Program Overview

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Introduction to Baylor University's Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Baylor University's Louise Herrington School of Nursing offers a Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This immersive, accelerated online nursing program prepares students for a career in nursing in under 1 year.

Program Overview

The Distance ABSN program is a 12-month, faith-based curriculum that includes 62 total credits, with courses ranging from 3-10 weeks in length. The program features:

• Accelerated 1-year completion for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree
• Fully online coursework, with 2 on-campus visits and hands-on clinicals
• 720 hours of clinical experience serving diverse and underserved communities
• Clinical placement support provided for all students
• Learn from nationally recognized faculty at Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing
• Benefit from Baylor's trusted reputation in nursing education
• Designed for motivated career changers seeking an impactful role in healthcare

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for the Distance ABSN program, applicants must:

• Have a completed bachelor's degree in any non-nursing discipline
• Complete 52 pre-req credits before starting the program (33 credits must be completed for file review, including 2 of the 4 science pre-reqs)
• Have a 3.0 GPA on pre-req courses and a 2.75 GPA on science pre-req courses
• Take the HESI Exam (English Composite score of 80 or above, Math score of 80 or above)
• Submit a resume and participate in an interview

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are required before starting the ABSN program:

• Microbiology
• Anatomy & Physiology I
• Anatomy & Physiology II
• Chemistry
• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• English Literature
• Federal Government
• Bible-based Religion
• World Religion
• History
• Nutrition
• Statistics
• Intro to Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Intro to Sociology

Accreditation and Rankings

Baylor University is distinguished in healthcare and business, preparing students with the skills and knowledge to stand out in the industry. The Louise Herrington School of Nursing is:

• Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
• A member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Ranked by Best-Nursing-Colleges.com as the #11 Best Nursing College in Texas
• Ranked #1 by NursingProcess.org as the Best Nursing College in Texas

Curriculum

The Distance ABSN curriculum includes courses such as:

• NUR 3212 Professional Development: Foundations for Practice
• NUR 3330 Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice
• NUR 4338 Analysis and Synthesis of Complex Human Needs

Clinical Placement Support

Clinical placement is a required educational component of Baylor's online nursing programs. The hands-on learning, supervision, and application of theory into practice prepare students for their future role in the field. Many students also find potential employment opportunities at their placement site upon graduation.

Program Outcomes

The curriculum is designed to provide learning experiences that will prepare graduates to:

• Synthesize liberal education and Christian principles in safe, compassionate, professional nursing care
• Practice as a professional nurse to facilitate human need fulfillment of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings
• Utilize the human needs framework and current evidence as a basis for professional nursing practice
• Utilize information management systems to deliver, evaluate, and improve the safety and effectiveness of patient care
• Demonstrate effective communication, collaboration, and care coordination as a member of the inter-professional healthcare team to improve health outcomes
• Demonstrate professional, ethical, moral, legal, and spiritual concepts into one's practice within a global environment
• Synthesize leadership and management strategies in the delivery of health promotion and disease prevention at the individual and population level
• Demonstrate understanding of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory standards on quality outcomes and nursing practice

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of Baylor University's Distance ABSN program are employed in various healthcare settings, including top-tier acute care hospitals, specialty hospitals, outpatient and community settings, and national facilities. According to a recent survey, Baylor ABSN graduates are employed by major Texas hospital systems such as HCA Healthcare, Memorial Hermann, and Baylor Scott & White. The average hourly salary for graduates is $32.69, and the average annual salary is $67,996.