Exceptional in-state value at an academic health system — East Carolina’s 12-month second-degree ABSN is among the most affordable accelerated programs anywhere for North Carolina residents (~$7,438), anchored by ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine, with 504 clinical hours across eastern North Carolina.
East Carolina University’s Accelerated Second-Degree BSN (ABSN) is an intensive 12-month, full-time program designed exclusively for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to become registered nurses. The program begins each January, with students graduating in December, and requires full-time, in-person attendance for the entire year at the Greenville, North Carolina campus.
Students complete 504 clinical contact hours across ECU Health Systems and partner facilities within a 60-mile radius of Greenville, gaining hands-on experience across medical centers, hospitals, health departments, mental health centers, and community agencies.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at East Carolina University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. East Carolina University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, meeting requirements for registered nurse licensure in North Carolina.
ABSN Admission Summary
ECU’s ABSN uses competitive admissions based on a ranking formula that awards points for cumulative GPA, prerequisite performance, a statement of interest, HESI A2 exam scores, and personal interviews for selected candidates. Admission decisions are typically sent by the end of August following late-July interviews at the College of Nursing (virtual interview options are available for applicants unable to travel to Greenville).
Application Timeline
- Application opens: April 15 annually
- Application deadline: June 15 annually
- Admission interviews: late July (in-person or virtual)
- Admission decisions: typically by end of August
- Program start: January annually
Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, completed by the end of the summer semester before the program starts
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (calculated using either all grades or grades from 20+ post-graduation credit hours, whichever is highest; GPA is not rounded)
- International degrees require a NACES course-by-course evaluation
- 76 total semester hours transferred from the first bachelor’s degree (including prerequisites)
HESI A2 Exam
- At least one attempt on the HESI Admission Assessment (A2) is required (testing window September 1 through June 15)
- Covers Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary & General Knowledge, Basic Math, Biology, and Anatomy & Physiology
- A score of 75% on each subsection is recommended (not required to apply); scores are averaged for ranking points
- Maximum two attempts (three-month wait between attempts); a third attempt is allowed only if the second is 2+ years old
Prerequisite Courses
Minimum grade of B- required:
- BIOL 2140 Human Anatomy & Physiology I (3 credits)
- BIOL 2141 Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab (1 credit)
- BIOL 2150 Human Anatomy & Physiology II (3 credits)
- BIOL 2151 Human Anatomy & Physiology II Lab (1 credit)
Minimum grade of C required:
- BIOL 2110 Fundamentals of Microbiology (3 credits)
- PSYC 1000 Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- PSYC 3206 Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
- College-level Chemistry (3 credits)
- College-level Human Nutrition (3 credits)
- College-level Statistics (3 credits)
All prerequisites must be completed by the end of the summer semester before the program starts; pass/fail grades are not accepted.
Curriculum
The ABSN requires 122 total semester hours, including 76 credits from the first bachelor’s degree (with designated prerequisites) and 46 credits of nursing major coursework completed over three semesters. The curriculum emphasizes lifespan nursing practice, theoretical foundations, pathopharmacology, mental health, population health, leadership, and evidence-based research.
NURS 3600 – Theoretical Foundations and Health Assessment for ABSN (5 credits)
Teaches nursing theory, holistic health assessment, and core nursing skills. Students build a foundation for safe, basic clinical practice through lecture and lab work.
NURS 3601 – Pathopharmacology for ABSN (4 credits)
Links disease processes with medication therapy. Students learn how pathophysiology and pharmacology guide safe nursing interventions and monitoring.
NURS 3613 – Lifespan in Nursing Practice I for ABSN (7 credits)
Introduces wellness and illness concepts across the lifespan. Students apply foundational nursing theory in clinical experiences with clients in varied life stages.
NURS 4610 – Mental Health Care and Promotion for ABSN (3 credits)
Covers behavioral health nursing across the lifespan. Students learn principles that support mental health promotion, assessment, and therapeutic nursing care.
NURS 4613 – Lifespan in Nursing Practice II for ABSN (7 credits)
Focuses on complex health changes across the lifespan. Students strengthen clinical judgment and care planning for higher-acuity clients in supervised practice.
NURS 4614 – Research and Contemporary Issues for ABSN (4 credits)
Examines nursing research, evidence-based practice, and current issues in health care. Students analyze trends that shape professional nursing in global and local settings.
NURS 4810 – Population and Community Health Nursing for ABSN (4 credits)
Applies nursing concepts to community and population health. Students practice prevention, health promotion, and community-based care through clinical experiences.
NURS 4820 – Leadership and Transition to Professional Practice for ABSN (3 credits)
Prepares students for entry-level practice and team leadership. Students integrate management concepts, professional standards, and safe practice expectations through seminar and lab work.
NURS 4830 – Lifespan in Nursing Practice III for ABSN (6 credits)
Integrates advanced nursing concepts for clients with complex conditions across the lifespan. Students synthesize professional practice skills and clinical decision-making.
NURS 4940 – Clinical Capstone for ABSN (3 credits)
Provides focused clinical immersion and practice readiness. Students apply care coordination and management concepts while delivering nursing care in real settings.
More detail is available in the ECU ABSN catalog.
Clinical Requirements
Students complete 504 total clinical contact hours across diverse healthcare settings within approximately 60 miles of Greenville, distributed throughout all three semesters. ECU Health Systems serves as the primary teaching facility, with additional placements at medical centers, hospitals, health departments, nursing homes, retirement communities, and mental health centers, plus partnerships with the College of Allied Health Sciences and the Brody School of Medicine.
Clinical hour distribution:
- NURS 3613 Lifespan in Nursing Practice I: 126 hours (Med/Surg and Pediatrics)
- NURS 4613 Lifespan in Nursing Practice II: 126 hours (Med/Surg, Pediatrics, and OB)
- NURS 4610 Mental Health Nursing & Promotion: 42 hours
- NURS 4810 Population & Community Nursing: 84 hours
- NURS 4940 Clinical Capstone: 126 hours (18 hours weekly in the final semester)
Students provide their own transportation to clinical sites and complete 112 lab contact hours (6 semester hours), primarily in simulation. Current CPR certification, background checks, drug screening, liability insurance, clinical supplies, and uniforms are required.
Tuition
ECU’s ABSN charges standard undergraduate tuition rates. For the 2025-2026 academic year, full-time annual tuition and fees are approximately $7,438 for North Carolina residents and $23,715 for out-of-state students — making the in-state rate one of the most affordable accelerated options available.
Additional program costs include nursing uniforms, books, background checks and drug screening, clinical supplies, liability insurance, CPR certification, and transportation to clinical sites. NC residents may qualify for CFNC Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS).
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.