Program Overview
One of the Few ABSN Programs With a Holistic Nursing Endorsement
Career changers looking for a fast path into nursing will find a focused and structured option at Augustana University. The program moves students from a non-nursing bachelor’s degree into RN preparation in just 16 months through a full-time daytime format.
Classes run across two fall semesters, a spring semester, a summer term, and a January interim session.
Augustana also stands out for its strong NCLEX performance, advanced simulation training, and weekly clinical placements in Sioux Falls healthcare settings.
The university’s holistic nursing endorsement adds another layer that separates the program from many traditional ABSN tracks.
ABSN Admission Summary
Admission into the Augustana ABSN program is selective because seats are limited and the program only admits one cohort each fall. Applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before enrollment begins.
Key admission requirements include:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7
- Completion of all prerequisite coursework
- NursingCAS application submission
- Official transcripts from previous colleges
- Demonstration of required behavioral, communication, psychomotor, and cognitive abilities
The application deadline is February 15, although applications may close earlier once the cohort fills. Transfer coursework is reviewed individually through a transcript evaluation process to determine prerequisite equivalencies.
Prerequisite classes include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, pathophysiology, psychology, sociology, and medical terminology. Students who still need pathophysiology may complete it at Augustana before entering upper-division nursing coursework.
Curriculum
The ABSN curriculum is organized in a lockstep sequence that combines classroom learning, simulation labs, and clinical practice. Students complete 47 nursing credits during the accelerated portion of the program.
Early coursework focuses on foundations of nursing practice, health assessment, and pharmacology. The program then progresses into adult health nursing, pediatric nursing, maternal newborn nursing, behavioral health, and community health nursing. Research and evidence-based practice are also integrated into the curriculum.
Leadership development receives significant attention during the final semesters. Two transition-to-practice courses help students strengthen delegation, prioritization, and clinical decision-making skills before graduation.
Prerequisite Overview
Before beginning nursing coursework, students must complete science and general education prerequisites such as:
- Human Anatomy with lab
- Human Physiology with lab
- Introductory Microbiology
- General Chemistry
- Organic and Biochemistry
- Nutrition
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Life-Span Human Development
- Pathophysiology
Course Descriptions
Topics of study include:
NURS 200 Foundations of Nursing Practice I
This course introduces students to the foundations of professional nursing practice, highlighting the profession’s standards and the theoretical frameworks of holistic care. It also covers the QSEN core competencies, including patient-centered care, teamwork, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, and informatics. This foundational course sets the stage for understanding the broad scope of the nursing profession.
NURS 228 Pathophysiology
This course examines abnormal physiological processes and diseases affecting humans throughout life. Students learn to connect clinical manifestations and risk factors to the underlying cellular and organ-level pathophysiology. The course also introduces diagnostic testing and collaborative interventions for treating diseases.
NURS 324 Health Assessment
This course focuses on conducting comprehensive health assessments across the lifespan. Emphasis is placed on completing holistic assessments and interpreting findings to create care plans. Clinical experiences in labs, simulations, and patient care settings help students apply their knowledge and communication skills.
NURS 326 Foundations of Nursing Practice II
This second course in the sequence builds on foundational nursing concepts, focusing on holistic care for patients and families. It emphasizes using the nursing process, developing clinical reasoning, and collaborating within interprofessional teams. Clinical practice and labs ensure students learn safe, quality, patient-centered care.
NURS 330 Pharmacology
This course explores pharmacology principles, including pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics across the lifespan. Students learn about drug classifications, mechanisms, indications, therapeutic effects, and safety considerations. The nurse’s role in medication administration, patient education, and cultural and ethical aspects are emphasized.
NURS 340 Adult Health Nursing I
This course focuses on caring for adults with various experiences of wellness and illness. Students apply the nursing process while integrating values and beliefs into patient care. Clinical experiences include labs, simulations, and patient care activities for adults and families.
NURS 352 Pediatric Nursing
This course covers holistic care of children and families, emphasizing growth and development principles. Students use the nursing process while considering family values and belief systems. Clinical experiences include labs, simulations, and direct patient care with children and families.
NURS 410 Maternal Newborn Nursing
This course focuses on holistic care for childbearing women and families, with attention to health promotion and disease prevention. Students implement the nursing process and integrate family values and beliefs in care delivery. Clinical learning includes labs, simulations, and patient care experiences.
NURS 420 Behavioral Health Nursing
This course covers holistic care for individuals and families with behavioral health needs, focusing on therapeutic communication and recovery models. Students learn to apply the nursing process in mental health settings, considering personal values and societal views. Clinical learning includes labs, simulations, and patient care experiences.
NURS 430 Community and Population Health Nursing
This course prepares students to deliver holistic care to diverse individuals, families, and populations. It covers health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan and emphasizes integrating community values and beliefs into care. Clinical learning includes labs, simulations, and community-based experiences.
NURS 441 Adult Health Nursing II
This second course in the Adult Health Nursing sequence focuses on caring for critically ill adults with acute and chronic illnesses. Students apply the nursing process while addressing complex patient needs and integrating belief systems into care. Clinical practice includes labs, simulations, and patient care experiences.
NURS 450 Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
This course explores the research process and evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing. Students participate in all phases of the EBP process in teams and develop skills for professional communication. The course helps students integrate research findings into practice.
NURS 451 Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice I
This clinical internship prepares students for entry-level leadership roles in nursing. It emphasizes applying leadership principles in holistic patient care and collaboration with a clinical preceptor. Students integrate their nursing knowledge into real-world practice settings.
NURS 452 Transition to Leadership and Professional Practice II
This course focuses on integrating leadership, management, and advocacy concepts within the healthcare system. It addresses how nurses impact care delivery, cost, quality, and access to healthcare. The course also helps students prepare for their transition into professional practice.
NURS 468 NCLEX Review
This course helps students prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam, focusing on clinical reasoning and test-taking strategies. It also includes managing test anxiety and developing a personalized study plan. Students leave the course equipped to approach the exam with confidence and skill.
More curriculum details are available on the course catalog page.
Clinicals
Clinical training begins early and continues throughout the accelerated program. Students participate in weekly clinical experiences within Sioux Falls, which serves as a major healthcare hub in the region.
Clinical preparation includes:
- Hands-on patient care experiences
- Advanced simulation center training
- Pediatric, behavioral health, maternal-newborn, and adult health rotations
- Community and population health experiences
- Leadership practicums with clinical preceptors
The leadership practicums are designed to help students transition into entry-level RN roles with stronger confidence in delegation and team-based care.
Tuition
Estimated tuition and required program costs total roughly $38,000–$40,000 for the accelerated nursing portion of the degree.
The estimate includes:
- 50 nursing credits at approximately $640 per credit
- Nursing program fees across four semesters
- University student fees
Compared to many private ABSN programs, Augustana falls into the mid-range price category. The shorter 16-month timeline may also help reduce opportunity costs for students changing careers.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Augustana University’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The university also holds a Holistic Nursing Program endorsement from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation, making it the only school in South Dakota with this distinction.