Program Overview
Flexible entry meets a long track record — open to applicants with 60+ college credits, an associate degree, or any bachelor’s — at a Catholic nursing school continuously accredited since 1946, with strong reported NCLEX and employment outcomes.
Avila University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is designed for individuals with at least 60 prior college credits, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in another field — a more flexible entry path than programs requiring a completed bachelor’s. The program can be completed in just 16 months over four semesters, combining online coursework with hands-on instruction in Avila’s advanced simulation facility and over 500 hours of supervised clinical practicum.
Students train in the technologically advanced Nursing Education and Resource Center (NERC) and rotate through varied settings — hospitals, clinics, and community sites — in small classes led by clinically experienced faculty.
As a Catholic university founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Avila pairs its nursing education with a service-oriented mission.
Outcomes
Avila reports that graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN, citing a 100% first-time pass rate across all nursing tracks for 2023 and 2024, and a 100% employment rate within three months of graduation, with graduates working in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
Accreditation
Avila University’s School of Nursing has been continuously accredited since 1946 and is recognized as a regional leader in nursing education. The ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and Avila University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admission Requirements
Admission requires a minimum 2.8 GPA, a TEAS score of 70%, and completion of prerequisite coursework. Applicants must have at least 60 prior college credits, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in another field.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
- ATI TEAS score of 70%
- Prerequisite courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Statistics
- 60+ college credits, an associate degree, or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree
Students can complete any missing prerequisites through Avila’s online courses before starting the ABSN program.
Curriculum
The ABSN is a four-semester curriculum blending nursing theory, simulation, and clinical practicum.
NU 425: Foundations of Health and Illness Concepts
Explores foundational nursing concepts and their role in maintaining health across the illness continuum. Includes both theory and lab instruction to support clinical understanding.
NU 450: Development of the Professional Nurse I
Introduces the role of the professional nurse and core behaviors expected in a baccalaureate nursing program. Emphasizes identity formation and ethical practice.
NU 452: Pharmacology
Covers essential pharmacology principles and the nurse’s responsibilities in medication management. Focuses on drug actions, safety, and patient education.
NU 453: Health Assessment
Teaches comprehensive health assessment techniques through lecture and lab. Emphasizes data collection, documentation, and clinical reasoning.
NU 458: Practicum I
Introduces hands-on care for patients with basic health needs. Students apply core nursing skills in various clinical environments.
NU 459: Health and Illness Concepts II
Focuses on care for adult patients with common medical-surgical conditions. Reinforces foundational knowledge with case-based learning.
NU 471: Women and Children Health Concepts
Covers nursing care for women and pediatric populations. Emphasizes family-centered approaches and developmental considerations.
NU 473: Psychosocial Nursing Concepts
Examines mental and behavioral health care concepts. Includes therapeutic communication and nursing interventions for psychiatric conditions.
NU 466: Gerontologic Nursing
Addresses the unique health needs of older adults. Focuses on promoting quality of life and managing age-related changes.
NU 470: Development of the Professional Nurse II
Prepares students for professional practice by expanding on leadership, ethics, and the transition to clinical roles. Emphasizes reflective and accountable nursing behaviors.
NU 476: Foundations of Evidence-Based Nursing
Develops skills in evaluating and applying research to practice. Encourages ethical, evidence-based decision-making in patient care.
NU 481: Practicum II
Students care for patients with complex or specialized health issues. Offers deeper clinical experience in diverse settings.
NU 482: Health and Illness Concepts III
Explores care strategies for adults with complex, multisystem conditions. Builds on previous clinical and theoretical knowledge.
NU 484: Population-Based Health Concepts
Focuses on public and community health nursing. Covers health promotion, disease prevention, and population-focused care.
NU 485: High-Acuity Nursing Concepts
Prepares students to manage patients with critical and highly complex conditions. Emphasizes rapid decision-making and advanced interventions.
NU 488: Practicum III
Offers focused clinical experience in specialized care areas such as hospice, home health, and high-acuity units. Enhances readiness for practice in diverse environments.
NU 489: Capstone Practicum
Combines final clinical immersion with NCLEX-RN preparation. Enables students to integrate nursing knowledge in preparation for licensure and practice.
More detail is available in the Avila University catalog.
Clinical Experience & Simulation
Students complete over 500 hours of supervised clinical practicum across a variety of settings — hospitals, clinics, and community sites — progressing through three practicum courses and a capstone practicum. Hands-on simulation takes place in Avila’s technologically advanced Nursing Education and Resource Center (NERC), where students build and validate skills before and alongside live clinical rotations, supported by small classes and clinically experienced faculty.
Tuition
Tuition for the ABSN is $676 per credit hour, totaling approximately $41,236 for the program. Including an estimated $4,000 for additional expenses — books, materials, licensure exam fees, and nursing supplies — the all-in cost is about $45,236. Missing prerequisites can be completed through Avila’s online courses.
Confirm current figures via the official ABSN tuition and fees page.
Related Programs
Avila University also offers a traditional BSN, an RN-to-BSN, and graduate nursing programs through its School of Nursing.