Program Overview
A two-campus, second-degree path into nursing with standout early results — Johnson & Wales delivers its 16-month ABSN at both its Providence, RI and Charlotte, NC campuses, where the inaugural cohort posted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate, taught through a small, tight-knit cohort model with interprofessional, simulation-rich education.
Johnson & Wales University (JWU) offers an Accelerated Second Degree BSN (ABSN) for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field. The program runs full time for four sequential semesters across 16 months at the Providence, RI and Charlotte, NC campuses. JWU uses a cohort model, so the small group you start with progresses together through the full sequence, forming close bonds and growing as practitioners.
The format is mostly on-campus, with several courses delivered in an asynchronous online format.
The program emphasizes interprofessional education, simulation-based practice, and hands-on clinical learning — and JWU’s first ABSN cohort achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The Accelerated BSN program at Johnson & Wales University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with accreditation covering the program at both the Providence and Charlotte campuses. The program is approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing Registration & Nursing Education and the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
JWU is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). JWU reports that its inaugural ABSN cohort achieved a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
JWU’s ABSN admissions focus on second-degree students who meet a clear GPA and prerequisite standard, then stay on track in a full-time cohort. The process is straightforward, but seats are limited, so early submission can improve your timing.
Admission requirements (high-level):
- Earned bachelor’s degree or higher at the time of application (or completed before enrollment if accepted)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from every college/university attended, submitted through CAS
- Prerequisites within the last 10 years (courses may be in progress when you apply)
- Minimum grade of B (80) or higher in each required prerequisite course
Prerequisite policies and transfer notes:
- JWU reviews prerequisite equivalents from other regionally accredited schools for admission eligibility.
- JWU does not accept transfer credits from other nursing programs for the ABSN sequence.
- All 60 credits of nursing courses must be completed, in sequence, at JWU as part of the cohort.
Deadlines and timing:
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Providence start dates include Summer 2026 (May 11, 2026) and Fall 2026 (August 24, 2026).
- Charlotte lists a Fall 2026 (August 24, 2026) start date.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes nursing foundations, pharmacology, adult care, mental health, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatrics, informatics, and leadership. Courses are delivered in a mix of in-person and asynchronous online formats. Students complete a total of 60 credits, with simulation lab training and interdisciplinary learning built into the program.
Prerequisites
You need a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree and must complete the prerequisites below within the last 10 years, with a B or higher in each:
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab
- Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab
- Organic/Inorganic Chemistry (or equivalent)
- Microbiology with Lab
- Developmental Psychology
- Human Nutrition
- Statistics
Core Nursing Classes
NURS3010 Foundations of Nursing Practice
Introduces essential nursing principles including the nursing process, patient safety, and wellness concepts, forming the base for professional practice.
NURS3030 Foundations of Nursing Practice Practicum
Applies foundational nursing concepts from NURS3010 in real healthcare settings, emphasizing safety and holistic care delivery.
NURS3110 Health Assessment
Covers techniques for comprehensive physical and communication-based health assessments across the lifespan.
NURS3115 Health Assessment Lab
Provides hands-on practice in conducting systematic health assessments through lab-based simulations.
NURS3160 Pathophysiology
Examines disease mechanisms, clinical presentations, and impacts on body systems across the lifespan.
NURS4050 Care of the Adult I
Focuses on nursing care for adults with chronic illnesses, using clinical judgment to address multiple body systems.
NURS4060 Care of the Adult I Practicum
Implements chronic illness care concepts from NURS4050 in clinical environments, reinforcing decision-making skills.
NURS4140 Mental Health Nursing
Introduces holistic mental health care, client safety, therapeutic communication, and common psychiatric conditions.
NURS4150 Mental Health Nursing Practicum
Applies mental health care principles from NURS4140 in various healthcare settings, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
NURS4180 Pharmacology
Explores pharmacologic principles, drug therapy, and evidence-based medication management across the lifespan.
NURS4210 Care of Children
Covers pediatric nursing from infancy to adolescence, with focus on safety, family dynamics, and common childhood conditions.
NURS4220 Care of Children Practicum
Applies pediatric care concepts from NURS4210 in clinical settings, reinforcing developmentally appropriate interventions.
NURS4250 Maternal Newborn Nursing
Focuses on care for women and newborns, addressing pregnancy, labor, postpartum care, and high-risk conditions.
NURS4260 Maternal Newborn Nursing Practicum
Applies maternal and newborn care skills in clinical environments, building on content from NURS4250.
NURS4310 Evidence-Based Practice and Healthcare Informatics
Integrates research methods, evidence-based practice, and informatics to enhance nursing decision-making and care quality.
NURS4340 Leadership in Nursing
Develops leadership skills, self-awareness, and management strategies within healthcare systems and professional practice.
NURS4420 Community/Public Health Nursing
Focuses on population health, disease prevention, and health promotion across community-based care settings.
NURS4430 Community/Public Health Nursing Practicum
Applies public health nursing principles in real-world settings such as schools, clinics, and community agencies.
NURS4460 Care of the Adult II
Expands on acute care concepts, preparing students to manage complex adult health issues across major body systems.
NURS4470 Care of the Adult II Practicum
Applies acute care nursing skills in clinical settings, supporting the transition from student to novice nurse.
More detail is available in the JWU nursing catalog.
Clinicals and Facilities
JWU integrates simulation and clinical practice across the curriculum, and the program culminates in clinical rotations across multiple specialty areas — pediatrics, obstetrics, acute care, mental health, and community health — under the supervision of clinical preceptors. Both campuses include simulation centers that replicate real care scenarios across the lifespan and support skills practice, observation, and debriefing. The program also uses simulation technology and ATI-style preparation resources to support NCLEX-RN readiness and entry-level practice.
Tuition
Estimated total tuition and fees for the ABSN are $61,000 for the full program — JWU lists this as $15,250 per semester across four semesters.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.
Related Programs and Pathways
Articulation pathway partners for this ABSN include Bridgewater State University, Dean College, Providence College, Roger Williams University, and Springfield College. Other JWU health-related programs include occupational therapy, dietetics and applied nutrition, exercise and sport science, health science, and public health.