Program Overview
A hospital-based ABSN embedded in the Atrium Health system — Cabarrus College’s immersive campus gives students preferred access to Atrium Health clinical sites (one of the country’s largest healthcare systems), a direct pipeline to Atrium Health nursing jobs (90%+ employed within a year), and notably accessible admission with just a 2.5 GPA.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and want to make nursing a second career, completed in as little as four semesters (about 18 months).
The program operates on an immersive, Atrium Health hospital-based campus in Concord, North Carolina, giving students preferred access to Atrium Health clinical sites, exposure to leading-edge technology, and opportunities to learn from some of the region’s most experienced healthcare professionals.
Its affiliation with Atrium Health creates a pipeline to jobs in one of the country’s largest healthcare systems, with more than 90% of graduates employed as registered nurses within one year of graduation.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (and Master of Science in Nursing) programs at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the BSN program holds full approval from the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The program commits to first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates at or above the national average for BSN graduates (not less than 80%), with about 70% of students graduating within 150% of the program length and more than 90% of graduates employed as registered nurses within one year. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
Cabarrus College accepts ABSN applications on a rolling basis until cohorts fill, with priority consideration for applications received by January 1 (fall) and October 1 (spring).
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Completion of prerequisite courses with the specified minimum grades
Prerequisite Courses
Minimum grade of C or higher:
- Math (Algebra or Statistics)
- Psychology (Growth & Development or Developmental Psychology)
- Nutrition
- English Composition
- Social Sciences
- Humanities/Fine Arts elective
Minimum grade of B- or higher (completed within the last 5 years):
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
- Microbiology with lab
Additional Admission Requirements
- Evidence of a state-approved Nurse Aide I course within the last 14 months, OR current North Carolina NA-I registry listing before beginning the first nursing course
- Two professional references (immediate supervisor, teacher, or professor) using the college Reference Form
- Background check ($80 fee) and a $50 nonrefundable application fee
Information sessions, campus visits, and one-on-one meetings with an admissions coordinator are strongly recommended, though not required.
Curriculum
The degree totals 120 credit hours, with 60 nursing credits completed at Cabarrus over four semesters. Coursework combines classroom and hands-on clinical experiences, covering foundational nursing skills, advanced patient care, and nursing leadership.
Term 1
NSG 304 – Foundations of Nursing
Introduces foundational nursing skills, including critical thinking, the nursing process, psychomotor skills, and communication. Covers ethical/legal standards and historical perspectives, with clinical experiences reinforcing learning through hands-on application.
NSG 315 – Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing I
Covers basic pharmacology principles, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in relation to pathophysiology. Focuses on drug therapy management across body systems, emphasizing nursing responsibilities.
NSG 320 – Health Assessment of Diverse Patients & Populations
Teaches comprehensive patient assessment across physical, mental, sociocultural, and spiritual aspects, emphasizing normal findings and health risk factors across all ages.
NSG 320L – Physical Assessment Skills
Focuses on core assessment techniques (inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation) essential for complete physical examinations, with emphasis on documentation and interviewing skills.
NSG 330 – Introductory Concepts of the Professional Role
Explores key nursing concepts, including patient-centered care, ethics, evidence-based practice, and teamwork. Enhances communication strategies for effective collaboration in healthcare.
Term 2
NSG 350 – Nursing Care for Adult Medical-Surgical Clients
Focuses on nursing care for acutely ill patients, emphasizing clinical judgment, care planning, and intervention evaluation. Includes clinical and virtual practice settings.
NSG 350L – Advanced Nursing Skills Lab
Covers advanced data collection, interview techniques, and acute care skills, focusing on identifying and managing abnormal assessment findings.
NSG 360 – Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing II
Builds on NSG 315, covering complex pathologies and associated pharmacological treatments across the lifespan.
NSG 370 – Healthcare Informatics
Examines EMR use and healthcare informatics, including telehealth, HIPAA, and evidence-based practice tools currently used in healthcare.
Term 3
NSG 380 – Population-Focused Community Nursing
Explores health promotion in diverse populations through community partnerships, with clinical experiences in various community settings.
NSG 400 – Nursing Care of Older Adults
Focuses on gerontological nursing, emphasizing evidence-based care for aging populations, age-related changes, and quality healthcare delivery.
NSG 415 – Nursing Care of Women and Childbearing Families
Examines maternal-child nursing from prenatal to postpartum care, with clinical experiences in both acute and community settings.
NSG 420 – Nursing Care of Childrearing Families
Focuses on family-centered care for children from infancy to adolescence, with clinical practice in diverse settings, including simulations.
Term 4
NSG 430 – Care of Patients & Families Experiencing Mental Health Disruptions
Focuses on nursing care for mental health conditions, integrating theories of development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and communication.
NSG 440 – Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Nursing
Covers research methodologies and critical evaluation of healthcare practices, leading to a PICOT-based group project for evidence-based care.
NSG 450 – Managing Complex Nursing Care in Diverse Populations
Centers on nursing for patients with complex health issues, integrating research, teamwork, and the nursing process. Clinical practice includes team leadership roles.
NSG 460 – Nursing Leadership and Transition into Practice
Explores nursing leadership, decision-making, and healthcare team coordination, preparing students for licensure and real-world nursing practice.
More detail is available in the Cabarrus College catalog and tuition pages.
Clinical Requirements
The ABSN program provides hands-on clinical experience starting as early as the first semester, enabling students to apply classroom concepts immediately at Atrium Health clinical sites and other healthcare facilities. Students gain additional skills practice in high-tech simulation labs on the Cabarrus College campus and at Atrium Health facilities.
The hospital-based campus and Atrium Health affiliation give students preferred clinical access, exposure to leading-edge technology, and a direct pathway to employment within the Atrium Health network after graduation.
Clinical eligibility requires a completed background check ($80), current North Carolina NA-I registry or state-approved Nurse Aide I completion, and an EXXAT records fee ($60).
Tuition & Fees
The ABSN uses a specialized per-credit-hour rate of $742 (2025-2026), so the 60-credit nursing curriculum totals about $44,520 in tuition, distributed across four semesters (16 + 14 + 14 + 16 credits).
With mandatory fees, the estimated total program cost is approximately $45,500-$46,500 (excluding books and living expenses). Per-semester fees include a student activity fee ($75) and technology fee ($155); one-time fees include application ($50), background check ($80), entrance/convocation ($60), and intent-to-graduate ($120).
North Carolina residents committed to working in shortage professions may qualify for Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) of $3,000-$7,000.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.