Program Overview
A flexible-entry accelerated BSN that welcomes not just bachelor’s-degree holders but also LPNs, paramedics/MICTs, and adult learners with previous college experience — completed in 12 months on-site in Olathe, and ranked the top nursing school in Kansas by Niche (2026).
MidAmerica Nazarene University’s Accelerated BSN delivers a complete nursing education in just 12 months for motivated students with prior college experience or a healthcare background. The intensive, on-site program in Olathe is designed for the LPN, paramedic/MICT, or adult learner with previous college coursework — a more flexible entry path than many accelerated tracks that require a completed bachelor’s degree.
Students complete 60-63 credit hours across six modules, and outcomes are strong: MNU’s 2024 BSN graduates posted a 94% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, exceeding state and national benchmarks.
Niche ranked MNU the top nursing school in Kansas (and in the Kansas City metro) in its 2026 Best Colleges rankings.
As a Christian university, MNU frames its nursing education around a servant-leadership mission.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at MidAmerica Nazarene University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the university is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, with a 94% first-time pass rate among 2024 graduates.
Admission Summary
MNU accepts applications directly — no NursingCAS submission is required — and students may apply while prerequisites are still in progress. New cohorts begin in August and January.
- Completion of all prerequisite courses (no time limit on course age)
- Previous college experience or a healthcare background (LPN, paramedic, MICT)
- Personal statement (used in lieu of an interview)
- Official college transcripts from all institutions
- Completed nursing questionnaire
- No GRE or GMAT required
Applications receive committee review within a couple of months depending on cycle timing, and applicants are notified of acceptance by text and email. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for a preliminary review, and students unable to start with their admitted cohort may request deferral under MNU’s Admission Deferral Policy.
Curriculum
The 60-credit-hour nursing curriculum is delivered across six modules over 12 months. Students must earn a C (73%) or higher in all NURS-prefix courses to progress.
NURS 3013 – Pathophysiology (3)
Explores disease processes using a body-systems approach. Emphasizes causes, risk factors, clinical signs, and diagnostics that support clinical judgment.
NURS 3068 – Health Restoration I (8)
Introduces adult acute-care nursing for illness, surgery, and chronic flare-ups. Focuses on perioperative care, fluids/electrolytes, immune and inflammatory problems, and respiratory, GI, and musculoskeletal conditions with clinical practice.
NURS 3178 – Health Restoration II (8)
Builds on Health Restoration I with advanced adult acute-care management. Covers cardiovascular, endocrine, GU, integumentary, and hematologic problems while strengthening care planning and clinical decision-making.
NURS 3185 – Fundamentals of Nursing Care (5)
Teaches core nursing skills, safe medication administration, and relationship-centered care. Includes lab, simulation, and clinical experiences with competency-based skill validation.
NURS 3402 – Ethics, Quality, and Safety in Nursing (2)
Examines ethical decision-making, quality improvement, and patient safety. Connects human factors and system design to safer care outcomes.
NURS 3502 – Mental Health Nursing (2)
Covers evidence-based nursing care for mental health conditions. Emphasizes therapeutic communication, person-centered care, and mental health promotion across settings.
NURS 3602 – Health Assessment (2)
Develops skills in comprehensive history-taking and holistic assessment. Uses a person-centered approach to identify normal and abnormal findings.
NURS 3703 – Principles of Professional Nursing (3)
Introduces professional identity, scope of practice, and communication skills. Includes conflict management, informatics basics, and expectations for professional conduct.
NURS 3902 – Gerontological Nursing (2)
Focuses on care of older adults across wellness to end-of-life. Addresses aging changes, psychosocial and spiritual needs, and care options.
NURS 3913 – Pharmacology (3)
Introduces major drug classes and safe administration principles. Emphasizes indications, side effects, interactions, monitoring, and patient teaching.
NURS 4113 – Maternal and Women’s Health Nursing (3)
Provides evidence-based care for women and childbearing families. Applies theory in hospital and community settings with attention to culture and lifespan needs.
NURS 4211 – Transition to Nursing Practice (1)
Prepares students for licensure and job entry. Includes resume support, interview practice, board expectations, and NCLEX-focused review.
NURS 4213 – Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (3)
Builds skills in using research to improve nursing care. Emphasizes critical appraisal, ethical research use, and applying evidence to practice decisions.
NURS 4313 – Pediatric Nursing (3)
Covers nursing care of children and families across common conditions and settings. Emphasizes health promotion, development, and family-centered practice.
NURS 4323 – Nursing Leadership and Professional Issues (3)
Develops leadership skills for quality, safety, and advocacy. Includes teamwork, policy and finance basics, professional roles, and reflective growth.
NURS 4513 – Population Based Health (3)
Explores population health from prevention through chronic disease management. Emphasizes partnerships, equity, and applying community-based strategies in practice.
NURS 4684 – Nursing Internship (4)
Provides a precepted clinical experience to integrate program learning. Focuses on role transition, workflow, and professional RN practice in real settings.
NURS 4902 – Acute-Complex Nursing Care (2)
Strengthens care of patients with complex and high-risk conditions. Integrates diagnostics, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to support safe, evidence-based decisions.
Students may repeat one failed NURS course to achieve the required C; failure of two NURS courses (or the repeated course) results in dismissal from the School of Nursing. All official transcripts must reach MNU by the end of Module One.
More detail is available in the MNU catalog.
Clinical Requirements
Clinical and lab components are integrated throughout all nursing courses on a pass/fail basis, with state-of-the-art laboratory experiences and clinical placements through partnerships with regional hospitals. The program culminates in NURS 4684 Nursing Internship, a 4-credit precepted hands-on experience.
Before graduation, students must pass the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor exam and complete a mandatory 3-day live NCLEX preparation course.
Tuition
Tuition is $628 per credit hour, so the 60-63 credit program totals approximately $37,680 to $39,564. Nearly all new students qualify for some financial assistance, which reduces actual education costs; federal Direct Loans and military/veteran aid are also available. Budget separately for books, lab/testing fees, and licensure costs.
Confirm current figures via the official program costs page.
Related Programs
MNU also offers a Traditional BSN (four-semester, two-year, August admission), a Hybrid BSN (18-month, blending online and on-site, August admission), an Associate of Arts, and a B.A. in Organizational Leadership degree-completion program.