pre-licensure Accelerated Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (pl-ABSN)

The pre-licensure Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the entry-level professional nursing role. This degree prepares nursing generalists who provide patient-centered care, use technology to improve outcomes through innovative leadership and integrate research evidence as the foundation for best patient outcomes. Graduates of this program are prepared to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for RNs. This program also provides students with the foundation for graduate nursing education and promotes and fosters commitment to lifelong adult learning.

Program Learning Outcomes:

The pl-ABSN provides a curriculum that links theory and practice to promote nine (9) program learning outcomes that are based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2008) Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice:

  • Liberal Education: Integrate knowledge, skills, and values from the arts and sciences into nursing practice.
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership: Incorporate managerial and leadership principles to achieve desired healthcare outcomes.
  • Scholarship: Implement evidence-based thinking into practice.
  • Information and Patient Care Technology: Apply informatics and patient care technology skills to improve patient care.
  • Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments: Demonstrate responsibility and accountability as a manager of care in all healthcare environments.
  • Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration: Engage in effective interprofessional, personal and collaborative communication to improve patient outcomes.
  • Clinical Prevention and Population Health: Provide population focused nursing care with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention across healthcare settings.
  • Professionalism and Professional Values: Demonstrate core professional values and practices within an ethical and legal framework.
  • Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice: Incorporate knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to clinical decision making and patient care provision for individuals and populations across the lifespan.

Course Delivery

The pl-ABSN program blends three instructional strategies to produce an engaged learning curriculum. The first is immersion: our programs require face-to-face meetings conducted at the San Diego campus in 1 to 3 day sessions throughout the program. There is one immersion session at the beginning of the program to introduce students to their cohort, the University and to orient them to our digital platforms. During the immersion sessions, students may receive orientation instruction, work as teams, and participate in demonstrations, simulation exercises, assessments, and evaluations. 

The second is practicum experiences: our program includes general and specialty nursing practicums (i.e., neonatal/pediatrics, adult/gerontology, obstetrics, etc.), a community health nursing practicum and evidence-based leadership experience conducted in both the nursing skills lab and clinical partner sites where students are assigned.

The third is self-directed study: all courses include online lectures, discussions, social networking, demonstrations, tutorials, readings, and/ or other homework. Many courses include additional real-time instruction via web conference, phone conference, or live chat sessions.

Attendance: Students may be dismissed from the program at the Dean’s discretion due to absence from required meetings.

Transfer Credit

Students in this program are eligible for the university’s General Transfer Credit Policy, but not for the GE Block Transfer Policy.

Admission to the Program

Applications are no longer being accepted for this program.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Complete a Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions pre-licensure Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (pl-ABSN) program application available online at https://www.umassglobal.edu/nursing-health-professions.
  2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Only credits from regionally accredited institutions will be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university is considered a violation of academic integrity.
  3. Self-evaluation and goal statement.
  4. Three on-line forms of recommendation.
  5. Completion of all required science courses (BIOU 101, BIOU 332, BIOU 340, BIOU 341, CHEM 101).
  6. Cumulative gpa of 2.5.

Certified Background Check

All requirements are due by the end of the first session unless otherwise indicated and/or required by a student’s clinical practicum site, the California Board of Registered Nursing and/or the San Diego Nursing and Allied Health Service-Education Consortium.  All proof/documentation must be on file within 90 days prior to the start of clinical practicum courses.  Students who do not start their clinical practicum courses due to incomplete certified background requirements will require a modified education plan, which may result in a program completion delay for up to one year.

Immunization and Health Screening Requirements:

  • Proof of annual negative Tuberculosis (TB) screening:
    • Annual TB blood test (IGRA) OR
    • Negative chest x-ray accompanied by a signed provider negative symptom checklist.
  • Proof of completion of Hepatitis A and B immunization series or titer demonstrating immunity.
  • Proof of two doses of Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) immunization or titer demonstrating immunity.
  • Proof of one Tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) immunization (after 19 years of age) and boosters per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s adult vaccination schedule.
  • Proof of Chicken Pox (Varicella) immunization or titer demonstrating immunity.
  • Proof of annual influenza immunization.
  • Proof of completion of COVID-19 immunization.
  • Additional laboratory tests, immunizations, and/or documentation may be required for specific practicum sites.

Additional Background Requirements:

  • Background Clearance.
  • Proof of negative drug screen.
  • Proof of health insurance, if required.
  • Copy of current CPR “Level C” Certification (Healthcare Provider) that will not be expiring in the next 12 months.
  • STUDENT Liability Insurance (1mil/3mil)
  • Any additional laboratory tests, immunizations, and/or documentation required by specific clinical practicum or pl-ABSN residency sites (e.g., proof of physical examination, proof of health insurance, etc.).
     

Nursing Licensing and Criminal Background Check Requirements

  • State Boards of Nursing have regulations denying licensure to anyone who has been convicted of a felony.  Please contact the Board of Nursing in the state you plan to apply for your RN license for clarification of how a felony conviction may affect licensing.
  • pl-ABSN applicants are required to read the information and acknowledge understanding of the items below:
    • If applicable, documents and/or letters explaining prior convictions or disciplinary action and attesting to your rehabilitation as directed in the "Reporting Prior Convictions or Discipline Against Licenses" section of the application packet.
    • Information on the clinical placement background check & drug screen process per the San Diego Nursing Education Consortium: http://sdnsec.org/backgroundcheck.asp
    • In addition, clinical agencies may deny a University of Massachusetts Global pl-ABSN student placement to anyone who has been convicted of a felony.  In which case, the student will not be able to meet the clinical practicum requirements for program completion.
    • NCLEX-RN Applicant Information: https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml

Additional FAQs related to prior convictions and disciplinary actions for RN licensure: https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-faqs.shtml#discipline

Catalog Year

Students admitted to the Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions are admitted to the catalog year that is in effect on the date when they begin the program (either Fall I, Spring I or Summer I).

Specific Requirements for the pre-licensure Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (pl-ABSN)

In addition to the 52 credits of general education requirements as described below, this degree program also requires 68 credits of nursing core courses for a total of 120 credits minimum.

All general education core requirements will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis in the transfer of credits to be applied to the degree and must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

All courses taken in the Nursing Major (68 credits) must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher.

Admitted students who do not satisfactorily complete all program requirements prior to the start of the nursing core courses will lose their seat in their assigned cohort and may be required to reapply to the nursing program.

All course exams are taken on campus in a proctored environment.

General Education Core Requirements (52 credits)

ENGU 103Writing and Rhetoric3
ENGU 104Writing About Literature3
COMU 101Public Speaking I3
MATU 203Introduction to Statistics3
CHMU 101Introduction to Chemistry4
BIOU 101Introduction to Biology3
BIOU 332Microbiology4
BIOU 340Anatomy and Physiology A4
BIOU 341Anatomy and Physiology B4
PSYU 320Human Development across the Lifespan3
SOCU 101Introduction to Sociology3
PSYU 101Introduction to Psychology3
LBSU 302Information Fluency and Academic Integrity *3
LBSU 304Liberal Arts Core Foundations *3
Humanities (6 credits from 2 different areas in Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Language, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies)
*LBSU 302 and LBSU 304 cannot be satisfied in transfer and must be taken at University of Massachusetts Global.
Note: All University of Massachusetts Global undergraduates are required to complete 9 credits in general education Humanities areas. For students in this program, 3 of those credits are satisfied by the core degree requirement NURU 407 Cultural and Spiritual Diversity in Health and Nursing.
Total General Education Credits 52
Nursing Core Courses (68 credits)
NURU 403Managing Health Care Reform3
NURU 404Healthcare Communication and Collaboration3
NURU 405Evidence-Based Thinking for BSN-Prepared RN Scholarship and Practice3
NURU 406Improving Patient Health Care Outcomes: Quality Care & Patient Safety3
NURU 407Cultural and Spiritual Diversity in Health and Nursing3
NURU 408Information, Patient Care, and Decision-Support System Technology3
NURU 428Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan3
NURU 429Pharmacology Across the Lifespan3
NURU 431Foundations of Nursing Practice I and Physical Assessment Across the Lifespan2
NURU 432Foundations of Nursing Practice II2
NURU 433Foundations of Nursing Practice I Practicum *3
NURU 435Foundations of Nursing Practice II Practicum *3
NURU 441Adult Gerontology-Centered Care3
NURU 443Adult Gerontology-Centered Care Practicum *2
NURU 451Acute Care Nursing I3
NURU 452Acute Care Nursing II1
NURU 453Acute Care Nursing I Practicum *2
NURU 454Acute Care Nursing III1
NURU 455Acute Care Nursing II Practicum *1
NURU 457Acute Care Nursing III Practicum *1
NURU 461Family Centered Care - Pediatrics2
NURU 462Family Centered Care - Childbearing2
NURU 463Family Centered Care - Pediatrics Practicum *1
NURU 465Family Centered Care - Childbearing Practicum *1
NURU 471Mental Health Care2
NURU 473Mental Health Care Practicum1
NURU 481Community-Centered Care2
NURU 483Community-Centered Care Practicum *2
NURU 491Theory and Practice: Leadership in Nursing2
NURU 492Capstone of Professional Nursing Practice1
NURU 493Theory and Practice: Leadership in Nursing Practicum *2
NURU 495Capstone of Professional Nursing Practice Practicum *2
*Students who are unable to complete practicum hours within the schedule 8-week section will be placed in NURU 499 Independent Practicum for pl-ABSN Clinical Hours Completion until all hours are satisfactorily achieved. There are no fees associated with this course.
Students must complete NCLEX Preparation I & II as a requirement of this degree program.
Total Nursing Core Credits (945 clinical practicum hours) 68
Total Credit Hours for the Degree 120

Advanced Placement Course Challenge Options

The opportunities for advanced placement in nursing courses vary depending upon the qualifications and needs of the student admitted to the pl-ABSN program. Licensed vocational nurses (LVN), others with previous education in the field of nursing and military veterans with military education and experience have the opportunity to request advanced placement that takes into account previous education and experience. Within two weeks of new student orientation to the pl-ABSN program the student requesting advanced placement must contact the pl-ABSN Program Director for counseling on the Advanced Placement Course Challenge process. A complete application for advanced placement must be submitted during the first trimester following admission.  Students requesting advanced course placement are personally responsible for all fees related to challenge exams, skills and medication administration and dosage calculation assessment, and submission of syllabi from previous coursework. Advanced placement is on a space available basis only and may impact eligibility for financial aid.

The Advanced Placement Course Challenge process is designed to ensure clinical competency and protect the safety of the public.

Qualifying Requirements for Advanced Course Placement

  1. Satisfactory completion of all pl- ABSN admission requirements described in the University of Massachusetts Global catalog. This includes the following science courses or their transfer equivalencies:

BIOU 101 Introduction to Biology (3 credits)

CHMU 101 Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits with lab)

BIOU 332 Microbiology (4 credits with lab)

BIOU 340 Anatomy & Physiology A (4 credits with lab)

BIOU 341 Anatomy & Physiology B (4 credits with lab)

   2. An overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a 3.5 GPA in the required sciences (biology, chemistry, microbiology and anatomy and physiology)

   3. Submission of the completed Application for Advanced Placement to the Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions during the first session after admission (prior to the initiation of the nursing clinical core courses)

   4. Passing rate on a standardized challenge exam for each course challenged at the level indicating successful passing of the NCLEX in the course content area

   5. Passing rate on a standardized medication dosage calculation exam indicating successful passing of the NCLEX in this content area (calculators may not be used on the exam)

   6. Completion of a skills validation for each clinical course challenged. The applicant must demonstrate 100% accuracy in performance of critical skills

   7. LVNs requesting course challenge must provide documentation of intravenous (IV) certification and a minimum of 6 months experience in an acute care setting within the last 2 years

   8. Military students must provide a copy of DD Form-214 demonstrating honorable discharge

   9. Completion of an Advanced Placement Application with submission of all required documentation (including syllabi from previous coursework)

Advanced Placement for Individuals with Relevant Military Education and Experience

Individuals with relevant military education and experience who have been admitted to the pl-ABSN program may challenge all nursing courses. The individual must demonstrate prior relevant education and experience that meets the specific requirements in each course and meet all qualifying requirements for advanced placement.  In order to meet University of Massachusetts Global’s undergraduate degree requirements students must complete 30 credits in residency 18 of which must be in upper division and 12 within the student’s major.

Nursing Core Courses Available for LVN Challenge

NURU 431 Foundations of Nursing Practice I (2 credits – theory)

NURU 433 Foundations of Nursing Practice I Practicum (3 credits – clinical)

NURU 432 Foundations of Nursing Practice II (2 credits – theory)

NURU 435 Foundations of Nursing Practice II (3 credits – clinical)

Licensed Vocational Nurses – 30 Unit Non-Degree Option

Candidates who are Licensed Vocational Nurses in California are eligible to apply to the 30-unit non-degree option. Completion of the 30-unit option entitles the student to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse only in the state of California.   IMPORTANT NOTE: Eligibility as a 30-unit option student does not lead to a Baccalaureate in Science in Nursing degree, and the registered nurse licensed under this option may NOT be eligible for reciprocity of licensure with other states.  Students interested in the 30- unit non-degree option should contact the pl-ABSN Program Director for counseling prior to application. Eligibility for this option is on a space available basis only and does not meet financial aid eligibility requirements. In addition, once approved for this option students may not transfer to the pl-ABSN program and upon completion they are not eligible for the RN to BSN program. Completion of this option does not lead to a certificate or diploma.

STUDENTS WHO ENTER THE 30-UNIT NON-DEGREE OPTION ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER TO THE pl-ABSN OPTION.

Qualifying Requirements for Eligibility for the 30 Unit Non-Degree Option

  1. Current licensure in the state of California as a Licensed Vocational Nurse
  2. Completion of a Musco School of Nursing and Health Professions 30-Unit Option eligibility application
  3. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Only credits from regionally accredited institutions will be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university is considered a violation of academic integrity.
  4. Self-evaluation and goal statement
  5. Three recommendation forms.
  6. Completion of 3 required science courses or their equivalencies with a “C” or better:

BIOU 332 Microbiology (includes lab) – 4 credits

BIOU 340 Anatomy and Physiology A (includes lab) – 4 credits

BIOU 341 Anatomy and Physiology B (includes lab) – 4 credits

    7. Cumulative gpa of 2.5

    8. Documentation of Intravenous (IV) certification and a minimum of 6 months experience in an acute care setting within the last 2 years

30-Unit Nondegree Option Required Coursework (29 total units)

BIOU 332Microbiology4
BIOU 340Anatomy and Physiology A4
BIOU 341Anatomy and Physiology B4
NURU 441Adult Gerontology-Centered Care3
NURU 443Adult Gerontology-Centered Care Practicum2
NURU 452Acute Care Nursing II1
NURU 454Acute Care Nursing III1
NURU 455Acute Care Nursing II Practicum1
NURU 457Acute Care Nursing III Practicum1
NURU 471Mental Health Care2
NURU 473Mental Health Care Practicum1
NURU 491Theory and Practice: Leadership in Nursing2
NURU 493Theory and Practice: Leadership in Nursing Practicum2
*BIOU 332, BIO 340, and BIO 341 may be transferred in IF deemed equivalent.

Upon completion of all required 30 Unit Non-Degree Option coursework, with a “C” or better, the student is eligible to apply to the California Board of Registered Nursing for licensure as a 30-unit option candidate.