A distinctive rural-health focus at an affordable public-university price — on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Salisbury’s second-degree BSN builds rural and underserved community care into the curriculum, preparing nurses for the regions that need them most.
Salisbury University offers a Second Degree B.S.N. for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, completed in three semesters of full-time study over 16 months, with cohorts beginning each fall. Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the program stands out for its rural-health orientation: coursework and clinicals emphasize caring for rural and underserved communities — from community health “a rural perspective” to rural critical-care and leadership content — preparing graduates to serve regions facing provider shortages.
As a public University System of Maryland institution, it’s also among the more affordable accelerated options in the state.
The curriculum acknowledges students’ prior education and life experience, requiring fewer prerequisites than the traditional BSN track, and graduates meet the education requirement to apply for RN licensure and sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Accreditation
The nursing program at Salisbury University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, so graduates are eligible for RN licensure in Maryland. Salisbury University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
This second-degree BSN fits applicants who already earned a bachelor’s degree and can complete the required science and support courses with solid grades before the start date. Admission is competitive and includes two steps: university admission first, then School of Nursing review. Students from all majors are eligible — including RNs with a diploma or associate degree plus a non-nursing baccalaureate.
Eligibility and GPA
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (more competitive applicants typically exceed this)
- International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL as required)
Prerequisite grades and timing
- C or higher required in all prerequisite courses
- Prerequisites must be finished no later than one month before the first day of class
- Any prerequisite grade below C makes the applicant ineligible
- Applicants previously dismissed from or unsuccessful in another nursing program ordinarily are not considered
Application steps and materials
- Apply and gain admission through the Salisbury University Admissions Office
- Complete the second-degree BSN application in NursingCAS
- January 15 is the first-consideration date for fall entry, with transcripts available by then
- Submit a 1-2 page goals statement, resume/CV, official transcripts (to both SU and CAS), and two recommendations
Prerequisite Courses
Complete with a C or better (labs required except statistics); prerequisites may be taken at Salisbury or elsewhere:
- Microbiology (with lab)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I (with lab)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab)
- General Chemistry I (with lab)
- Human Pathophysiology for Health Care Majors
- Modern (basic) Statistics
Curriculum
The program is three semesters of full-time study built on nursing theory, clinical practice, and simulation, with a recurring focus on rural and community health. The catalog lists 17 nursing courses, pairing lecture courses with separate clinical and practicum courses, and accelerated cohorts move together through the sequence.
NURS 310 – Nursing Care of Adults I (3)
Covers nursing care for adults with common health issues, focusing on maintaining or improving functioning. Emphasizes problem-solving skills and healthcare trends in rural settings.
NURS 311 – Nursing Care of Adults I Clinical (3)
Students apply assessment skills and nursing concepts to care for adults in acute and long-term care environments, with a focus on gerontological nursing practices.
NURS 312 – Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice (3)
Introduces professional nursing, including its history, legal and ethical aspects, and the nursing process. Students engage in communication, documentation, and clinical technology through web-based and field experiences.
NURS 319 – Health Assessment (3)
Focuses on functional health assessments for adolescents to older adults, with practical clinical sessions emphasizing diverse social and cultural contexts.
NURS 329 – Research Methods in Nursing (3)
Covers the research process and skills needed to critique current nursing studies, with a focus on integrating evidence into clinical practice.
NURS 350 – Nursing Care of Adults II (3)
Advanced course on providing care to critically ill adults, from illness to recovery, emphasizing trends in critical and rehabilitative care and women’s health issues.
NURS 351 – Nursing Care of Adults II Clinical (3)
Offers hands-on clinical experience in settings like ICUs, home health, and rehab centers, focusing on adult care from critical conditions to recovery.
NURS 380 – Psychiatric Mental Health (3)
Explores nursing care for individuals and families with mental health issues, emphasizing communication skills in both community and hospital settings.
NURS 381 – Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical (3)
Clinical application of psychiatric nursing theory, focusing on therapeutic communication in various settings including psychiatric hospitals and community clinics.
NURS 424 – Nursing of Childrearing Families (1.5)
Examines nursing care for children and adolescents with acute and chronic conditions, integrating family development and nursing science concepts.
NURS 425 – Nursing of Childrearing Families Clinical (1.5)
Prepares students to care for children and adolescents in various settings, applying the nursing process and developmental theories through hands-on clinical practice.
NURS 426 – Nursing of Childbearing Families (1.5)
Focuses on maternal and newborn care, emphasizing self-care, family involvement, and managing maternal health conditions.
NURS 427 – Nursing of Childbearing Families Clinical (1.5)
Applies nursing theory to care for childbearing families in rural and urban settings, emphasizing family development and support.
NURS 430 – Community Health Nursing: A Rural Perspective (3)
Explores health care for families and communities, focusing on aging populations and considering political, legal, and sociocultural factors.
NURS 431 – Community Health Nursing Practicum: A Rural Perspective (3)
Prepares students to work with rural communities, guided by Healthy People 2030 objectives and critical thinking application.
NURS 442 – Nursing Leadership and Management (2)
Focuses on leadership roles within healthcare, emphasizing social, political, and economic influences on nursing in rural environments.
NURS 443 – Nursing Leadership Practicum (2)
Provides practical leadership experience, integrating nursing knowledge and management strategies in real healthcare settings.
More detail is available in the Salisbury University catalog.
Clinicals
Clinical placements run across multiple nursing courses at sites throughout the region, with a recurring emphasis on rural and community settings. Students must arrange their own transportation to clinical locations and cover related travel costs. Clinical agencies commonly require drug screening and criminal background checks, which students complete at their own expense, and students must meet “Fit for Duty” technical standards and health requirements before clinical participation. A felony conviction or certain legal histories may limit clinical placement options and affect RN licensure eligibility in some states.
Tuition
As a public University System of Maryland institution, Salisbury keeps costs comparatively low. The estimated total is about $16,959 for Maryland residents or about $34,215 for non-residents across three full-time semesters, based on the posted full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees per semester (this excludes variable course-specific fees).
Confirm current figures via Salisbury’s cost of attendance page.
Continue Researching ABSN Programs in Maryland
View our Maryland ABSN Program Comparison (helps you choose)