Last Updated: October 3, 2026
Program Overview
Three Jacksonville ABSN tracks pair a 64-credit nursing curriculum with Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic or Ascension St. Vincent’s clinical partnerships and a choice of 12- or 16-month pacing.
Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing offers two 12-month second-degree tracks and a 16-month track. The 12-month options require a bachelor’s degree; the 16-month option also accepts applicants with an associate’s degree.
All tracks require full-time, in-person study. JU advises against working during the 12-month program; very flexible part-time or PRN work may be possible in the 16-month track, subject to the assigned class and clinical schedule.
ABSN Admission Summary
Minimum Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree for the 12-month tracks, or an associate’s/bachelor’s degree for the 16-month track, from a regionally accredited institution.
- 2.50 minimum cumulative GPA; admission review also considers prerequisite GPA, the writing sample and virtual interview.
- C or higher in the designated prerequisites.
- Complete the required degree and prerequisites before the start, although they may be in progress when applying.
These are minimum qualifications, not guaranteed admission. Current track eligibility and the application process are described on JU’s accelerated nursing page.
Prerequisites
- Anatomy and physiology I and II with labs: 4 credits each, completed within the last 10 years.
- General chemistry with lab: 4 credits.
- Microbiology with lab: 4 credits.
- Nutrition: 3 credits.
- Human growth and development: 3 credits.
- Statistics: 3 credits.
The listed prerequisites total 25 credits and may be satisfied by approved prior coursework. JU offers courtesy transcript evaluations before applying; provide a separate transcript showing each institution and its GPA. Healthcare workers who use anatomy and physiology daily may petition for A&P older than 10 years, but approval is not guaranteed. Transfer evaluation and any additional degree/core requirements depend on your prior education and selected track.
Application Materials and Timing
- Submit the online nursing application; this also serves as the JU application.
- Upload unofficial transcripts from every institution attended, even when transferred courses appear on another transcript.
- Provide proof of current or planned enrollment for outstanding prerequisites scheduled to finish before entry.
- Complete the short-answer writing sample and one-way recorded virtual interview.
- Provide official transcripts before enrollment if accepted.
The Mayo application instructions specify three writing prompts, with 200 words per response, and five interview questions answered within 10 minutes. The recorded interview allows one attempt. Letters of recommendation are not required and are not considered by the review committee. Prepare to explain your interest in nursing and readiness for accelerated study.
Rolling admission continues until each cohort fills. JU’s FAQ describes decisions typically within six weeks after a complete application, or up to eight weeks during high-volume periods. Apply early and confirm the next available cohort. Waitlisted applicants may be offered a place as late as one day before the start, but prerequisite extensions are not granted; applicants not admitted by the start must reapply.
Tracks and Starts
- Baptist Health: 12 months, fall entry in August; bachelor’s degree required.
- Mayo Clinic: 12 months, summer entry in May; bachelor’s degree required.
- Ascension St. Vincent’s: 16 months, spring entry in January; associate’s or bachelor’s degree accepted.
JU’s program page states that Summer 2027 applications open August 15. That is an opening date, not a final deadline. The separate 20-month direct-entry MSN is a graduate pathway and is not one of these BSN tracks.
After Acceptance
Complete health and immunization documentation, required clinical screening and the program’s current CPR/BLS requirements before clinical participation. Follow the entering-cohort checklist for approved certification providers and renewal timing.
Curriculum
The accelerated tracks contain 64 nursing credits in 24 courses. Foundations, assessment, pharmacology and research lead into adult and mental-health care, followed by pediatric, maternal, community and critical-care nursing, leadership and a supervised synthesis experience.
The tables use the 2026–27 accelerated BSN catalog assignments. The three 12-month term groups total 17, 24 and 23 credits; individual track calendars can divide these into shorter blocks, including a winter/J-term.
Required Courses and Credits
12-month term 1 — 17 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NUR 212SI — Foundations of Professional Nursing | 3 | This course introduces the core philosophy of the School of Nursing and foundational concepts in professional nursing practice. It emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and exploration of nursing roles within health care systems. |
NUR 226 — Nursing Assessment | 4 | Students learn physical assessment techniques and communication strategies for evaluating clients across the lifespan. The course covers body systems review, functional health patterns, and risk analysis. |
NUR 204 — Foundations of Pharmacology | 2 | The course covers pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics essential to safe medication administration. Emphasis is placed on legal responsibilities, regulatory standards, and evaluating patient responses. |
NUR 220 — Essentials of Professional Nursing Theory | 3 | Students explore nursing theories and health concepts using the nursing process framework. The course focuses on maintaining and restoring physiological health, especially in aging populations. |
NUR 316WI — Nursing Research | 3 | The professional nurse’s role in generating and using research to inform nursing practice. |
NUR 221 — Essentials of Professional Nursing Practice | 2 | Students apply theoretical concepts from NUR 220 in clinical and lab settings. The course emphasizes therapeutic interventions for individuals, particularly older adults. |
12-month term 2 — 24 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NUR 314 — Adult Health & Pharmacology Nursing Theory I | 4 | Covers nursing care for adults with common health alterations, using the nursing process to guide interventions. Pharmacologic principles are integrated into treatment plans. |
NUR 313 — Adult Health Practice | 2 | Students implement care plans for adult clients with common health conditions. Emphasis is on communication, organization, and performing therapeutic interventions in acute care environments. |
NUR 306 — Conceptual Approach to Pathophysiology Part I | 2 | Students link foundational sciences to disease processes and patient assessments. Assignments challenge students to connect symptoms to underlying pathophysiology. |
NUR 348 — Mental Health & Pharmacology Nursing Theory | 3 | Focuses on mental health care principles and psychopharmacology within the nursing process. Students examine human behavior, therapeutic communication, and legal considerations in psychiatric nursing. |
NUR 333 — Mental Health & Pharm Nursing Practice | 1 | Students apply psychiatric nursing concepts in clinical settings under faculty supervision. The course reinforces critical thinking, therapeutic communication, and safe medication use. |
NUR 402 — Adult Health & Pharmacology Nursing Theory II | 5 | Builds on prior theory by addressing care for adults with complex or acute health alterations. Students analyze diagnostic data and identify appropriate pharmacologic and nursing interventions. |
NUR 403 — Advanced Adult Health Practice | 2 | Students deliver evidence-based care to adults with serious illnesses or rehabilitation needs. The course focuses on communication, team collaboration, and professional nursing responsibilities in acute care settings. |
NUR 406 — A Conceptual Approach to Pathophysiology Part II | 2 | Continues the exploration of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying disease. Students analyze complex clinical presentations using prior knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. |
NUR 436SI — Community Health Theory | 2 | Examines public and community health nursing concepts using interdisciplinary perspectives. Students explore health promotion and disease prevention strategies for individuals and populations. |
NUR 433 — Community Nursing Practice | 1 | Students assess and care for communities and population groups using the nursing process. Clinical experiences emphasize collaboration and the diverse roles of community health nurses. |
12-month term 3 — 23 credits
| Course | Credits | What you study |
|---|---|---|
NUR 328 — Child-Rearing Family Theory | 3 | Focuses on child-rearing families and pediatric health issues through developmental and systems theory. Students analyze major health alterations and preventative care in children and adolescents. |
NUR 345 — Child-Rearing Family Practice | 1.5 | Students care for pediatric clients across various settings, applying communication, assessment, and pharmacologic skills. Emphasis is on promoting adaptation and health in children and families. |
NUR 346 — Nursing Care of the Child-Bearing Family Theory | 3 | Presents concepts related to pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal care within the family context. Students explore both routine and high-risk scenarios in maternal health. |
NUR 347 — Nursing Care of the Child-Bearing Family Practice | 1.5 | Applies theory through hands-on care of childbearing families in diverse settings. Emphasizes decision-making, communication, and therapeutic support during the reproductive process. |
NUR 442 — Nursing Leadership and Transition to Practice | 4 | Explores leadership and management concepts essential for new nurses entering the workforce. Students examine challenges of professional transition, including role expectations and health system complexities. |
NUR 438 — Critical Care Nursing Theory | 3 | Focuses on caring for patients with life-threatening health conditions using the nursing process. Students learn to adapt rapidly in acute settings and address ethical and legal issues in critical care. |
NUR 439 — Critical Care Nursing Practice | 2 | Students apply therapeutic interventions for patients with complex, acute health conditions. Emphasis is placed on decision-making, assessment interpretation, and effective communication. |
NUR 423 — Nursing Synthesis | 5 | Self-directed learning and evaluation in selected clinical areas under nursing faculty and clinical preceptors; demonstrates program outcomes. |
16-Month Sequence
The 16-month catalog plan requires the same courses and 64 credits, distributed across four terms:
- Term 1, 17 credits: the six foundational courses shown in 12-month term 1.
- Term 2, 12 credits: NUR 314, 313, 306, 348 and 333.
- Term 3, 12 credits: NUR 402, 403, 406, 436SI and 433.
- Term 4, 23 credits: the eight courses shown in 12-month term 3.
These programs are lock-step: students complete the prescribed sequence successfully before advancing, and cannot compress it below the advertised length. Prerequisites and any outstanding university core requirements are separate from the nursing sequence.
NUR 423 Nursing Synthesis includes self-directed learning in selected clinical areas under faculty and clinical preceptors. NUR 442 addresses leadership, management and the transition from student to professional nurse.
Clinicals and Attendance
JU’s partner tracks connect classroom learning with clinical practice. The Mayo track is partnered exclusively with Mayo Clinic and uses a Dedicated Education Unit model developed by university and clinical faculty.
- Baptist Health: fall-entry partnership with classes on campus and clinical learning through Baptist Health; the senior summer schedule includes two clinical days per week.
- Mayo Clinic: in-person classes and clinicals with Mayo, including progressive care, critical care and emergency-care experiences.
- Ascension St. Vincent’s: four days of campus classes and one clinical day weekly, increasing to two clinical days during senior summer.
JU’s nursing FAQ reports over 750 hours of clinical experience for its nursing students; this is a school-published figure rather than a separately documented minimum for every accelerated track. Clinical days are typically 12-hour shifts, 6:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., with variations by site and course.
- The accelerated programs do not offer evening or online classes; clinical assignments may include nights or weekends.
- Skills labs and simulation complement direct patient care; JU also describes virtual-reality simulation and telepresence technology in its nursing education.
- The FAQ names Baptist Health, Ascension St. Vincent’s, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, UF Health and Mayo among clinical partners; assignments depend on track and availability.
- Budget transportation and meet current health, background, drug-screening and fingerprint requirements before clinical participation.
The nursing FAQ explains attendance, clinical schedules and the clinical subscription package. Partner education does not guarantee a job after graduation.
Tuition and Required Fees
JU’s 2026–27 full-program tuition is $70,000 for both the 12- and 16-month ABSN tracks. A required, one-time $2,000 clinical subscription fee brings tuition plus that fee to $72,000, before other costs.
- Tuition is divided equally across three semesters for the 12-month programs or four for the 16-month program.
- The subscription package includes nursing uniforms/name badge, lab kit and supplies, HURST NCLEX preparation, ATI, myClinicalExchange, CastleBranch clearance services, and orientation/clinical expenses.
- Additional books, personal supplies, travel, housing, meals and any prerequisite or additional coursework need a separate budget.
- Confirm the charges for your entering cohort; rates and package contents may change.
The Professional Studies tuition page lists the ABSN tuition and fee separately. The $80,000 direct-entry MSN tuition shown on the same page belongs to a different degree.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Every admitted Jacksonville ABSN student is considered for a JU merit scholarship without an additional application; awards depend on eligibility.
- The JU/Brooks Rehabilitation Nursing Excellence Scholarship advertises $10,000–$25,000 depending on track and work-agreement length, with post-graduation employment at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital–University Campus or Halifax Health/Brooks.
- Review the applicable employment commitment and award conditions before accepting a scholarship.
- Federal financial aid and eligible military benefits may help finance study; individual eligibility and prior-degree borrowing limits apply.
Accreditation
JU’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Jacksonville University is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC.
Graduates must pass the NCLEX-RN and meet licensing requirements to practice. School-level or undated pass-rate figures should not be read as a guaranteed outcome for a particular ABSN cohort.
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