West Virginia’s Most Flexible Pre-Licensure BSN Just Got More Accessible
For working adults, single parents, CNAs, and career changers who need a nursing education that fits around real life, D&E’s Hybrid Accelerated BSN redesigns what “nursing school” looks like. Sixty-five percent of nursing coursework is delivered online asynchronously, on the student’s schedule. The remaining 35% is reserved for the clinical experiences, simulation labs, and skills training that actually require physical presence.
The 3-year timeline compresses D&E’s full 124-credit BSN into a summer-inclusive schedule, graduating nurses a full year ahead of the traditional track without cutting clinical hours.
A named clinical network of 13+ facilities across West Virginia supports placements from Davis Medical Center in Elkins to WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial in Morgantown.
Admission Summary
D&E’s Hybrid Accelerated BSN is designed to be accessible rather than exclusive — the program explicitly targets students who have been shut out of traditional nursing tracks by schedule constraints, not just those with the highest academic profiles. The application process and specific GPA thresholds for the accelerated track should be confirmed directly with the Division of Nursing, as detailed criteria are not published in available materials.
Target applicants include:
- Working adults pursuing a career change into nursing
- CNAs ready to advance to RN-level practice
- Single parents or individuals who need schedule flexibility
- Transfer students looking for a supportive continuation point
Program eligibility — confirm current requirements directly:
- Prior college coursework required; specific credit or degree requirements not detailed in available materials
- ATI TEAS preparation is offered as an optional (but highly recommended) first-semester course (NURS 130, 1 cr.)
- Background check and drug screen are standard requirements for clinical placement — findings that disqualify students from clinical participation affect program completion
Application process:
- Apply directly through D&E’s admissions portal (apply now link available on the hybrid program page)
- Contact the Division of Nursing for current prerequisite and GPA requirements specific to the accelerated hybrid track
- In-person (traditional) accelerated track is currently enrolling; hybrid track begins Fall 2026
Post-acceptance requirements:
- Criminal background check required before clinical courses
- Immunization verification
- DESNA membership is required for all nursing students — this student organization connects students to the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
- Malpractice insurance available through NSNA membership at reduced rates
Curriculum
The 3-year accelerated program totals 124 credits for graduation — including 70 nursing credit hours — organized across 9 semesters (including 2 summer sessions). The pre-nursing semester establishes foundational science before nursing coursework formally begins. The sequence builds from introductory pharmacology and health assessment through complex health disruptions, community nursing, and a final leadership and capstone semester.
Pre-nursing Semester — Fall (8 cr. + 1 optional):
- BIOL 107 – Anatomy (4 cr.)
- BIOL 108 – Physiology (4 cr.)
- NURS 130 – ATI TEAS Preparation (1 cr., optional but recommended)
Year 1 — Summer
Two electives (6 cr.)
Students complete two elective courses as part of the general education foundation.
ENGL 101A – College Writing I (3 cr.)
Introduces college-level writing, with emphasis on composition, clarity, and academic communication.
HIST 103, 104, 105, or 106 (3 cr.)
Provides a humanities or social sciences foundation through approved history coursework.
Year 2 — Fall
NURS 205B – Disruptions in Mental Health (5 cr.)
Focuses on mental health alterations and nursing care for patients experiencing psychological and behavioral health disruptions.
NURS 303B – Community Nursing (4 cr.)
Examines nursing care in community settings, with emphasis on population health, prevention, and health promotion.
ENGL 102A – College Writing II (3 cr.)
Builds on College Writing I with continued focus on research, analysis, and advanced composition.
SPSC 103 – Physical Activity (1 cr.)
Introduces physical activity concepts and wellness-based movement.
SOCI 101 or 103 (3 cr.)
Provides an introduction to sociology and the study of society, relationships, and social structures.
Year 2 — Spring
NURS 201B – Maternal-Newborn Nursing & Women’s Health (4 cr.)
Focuses on nursing care for maternal, newborn, and women’s health needs across the childbearing continuum.
NURS 203B – Disruptions in Health II (8 cr.)
Covers more complex health disruptions and associated nursing interventions across the lifespan.
Literature elective from approved ENGL list (3 cr.)
Students select an approved literature course to support communication and critical thinking skills.
SPSC 102 – Wellness Education (1 cr.)
Explores wellness concepts and healthy lifestyle practices.
Year 2 — Summer
COMM 100-level or 221 (3 cr.)
Provides communication skills development through an approved communication course.
Creative Arts elective (3 cr.)
Students complete an approved creative arts course to meet general education requirements.
MATH 180 – Statistics (3 cr.)
Introduces statistical concepts and analytical methods used in academic and professional settings.
Year 3 — Fall
NURS 204B – Management of Care (4 cr.)
Focuses on coordinating and managing nursing care for patients with complex needs.
NURS 206B – Disruptions in Health III (8 cr.)
Builds on prior health disruption coursework and emphasizes more advanced nursing care concepts.
NURS 304B – Evidence-Based Practice (3 cr.)
Introduces evidence-based practice principles and their application in nursing decision-making.
Year 3 — Spring
NURS 220B – Nursing Concept Synthesis (3 cr.)
Integrates previously learned nursing content and supports readiness for transition into practice.
NURS 306B – Nursing Leadership (6 cr.)
Examines leadership principles, professional accountability, and nursing management concepts.
NURS 498B – Capstone (3 cr.)
Provides a culminating clinical and academic experience that integrates prior nursing knowledge and skills.
PHL 203 – Ethics (3 cr.)
Introduces ethical reasoning and moral decision-making in academic and professional contexts.
More curriculum details available in the course catalog: D&E College Catalog (PDF)
Clinicals
Clinical training is embedded throughout the program at 13 named clinical facilities across West Virginia, with an additional 15 preceptorship sites available in the final clinical sequence. D&E’s clinical network reaches from community health departments and long-term care facilities to major regional hospital systems.
- Clinical delivery: In-person clinical experiences, labs, and simulation training account for approximately 35% of the nursing curriculum — concentrated in meaningful hands-on settings rather than lecture attendance
- Simulation facility: The SIM Center on campus provides skills and simulation training before students enter live clinical environments
- Named clinical facilities include: Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center (Elkins), WVU Medicine United Hospital Center (Clarksburg), WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital (Buckhannon), William R. Sharpe Jr. Hospital (Weston), Randolph-Elkins Health Department, Mountain Hospice, Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center, and others
- Preceptorship network includes: WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital (Morgantown), Mon Health Mon General, Broaddus Hospital, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, Garrett Regional Medical Center, and 10+ additional sites
- Community nursing: NURS 303B runs in Year 2 Fall as a dedicated community nursing course — aligning with D&E’s QSEN-based emphasis on population health
- Externships: Area hospitals offer paid 4–6 week summer nurse externship programs for students who have completed their first nursing year — an earn-while-you-learn option that reinforces clinical skills
- Employment outcomes: 100% job placement rate reported for BSN graduates three years running, with area facilities including Davis Medical Center, Ruby Memorial, Mon General, and United Hospital Center as named employers
Tuition
Estimated total program cost: ~$120,000
D&E charges a flat base rate for 12–18 credits per fall/spring semester, plus a per-credit rate for summer coursework.
| Semester Type | Rate | Semesters | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
Fall/Spring (base rate, 12–18 cr.) | $15,730 | 7 | $110,110 |
Summer Year 1 (12 cr. × $475) | — | 1 | $5,700 |
Summer Year 2 (9 cr. × $475) | — | 1 | $4,275 |
Estimated Total | ~$120,085 |
Additional fees include a $1,080 annual Comprehensive Student Fee, a $150 graduation fee, and applicable special course fees. Room and board for residential students varies by housing type ($4,200–$9,200/year for room; $5,600–$6,400/year for board).
This positions D&E as a premium-priced small private college option — more expensive than West Virginia’s public programs (WVU ~$35,100, WLU ~$22,000) but offering a hybrid delivery model and small-cohort environment not available at either public institution. The program is partially funded through a grant from the WV Governor’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program — prospective students should inquire about any grant-funded tuition offsets or scholarships tied to this funding. D&E provides $20 million+ in financial aid annually; FAFSA completion is the starting point.
See the official tuition page for more details: D&E College Catalog — Tuition (PDF)
Accreditation
The D&E BSN program holds dual accreditation: from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and from the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), which granted initial BSN accreditation on February 22, 2023. The West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses has provisionally approved the program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.