Program Overview
An accessible, heavily supported route into nursing — an entry bar that rewards prior degree-holders without demanding a sky-high GPA, small cohorts of 20-30, and structured wraparound support (a dedicated advisor, a pre-program “Boot Camp,” and tutoring) — at one of Michigan’s more affordable private colleges.
Baker College’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is a full-time, on-campus program for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to move into nursing quickly. Students complete 62 nursing credit hours in a cohort format — Baker lists an average of about 15 months, with the intensive full-time sequence running up to 18 consecutive months — at the Muskegon or Royal Oak campus, each with dedicated nursing suites and high-fidelity simulation labs.
What sets Baker apart is accessibility paired with support:
- the entry bar is reachable for capable degree-holders (a 2.0 cumulative minimum, with B− or better in each science prerequisite),
- cohorts stay small (typically 20-30 students),
- every student gets a dedicated advisor,
- a pre-program “Boot Camp” with study guides and refresher modules,
- access to the Academic Resource Center for tutoring in anatomy, pharmacology, and critical-care skills
Accreditation
Baker College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Its nursing programs hold programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the pre-licensure program is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing, so graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. (Baker’s program materials emphasize HLC institutional accreditation; confirm the BSN’s current programmatic accreditation status directly with the College of Nursing before enrolling.)
Baker reports campus NCLEX pass rates as high as 95%.
Admission and Acceptance
The Accelerated BSN is designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to leverage prior college experience into a fast-track nursing education.
Eligibility
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (competitive applicants often have higher)
- Grade of B− (2.7) or higher in each science prerequisite
- All prerequisite science courses completed before the ABSN start date (transfer credits accepted within 5 years of completion)
Application & Review
- Submit the Professional Program Application (selecting program and campus)
- Submit official transcripts demonstrating your degree and prerequisite grades
- Complete background checks, health clearances, and immunizations before clinical coursework
- Ranking uses mid-semester grades in the application term; final admission is contingent on completing all prerequisites with required grades
Program Format: In-person only — on-campus coursework and clinical rotations (no online option for core nursing courses).
Prerequisite Courses
Complete each with a B− (2.7) or higher:
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry
- HSC 1010
Approved transfer hours count toward the 120-credit total, but all 62 nursing-specific credits must be completed at Baker to meet accreditation and state board requirements.
Curriculum
The ABSN program covers fundamental nursing concepts, patient care, leadership, and clinical decision-making across 62 credits, combining classroom learning, simulation, nursing practicums, and clinical experiences in community health, leadership, and a nursing synthesis capstone.
NUR 2170 – Fundamentals of Nursing for the BSN – Accelerated (6)
This course introduces students to the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to deliver care to adult patients. The curriculum emphasizes the nursing process, focusing on safety, quality, communication, and cultural diversity. Students engage in psychomotor learning through laboratory and clinical settings, applying critical thinking and clinical reasoning.
NUR 2270 – Health Assessment for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
Students learn the skills needed for comprehensive health assessments, including history taking and physical examinations. Emphasis is placed on biopsychosocial and spiritual health, health promotion, and education. The course integrates health assessment with community and holistic concepts, with hands-on practice in a lab setting.
NUR 2370 – Pharmacology and Medication Administration for the BSN – Accelerated (3)
This course provides the theoretical foundation for pharmacology, focusing on safe medication administration. It covers drug classifications, dosages, and delivery methods, while emphasizing the prevention of medical errors. Students learn medication administration techniques through lab practice.
NUR 2570 – Medical/Surgical Nursing I for the BSN – Accelerated (7)
Focused on patient-centered care, this course covers the nursing process in the care of medical-surgical patients. Topics include health promotion, medication management, pain, infection control, and adult health conditions. Students apply concepts through case studies, simulations, and clinical practice.
NUR 3050 – Evidence-Based Practice for the BSN (3)
Students explore nursing theories and evidence-based practice, examining the role of research in improving patient care. Critical evaluation of research and its application to nursing is emphasized, with a focus on ethical considerations in the research process.
NUR 3170 – Community Nursing for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
This course examines community health nursing, focusing on achieving optimal health outcomes for populations and vulnerable subgroups. Clinical experiences focus on public policy, epidemiology, environmental health, and emergency management in various community health settings.
NUR 3470 – Mental Health Nursing for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
Students learn the essential concepts of mental health nursing, focusing on patient-centered care for individuals with psychiatric disorders. The course emphasizes therapeutic communication, culturally competent care, and legal and ethical aspects of practice. Clinical experiences allow students to practice nursing interventions across the care continuum.
NUR 3570 – Medical/Surgical Nursing II for the BSN – Accelerated (5)
This course focuses on the medical/surgical care of older adults, addressing health promotion, aging, and end-of-life care. Students explore hospice care and the pharmacological needs of older adults through clinical practice and case studies.
NUR 3670 – Child and Family Nursing for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
This course covers nursing care for children and their families, focusing on growth and development, common health conditions, and pharmacology. Clinical experiences provide opportunities to apply the nursing process in pediatric care settings.
NUR 3770 – Maternal/Child Nursing for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
Students learn to care for mothers, fetuses, and newborns throughout the pregnancy and postpartum stages. The course covers assessment, nursing interventions, and the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on maternal-child health. Clinical experiences focus on providing care during the childbearing cycle.
NUR 4070 – Nursing Pathophysiology – Accelerated (3)
This course examines advanced pathophysiological processes, focusing on the etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of diseases. Students apply their understanding of cellular biology, microbiology, and physiology to nursing practice.
NUR 4170 – Medical/Surgical Nursing III for the BSN – Accelerated (5)
Students apply advanced nursing knowledge in medical-surgical, critical care, and perioperative settings. The course emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, leadership, and management skills. Clinical experiences allow students to practice advanced assessment and decision-making in complex healthcare environments.
NUR 4270 – Nursing Leadership for the BSN – Accelerated (3)
This course explores leadership and management principles in nursing, focusing on quality and safety, decision-making, and ethical leadership. Students develop personal leadership styles and enhance their competencies in communication, teamwork, and professional standards through clinical practice.
NUR 4370 – Nursing Synthesis for the BSN – Accelerated (4)
This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to transition to independent nursing practice. Under the supervision of faculty and clinical preceptors, students demonstrate their ability to apply the nursing process and lead patient care in clinical settings.
Select One Elective (3)
- NUR 4630 – Palliative Care
- NUR 4650 – Global Health
- NUR 4680 – Holistic Care
- NUR 4710 – Cultural Competence in Nursing: The Hispanic Patient
More detail is available in the Baker College catalog.
Clinicals
The Accelerated BSN delivers the same total clinical hours as the traditional BSN, compressed into a tighter timeline. Students rotate through acute care, community health, maternal-child, and mental health settings — generally no more than two days per week in the clinical environment — through Baker’s network of partner hospitals, clinics, and community agencies near the Muskegon and Royal Oak campuses. High-fidelity simulation labs at both campuses let students practice key skills in a realistic, controlled environment before and alongside live rotations.
Tuition
Based on 62 credit hours at $485 per credit hour, the Accelerated BSN totals approximately $30,070, making Baker one of Michigan’s more affordable private options. Approved transfer credits count toward the 120-credit degree total.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.
More Nursing Programs at Baker
In addition to the ABSN, Baker College offers a Traditional (pre-licensure) BSN, an online RN-to-BSN, and MSN programs (including Nursing Education and Nursing Administration) to support various nursing career paths.