School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department of Nursing: ASN
The Associate of Science in nursing is a two-year degree track for students interested in becoming a Registered Nurse. Those with existing experience may be eligible for the one-year Bridge Program to reach RN status.
The Associate of Science in Nursing is offered in two tracks a Generic and Bridge. Both lead to eligibility to take the licensing examination to be a Registered Nurse (RN).
The Generic track of the nursing program is a common traditional pathway to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). The program requires two semesters of pre-requisite courses that must be taken before the first nursing course. After these courses are completed, students enter the four-semester sequence of nursing courses.
The courses begin with the basics of nursing care and then progress in the following semesters to more complex issues including the latest technology used in patient care. Students learn in classroom settings as well as in small groups in campus laboratories where realistic automated patient manikins create a safe learning environment in which students are encouraged by an expert faculty to build skills and confidence. Students complete clinical rotations in area hospitals, all of which have excellent reputations for quality patient care.
Graduates earn an associate of science in nursing (ASN) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination to earn their RN license.
The Bridge track provides LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists advanced placement and an accelerated, one-day-per-week program.
The program requires that students have completed their entire core coursework required for the associate degree in nursing program. Upon completion of these classes, students take three semesters of nursing courses.
Graduates earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination to earn their RN license.
Beginning with the Spring 2025 cohort admission, the ABAC School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SONHS) will begin an internal assessment of its practices related to the admission process, previous admission data, the current curriculum, remediation materials, tutorial support, etc. During this internal assessment, the SONHS will suspend the use of the HESI A2 entrance exam as a requirement for admission to the Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) program. Thus, students applying for admission to the Associate of Science Nursing (ASN) program for Spring 2025 will not be required to take the HESI A2 exam.
ABAC SONHS believes this internal assessment is necessary to provide an opportunity to strengthen the nursing program, further develop the curricula, assess the program for rigor and currency, reflect upon the current health industry demands, and how to best prepare our students to meet those demands. Our goal is to ensure we are providing the best educational opportunities available to students to allow us to continue the ABAC legacy of producing the caring, safe, and competent nurses we have been known for producing since 1966. This internal assessment will have no negative impact on the approximately 200 students currently enrolled in the program.
