What is an ABSN track? An ABSN is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track, which confers a BSN degree in as few as 16 months after completion of any needed prerequisite courses. The ABSN is designed for students with a completed non-nursing degree or at least 60 credits.
What is an ABSN, and is it the right choice for you? An ABSN is an accelerated nursing program that teaches you how to provide nursing care. Many students graduate faster with an ABSN, meaning they can start their nursing careers sooner.
An ABSN isn’t necessarily the best choice for all prospective nursing students, however. You’ll need to assess factors such as your prior academic history before determining whether an ABSN is right for you.
For example, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track at Concordia University Texas requires students to have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits.
As you consider your options for pursuing a nursing career, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at answers to questions like, “What does ABSN stand for?” and “What is an ABSN curriculum like?”
You should compare the differences between the ABSN and BSN tracks to discover which one is best for you before reaching out to an admissions counselor for personalized guidance.
Understanding the ABSN: Meaning and Purpose
What does ABSN stand for? ABSN stands for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. An ABSN isn’t a specific nursing degree; rather, it’s an academic program or track that confers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). ABSN and traditional BSN programs are both valid methods of earning a BSN, as both confer a quality bachelor’s degree that prepares you to become an effective nurse.
Concordia University Texas’s ABSN track is designed for individuals from non-nursing backgrounds who want to switch to a nursing career after obtaining a degree or working in a different field.
In short, an ABSN’s meaning and purpose are to enable non-nurses to switch to nursing from a different industry.
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Differences Between ABSN and Traditional BSN Tracks
Before deciding which track is right for you, you’ll need to examine the differences between the ABSN track and traditional BSN track.
Length of Program
One of the most notable differences is in the duration of the nursing programs. Our ABSN track can be completed in as few as 16 months.
This timeline does not include the length of time required to complete any needed prerequisite courses, which varies from student to student. You may find that your previous non-nursing education fulfills some or even all the prerequisites.
A traditional BSN program typically requires four years of full-time study. In addition to the longer length of time, the scheduling is different. Traditional BSN programs incorporate school breaks, such as summer breaks, and so semesters do not run consecutively. In contrast, ABSN’s are typically scheduled over consecutive semesters, with no summer vacations.
Curriculum
The curriculum is another difference to be aware of between an ABSN and a traditional BSN program. What is an ABSN track’s curriculum like? At Concordia University Texas, our curriculum covers a comprehensive range of nursing areas, including:
- Adult health theory and skills
- Child and family nursing
- Maternal/newborn theory and skills
- Nursing leadership and management
- Nursing research
- Pharmacology
- Professionalism for nurses
Unlike many other nursing schools, our curriculum even includes a course dedicated specifically to NCLEX-RN prep so that our students graduate ready to tackle the licensure exam.
Traditional BSN programs also cover these nursing concepts and skills. Since traditional students lack prior college education, the curriculum also includes general education classes designed to teach a breadth of academic competencies.
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Learning Modalities
Another difference to consider is the learning modality. Many ABSN tracks, including Concordia University Texas’s, offer coursework online. This allows students to complete nursing theory classes when and where it’s convenient for them, provided they adhere to class requirements and deadlines.
ABSN students must also complete in-person labs and clinicals. In contrast, traditional BSN tracks typically offer all learning components in person.
Benefits of Choosing Our ABSN
If you choose the ABSN track at Concordia University Texas, you can look forward to receiving a quality nursing education that thoroughly prepares you to care for patients. Students who are eligible for the ABSN track based on their prior college credits might choose this route because of the following:
Graduate Faster
After completing any required prerequisites, you could graduate in as few as 16 months. Most students take the NCLEX within a couple of months of graduation. Keep in mind that the ABSN track is fast-paced and requires a rigorous schedule of classes, labs, clinicals, and studying.
Increased Access to Nursing Education
It’s common for ABSN tracks to offer multiple start dates each year. Concordia University Texas offers three start dates per year in January, May, and August. In addition, we have two ABSN locations in Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. This means we can enroll more nursing students, providing greater access to education.
Greater Support with the Cohort Model
The ABSN track offers nursing education using the cohort model. In this model, smaller groups of students progress through the track together, taking the same classes and labs and graduating together at the same time. The benefit of the cohort model is that members of nursing cohorts tend to grow close during their time in nursing school.
The cohort offers camaraderie and the possibility of forging lifelong friendships. In addition, you can form study groups with people who have first-hand experience of nursing school challenges, and you can turn to your cohort for emotional support.
Is Our ABSN Track Right for You?
At Concordia University Texas, you’ll benefit from a Christ-centered education that delivers a values-infused curriculum. If the following eligibility requirements describe you, then the ABSN track might be a good fit:
- You have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits.
- You have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- You earned a score of at least 67% on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), taken within three years of your enrollment date.
- You can fulfill the nursing prerequisite courses, either through your prior college education or by taking classes before your nursing school start date.
In addition, you must pass a criminal background check and drug screening and complete the immunization requirements. Nursing students also need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS) certifications.
Wondering how to pay for nursing school? There are multiple ways of financing your BSN.
Become a Nurse Faster at Concordia University Texas
Concordia University Texas is a leading choice for future nurses, thanks to our Christ-centered mission and values. We strive to graduate compassionate, patient-centered healthcare professionals who will uplift their communities.
Contact our admissions counselors at our ABSN locations in Austin or Dallas-Fort Worth to learn more.