Last Updated on January 16, 2023
Here’s everything you need to know about loyola nursing accelerated program. Have you searched for answers to this, but come up empty-handed? This article has the answers you’re looking for.
Nursing is a very challenging and rewarding career. However, entering this field requires a significant amount of time and effort. If you come from a non-science or an arts background, the loyola nursing accelerated program could be for you.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, no matter the field of study, our accelerated nursing program in Chicago can put you on the fast track to a BSN degree. It’s the perfect way for students from a non-nursing background to transition into a nursing career in as few as 16 months.
The demand for our ABSN program has been very high and the applicant pool competitive, so it’s important that you meet all the admission requirements to apply, including a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
How an ABSN Program Works
A second-degree ABSN program builds on the undergraduate degree you already have, making it possible to earn a bachelor of science in nursing degree in 16 months. The curriculum requires a significant amount of time and energy to keep pace and involves three stages of learning:
- Accelerated nursing courses establish the foundation of your education.
- Skills and nursing simulation labs put your course knowledge into practice.
- Clinical rotations provide diverse, real-world patient care experiences.
Together, our comprehensive ABSN curriculum prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam. In fact, our 2017 BSN program graduates had a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 96.68%. Once you pass the NCLEX, you’ll be able to call yourself a registered nurse and practice the profession in all types of health-care settings.
Online Option
If you like the flexibility of online learning, our ABSN program in Downers Grove, Illinois, allows you to complete part of the accelerated nursing curriculum online. The remaining stages of learning consist of onsite skills labs and nursing simulations, in-person proctored exams, and clinical rotations at area health-care facilities.
Onsite Option
If online learning isn’t for you, our ABSN program in Maywood, Illinois, has you complete all aspects of your accelerated nursing education face-to-face with faculty. You’ll attend class, labs, and simulations at our Health Sciences Campus and visit area health-care facilities for clinical rotations.
During our 16-month ABSN program, you will complete 66 credit hours over the span of four, full-time semesters. Taught by highly experienced nursing faculty and clinical instructors, our ABSN curriculum provides a solid education that prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam with confidence. In 2018, our BSN graduates had a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 96.68%.
| FIRST SEMESTER | ||
| GNUR 207 | Concepts of Professional Nursing Practice | 2 credits |
| GNUR 238 | Foundations of Clinical Practice in Nursing | 3 credits |
| GNUR 238L | Foundations of Clinical Practice in Nursing Lab | 1 credit |
| GNUR 293 | Pathophysiology | 4 credits |
| GNUR 297 | Clinical Nutrition for Nursing Practice | 2 credits |
| GNUR 360 | Nursing Research: Foundation for Evidence-Based Practice | 3 credits |
| Total | 15 credits |
| SECOND SEMESTER | ||
| GNUR 290 | Concepts in Older Adult Health | 2 credits |
| GNUR 294 | Foundations of Pharmacology | 3 credits |
| MSN 277 | Adult Health I: Medical/Surgical Nursing | 4 credits |
| MSN 277L | Adult Health I: Medical/Surgical Nursing Clinical | 3 credits |
| CMAN 272 | Mental Health Patterns | 3 credits |
| CMAN 272L | Mental Health Patterns Clinical | 3 credits |
| Total | 18 credits |
| THIRD SEMESTER | ||
| MCN 273 | Family Health Patterns I: Care of the Perinatal Family | 3 credits |
| MCN 273L | Family Health Patterns I: Care of the Perinatal Family Clinical | 3 credits |
| MCN 374 | Family Health Patterns II: Care of the Child and Family | 3 credits |
| MCN 374L | Family Health Patterns II: Care of the Child and Family Clinical | 3 credits |
| CMAN 380 | Community Health | 3 credits |
| CMAN 380L | Community Health Clinical | 3 credits |
| Total | 18 credits |
| FOURTH SEMESTER | ||
| GNUR 383 | Leadership for Professional Nursing Practice | 3 credits |
| GNUR 384 | Clinical Role Transition | 3 credits |
| GNUR 402 | Ethics for Health Professionals | 2 credits |
| MSN 377 | Adult Health II: Advanced Medical/Surgical | 4 credits |
| MSN 377L | Adult Health II: Advanced Medical/Surgical Clinical | 3 credits |
| Total | 15 credits |
ABSN Program Requirements and Prerequisites
While you don’t need prior nursing training or health-care experience to take the accelerated path to nursing, we do need you to meet certain academic requirements before you can begin the admission process. Your program eligibility also hinges upon the successful completion of the ABSN prerequisites.
Academic Requirements
- A BA or BS degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Satisfactory completion of the ABSN prerequisites
- Satisfactory completion of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable
ABSN Prerequisites
While you can apply to our ABSN program with some prerequisites in progress, you must satisfy the course requirements before you can start nursing school.
| SCIENCE COURSES | CREDIT HOURS |
| Organic Chemistry or Chemistry for Health Professionals (must include lab) | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology I & II* (must include lab) | 8* |
| Microbiology | 3 |
*May take these separately as 4 credits of human anatomy and 4 credits of human physiology. Both courses must include labs.
| NON-SCIENCE COURSES | CREDIT HOURS |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| English (2 courses) | 6 |
| History | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
Prerequisite Requirements
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in each science course
- Earn a grade of “C-” or better in each non-science course
- Complete each science course within 7 years of entering the program
- Prerequisite courses must be from regionally accredited institutions
Prerequisite Transfer Credits
Depending on your previous area of undergraduate study, you may have already satisfied many of the ABSN prerequisite requirements. We accept transfer credits from accredited institutions within and outside of the Chicago area. Please refer to our ABSN Transfer Guide or speak with an enrollment advisor to see if your credits are transferable.
TOEFL Requirement
If your undergraduate degree comes from a higher learning institution outside of the United States, you must take the TOEFL and score within our English proficiency requirements. We also require a Catalog Match transcript evaluation for any coursework completed outside of the United States.
Background Check
While not required for admission, you’ll also need to complete a criminal background check before you can begin the ABSN program. Please be aware the results of your background check may impact our ability to place you in a clinical setting.
Contact us to learn more about the ABSN program academic requirements and prerequisites.
