Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

If you want to make the change to a nursing career, now is the time—and Gwynedd Mercy University is the educational partner you need. The Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions at Gwynedd Mercy University has produced exceptional nurses for more than 60 years. Graduates of our programs gain the skills and knowledge they need to provide superior care to patients and become leaders within the nursing profession.

You can join them in as little as four semesters with our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree. Based at both our central Philadelphia and Bensalem locations, this on-campus second degree program builds on the general education from your previous bachelor’s degree with health sciences knowledge and clinical experience.

We also offer a part-time weekend BSN that can be completed in as few as three years. Courses are offered on Saturdays and Sundays during the day, and some Friday evenings at our campus in Gwynedd Valley, PA. You will also take summer courses for two summers. Working is still option as you earn your BSN and transition to a career in nursing.

We offer you:

• The qualification employers prefer – More and more employers favor nurses with four-year degrees;
• An open door to the future – With a BSN, you’ll have the foundation you need to pursue leadership roles or graduate nursing education later in your career.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The program is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board with full status.

A First Professional Degree in Nursing

Our 67-credit ABSN program offers you the opportunity to develop the comprehensive skills and knowledge you need to treat patients and collaborate with other practitioners. Courses cover topics such as:

• Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
• Pharmacology
• Nursing Care of Adults
• Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families
• Morality and Contemporary Health Care
• Health and Illness in the Community
• Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing

Laboratory experiences and clinical rotations provide hands-on, practical training.

Where You Can Study

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a first professional degree for nurses. It requires face-to-face instruction and clinical experience. You will study at either our central Philadelphia or Bensalem locations for our full-time ABSN and at our Gwynedd Valley location for our part-time weekend ABSN, all feature advanced classrooms and training equipment.

Prerequisite Courses

If you graduated from your first bachelor’s program more than five years ago, your Nutrition course was not taught by a Registered Dietician, or if your major did not include laboratory science courses, you will need to complete and pass prerequisite courses before you can begin your ABSN degree. In fact, 90% of our ABSN graduates completed at least one prerequisite course at GMercyU.

GMercyU offers online prerequisite courses in the health sciences specifically designed for students like you who want to make the change to a nursing career. These classes feature in-home laboratory experiences. Please click here to learn more.

Admission requirements:

• Submit official transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions, including an unofficial High School transcript.
• Earned a bachelor’s degree program at a regionally-accredited college or university.

Who Can Apply

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Gwynedd Mercy University is a professional nursing degree designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. We will consider applicants who:

• Have earned a bachelor’s degree at a regionally-accredited college or university;
• Provide official transcripts from high school and all colleges or universities attended;
• Provide proof of successful completion of prerequisite courses.

After you have been accepted and enrolled, you will need to take the following additional steps before beginning your ABSN classes:

• Pass a criminal background and child abuse records check;
• Undergo a drug screening and FBI fingerprinting;
• Provide a certificate of health from a primary care provider, including immunization information;
• Provide proof of CPR certification, liability insurance, and personal health insurance.

You will also need to obtain an annual flu vaccination and PPD screening throughout the duration of your program.

Discover the Next
with Gwynedd Mercy University

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is offered at our Philadelphia and Bensalem locations. Why not visit the campus and take a tour of our brand new nursing skills labs. Contact an enrollment representative today to learn more about accelerated adult education at Gwynedd Mercy University!

Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirements page.