Program Overview
A fast track into nursing with a rare financial advantage — Gwynedd Mercy University’s 16-month hybrid ABSN is backed by health-system partnerships offering graduates up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance, delivered by a Philadelphia-area nursing college with more than 60 years of history.
Gwynedd Mercy University offers a 16-month ABSN program designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The program consists of 67 credits delivered in a hybrid format across four consecutive semesters, allowing career changers to enter the nursing workforce significantly faster than traditional four-year programs.
A Catholic university in the Mercy tradition, GMercyU partners with multiple health systems that offer graduates up to $40,000 in loan repayment assistance, and its Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions draws on more than 60 years of nursing-education leadership and a network of over 100 regional healthcare partners.
The program features state-of-the-art simulation equipment and prepares students for national RN licensure.
Accreditation
The Accelerated BSN program at Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the ABSN, Weekend BSN, and traditional BSN programs have remained approved and in good standing with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing since their inception. Gwynedd Mercy University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
The program prepares students for national RN licensure, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN; applicants should review their home state’s specific licensure requirements.
ABSN Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 minimum
- Grade of C+ or better in all science prerequisites, including Nutrition
- Statistics and Developmental Psychology completed within 10 years
- Science prerequisites completed within 7 years
Application Materials:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Unofficial high school transcript
- Personal statement
- Majority of prerequisites completed before the admission decision (minimum four science courses)
Post-Admission Requirements:
- Criminal background and child abuse clearance
- Drug screening and FBI fingerprinting
- Physician or nurse practitioner health certificate with immunization records
- Annual flu vaccination, COVID vaccination with booster, and PPD screening
- CPR certification, liability insurance, and personal health insurance
Prerequisite Courses
GMercyU offers online prerequisites at $382 per credit with at-home laboratory experiences. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA with C+ or higher in math and science courses. Virtual labs are not accepted, and Nutrition must be taught by a Registered Dietitian.
- Nutrition (7 weeks)
- Developmental Psychology – Across the Lifespan (5 weeks)
- Statistics (5 weeks)
- Microbiology with Lab (8 weeks)
- Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (8 weeks)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (8 weeks)
- Chemistry for Allied Health Sciences with Lab (8 weeks)
Curriculum
The 67-credit program spans four semesters with coursework covering fundamental nursing skills, pharmacology, pathophysiology, adult care, pediatric and maternal care, behavioral health, research methods, and leadership.
Semester 1
NUR 208 – Introduction to Professional Nursing (2 credits)
This course introduces the professional role of the nurse within today’s healthcare system. Students explore nursing values, ethics, communication, cultural awareness, and interprofessional collaboration. Emphasis is placed on professional identity, patient advocacy, and foundational nursing responsibilities.
NUR 209 – Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (4 credits)
This course builds core nursing skills required for safe patient care across healthcare settings. Students learn basic nursing interventions, infection control, patient safety, and therapeutic communication. Lab and simulation experiences support the development of hands-on clinical competence.
NUR 212 – Health Assessment in Nursing (3 credits)
This course focuses on comprehensive health assessment techniques across the lifespan. Students develop skills in physical examination, history taking, and clinical documentation. Emphasis is placed on identifying normal and abnormal findings to support clinical decision-making.
NUR 219 – Nursing Medication Mathematics (1 credit)
This course strengthens medication calculation skills required for safe nursing practice. Students apply mathematical principles to dosage calculations, IV rates, and medication administration scenarios. Accuracy and patient safety are central course outcomes.
NUR 324 – Pharmacology and Pathophysiology (4 credits)
This integrated course examines disease processes alongside related pharmacologic therapies. Students analyze how pathophysiologic changes affect medication selection, actions, and outcomes. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning and safe medication management.
RS 231 – Bioethics (3 credits)
This course explores ethical principles that guide healthcare decision-making. Students examine moral dilemmas related to patient care, professional conduct, and healthcare policy. Ethical frameworks are applied to real-world clinical scenarios.
Semester 2
NUR 307 – Nursing Care of Adults (6 credits)
This course focuses on nursing care for adult patients experiencing common acute and chronic health conditions. Students develop assessment, planning, and intervention skills across body systems. Clinical experiences reinforce evidence-based adult nursing practice.
NUR 313 – Contemporary Issues in Professional Nursing (2 credits)
This course examines current trends and challenges in the nursing profession. Topics include healthcare delivery systems, professional standards, workforce issues, and patient safety initiatives. Students analyze the evolving role of nurses in modern healthcare environments.
NUR 317 – Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families (5 credits)
This course addresses nursing care across the reproductive and pediatric lifespan. Students study health promotion, illness prevention, and family-centered care. Clinical learning emphasizes maternal, newborn, and pediatric nursing principles.
NUR 460 – Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (3 credits)
This course introduces nursing research concepts and evidence-based practice methods. Students learn to evaluate research findings and apply evidence to clinical decision-making. Emphasis is placed on improving patient outcomes through scholarly inquiry.
Semester 3
NUR 316 – Nursing Care of Clients with Alterations in Behavioral Health (4 credits)
This course focuses on mental and behavioral health nursing across diverse populations. Students examine psychiatric disorders, therapeutic communication, and crisis intervention strategies. Clinical experiences emphasize holistic and compassionate mental health care.
NUR 319 – Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Healthcare Problems (5 credits)
This course prepares students to care for adults with complex, multi-system health conditions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, prioritization, and coordination of care. Students apply advanced nursing interventions in high-acuity clinical settings.
NUR 417 – Genomics in Nursing (3 credits)
This course introduces genomic concepts relevant to nursing practice. Students explore how genetic factors influence disease risk, treatment, and patient education. Ethical and clinical implications of genomics are examined.
NUR Nursing Elective (3 credits)
This elective course allows students to explore a focused area of nursing interest. Topics may include specialty practice, leadership, education, or emerging healthcare issues. The course supports individualized professional development.
NUR 413 – The Older Adult (3 credits)
This course examines healthcare needs of the aging population. Students study age-related changes, chronic illness management, and end-of-life care. Emphasis is placed on promoting quality of life and functional independence in older adults.
Semester 4
NUR 4001 – Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing (3 credits)
This course develops leadership and management skills for professional nursing practice. Students explore team coordination, healthcare systems, quality improvement, and ethical leadership. The course prepares graduates for entry-level leadership roles.
NUR 419 – Synthesis of Learning for Nursing Practice (6 credits)
This capstone course integrates knowledge and skills acquired throughout the nursing program. Students demonstrate clinical competence, professional judgment, and readiness for entry-level nursing practice. Preparation for the NCLEX-RN is emphasized.
NUR 422 – Health and Illness in the Community (5 credits)
This course focuses on population-based nursing and community health practice. Students examine health promotion, disease prevention, and social determinants of health. Clinical experiences emphasize care delivery in community settings.
NUR 423 – Global Health and Health Policy (2 credits)
This course explores global health challenges and healthcare policy frameworks. Students analyze how policy decisions affect healthcare access, quality, and outcomes. Emphasis is placed on advocacy and the nurse’s role in health policy.
More detail is available in the GMercyU ABSN program page.
Clinical Experience
Students complete clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities through GMercyU’s extensive network of more than 100 regional affiliations. Instructors assist with clinical placement arrangements based on hospital availability, and some rotations require evening or weekend hours. Clinical participation requires criminal background checks, child abuse clearance, immunizations, and health-related clearances.
Clinical partners include: Abington Jefferson, Einstein Jefferson Montgomery, Doylestown Hospital, Grand View Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Cooper University Medical Center, and numerous other regional healthcare facilities.
Tuition and Costs
Total estimated program cost is $49,044 (tuition only, based on 67 credits at $732 per credit). Additional fees include a $700 comprehensive fee per semester for full-time students, a $500 non-refundable acceptance deposit, an $875 ATI learning systems fee, an $80 ExamSoft fee, a $279 Hurst Review NCLEX prep fee, a $79 nursing kit, and a $225-$300 compliance/immunization management fee paid directly to the vendor. Through GMercyU’s health-system partnerships, eligible graduates may receive up to $40,000 in loan repayment funds.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.