Program Overview
Affordable in-state public value with premier clinical access — Radford’s accelerated 16-month pre-licensure BSN runs about $25,904 for in-state students and places them at two large Magnet hospitals with Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers, for 500+ direct-care hours across the full age span.
Radford University’s College of Nursing offers a pre-licensure BSN with both a traditional pathway and an accelerated pathway. The accelerated pathway completes the upper-division nursing sequence in 16 months across four consecutive semesters (including summer), after students finish prerequisites and general education requirements.
Students build skills in health assessment and clinical labs and train in a state-of-the-art clinical simulation center, with classes and clinicals based at Radford’s campus and its Roanoke location.
The program prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN for Virginia RN licensure.
Accreditation
Radford University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the pre-licensure programs are approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
Radford’s accelerated BSN pathway uses a staged process: students first enter the university and the pre-nursing major, complete prerequisites and general education, then apply for competitive admission to the upper-division nursing major during set windows.
- Entry step: apply to Radford University and the Pre-Nursing major
- Pre-Nursing major: 3.0 high school GPA noted for entry
- Direct admission option: 3.5 high school GPA plus Biology and Chemistry or Anatomy & Physiology
- Nursing-major admission: competitive and dependent on space availability after prerequisites and general education are complete
- Application windows: January 5 – March 6 for fall admits; August 5 – October 10 for spring admits
- Progression: the catalog lists a 2.5 GPA in the nursing major as the minimum for graduation
Prospective transfer and second-degree students should confirm prerequisite equivalency and nursing-major entry requirements with the College of Nursing.
Curriculum
The 123-credit BSN curriculum includes science and social science prerequisites followed by the upper-division nursing sequence, covering health assessment, mental health nursing, pharmacology, nursing research, and community health. Once students enter upper-division nursing, the accelerated pathway follows the same nursing curriculum as the traditional pre-licensure track.
Prerequisite courses:
- Chemistry: CHEM 120, or CHEM 111 and CHEM 112
- Psychology: PSYC 121 and PSYC 230
- Sociology: SOCY 110
- Nutrition: NUTR 214
- Statistics: STAT 130 or STAT 200
- Anatomy and Physiology: BIOL 310 and BIOL 311
- Microbiology: BIOL 334
Upper-division nursing courses:
NURS 340 – Health Assessment Throughout the Lifespan
This course focuses on developing comprehensive health assessment skills. Students learn to conduct systematic evaluations through lectures, laboratory practice, and clinical applications.
NURS 345 – Foundations of Nursing Practice
Students gain essential nursing skills for community-based care. The course includes lectures and hands-on laboratory experiences to build clinical competencies.
NURS 352 – Mental Health Nursing
This course covers the principles of mental health nursing, including assessment, intervention, and therapeutic communication. Clinical experiences reinforce psychiatric nursing skills in various settings.
NURS 362 – Nursing Research
Students explore research methodologies, data analysis, and evidence-based practice. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of nursing studies to enhance patient care.
NURS 364 – Nursing of the Adult I
This course introduces holistic nursing care for adults with acute and chronic conditions. Students apply theoretical knowledge in clinical settings to promote patient health.
NURS 366 – Nursing of Childbearing Family
Students examine nursing care for families during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Clinical experiences focus on providing safe, compassionate care to mothers and newborns.
NURS 368 – Nursing Pharmacology
This course covers medication administration, drug classifications, and pharmacokinetics. Emphasis is placed on dosage calculations and safe drug administration.
NURS 443 – Nursing of Children
Students learn to provide evidence-based care for children with acute and chronic conditions. The course integrates growth and development principles with clinical practice.
NURS 444 – Gerontological Nursing
This course explores the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Students gain clinical experience in various settings, including acute care and long-term care facilities.
NURS 448 – Nursing of the Adult II
Building on prior coursework, this course focuses on managing complex health conditions in adults. Clinical experiences enhance critical thinking and patient-centered care.
NURS 451 – Community Health Nursing
Students learn about public health principles and community-based nursing interventions. Clinical experiences involve working with diverse populations to promote health and disease prevention.
NURS 453 – Leadership in Nursing
This course prepares students for leadership roles in nursing. Topics include management theories, healthcare policy, ethical decision-making, and professional development.
NURS 454 – Clinical Nursing Practicum
Students apply nursing concepts in a structured clinical environment under professional supervision. This capstone experience bridges the gap between education and practice.
NURS 457 – Transition to Licensure
Designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam, this course reinforces clinical knowledge and professional skills. Students review nursing concepts essential for licensure and practice.
More detail is available in the Radford nursing catalog.
Clinicals
Radford pre-licensure BSN students complete 500+ direct-care hours across multiple settings, training with adults, children, infants, and older adults in acute care, long-term care, and community-based sites. The program notes access to clinical rotations at two large Magnet hospitals that include Level 1 and Level 2 trauma centers, plus community hospitals.
Tuition
The estimated total cost for the accelerated nursing sequence is about $25,904 in-state or $53,468 out-of-state for four full-time semesters, based on published tuition and mandatory fees:
- In-state per semester: $4,349 tuition + $2,067 comprehensive fee + $60 technology fee = $6,476 (× 4 = $25,904)
- Out-of-state per semester: $11,006 tuition + $2,067 comprehensive fee + $60 technology fee + $234 capital fee = $13,367 (× 4 = $53,468)
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.