Program Overview
The Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden Accelerated BSN is a second-degree pathway for students with a prior bachelor’s or higher degree in a non-nursing field. The program runs full time and finishes in about 15 months across four consecutive semesters, including summer.
The course sequence moves as a cohort, so students take the same classes and clinicals in an organized order.
Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN after completing program requirements.
The program highlights clinical placement with health care partners in the Delaware Valley and southern New Jersey.
ABSN Admission Summary
This program targets career changers who already completed a bachelor’s degree and want a faster route into nursing practice. The review process is holistic, but a 3.0 GPA or higher is described as more competitive. Strong science grades can improve an application. A pattern of repeated failures, many withdrawals, or repeated courses can reduce competitiveness.
Key admission points (from the provided content):
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in any field
- Complete required prerequisites before the program begins
- You may apply with up to two prerequisites in progress, but you must finish them before starting
- The school does not accept or review recommendation letters
- Submit the admissions application and transcripts through Rutgers–Camden admissions
Typical application deadlines:
- Spring entry: October 1
- Fall entry: February 15
Prerequisite Courses
All prerequisites must be complete before the first nursing term starts. Applicants may have two courses in progress at application time, but completion is required before enrollment.
Science prerequisites must meet a 10-year recency rule for students enrolling effective Spring 2025. Online science courses with labs are accepted for the listed science prerequisites.
Required prerequisites (with credits):
- Chemistry with lab (General Chemistry OR Organic Biochemistry OR General Chemistry II; 4 credits with lab)
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs (8 credits total)
- Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Nutrition (3 credits)
- Ethics course (3 credits)
Transfer notes:
- Prereqs should come from Rutgers–Camden or another regionally accredited school
- Nursing courses from another nursing school are generally not transferable
Curriculum
The curriculum is organized into four levels over four terms.
Core nursing classes include:
First Semester (15 Credits)
705:306 Health Assessment Across the Life Span (3)
Introduces comprehensive health assessment of individuals and families through classroom and lab practice. Students learn to interpret findings and develop clinical judgment by performing assessments in a simulated setting.
705:325 Professional Nursing I (3)
Examines the historical and professional foundations of nursing. Emphasizes ethics, collaboration, and evidence-based practice as students explore the nurse’s multifaceted roles in healthcare delivery and leadership.
705:335 Nursing Care of Healthy Populations (6)
Focuses on health promotion and disease prevention across individuals, families, and communities. Students apply the nursing process and practice essential clinical skills in simulated and real-world environments.
705:350 Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics I (3)
Introduces disease mechanisms and pharmacologic principles through integration of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. Students learn basic dosage calculations and the relationship between disease processes and treatment.
Second Semester (15 Credits)
705:326 Professional Nursing II (2)
Builds leadership and research competencies to advance nursing practice. Students learn to appraise evidence, identify clinical gaps, and propose solutions for improving care outcomes.
705:336 Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults with Common Health Conditions (6)
Covers the assessment and management of common health conditions among adults and older adults. Students apply clinical reasoning to deliver equitable, evidence-based, and compassionate care.
705:340 Nursing Care of Childbearing Families (6)
Explores reproductive and maternal health care. Students gain clinical experience in providing evidence-based, culturally sensitive care that supports optimal outcomes for families.
705:351 Pathophysiology & Pharmacotherapeutics II (3)
Expands on prior study of disease processes with deeper focus on pharmacologic interventions. Students apply medication safety principles and therapeutic strategies across the lifespan.
Third Semester (15 Credits)
705:412 Nursing Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents (6)
Emphasizes holistic, family-centered care for pediatric populations. Students use clinical reasoning to deliver equitable, evidence-based, and compassionate care across developmental stages.
705:427 Professional Nursing III (3)
Strengthens leadership identity and professional advocacy. Students apply data, research, and policy analysis to recommend strategies that advance health equity in nursing practice.
705:428 Nursing Care of Adults and Older Adults with Complex Health Conditions (6)
Focuses on advanced care for adults and older adults with complex health issues. Students refine clinical judgment to manage diverse, high-acuity cases and support families compassionately.
Fourth Semester (16 Credits)
705:414 Nursing Care of Individuals and Populations with Mental Health Conditions (6)
Prepares students to provide culturally competent, evidence-based psychiatric and mental health care for individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
705:418 Population Health (3)
Integrates prior learning to address the health needs of diverse populations. Students evaluate outcomes and advocate for evidence-based programs and policies promoting health equity.
705:455 Transition to Professional Practice (4)
Guides students’ transition into professional nursing through clinical immersion. Emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care in diverse settings.
Nursing Elective (3)
Students choose an elective that aligns with individual interests or career goals, expanding expertise in a specific area of professional nursing practice.
More curriculum details available here.
Clinicals
Clinical education follows the cohort schedule and occurs alongside lecture courses. Students typically attend class and clinical 3 to 4 days per week. Clinical shifts can occur any day of the week, including weekends.
Shift times may range from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Clinical sites are assigned by program staff rather than chosen by students.
Tuition
The school lists a total estimated program cost of about $42,000 for in-state (2023–2024) and notes that this estimate includes books and supplies. Actual totals can change by year and residency status.
See the official tuition page for more details:
https://admissions.rutgers.edu/costs-and-aid/tuition-fees
Accreditation
The ABS program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the New Jersey Board of Nursing (NJBON), ensuring high standards of education and professional preparation.
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