Program Overview
- Duration: 16 Months
- Tuition: $25,730
- Location: Nashua, NH
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Program Web Page
Rivier University’s Accelerated B.S. in Nursing gives career changers a fast route to RN licensure. Students can finish in as little as 16 months.
The plan includes 62 nursing credits plus prerequisites. Courses run in 7-week and 14-week formats.
Some non-clinical courses offer an online option, but simulation lab and clinical courses stay in person.
Rivier reports a 93.81% average first-time NCLEX pass rate for BSN graduates from 2020–2023.
ABSN Admission Summary
Rivier uses rolling admissions for bachelor’s programs, so applicants can apply as soon as they are ready. ABSN applicants must have a prior bachelor’s degree and meet GPA standards before entry.
Key admission items (ABSN-focused):
- A completed application for admission
- Official college transcripts, as applicable
- A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for ABSN applicants
After admission, expect compliance steps for clinical participation:
- Background check
- Physical exam with no restrictions
- Drug screen
- Vaccination and immunization records
Transfer credit note:
Rivier states it may accept up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree, based on transcript review.
Prerequisites Summary
Rivier lists a defined set of accelerated nursing prerequisites. These courses support readiness for the nursing core.
Prerequisite courses (as provided):
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
- Medical Microbiology (4)
- Biostatistics (3)
- Life Span Development (3)
- Bioethics (3)
Curriculum
The program combines classroom learning, lab and simulation training, and clinical practice. The nursing core totals 62 credits and includes foundations, adult health, maternal-newborn, community and mental health, leadership, acute care, and a capstone.
Rivier sets a progression standard that includes passing clinical evaluations in courses with clinical lab components.
Key courses include the following:
NURS 102 Care of the Adult I
Introduces nursing care for adult patients with medical-surgical conditions. Emphasizes health promotion, pain management, nutrition, and diagnostic interpretation using a holistic approach and the nursing process.
NURS 202 Care of the Childbearing Family
Covers evidence-based care for pregnant individuals and their families. Focuses on holistic, family-centered approaches during the childbearing cycle using critical thinking and the nursing process.
NURS 205 Care of the Child
Examines pediatric nursing from neonatal stages through adolescence. Students learn to support children and families using the nursing process, emphasizing development, health, and illness responses.
NURS 222 Pathopharmacology I
Explores drug actions, interactions, and pathophysiological changes in body systems. Emphasizes safe drug administration, lifespan considerations, and the nurse’s role in pharmacologic care.
NURS 223 Pathopharmacology II
Continues the study of pharmacology and pathophysiology with deeper focus on disease processes and drug therapies. Highlights nursing responsibilities and patient safety across diverse populations.
NURS 310 Health Assessment
Teaches physical assessment skills and data analysis for clients across the lifespan. Focuses on identifying responses to health conditions through effective history taking and examination.
NURS 330 Research Methods
Introduces students to research design, literature review, and evidence-based practice. Encourages evaluation of research findings to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
NURS 350 Community and Mental Health Nursing
Combines public health and nursing principles to promote mental and physical well-being in diverse populations. Includes community-based clinical experiences and policy-focused healthcare improvement.
NURS 404 Leadership and Management in Health Care
Focuses on leadership skills, ethical decision-making, and resource management in healthcare settings. Encourages application of organizational behavior theories in clinical practice.
NURS 430 Care of the Acutely Ill Adult
Prepares students to manage adults with complex acute conditions. Emphasizes evidence-based interventions, clinical decision-making, and patient safety in acute care environments.
NURS 458 Nursing Capstone
Integrates nursing knowledge and clinical skills with a focus on licensure preparation and workforce readiness. Highlights leadership, care coordination, and patient-centered care for complex cases.
More information about the curriculum here
Clinicals
Rivier places students in hands-on clinical experiences with healthcare partners across the region. Examples of listed clinical sites include major hospitals and health systems such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and others.
Clinical courses remain in person, and they align with required licensure preparation.
Tuition and Estimated Cost
The program lists two 2025–2026 per-credit rates: $415 for nursing courses and $1,166 for clinical courses.
Because Rivier does not show the exact split of the 62 nursing credits between “nursing” and “clinical” on the program page, the most accurate estimate is a range.
- If all 62 credits used the $415 rate, the estimate is $25,730 (62 × 415).
- If all 62 credits used the $1,166 rate, the estimate is $72,292 (62 × 1,166).
Your final total will fall between those numbers, plus the cost of prerequisites if you still need them.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
Rivier states its nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and that the baccalaureate program holds continuing accreditation status. ACEN’s public listing also shows Rivier’s baccalaureate nursing program as accredited.