Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program was initiated at Creighton University in May of 1975. It is a one-calendar-year curriculum for individuals who hold a non-nursing baccalaureate or higher degree. Before admission to the ABSN program, an individual must complete the courses in the social/behavioral, physical/biological sciences (or equivalent courses), ethics, and statistics required in the traditional curriculum. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is awarded at graduation. The College of Nursing offers the ABSN program on its Omaha, Grand Island, and Phoenix campuses. This program conducts classroom and practicum courses on a term-based delivery model with 8-week terms as well as 2-3 week intensive terms. A blended course model, combining pre-class lecture (online) and engaged classroom learning activities (in-person), is used to conduct classroom learning. Students will also participate in practicum experiences including on-site patient care and population-based learning activities as well as patient simulation experiences.  

Admission (Omaha, Grand Island, and Phoenix Campus-Based Programs)

Admission to the College of Nursing is a two-tiered process, both conditions must be successfully completed.

  1. Academic acceptance is based on academic credentials and application materials.
    1. A baccalaureate or higher degree in another discipline from an accredited college or university.
    2. A minimum of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
    3. Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum of “C” (2.0) grade or above.
    4. Personal statement describing evidence of potential and motivation for nursing, long-term goals, and ability to meet the demands of a rigorous program.
    5. Evidence of prior work success and/or ability to handle a rigorous academic schedule. This includes providing the College of Nursing transcripts from all colleges attended.
    6. Three recommendations addressing academic and personal attributes; someone from your academic life, preferably an instructor; an employer (if you have never been employed, a supervisor or director of volunteer work will be accepted); and a third person who may be another instructor, employer, or professional colleague.
  2. Validation of the applicant's ability to meet the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor requirements of the nursing curriculum, with or without reasonable accommodations, consistent with the American Disabilities Act is required. Students must complete the Safety and Technical Standards form attesting to their ability to meet these requirements.

This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll persons of non-immigrant status. The ability to speak and write correct grammatical English is imperative. Foreign students may enroll in Creighton University’s English Language Program on a full or part-time basis in order to improve their English skills.

English Proficiency Requirement

English Language Proficiency is an important part of the application process for those whose first language is not English. The College of Nursing has the discretion to determine individual standards for how this requirement will be met using one or more of the following:

  • English Language exam scores. If English is not the applicant's native language and the applicant has not obtained a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, the applicant must present evidence of a TOEFL score of at least 100, an IELTS score of at least 7, or a Duolingo score of 120. Scores over 2 years old will not be accepted. Students must ask the ETS (the testing agency) to send original scores to Creighton University (Institutional Code 6121).
  • The College of Nursing reserves the right to require students to re-take the exam. It is also at the discretion of the College of Nursing as to whether a TOEFL score is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country. 

Conditions of Enrollment

  1. Current immunizations consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines for all current students.
  2. Completion of the College of Nursing's Attestation of Physical and Mental Health Form by a healthcare provider.
  3. Background investigations and results consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines for all current students. 
  4. Drug screen and results consistent with Creighton University and/or clinical agency guidelines for all current students. 
  5. Completion of certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) for the "Healthcare Professional" from the American Heart Association (AHA). This course includes instruction of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and content for care of adults, children, and infants.

Prerequisite Requirements

The following courses and other requirements must be completed prior to beginning the ABSN program.

Applicants may be conditionally accepted prior to completion of designated prerequisite coursework if their plan of study indicates that all courses will be completed prior to entry. However, an applicant file will not be considered until one of the following conditions is met prior to the application deadline:

  • 4 semester hours of both General Chemistry and Anatomy (A&P I)
  • 4 semester hours of both General Chemistry and Physiology (A&P II)
  • 4 semester hours of Anatomy and Physiology (A&P I and A&P II)

All students must provide evidence of completion via official transcripts prior to entry. All courses must carry a grade of “C” (2.0) or above to be accepted for transfer to Creighton. All courses must come from an accredited college/university in order to qualify. Students must complete the following 33-34 semester hours of prerequisite courses:

  1. Statistics (3 semester hours)
  2. Behavioral Sciences (9 semester hours)
    1. General Psychology (3 semester hours)
    2. General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 semester hours)
    3. Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours). This course should cover the lifespan (from infancy through old age).
  3. Ethics (3 semester hours)
    1. Bioethics or Ethics (3 semester hours). The application of ethical theories to contemporary problems of human life; emphasizes the process of making ethical/moral judgments.
  4. Physical and Biological Sciences (18-19 semester hours)
    1. Microbiology (4 semester hours)
    2. Inorganic/General Chemistry (4 semester hours)
    3. Anatomy & Physiology (8 semester hours - this may be two combined courses or a human anatomy course and a human physiology course)
    4. Nutrition (2-3 semester hours)

* If prerequisite courses are on the quarter system (quarter hour = 2/3 semester hour) students must complete a total of 50 quarter hours.

 A block of 96 transfer semester hours (includes the above prerequisite courses as well as liberal arts and science courses completed in the previous baccalaureate degree program) is added to the student's academic record after the student enrolls in the ABSN program at Creighton. This block credit represents the prerequisite coursework and Magis Common Core courses, as well as additional elective credit needed to be considered a 5th-year student to satisfy financial aid purposes.

  1. Science credits earned over 10 years ago will be individually evaluated.
  2. A total number of 128 hours is required for the BSN degree.

College of Nursing Dual Degree Programs (3+1 Program)

The College of Nursing also offers a 3+1 collaborative dual degree with Concordia University, Hastings College, Wayne State College, and York College. The collaborative dual degree program between the partner institutions and the Creighton University College of Nursing allows students, who have not yet been awarded a baccalaureate or higher degree, to be awarded a degree from both the partner institution and Creighton University. This program allows students to complete 3 years on the partner institution's campus followed by one year (12 months) in the Creighton University ABSN program on the Grand Island campus. Students completing this program will receive a baccalaureate degree from the partner institution and a BSN from Creighton University. The applicant to this program must meet the following admission and progression criteria:

Admission Requirements for Admitted College Freshmen

Demonstrate a minimum high school GPA of 3.75 at the time of application

Progression Requirements

The following requirements must be met while enrolled in the partner institution's curriculum for guaranteed admission into the Creighton University College of Nursing ABSN program. Students must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” (2.0) or above to be accepted for transfer to Creighton. 

  1. Statistics (3 semester hours)
  2. Behavioral Sciences (9 semester hours)
    1. General Psychology (3 semester hours)
    2. General Sociology or Cultural Anthropology (3 semester hours)
    3. Developmental Psychology (3 semester hours). This course should cover the lifespan (from infancy through old age).
  3. Bioethics or Ethics (3 semester hours). The application of ethical theories to contemporary problems of human life; emphasizes the process of making ethical/moral judgments.
  4. Physical and Biological Sciences (18-19 semester hours)
    1. Microbiology (4 semester hours)
    2. Inorganic/General Chemistry (4 semester hours)
    3. Anatomy & Physiology (8 semester hours - this may be two combined courses or a human anatomy course and a human physiology course)
    4. Nutrition (2-3 semester hours)

Concordia University - No more than two “C” grades can be earned in science courses 

Hastings College - No more than two “C” grades can be earned in science courses (BIO 111, BIO 113, BIO 321, CHM 111, CHM 113, SCI 313) 

Wayne State College - No more than two “C” grades can be earned in science courses (BIO 110, BIO 220, BIO 340, BIO 385, CHE 106)

York College - No more than two “C” grades can be earned in science courses (BIO 313, BIO 314, BIO 324, BIO 344, CHM 214, CHM 243)              

A block of 70 transfer credits is added to the student's academic record upon successful completion of term 4 in the ABSN program. This block credit represents the prerequisite coursework and Magis Common Core courses, as well as additional elective credit, needed to fulfill the College of Nursing’s BSN degree requirements.

Accelerated Bachelor of Sceince in Nursing Curriculum (58 credits)

Term 1 (8 weeks)

NUR 235Foundations and Health Assessment Concepts2
NUR 236Foundations and Health Assessment Concepts Practicum1
NUR 250Human Pathophysiology Concepts3
NUR 341Foundations of Pharmacology for Nursing3
Total Credits9

Term 2 (8 weeks)

NUR 243Care Management Concepts I5
NUR 244Care Management Concepts Practicum I5
NUR 258Population-Based Health I1
Total Credits11

Intensive I (3 weeks)

NUR 312Evidence Based Practice I3
NUR 323Professional Concepts I: Leadership2
Total Credits5

Intensive II (2 weeks)

NUR 421Professional Concepts II: Policy and Advocacy2
Total Credits2

Term 3 (8 weeks)

NUR 343Care Management Concepts II5
NUR 344Care Management Concepts Practicum II5
NUR 338Population-Based Health II1
Total Credits11

Term 4 (8 weeks)

NUR 443Care Management Concepts III5
NUR 444Care Management Concepts III Practicum5
NUR 480Population-Based Health III1
Total Credits11

Term 5 (8 weeks)

NUR 436Professional Concepts III: Transition to a Values-Based Profession2
NUR 450Evidence-Based Practice II1
NUR 489Capstone Practicum6
Total Credits9