Accelerated Nursing, B.S.

Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track is geared towards individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from a regionally accredited college or university, but want to become licensed as an RN and working in the field quickly.

Students will gain the knowledge necessary to become an advocate for patients, families, and communities. They will learn to practice a holistic approach to patient wellness and quality care through critical and creative thinking, ethical decision-making, and evidence-based practice.

Admissions Requirements and Process

Only students admitted to the program may enroll in nursing courses (NUR). It is important to note that not all qualified candidates can be offered admission to the nursing program due to the limited number of places available. Prospective nursing applicants are strongly advised to attend a Health Science Information Session conducted by the university. Please call the Admissions Office at 800.889.3282 for dates and times of upcoming sessions. Students may enter the university at any time to complete the prerequisites required for admission.

Admission is based upon completion of ABSN prerequisites and other requirements. All requirements must be completed before enrolling in the program. Students may apply to the ABSN program up to four times.

Any submitted applications that do not meet the minimum required GPA of 3.0 and the required on the examination on the examination that is used as the pre-admission exam will not be considered or counted as an attempt.

Admissions Process

Complete the application for admission into Goodwin University. Applicants to the ABSN program must first meet the prerequisites for admission and be accepted into Goodwin University.
Complete the ABSN Program Application.
1. Official college transcripts are required with the application if the applicant has courses from another institution that will need to be transferred in to meet the prerequisite courses required for admission or to use as proof of level of education for the admission point system. If the transcripts have already been provided to the Registrar, the Nursing department will retrieve copies.
2. Take the examination being used for pre-admission. This examination is administered off campus three times a year, (January, May and September). The cost of the exam is the responsibility of the applicant. Students may only register for the exam when they are submitting an application or reactivating an application that is already on file. It is the student’s responsibility to follow the deadlines and instructions posted on the application. All questions regarding exam registration dates and deadlines must be directed to the Nursing Department. Students may only attempt the pre-entrance examination one time per semester for a total of six (6) attempts. Students must attain the pre-determined minimal score for whichever exam is being utilized at the time the student applies to be considered for admission. Student must complete or have already completed BIO 212 (A&P II) in the semester (s)he registers for the pre-entrance exam.
3. Earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the most recent course work (college). College GPA is based on most recent attained collegiate degree or a minimum of 12 completed credits at Goodwin University. GPA’s are not rounded.
4. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” prior to applying:
  1. Chemistry - CHEM 101 (Goodwin University) or equivalent.
  2. Lifespan Development - PSY 212 (Goodwin University) or equivalent.
  3. Statistics - STAT 167 (Goodwin University) or equivalent.
5. Complete the following prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C+” prior to applying:
  1. Biology - BIO 211 , Anatomy & Physiology I (Goodwin University) or equivalent completed within the last five years.
  2. Biology - BIO 212 Anatomy & Physiology II (Goodwin University) or equivalent completed within the last five years.
  3. Biology - BIO 235 Microbiology (Goodwin University) or equivalent completed within the last ten years.

Any prerequisite courses transferred from another college must be equivalent to Goodwin University courses and must meet the grade requirement of “C+” as previously stated.

Point System

I. Previous College Education		Score
Bachelor’s Degree Received from Goodwin University or University of Bridgeport received after January of 2021		2
Master’s Degree
II. Completed Goodwin University Courses (C or higher) NO points for FIL 101		4
1-3 course(s)		1
4-6 courses		2
> 7 courses		3
(MAXIMUM = 3)
*III. Cumulative GPA (not rounded) based on completed Goodwin University coursework totaling >12 credits or most recent college degree (Minimum 3.0 to qualify)**
3.0 - 3.2		1
3.3 - 3.5		2
3.6 - 3.7		3
3.8 - 4.0		4
*Credit by exam does not count as a course taken.
IV. Composite Score on ATI TEAS Pre-Entrance Exam (>58.7% to qualify)
58.7% - 62.9%		1
63.0% - 67.1%		2
67.2% - 71.3%		3
71.4% - 75.5%		4
75.6% - 79.7%		5
79.8% - 83.9%		6
84.0% - 88.1%		7
88.2% - 92.3%		8
92.4% - 96.5%		9
96.6% - 100%		10
Total Points (MAXIMUM = 21)		21

Accepted Students

Once accepted, students are required to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit to hold their place in the class. Students must obtain their own malpractice insurance and also become members of the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA).
Admitted students must submit a medical examination report by a health care provider which describes the student’s physical and emotional health prior to starting the program. All required immunizations must be completed before the start of the first nursing course excluding the Hepatitis B vaccine series which may be in progress. If a student elects to not have the Hepatitis B vaccine series, a signed declination form must be in his/her file. All students in the program must receive a flu shot annually.
Students are required to become certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (Health Provider or Professional Rescuer) by the American Heart Association or the Red Cross before entering the Nursing program and must maintain certification throughout the nursing program. The cost related to obtaining and maintaining CPR certification is the responsibility of the student. Proof of certification must be submitted annually.
All students accepted to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing program must submit to a background check and drug screening. Fees cover the cost of both. However, if the drug screen result is “negative dilute,” the student must assume the cost of a second drug screen. A positive drug screen, not substantiated by a physician, will prevent the student from entering the program. Students will be notified if the background check reveals any criminal record that might interfere with future licensure. In the event that a clinical facility finds the results of a student’s background check objectionable and, as a result, prohibits the student from participating in a clinical experience at their facility, the department will make two additional attempts to place the student in an alternative facility. If neither of the two further attempts yield a placement for the student, (s)he will not be permitted to progress with the program. Students are advised to take this into consideration upon initial receipt of the results of their background check.

BSN Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program are prepared to practice professional nursing as a generalist with skills that are applicable across all healthcare settings. They are also prepared to enter graduate study.

At the completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

Practice professional nursing from a holistic, visionary, culturally-competent, fiscally-responsible base, as they design, manage, and coordinate care for individuals, families, groups, communities and populations;
Synthesize and apply knowledge from nursing theory, practice, research, and the liberal arts and sciences to professional nursing practice;
Integrate and demonstrate beginning leadership and management skills utilizing critical and creative thinking, ethical decision making, and evidenced-based practice;
Design, manage and coordinate care to patients, families, groups and communities utilizing communication skills honed by self-awareness and self-evaluation;
Advocate for patients, families, groups and communities based on a respect for cultural diversity and an understanding of the impact of political and regulatory process on health care;
Collaborate and communicate, using a variety of modalities, with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members to maximize patient’s level of wellness; and
Make a commitment to lifelong learning by assuming responsibility for professional career planning, advanced education and active membership in the profession.

Nursing Department Policies

Policies specific to the ABSN track may be found in the ABSN Student Handbook.

Requirements for Graduation

The following requirements must be met in order to graduate from the nursing program:

Completion of the course requirements. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better except for specific science courses which require a “C+” or better.
Completion of ABSN coursework with an academic average of at least 2.3 (C+) within the maximum time frame (no greater than six (6) semesters);
Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University;
Completion of a final math calculation exam with a score of 100%;
Pass the Clinical Component of Nursing 450;
Complete Nurse Think NCLEX Capstone Course with score of 77% or better (= 10% of course grade)
Readiness Benchmark One will be Exam Four, week 13 of semester. Must submit Strengths & Opportunities plan based on score report and complete 60 minutes of V-Clinicals for each of their 4 weakest areas by end of week 14.
Readiness Benchmark Two will be the Final exam. Those Students who pass the course, passed the Nurse Think NCLEX Capstone Course, and have completed the remediation for Exam Four Benchmark One will be eligible to have transcripts released at that point.
Those who did not obtain a score of 77% or better on the Nurse Think NCLEX Capstone Course AND/OR failed to complete the remediation for Exam Four Readiness Benchmark One by end of week 14 will need to complete Exam Four remediation, as well as their remediation plan for Readiness Benchmark Two Final Exam before transcripts will be released.

*Graduation from the program does not guarantee passing the NCLEX-RN® licensing exam. If a student in the program has a felony record, the Department of Public Health will determine their eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN® when the student applies to take the exam. The university has no responsibility for making this decision. Students may access the State Board of Nursing website for additional information.