Accelerated BSN Option

Cohorts begin annually, each Fall (August) and graduate the following year during the month of December.
Class schedules vary each semester but typically include classes two days per week and clinical one to two days per week.
Many of the clinical rotations are held in Buncombe County and the surrounding areas, but on occasion travel to more distant sites may be required to provide the optimal clinical experience.
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).

ABSN Option applicants must meet the following admission requirements:

1. Graduate of an approved, regionally-accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in a different discipline which contains a rigorous portion of general education and liberal studies coursework.
   • Registrar's Office will determine if the degree has sufficient general education and other coursework requirements to waive the required WCU liberal studies requirements.
   • The degree may be in progress at the time of application but must be confirmed before starting the program.
2. GPA: two GPA scores will be calculated, weighted 25% each:
   • The first GPA will be based on the last 60 hours of academic credit (undergraduate and/or graduate). A minimum of 3.0 is required for the last 60 hours.
   • The second GPA will be based on the three completed science prerequisites required at the time of the application. If more than three science prerequisites are completed by the program application deadline, the three highest scores will be used to determine the science GPA.
3. TEAS Admission Assessment Score. Official scores must be sent to WCU Nursing from Assessment Technology Institute (ATI). To learn more, visit the TEAS website.
4. Complete the Western Carolina University application.
5. Completed ABSN application (available in November, 2018).
6. Completion of the following prerequisite courses or their approved equivalents with a grade of ‘C’ or above.*
   • Chemistry 132 – Introductory Chemistry with lab (4 hours) CHEM 139 and 140 are also acceptable *
   • Chemistry 133 – Survey Organic/Biochemistry with lab (4 hours)*
   • Biology 291 – Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (4 hours)*
   • Biology 292 – Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (4 hours)*
   • Environmental Health 260/261 – Etiology of Infectious Disease with lab (3 hours)*
   • Psychology 150 – General Psychology (3 hours)
   • ND 338 – Normal & Therapeutic Nutrition (Usually only taken through WCU)
   • NSG 101 – Introduction to Professional Nursing (must earn a B or higher) (through WCU)
   • NSG 346 – Pathophysiology for Nursing (may only be repeated once for a total of two attempts) (usually only through WCU)
7. Completion of three of the five science prerequisites by the program application deadline. All other prerequisites may be in-progress at the application deadline but must be completed prior to matriculation. The five sciences that apply to this rule are indicated with an (*) asterisk.

Note: Students are required to earn a minimum grade of "B" or better for NSG 101 prior to admission to the program. Students are permitted only one repeat for NSG 101 and NSG 346 for grade replacement.

Students may elect to complete the course prerequisites at a community college or other university.

• Click here for more information about approved North Carolina Community College course equivalencies for the prerequisites.
• Prior course equivalency approval is required for courses taken at another institution.

Note - Admission to the ABSN Option is highly selective. The School of Nursing uses a holistic admissions review for the ABSN Program. Admission selection criteria for eligible applications will be based on:

• GPA (50%)
• TEAS Admission Assessment Exam Score (25%)
• Resume and Cover Letter Score (10%)
• Interview with the ABSN Admissions Committee (15%)

In addition to applying to WCU, students must also submit a supplemental program application for the ABSN Program.
Deadlines for Fall 2019:

• February 1, 2019 to WCU
• February 15, 2019 to the ABSN Program

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ABSN APPLICATION PROCESS PAGE.

If you are getting instructions on the application process page about NursingCas, you will need to clear your cache or use a different web browser.

• It is strongly recommended that applicants attend an ABSN Advising Session located at the WCU Programs at Biltmore Park location prior to submitting their application.
  • Please check the advising tab below for more information.
• Please review the application process instructions well in advance of the deadline for application. Selection will be based on the applicant's qualifications, intellectual curiosity, communication skills, and potential for success in the ABSN Option.
• Meeting minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee acceptance into the ABSN Option.

The ABSN required courses are laid out in 4-semesters 

ABSN CURRICULUM

ABSN ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE

NC Promise Reduced Tuition Information

There are financial benefits that are possible due to this program change. Students will now be able to work part-time around their class and clinical schedules due to the 14-17 credit hour course load per semester. To learn more, contact the WCU Office of Financial Aid (finaid.wcu.edu) for more information.

Students can also apply for the CFNC Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) opportunity. The priority deadline for applying is April 1. For more information, visit cfnc.org/fels.
There are also a variety of scholarships that may be available to current students, awarded by the School of Nursing and external organizations. To learn more, visit the Nursing Scholarships website.

The Director of Student Services conducts advising sessions monthly for students wanting more information about upcoming admission cycles. Topics that will be covered include general information about the program, admission requirements, prerequisites/transfer equivalencies, preparing for the TEAS exam, etc.
Sessions are from 3:30-5:30pm and are held at the WCU Programs at Biltmore Park location. A reservation is required. You will receive directions and the room location upon confirmation of your reservation.

Attending an advising session is required prior to requesting an individual advising appointment.

To reserve a seat at an upcoming session, click HERE.

If dates are not showing available, all seats have been filled for the date. You can check back to see if someone dropped their reservation.

Upcoming Advising Session dates include:
January 8, 2019 - Only for those who have reviewed all information and are applying for fall 2019