Program Overview
- Duration: 16 Months
- Tuition: $57,800
- Location: New London, NH
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Program Web Page
The Colby-Sawyer College Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) offers a fast 16-month path to RN licensure for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The full-time program runs across four consecutive semesters and includes 64 nursing credits.
Students complete in-person coursework and hands-on clinical training in New Hampshire’s leading healthcare settings.
Graduates achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate over the past three years. The program also reports 100% job placement.
Clinical education takes place at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, the state’s only academic health system and Level I trauma center.
ABSN Admission Summary
The ABSN program admits students with strong academic records and recent science preparation. Applicants must meet GPA and prerequisite standards before enrollment.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA
- Completion of at least five prerequisite courses before conditional acceptance
- Grade of B- or higher in biology prerequisites
- Grade of C or higher in non-science prerequisites
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Professional resume
- Online ABSN application
Prerequisite Courses (Biology within five years):
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- Microbiology with Lab
- Introduction to Sociology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Introduction to Statistics
Biology courses must be completed within five years of enrollment. Students must earn a minimum B- in these science courses.
Before clinical placement, students must submit:
- BLS/CPR certification (AHA or Red Cross)
- Criminal background check
- Urine drug screening
- Required health documentation
Curriculum
Students complete 64 credits across core nursing subjects, including adult medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, mental health, maternal-child nursing, pharmacology, and leadership.
Coursework is divided into clinical and nonclinical classes with simulation lab components and preceptorships in the final semester. NCLEX-RN preparation is included as a required course.
Core coursework is as follows:
ABSN 101: Nursing Seminar
Introduces students to the nursing profession through foundational concepts and team-based learning. Emphasizes the creation of a peer support network and a shared learning environment. Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.
ABSN 203: Introduction to Professional Nursing
Covers core principles of nursing, including communication, patient teaching, critical thinking, and the nursing process. Explores current issues in healthcare and the professional role of nurses. Prepares students for clinical judgment development.
ABSN 207: Pharmacology
Focuses on pharmacological concepts needed for safe nursing practice. Examines drug classifications, legal responsibilities, and system-based effects. Prepares students for medication administration and monitoring.
ABSN 212: Health Assessment
Develops physical and psychosocial assessment skills across the lifespan. Emphasizes history taking, documentation, and distinguishing normal from abnormal findings. Includes lab, classroom, and simulation components.
ABSN 222: Fundamentals of Nursing
Introduces basic nursing care skills and clinical responsibilities. Covers communication, care planning, medication administration, and documentation. Provides foundational experience in health promotion and patient interaction.
ABSN 309: Community and Public Health Nursing
Explores population-focused care and the nurse’s role in the community. Topics include public health systems, vulnerable populations, and epidemiology. Emphasizes health promotion beyond individual care.
ABSN 313: Maternal-Child Nursing
Prepares students to care for families during pregnancy and childbirth. Topics include prenatal care, neonatal assessment, labor and delivery, and related nursing interventions. Emphasizes family-centered clinical care.
ABSN 314: Pediatric Nursing
Focuses on nursing care for children from infancy through adolescence. Covers developmental stages, illness management, and family-centered interventions. Provides clinical experience with pediatric populations.
ABSN 332: Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Introduces care for adults with acute health issues. Topics include disease pathophysiology, major organ systems, and surgical care. Students develop clinical skills in acute care settings.
ABSN 334: Mental Health Nursing
Covers mental health assessment and therapeutic interventions for adults. Addresses psychiatric conditions, crisis management, and communication strategies. Includes inpatient clinical experience.
ABSN 336: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Teaches research evaluation and application of evidence-based nursing. Students identify clinical issues, critique literature, and propose practice changes. Emphasizes quality improvement and healthcare outcomes.
ABSN 400: NCLEX-RN Preparation
Provides structured review and test preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students develop personalized study plans and use computer-based practice tools. Regular faculty meetings support exam readiness.
ABSN 405: Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Focuses on advanced care for adults with chronic and complex conditions. Topics include cardiac arrhythmias, pain management, hospice care, and discharge planning. Strengthens decision-making and critical care skills.
ABSN 410: Nursing Leadership Capstone
Explores nursing leadership, care coordination, and health system improvement. Students assess a health issue and develop an actionable care plan. Encourages leadership across care settings.
ABSN 442: Clinical Capstone: Nursing Management of Patient Care
Students deliver comprehensive care under clinical mentorship. Emphasizes independent decision-making, care coordination, and role transition. Weekly seminars reinforce practice skills and professional development.
More information about the curriculum here
Clinical Training and Experience
Clinical Experience
Clinical training begins within the first month of the program. Students rotate one to two days per week in specialty areas such as pediatrics, obstetrics, adult acute care, and mental health.
During the final semester, students complete a one-on-one capstone preceptorship. This experience allows direct supervision by an experienced registered nurse.
The Janet Udall Schaefer ’52 Center for Health Sciences includes:
- Four-room simulation center
- Two skills labs with 12 hospital beds
- Clinical exam rooms
- Anatomy and physiology labs
- Real-time simulation technology
This environment supports strong clinical judgment and teamwork skills.
Tuition
The total estimated program tuition is approximately $57,800 for 64 credits.
Based on published annual tuition of $41,700 for three semesters, the four-semester ABSN tuition aligns closely with the stated program rate. Comprehensive fees add approximately $1,650 annually. Housing and indirect costs vary by living arrangement.
For detailed tuition breakdowns, see the official tuition page for more details:
https://www.colby-sawyer.edu/offices/financial-services/tuition
Accreditation
The nursing programs at Colby-Sawyer College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The program also maintains approval from the New Hampshire Board of Nursing.
These approvals confirm that the ABSN program meets national and state standards for nursing education and licensure preparation.