suburban Hospital, and Virginia Hospital Center.
Clinical hours may fall outside normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings or weekends, depending on the clinical site.
Due to the accelerated, rigorous nature of the program, students should be within commuting distance of campus. Full-time or part-time employment is discouraged.
Scholarship Opportunities
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View Scholarship Details
Conway Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by philanthropists Joanne and William Conway and focus on supporting students pursuing a career in nursing. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and potential.
Helene Fuld Trust Scholarship
Eligible students must be enrolled in either an Accelerated Second Degree (first degree cannot be in nursing) or Doctor of Nursing Practice program at an accredited US school of nursing. Funding is up to US $5,000 per academic year.
AACN American Association of College of Nursing
Learn about scholarships, grants and loan programs to help support your nursing education.
Nurse Corps Scholarship Program
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program provides financial support to students enrolled in nursing degree programs in exchange for a commitment to serve in high-need areas across the country. The scholarship includes payment of tuition, required fees, other reasonable costs, and a monthly living stipend.
After graduation, scholarship recipients fulfill their service commitment at an approved location with a critical shortage of nurses.
Federal Financial Aid
You may still have federal financial aid loan eligibility. Our Office of Student Financial Assistance can assess your eligibility once you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be found here.
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)
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The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)
The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is a standardized exam that determines if nursing graduates are ready to practice. It is required to become a licensed nurse in the United States.
The program prepares students through content expert faculty and student success coaching throughout the curriculum. In addition, students will take standardized exam to assess NCLEX readiness, coaching, and remediation. Students will receive a three day intensive live review their final semester.
Career Opportunities
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Nationwide Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections 2022-2032, the Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is expected to expand by 6% over the next decade. The RN workforce is anticipated to grow from 3.1 million in 2022 to 3.3 million in 2032, an increase of 177,440 nurses. The Bureau also projects 193,100 openings for RNs each year through 2032 when nurse retirements and workforce exits are factored into the number of nurses needed in the U.S. -
Local Opportunities
According to Trusted Advocates, the District of Columbia is one of the higher-paying areas for registered nurses. The registered nurse's salary in the District of Columbia is $79,810 per year. This means that nurses in the District of Columbia earn an average of $41.56 per hour. The national average for registered nurses is $77,600 per year.