Accelerated BSN (ABSN)

The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Program is designed for the adult student with previous college course work and/or with previous healthcare-related experiences, i.e., MICT and LPN. The ABSN curriculum provides educational experiences that enhance the knowledge, competencies, and professional behaviors of the adult learner. The program is organized into six distinct 7-week modules consisting of a total of 60-credit hours provided over a twelve- month period. Course work may be delivered onsite, online and/or hybrid instruction.

Students must complete all prerequisites prior to starting the program. All students must take all required nursing courses. The Biblical Perspectives course is considered a general education requirement and students may transfer previous coursework in Biblical studies if the course is approved by the Chair of the Christian Ministry and Formation Department. Upon successful program completion, students receive the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN® examination.

Admission to the Accelerated BSN Program

Admission requirements include:

• Eligible applicants for this program are those who:
  • have a BS or BA degree in another field from an accredited college or university, OR
  • are an LPN or MICT with 60 hours of college credit from an accredited college or university, OR
  • are HIGHLY motivated with at least 60 hours of credit from an accredited college or university.
  • have a program prerequisite GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, AND
  • have a cumulative undergraduate GPA* of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 grading scale.
• Students may qualify for expedited admission if they meet the following criteria:
  • A combined GPA score of 6.8 (Prereq and Cum)
  • Prereq courses may not be repeated
  • TOEFL (if needed)
  • Completed personal statement
• All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed prior to beginning the program and MNU must have final transcripts.
• No grade lower than a C- (70%) is acceptable in any of the prerequisite courses, and students with higher grades in the sciences will be better positioned for acceptance.
• All of the prerequisite courses do not have to be completed before program application; however, they must be completed, and official transcripts received by MNU’s Admission’s office before the respective start dates of the ABSN program.
• Students with a previous associate degree (AA or AS) or bachelor degree (BA or BS) from an accredited college/university are possibly considered to have met additional MidAmerica Nazarene University general core requirements. Students without a previous bachelor degree may also need to complete other courses (to satisfy general education requirements) before starting the ABSN program.
• Display attributes described in the “Functional Abilities for Professional Nursing Practice” available by request from the Department of Pre-Licensure Nursing.
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to the MNU nursing major whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency through the TOEFL iBT or IELTS exam.
• Students who were unsuccessful in passing no more than one course in another program will be reviewed on an individual basis.
• This program has a highly competitive selection process with limited enrollment.

English Language Requirements

The Pre-Licensure nursing programs require that all applicants, whether domestic or international, who are not native speakers of English, meet the minimum English proficiency requirement to be considered for admission. Therefore, all applicants for study in the pre-licensure nursing programs whose native language is not English must demonstrate an established level of English language proficiency.

• Official transcript showing the applicant graduated with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from an accredited English-medium U.S. college or university or a college or university in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, English-speaking province of Canada, or an English-speaking Caribbean country, with instruction conducted in English. Degrees earned online may not be used to verify English proficiency.
• Receipt of an official copy (not student’s copy) of an applicant’s English proficiency standardized test scores (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS) achieved not more than two years prior to the semester of first enrollment.
• A personal and/or phone interview may be conducted.

TOEFL iBT and IELTS Requirements:

Below are the minimum scores required on the TOEFL-iBT and IELTS exams to satisfy the minimum English proficiency requirement for admission.

When submitting test scores to MNU, please submit only original scores sent directly from the testing agency. Photocopies will not be accepted. MNU’s school code number for the TOEFL iBT is 6437.

If a student does not meet the minimum requirement for admission, the Pre-Licensure Admission Committee may petition the Department Chair of the Pre-Licensure Nursing programs for an exemption. The petition should include a justification for admitting the specific student, including a description of the interview process, and a plan for the student to achieve academic success.

Application Process:

• Complete online application for MNU on the MNU website.
• Submit the required application documents, and pay the application fee, if applicable.

Procedure to apply for admission to the Accelerated BSN program:

1. Application and acceptance to MidAmerica Nazarene University.
2. Completion of an application submitted through an online centralized admission service.
3. The online application process will include requests for:
   1. all official college/university transcripts. Note: foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an NACES agency before application deadline;
   2. two (2) professional references.
   3. personal statement (directions provided online).
4. Application deadline for spring start is December 1st and application deadline for fall start is July 15th.
5. A financial plan to pay for the program in place before courses start.

ABSN Program Prerequisites:

• 3 hrs. Human Growth and Development/Child Development
• 3 hrs. Intermediate Algebra, or higher level algebra course (or proficiency)
  *Proficiency examinations such as The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may be used to receive credit.
• 3 hrs. Statistics
• 3 hrs. English Comp I: Writing and Rhetoric (or proficiency)
• 3 hrs. Public Speaking (will accept Interpersonal Communication)
• 8 hrs. Anatomy and Physiology (will consider 5 or 6 hour combined course in transfer, but highly recommend a supplemental physiology course as a science elective)
• 3 hrs. Human Nutrition - must be a science-based course (e.g. a biology or general science course). Other nutrition courses [health, PE] may/may not be accepted based on the course description and/or syllabus)
• 4-7 hrs. Health Science courses that relate to nursing. Recommended: physiology (if a student has 5-6 hour combined course of A/P), chemistry, biology, genetics, microbiology, etc.) [Must have a minimum of 15 hours of science.]

Clinical Requirements

Other requirements prior to beginning clinical courses (Module 2):

1. Health/hospitalization insurance.
2. Documentation of immunization records.
3. Certified background checks and drug screenings.
4. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professional Certification from the American Heart Association.

Academic Progression in the Accelerated BSN Program

Following completion of each nursing course, students are evaluated by nursing faculty in terms of both scholastic and clinical nursing performance.

1. The ABSN program requires the attainment of an overall course grade of C (73%) or higher in all courses of the major with prefix NURS. A grade of less than C (73%) is considered a failing grade for any NURS course. Any lab or clinical portion of a course must receive a PASS to be successful. A FAIL will be transcribed as an F.
2. In addition, the ABSN program requires the attainment of a grade of C (73%) or testing portion of the course grade for all nursing courses that include exams. The exam average will be calculated in one of two ways: (1) as an overall test average, or (2) a weighted test average, as determined by individual faculty and described in each course syllabus. The lower of (a) the overall course grade or, (b) the testing portion of the grade, or (c) the Pass/Fail portion of the course, will stand as the grade for the course.
3. Failure to meet the above requirements will result in failure of the course. Any course failure in the Accelerated BSN program will result in the immediate dismissal from the program. Students who are dismissed from the program may apply for acceptance into the Traditional BSN (TBSN) or Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program according to the program application process. Prior acceptance into the ABSN program is not a guarantee of acceptance into the TBSN or ABSN program.

Contact the Pre-Licensure Nursing Department for a complete listing of the admission and progression criteria, time frames involved, and other specific information about the Accelerated BSN program.

Information Related to Licensure and NCLEX- RN® Examination

Graduation from the Traditional BSN program prepares individuals to take the NCLEX- RN® (RN licensure exam) in any state. Students taking the examination in Kansas will be notified about application procedures. Students taking the NCLEX- RN® examination in other states must assume individual responsibility for contacting the appropriate state board of nursing for licensure application requirements and procedures.

For example, individuals who have been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors may or may not be eligible for RN licensure in a given state. Other reasons why a license to practice as an RN may be denied, revoked, limited, or suspended in the state of Kansas are also listed in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. The entire Kansas Nurse Practice Act may be accessed at https://ksbn.kansas.gov/npa/.