Program Overview
A fast, flexible path into nursing with standout facilities — King’s College’s 12-month hybrid ABSN blends online coursework with hands-on training in the $8 million Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education, home to cadaver labs, augmented reality, and 3D imaging rarely found at a regional nursing program.
King’s College offers a 12-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hybrid (ABSN-H) program for career changers who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The hybrid format blends online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical rotations — a flexible structure that sets it apart from fully in-person programs in the region.
A Catholic college in the Holy Cross tradition, King’s recently completed an $8 million investment in the Frank and Carolyn Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education, featuring cutting-edge simulation labs with augmented reality, 3D imaging, and cadaver labs.
Upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN in any U.S. state.
Accreditation
King’s College’s baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. King’s College is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The program prepares graduates for licensure and employment in any U.S. state, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admissions Requirements
King’s ABSN-H has clearly defined entry criteria, and a nursing interview is required for all applicants who meet the minimum thresholds.
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA: 3.0 minimum (science degrees); 3.2 minimum (non-science degrees)
- Prerequisites: 31 total credits required; at least 16 credits (including 2 of 4 science courses) must be completed before applying
- Nursing Interview: Required for all qualified applicants; invitation sent after initial application review
- Prior Nursing Program Enrollees: Must submit a Letter of Good Standing from the previous institution confirming no academic, clinical, or disciplinary dismissal
Prerequisite Courses
King’s requires 31 total prerequisite credits before starting the program. Science courses must be completed in-person with labs, within the last 7 years, with a grade of C+ or higher.
Science prerequisites (16 credits — in-person with lab required):
- Anatomy & Physiology I with lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II with lab (4 credits)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
Each course’s didactic and lab components must be taken at the same institution, and A&P I and A&P II must both be completed at the same institution.
Core prerequisites (15 credits — C+ or higher; in-person or online accepted):
- Normal Nutrition (3) — must be taught by a Registered Dietitian
- Theology (3)
- Introduction to Psychology (3)
- Developmental Psychology (3) — must cover the full lifespan; can be split across two courses
- Statistics (3)
Curriculum
The 48-credit curriculum spans three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) and includes courses in adult nursing care, pharmacology, psychiatric nursing, pediatric nursing, and nursing leadership.
NSG 310 – Medication Dosage Calculation and Scholarly Writing in Nursing
This course covers medication dosage calculations using various methods, including proportion, formula, and dimensional analysis. It also introduces scholarly writing in nursing, focusing on using evidence-based literature and APA 7th edition formatting for academic assignments.
NSG 315 – The Profession and Practice of Nursing
Students explore the foundations of nursing, including professional practice, nursing theories, communication, informatics, and ethical considerations. Topics include patient-centered care, health literacy, genetics, stress management, and the nursing process.
NSG 320 – Health Assessment for Nursing
This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct general and focused health assessments. Students learn interview techniques, recognize normal and abnormal findings, and perform comprehensive adult health histories in a diverse patient population.
NSG 325 – Adult Nursing Care I
The first course in a series on adult nursing care, focusing on common acute and chronic conditions. Students learn to manage alterations in fluid balance, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal disorders through evidence-based nursing interventions.
NSG 330 – Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
This course covers communication techniques and interventions for individuals, families, and communities facing mental health challenges. Students study psychiatric nursing theories and evidence-based practices used in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.
NSG 335 – Pharmacology I
Students learn pharmacology principles, drug classifications, and the nurse’s role in medication administration. The course covers pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics for adult and psychiatric nursing.
NSG 340 – Adult Nursing Care II
The second course in the adult nursing care series, addressing kidney, liver, biliary, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders. Students apply nursing interventions and develop clinical judgment skills in acute care settings.
NSG 345 – Maternal & Newborn Nursing Care
This course focuses on maternal and newborn nursing, covering family planning, pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum care, and newborn health. Students learn about social, psychological, and cultural influences on maternal and infant well-being.
NSG 350 – Pharmacology II
A continuation of pharmacology, focusing on medications used in adult, maternal, and newborn nursing. Topics include drug classifications, administration techniques, and the nurse’s role in ensuring safe medication management.
NSG 355 – Adult Nursing Care III
The third course in the adult nursing care series, covering hematologic, respiratory, cardiac, and emergency conditions. Students develop skills in managing critically ill patients and responding to acute medical crises.
NSG 360 – Pediatric Nursing Care
Students learn pediatric nursing care with a family-centered approach, focusing on growth, development, and illness management from infancy through adolescence. The course integrates evidence-based pediatric interventions in various healthcare settings.
NSG 365 – Pharmacology III
This course covers pharmacology principles related to adult and pediatric nursing. Emphasis is placed on drug classifications, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics relevant to these patient populations.
NSG 415 – Nursing Care of Community Populations
Students explore population-focused nursing, emphasizing health promotion, disease prevention, and advocacy for vulnerable populations. The course includes community service experiences through the King’s College Shoval Center.
NSG 420 – Adult Nursing Care IV
A continuation of adult nursing care, focusing on older adults and age-related health changes. Students engage in nursing home rotations using the Age-Friendly 4Ms framework to enhance geriatric care.
NSG 425 – Contemporary Transitions and Trends in Nursing
This course examines current issues in nursing, including professional development, healthcare trends, and transitioning to practice. Students explore leadership roles and emerging challenges in nursing.
NSG 430 – Nursing Leadership & Management
Students develop leadership skills essential for managing complex healthcare environments. Topics include self-assessment, best practices in nursing leadership, and strategies for effective healthcare team collaboration.
NSG 435 – Nursing Research
This course introduces nursing research methodologies and evidence-based practice. Students learn to critique research studies, explore clinical problems, and present findings to improve patient care outcomes.
NSG 440 – Preparation for Nursing Practice
A comprehensive review course preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam and professional nursing practice. It includes content review, test-taking strategies, and assessment tools to evaluate readiness for licensure.
More detail is available in the King’s College course descriptions.
Clinicals & Simulation Labs
Students gain hands-on experience through community and agency-based clinical rotations across the Wilkes-Barre region, spanning hospitals, community health agencies, clinics, and nursing homes. King’s recently completed an $8+ million renovation of the Frank and Carolyn Kowalski Center for Advanced Healthcare Education, housing some of the most advanced simulation infrastructure available at a regional nursing school.
Lab features include:
- Pediatric lab, physical rehabilitation lab, and daily living lab
- Cadaver lab
- Augmented reality technology
- 3D imaging and printing services
- Professional simulation programs
The hybrid schedule integrates lab and clinical days directly into the program calendar.
Tuition & Financial Aid
King’s ABSN-H is a one-year, full-time program billed at the standard undergraduate full-time rate.
- Full-time tuition: $44,150
- General college fee: $2,100
- Estimated total: ~$46,250 (2026-27 academic year)
Note: This estimate reflects the standard full-time academic-year rate plus the general fee. Because the program spans three semesters (including summer), confirm with King’s whether the summer term is billed in addition to this figure. Lab fees, clinical-related fees, and course materials are not included and will vary; tuition increases an average of 2.5% annually.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.