The Accelerated BSN Track (ABSN) is designed specifically for bachelor’s prepared or post-baccalaureate individuals who want to pursue a career in nursing. The course requirements for the accelerated option are the same as those for the traditional BSN, and prerequisites are required. However, this 12-month track provides an accelerated option for students ready for a challenging transition to a career as a bachelor of science educated registered nurse. The ABSN is designed for non-working, full-time students who can immerse themselves into the content.
Classes are held full-time on the AB Tech Enka campus and there are no semester breaks. Students can expect to attend classes five days per week, typically 8 hours per day. Clinical practicums, conducted at several regional healthcare facilities, schedule will vary and students should expect to have some clinical experiences on weekends and/or evenings.
Western Carolina University ABSN Track is proud to partner with Charles George VA Medial Center as part of the Veteran’s Administration Nursing Academy (VANA) (http://www.va.gov/oaa/vana/) program. The partnership is one of five nationally announced this year as part of a five-year, $40 million program that began in 2007. The three-year grant will increase the number of students in WCU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing entry option and provide outstanding clinical opportunities through the VA Medical Center health care continuum.
Upon completion of the program of study, students will be eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
To learn more about the ABSN Track, make plans to attend an upcoming information and advising session. For more information about attending an upcoming advising session and to RSVP, visit http://www.wcu.edu/10916.asp.
A. ABSN Track Admission Requirements
Note - Admission to the ABSN program is highly selective. Selection criteria for admission will be based on:
- Cumulative GPA
- TEAS Admission Assessment Exam Scores
- Interview with ABSN Admissions Committee
1. Graduate of an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s or higher degree.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on 4.0 scale. Online GPA calculators, such as the Back2College GPA calculator, can be a helpful tool in determining if you've met this requirement.
3. Admission to the University as a degree-seeking student with post-baccalaureate status.
4. Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of ‘C’ or above.* Prerequisites taken at another college or university are not considered completed until the course has been transferred to Western Carolina University and posted on the student’s WCU transcript.
- Chemistry 132 – Introductory Chemistry (4 hours)
- Chemistry 133 – Survey Organic/Biochemistry (4 hours)
- Biology 291 – Human Anatomy-Physiology (4 hours)
- Biology 292 – Human Anatomy-Physiology (4 hours)
- HSCC 260 - Etiology of Infectious Disease (3 hours)
- Psychology 150- General Psychology (3 hours)
Click here for more information about North Carolina Community College course equivalencies for the prerequisites. *Students who have not completed all of the prerequisites may apply to the program when they have completed at least two of the five science courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Students with prerequisites remaining at the time of application must submit a plan for completing all prerequisites prior to the first semester of the accelerated program.
5. Personal Interview- to be scheduled after submission of completed ABSN application. Only those applicants who meet minimum cumulative GPA and pre-requisite course completion requirements will be considered for interview.
6. Application to WCU School of Nursing- ABSN Track. In addition to applying to WCU, students must submit an application for the ABSN Track.
Students applying for January 2010: click here to download the ABSN January 2010 Application. Deadline for submission of the January application packet is November 15, 2009. Application packets postmarked later after November 15, 2009 will not be considered for admission. ONLY those students who are applying for January admission should complete this application.
Students applying for August 2010 admission: The August application packet will be posted February 1, 2010.
Deadline for submission of the August application packet is May 15, 2010. Please note: students who are seeking acceptance to the August class should NOT submit the January application - applications submitted in November will not be considered for the August class.
B. Application Process
Application to the ABSN Track requires applying to both Western Carolina University and the School of Nursing ABSN Track.
1. Students should apply for admission to Western Carolina University as soon as possible, but at least two months prior to the planned admission cycle to the ABSN Track. University admission requirements and online application are available at: http://www1.cfnc.org/applications/university_of_north_carolina/apply.html?application_id=1551
When completing the WCU application, please note the following:- Indicate your entrance status as TRANSFER student
- List your desired major as PRE NURSING
- List your campus as ASHEVILLE/ENKA
2. TEAS Admissions Exam: Please see follow the link for testing dates and information: http://www.wcu.edu/5336.asp.
For more information about preparing for the TEAS exam visit http://www.atitesting.com/onlinestore/BrowseStore.aspx?RootID=88&CatID=90.
3. Students should apply to the ABSN Track according to the following deadlines:
- Students applying for the January admission should apply using the posted application packet.
Deadline for submitting a completed application is November 15, 2009. - Students applying for August admission must submit a completed application by May 15, 2010.
Application packets for the August admission cycle will be posted in February, 2010.
Please review instructions in the packet well in advance of the deadline for application.
4. Personal Interview: Qualified candidates will be notified of the personal interview date by the ABSN Track Admissions Committee approximately two weeks after the application deadline.
5. Selection will be based on the applicant's qualifications, intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and potential for success in the ABSN Track. Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance into the ABSN Track.
For more information or assistance with the application process, contact:
Jessica Shirley
Student Services Manager
School of Nursing
jshirley@wcu.edu