The Bachelor of Science in nursing for students who already have a bachelor’s degree provides preparation for registered nursing practice. The curriculum is composed of both didactic and clinical components. The curriculum blends scientific and humanistic theories with nursing theories to provide graduates with a foundation for professional nursing practice. Faculty members hold a doctoral or master’s degree, and many are certified within their individual areas of specialty. Many members of the faculty continue to practice in healthcare settings and participate in research and other scholarly endeavors.
The A.B.S.N. program is designed for postbaccalaureate individuals who want to make a career change. The accelerated program is fast-paced and rigorous, incorporating three years of nursing courses into 16 months. The accelerated program is designed for nonworking, full-time students who can immerse themselves in the content.
16-Month Plan: Click here to view the Four-Year Plan for this specific program. To find out more about Four-Year Plans, visit the Policies and Procedures page.
Student advising: All students contemplating admission to the A.B.S.N. program are encouraged to contact an advisor regarding admission requirements. Students admitted to the A.B.S.N. program are assigned an advisor and are expected to maintain close contact with their advisor throughout the program of study. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate at least one advising session each semester.
Admission requirements: Admission to the A.B.S.N. program is highly selective. Priority will be given to students whose academic record reflects strength in the sciences and mathematics. To be considered for admission, one must:
- Be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or higher degree, or within six months of graduation with a statement from the registrar, chair, or advisor that graduation requirements will be met prior to the start of A.B.S.N. classes.
- Be admitted to NKU as a degree-seeking student with postbaccalaureate status without conditions.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. GPAs for admission to the A.B.S.N. program will be calculated using NKU and transfer coursework.
- Complete at least two science prerequisite courses before applying.
- Submit separate application to the Department of Nursing by January 1 for fall admission. The application is available in the nursing office or online (http://healthprofessions.nku.edu/departments/nursing.html). This application is in addition to the university application.
- Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of at least a C in each course. Prerequisites taken at another university are not considered completed until the course has been transferred to NKU.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of at least a B- in each course. Prerequisites taken at another university are not considered completed until the course has been transferred to NKU.
- All prerequisite science courses for admission to the program must be fewer than five years old as of the first day of the semester in which the program is started.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must demonstrate an established level of English proficiency by taking the Internet-based TOEFL. See special admission requirements under Department of Nursing for additional information.
Student criminal background check: Healthcare agencies are charged with providing care and protecting the safety of vulnerable populations including children and the aged. Agencies used for clinical placement require students to undergo criminal background checks and may deny clinical access to those convicted of felonies and certain misdemeanors. Conviction of these offenses may result in a student’s denial of admission to, or dismissal from, the College of Health Professions. Applicants are required to submit to criminal background checks as identified by the College of Health Professions as part of the application process. The cost of this and any subsequent screening will be borne by the student. The student is responsible for notifying the College of Health Professions of any change in the status of this record after starting the program. Note that successful completion of a criminal background check does not ensure eligibility for certification, licensure, or future employment.
Please also note:
- Admission is provisional, based upon satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses, criminal background check, and TOEFL if applicable.
- A failure (grade of C-, D, or F) in any prerequisite course or nursing course within four years of the start of the program makes an applicant ineligible for the A.B.S.N. program.
- The Kentucky Board of Nursing has regulations regarding previous convictions that must be addressed prior to sitting for the licensure examination. All felony and misdemeanor convictions must be reported when applying for licensure.
Evolve® Curriculum Support: All students will participate in the Evolve® Curriculum Support Program. This is a commercial program that provides additional resources for student learning. It is composed of case studies, practice tests/quizzes, and standardized testing. Completion of these will be dictated by course syllabi, and standardized test scores will contribute to final course grades in select nursing courses. A minimum score of 900 is required on the HESI RN-EXIT exam in order to graduate from the traditional B.S.N. and B.S.N. second-degree programs. A fee will be assessed in selected A.B.S.N. courses for this testing and support program.
Those students who do not achieve a 900 on BOTH the HESI Fundamentals Specialty Exam and HESI Medical-Surgical Specialty Exam will be required to take NRS 400 (1 credit) in the final semester of the program. A minimum score of 900 is required on the HESI RN-EXIT. For students who do not achieve the 900 benchmark, additional remediation will be required in order to graduate. A fee will be assessed in selected A.B.S.N. courses for this testing and support program.
Progression:
- Students admitted to the A.B.S.N. program are subject to the program requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of entry.
- Upon matriculation into the A.B.S.N. program, students must take the last 30 semester hours from NKU.
- Students are expected to progress sequentially through the nursing program. In order to be eligible to enroll in a succeeding nursing course, the student is required to meet all program requirements and academic standards.
- A grade of C or higher must be achieved in all nursing courses.
- Critical skills: Students are required to show ability to perform certain basic nursing skills during each semester. Failure to demonstrate continued ability to perform these skills will provide a basis for failure of the clinical component.
- Students must concurrently take and pass nursing courses that are co-requisites.
- Failed nursing courses (grade of C- or below) may not be repeated in the accelerated program.
Readmission: Students who fail a nursing course (earning a C- or below) in the accelerated program are not eligible for readmission to the accelerated program. Students may apply for admission to the traditional baccalaureate program if they meet admission criteria and will be considered on a space-available basis.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
