The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program welcomes individuals who have baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing. The program honors diverse academic and life experiences and provides an opportunity to enter the nursing profession in a concentrated 15-month timeframe. Graduates of the program are qualified for the role of baccalaureate-prepared generalist nurse as described by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).

ABSN students need 120 credits needed to earn the BSN degree. Students will receive 45 general education (“GenEd”) credits from their prior degree applied towards the BSN. In addition, students will receive 19 credits for completing the program prerequisite courses. There are 56 additional credits of coursework in the ABSN program needed to earn the BSN degree. Prior learning credit for other courses, such as to fulfill the major (NURS or MEDT) elective and other MEDT course requirements, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Admissions to the ABSN program are on a rolling basis. Students begin as a cohort in Summer. If you have completed a baccalaureate degree program and are seeking to become an RN, please also consider our Nursing MSN Entry-to-Practice program which offers admissions on a rolling basis, with students able to begin in Fall, Spring, or Summer.

Admission Requirements

  • An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Completion of the following academic prerequisites (taken within the last 10 years, from a regionally accredited university, with in-person labs, with a minimum Grade of B-):
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology – 8 credits with in-person lab. Course can be confirmed using NJTransfer against FDU benchmarks of BIOL2203/BIOL2223 and BIOL2204/BIOL2224.
    • General Chemistry – 4 credits with in-person lab. Introduction to Chemistry is not a sufficient substitution. Course can be confirmed using NJTransfer against FDU benchmarks of CHEM1107/CHEM1117 or higher level.
    • Microbiology – 4 credits with in-person lab. Course can be confirmed using NJTransfer against FDU benchmarks of BIOL2125/BIOL2126 or higher level.
    • Statistics – 3 credits. Statistics course must include descriptive and inferential statistics. Introduction to Statistics is not a sufficient substitution. Course can be confirmed using NJTransfer against FDU benchmarks of PSYC2210, MATH2335/2337, or higher level.

Academic Program Plan 

Summer Semesters (19 credits)

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Spring Semester (14 credits) 

  • NURS3550/NURS3551Nursing Management of Psychosocial Problems (5 cr)
  • MEDT3204 Social Determinants of Health (3 cr)
  • MEDT2217 Information Systems and Applications in Healthcare (3 cr)
  • MEDT4430 Utilization of Healthcare Research (3 cr)

Summer Semester (8 credits)

 
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions

  • The recommended application deadline is December 1 for the 15-month program starting the following May.

  • Fill out an undergraduate transfer student application located online at www.fdu.edu/apply 

  • Yes, you can take outstanding prerequisite classes at FDU as a non-degree seeking student. Visit https://www.fdu.edu/admissions/adult/ for more information. 

  • The ABSN program is considered a full-time program. Students are expected to be available ~40 hours/week to complete coursework and clinicals. Typically, students have found it difficult to maintain a full-time job and be successful in the program. 

  • There are so many factors to consider! Please email your question to myapp@fdu.edu and we will connect you with an admissions representative who will further assist you. 

  • Please contact Enrollment Services at 201-692-2214 for additional information.  

Contact Information
Dr. Sylvia Cabassa (Director, Entry-Level Nursing Program)
scabassa@fdu.edu
(201) 692-2880