Program Overview
With more than 1,000 documented clinical hours and a 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio, Bryan College pairs unusually deep hands-on training with a 100% tuition scholarship for students who commit to Bryan Health.
Clinical depth is what sets this program apart: students log more than 1,000 documented clinical hours—with program materials citing upward of 1,200—far beyond what most 12-month tracks deliver. A 1:7 clinical faculty-to-student ratio keeps that hands-on time closely supervised.
Offered only at Bryan’s Lincoln campus, the accelerated BSN packs the full traditional curriculum into three consecutive terms across fall, spring, and summer. It’s built for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or have finished substantial college coursework.
One financial draw stands out: a 100% tuition scholarship is available to students who commit to three years of employment with Bryan Health.
ABSN Admission Summary
This is a selective, GPA-driven admission. Applicants need strong overall and science records, plus completed prerequisites before the program begins.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 math/science GPA
- Bachelor’s degree or at least six full-time college semesters completed
- Grade of C or higher in every prerequisite
- Online application; interview for selected applicants
- CNA course completed before the program starts
- BLS certification (AHA, MTN, or American Red Cross) before classes begin
- TOEFL scores for non-native English speakers, where applicable
The deadline is August 1 for the fall cohort. Bryan also offers a free, unofficial transcript evaluation so applicants can confirm which prerequisites they’ve satisfied before formally applying.
Curriculum
Built to mirror the traditional BSN, the accelerated plan totals 120 program credits, with 63–64 nursing credits completed during the intensive year. Coursework pairs classroom theory with simulation and rotations that move from foundational adult care through high-acuity, pediatric, and leadership content.
Prerequisite Overview
Roughly 56–57 credits of general education and science courses must be finished before the nursing sequence starts, each passed with a C or better:
- Medical Terminology, English Composition I, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Psychology
- Principles of Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Nutrition
- Human Growth and Development, Ethics in Healthcare, Elements of Statistics
- Communications, math, business/management, cultural studies, and humanities electives
- CNA course (BLS certification also required before classes)
Nursing Coursework
Principles of Professional Nursing
Introduces students to the foundations of professional nursing, emphasizing ethics, communication, and standards of care across healthcare environments.
Pharmacology
Covers the fundamentals of pharmacological principles, including drug classifications, mechanisms of action, and safe medication administration in nursing practice.
Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Focuses on the development of comprehensive health assessment skills, teaching students how to gather, analyze, and interpret physical, emotional, and social health data across all age groups.
Introduction to the BCHS Experience
An orientation course that familiarizes students with Bryan College of Health Sciences policies, resources, and academic expectations to support success in the accelerated nursing program.
Nursing Care I
Builds foundational clinical skills for the management of adult patients with common health problems, integrating nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Explores nursing care of individuals experiencing mental health conditions, emphasizing therapeutic communication, psychiatric assessment, crisis intervention, and mental health promotion.
Research & Evidence Based Practice in Nursing
Introduces research methods and evidence-based practice principles, helping students develop skills in appraising research and applying findings to improve patient care outcomes.
Nursing Care II
Expands nursing care competencies to include patients with more complex health conditions, focusing on acute care settings and critical thinking in clinical decision-making.
Community Health Nursing
Prepares students to deliver nursing care within communities, addressing health promotion, disease prevention, public health policy, and vulnerable population advocacy.
Applied Pathophysiology & Pharmacology
Integrates advanced concepts of pathophysiology and pharmacology, connecting disease processes with corresponding pharmacological treatments and nursing interventions.
Nursing Care III
Focuses on the nursing care of critically ill and unstable patients, emphasizing rapid clinical assessment, prioritization of care, and interdisciplinary collaboration in high-acuity settings.
Family and Pediatric Health Nursing
Covers family-centered care for pediatric populations, addressing child growth and development, family dynamics, pediatric illnesses, and evidence-based pediatric interventions.
Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
Guides students through the transition from student to professional nurse, focusing on clinical reasoning, professional accountability, ethical practice, and role development.
Nursing Leadership & Management
Teaches leadership principles and management strategies for nurses, including delegation, conflict resolution, healthcare systems navigation, and team coordination.
Nursing Capstone
Provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mastery of nursing knowledge and skills through a comprehensive clinical practicum and evidence-based project.
More curriculum details are available in the course catalog.
Clinical Experience
The clinical load is the program’s signature. Students complete at least 1,035 documented hours—and as many as 1,200 by promotional counts—rotating through acute care, community health, mental health, pediatric, and leadership settings. Skills are first rehearsed in Bryan’s Simulation Center and cadaver/plastinates lab before students reach live patients.
- 1:7 clinical faculty-to-student ratio for close supervision
- Placements across diverse hospital and community sites
- Direct patient care under faculty oversight
- A capstone practicum that bridges into professional practice
Tuition and Estimated Cost
Estimated program tuition is about $41,832, based on 63 nursing credits at $664 per credit hour. That figure is tuition alone and excludes the general fee and books. On its own the cost lands mid-range among accelerated BSNs—but the math changes sharply for scholarship recipients. Bryan’s 100% tuition scholarship can erase that tuition entirely in exchange for a three-year work commitment with Bryan Health, a route few competing programs offer.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Bryan College of Health Sciences holds Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation for its BSN programs, confirming the curriculum meets national standards and prepares graduates for licensure.