Program Overview
- Duration: 18 Months
- Tuition: $40,000
- Location: Northfield, VT
- Application Deadline: rolling
- Program Web Page
Norwich University offers an Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN) for students who already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree. Students typically finish the nursing sequence in five consecutive semesters, which equals about 18 months.
The program uses direct clinical care and simulated clinical experiences to build nursing skills across settings.
Students complete the program on campus, and they still prepare for RN licensure through the NCLEX-RN pathway.
Norwich also uses a pre-NCLEX exam in senior-level courses to check readiness before graduation.
ABSN Admission Summary
Norwich’s ABSN admissions focus on prior degree completion, GPA, and completion of key science and support courses. The program also expects students to meet health, safety, and clinical compliance rules before rotations begin.
Admission requirements and standards (Accelerated Track):
- Prior bachelor’s degree or associate degree (AA/AS/AAS).
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for accelerated nursing applicants.
- C+ or higher in math, science, and psychology prerequisites.
- Preference that students complete most prerequisites before admission.
Application process (high level):
- Students submit an application, then they follow Norwich steps such as visit, FAFSA, and deposit after acceptance.
Deadlines (Norwich undergraduate terms):
- Summer start: rolling admission with an April 1 deposit deadline shown on Norwich admissions dates.
- Fall start: rolling admission with a May 1 deposit deadline shown on Norwich admissions dates.
Clinical compliance items students must maintain:
- Current AHA BLS CPR/AED for Healthcare Professionals (starting by the sophomore year and continuing through nursing courses).
- Up-to-date immunizations, including annual flu and annual TB testing.
- Student responsibility for transportation to clinical agencies.
Curriculum
The Norwich ABSN curriculum runs in a tight sequence that combines nursing theory, skills labs, simulation, and linked clinical practicums.
Students must earn at least a C+ in nursing courses, and students must pass both the theory and clinical parts of linked courses to progress.
Prerequisite Coursework Summary
Norwich requires math, science, and psychology prerequisites, and each course must meet the minimum grade standard.
Prerequisite courses (C+ minimum):
- PY 220 Developmental Psychology
- BI 215 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- BI 216 Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- BI 220 Introductory Microbiology
- MA 232 Elementary Statistics
Core classes include:
HHPR200 – Foods and Nutrition
Covers the principles of nutrition across life stages, exploring how diet impacts health, metabolism, obesity, and food safety. Students examine nutrient functions, food selection, and current food technologies.
MG360 – Health Economics & Policy
Introduces economic principles applied to health care and policy. Focuses on healthcare demand, supply, public health funding, and regulation versus competition in healthcare markets.
NR103 – Nursing History and Health Promotion
Explores the evolution of nursing through historical research and active learning. Highlights the nurse’s role in promoting health across populations.
NR206 – Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
Teaches students to perform comprehensive physical and health assessments for individuals across all ages, integrating cultural, developmental, and environmental contexts.
NR211 – Pharmacology I
Covers foundational pharmacology, including drug actions, side effects, and patient safety across body systems. Emphasizes nursing responsibilities in safe medication administration.
NR215 – Client, Psychological/Mental Health Problems
Focuses on holistic nursing care for patients with mental health needs. Students develop therapeutic communication and support skills in psychiatric settings.
NR215L – Client, Psychological/Mental Health Problems
Applies mental health nursing theories in clinical settings. Emphasizes therapeutic communication and care planning for individuals with psychiatric conditions.
NR217 – Simulation for Nursing Practice
Introduces core nursing skills through simulated patient scenarios. Develops clinical reasoning and safety practices before direct patient care.
NR225 – Research For Evidence-Based Practice
Prepares students to apply research methods to clinical decision-making. Emphasizes critical appraisal, ethical considerations, and integration of evidence into practice.
NR232 – Technology and Informatics in Healthcare
Covers informatics competencies, electronic health records, and decision-support tools. Discusses legal and ethical aspects of digital health systems.
NR261 – Pathophysiology
Explains the physiological basis of disease, focusing on causes, development, and clinical symptoms. Emphasizes clinical relevance for nursing practice.
NR316 – Care of the Adult I
Addresses nursing care for adults with health issues in key systems such as endocrine and GI. Focuses on holistic, patient-centered planning.
NR316L – Care of the Adult I Practicum
Provides clinical experience in adult care. Students apply theoretical knowledge to patient interactions and develop essential clinical skills.
NR321 – Nursing Leadership
Develops foundational leadership concepts in nursing. Students analyze healthcare trends and reflect on their leadership style in professional settings.
NR331 – Care of Women and Childbearing Family
Focuses on maternal and newborn nursing care. Emphasizes family-centered practices, safety, and continuity of care across healthcare settings.
NR331L – Care of Women and Childbearing Family Practice
Provides clinical experience in women’s health and maternity nursing. Students deliver safe, evidence-based care to mothers and newborns.
NR341 – Care of Children/Child Rearing
Explores pediatric nursing across childhood development stages. Covers illness, health promotion, and family dynamics with an emphasis on communication.
NR341L – Care of Children/Child Rearing
Applies pediatric nursing theory in clinical settings. Students provide developmental and culturally appropriate care to children and families.
NR361 – Pharmacology II
Continues system-based pharmacology with an emphasis on safe drug administration and patient education. Includes dosage calculations and drug interactions.
NR416 – Care of the Adult II
Focuses on advanced adult care, covering systems like cardiac and respiratory. Students integrate holistic assessment and critical care concepts.
NR416L – Care of Adult II
Clinical practicum that complements NR416. Students deliver care in real-world settings, refining communication and psychomotor skills.
NR421 – Coordinator of Care
Prepares students for entry into nursing practice. Emphasizes care coordination, interdisciplinary teamwork, and clinical decision-making.
NR421L – Coordinator of Care Practicum
Final clinical rotation under preceptor supervision. Students synthesize learning across all nursing domains to transition into professional roles.
NR431 – Promoting Health in Communities
Examines public health nursing and population-based care. Students collaborate with community agencies to address health disparities.
NR431L – Promoting Health in Communities: Clinical Practicum
Applies community health concepts in clinical settings. Students engage with populations to promote wellness and evaluate health interventions.
NR441 – Nursing Capstone
Supports the transition to professional practice through a leadership project. Students integrate curriculum knowledge and address current nursing challenges.
More information about the curriculum here
Clinical components are integrated with theory courses and take place in partnership with top-tier medical centers, such as Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Clinicals
Norwich connects many nursing courses to clinical practicums, and students must pass both parts to stay in sequence. Clinical education also includes simulation-based learning through courses like Simulation for Nursing Practice.
Students travel to assigned clinical agencies, and students arrange their own transportation.
Faculty can remove a student from clinical when a safety or conduct issue occurs in a clinical setting.
Tuition
Norwich University’s Accelerated BSN program requires completion of 79 credits. Based on the per-credit tuition range of $375 to $500, the estimated tuition is as follows:
- Minimum Tuition:
79 credits × $375 = $29,625 - Maximum Tuition:
79 credits × $500 = $39,500
So, the total tuition range for the program is approximately $29,625 to $39,500, excluding fees, books, and other costs such as uniforms, clinical supplies, and transportation.
See the official tuition page for more details: https://online.norwich.edu/online/paying/tuition-fees
Accreditation
The baccalaureate nursing program at Norwich University holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).