nursing students working on a patient

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is a 12-month, full-time program designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field who are eager to transition into the nursing profession.

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At a Glance

Accelerated Nursing Career: 12-month Accelerated BSN program designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
56-Credit Intensive Curriculum: Focused on essential nursing knowledge, clinical skills, and evidence-based practice.
650+ Clinical and Simulation Hours: Exceeding D.C. Board of Nursing requirements with hands-on training.
Flexible Hybrid Learning Format: Combining online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical experiences.
Diverse Clinical Placements: Clinical opportunities in hospitals, schools, and community settings with trusted healthcare partners.

Program Details

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.

ABSN Admission 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 58.7 or the Heath Education System Inc. (HESI) examination with a minimum score of 80
- If taking the TEAS, see here for registration information
- If taking the HESI, see here for registration information and here for computer requirements
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.
Due to the hybrid nature of the ABSN program, students who would require an F-1 student visa are not eligible to apply.

Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at [email protected] or 202-319-5057 with any questions regarding the admissions process.

The ABSN applications are managed through the Office of Graduate Admissions to streamline the evaluation of previous degree documentation.

Prerequisite Courses

Prerequisite courses will be offered online at Catholic University and can be completed in one semester.

Human Anatomy & Physiology I
Human Anatomy & Physiology II
Microbiology
Psychology

Courses, Simulations, and Clinical

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.

Curriculum

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

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

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

Additional Info

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.

Scholarship Opportunities

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.

American Association of College of Nursing (AACN): 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.

Contact & Apply

Note: Those interested in applying for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ASBN), which is a post-baccalaureate degree, should use the graduate application.

Admission

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