Program Overview
A flexible, mostly-online route into nursing across the Northwest — University of Providence’s 12-month hybrid ABSN combines online coursework with in-person skill-lab sites across Montana and Alaska, keeps cohorts small, posts a 96.43% NCLEX pass rate, and offers a discounted tuition rate for current healthcare professionals.
The University of Providence offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Designed to be completed in 12 consecutive months, the program moves students through three semesters in a cohort format, blending online instruction with in-person skills labs, simulations, and clinical immersions.
Students can complete the program through skill-lab locations in Lewistown, Montana; Great Falls, Montana; Anchorage, Alaska; and a pilot site in Juneau, Alaska — extending access across the rural Northwest.
A Catholic university, Providence limits cohort size to support a more personal learning environment (a maximum of 20 students per cohort per location, with the Anchorage cohort scheduled to increase to 30 starting in May 2026), and reports a strong 96.43% NCLEX pass rate for 2024.
Accreditation
The University of Providence is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Its baccalaureate nursing programs, including the ABSN, are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the program is approved by the Montana Board of Nursing.
Together, these approvals show that the ABSN meets recognized academic and nursing education standards, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
The University of Providence ABSN is built for second-degree students who want a fast route into registered nursing. Admission requires a previously earned bachelor’s degree, completion of prerequisite coursework before the program starts, and readiness for a demanding full-time schedule that includes online study, labs, and clinical travel.
Applicants must already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution; previous healthcare experience is considered but not required.
The program materials do not list a specific minimum GPA, so students should verify current academic standards directly with the program.
Admission Requirements
- Previously earned bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- Completion of required prerequisite coursework before ABSN coursework begins
- Ability to relocate to or reside near the assigned skill-lab location
- Reliable internet access for the online didactic portion
- Readiness for a full-time cohort model with no part-time option
- Willingness to provide your own housing and transportation
- Capacity to meet health, safety, immunization, textbook, software, uniform, and clinical supply requirements
Because the ABSN references the university’s application system and separate nursing application steps, students should confirm the current ABSN-specific intake and deadline structure with admissions.
General university deadlines listed in the materials are April 17, 2026, July 10, 2026, and December 18, 2026, but the nursing cohort schedule should be checked carefully since ABSN starts are tied to specific cohort locations and terms.
Prerequisite Overview
Before entering the ABSN nursing sequence, students must complete a focused set of science and support courses that form the academic base for the accelerated curriculum.
Required Prerequisites
- BIO 208 Microbiology for Health Sciences with Lab
- BIO 251 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 252 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIO 271 Basic and Clinical Nutrition
- MTH 108 Elementary Statistics
The ABSN builds on a liberal arts foundation and includes prior work in areas such as humanities, social sciences, ethics, and nutrition. Students should confirm whether any additional support coursework is needed based on their previous bachelor’s degree transcript.
Curriculum
The curriculum spans 54 credits and covers subjects such as pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing ethics, population health, and nursing leadership. Students complete 18 clinical credits, approximately 810 clinical hours.
NRS 430 Medical-Surgical Nursing I
Develops core nursing skills through focused assessments, diagnostic procedures, and care planning for surgical patients across the lifespan. Includes lab and clinical practice.
NRS 410 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Introduces research evaluation, scientific integrity, and the integration of nursing theory with evidence-based care. Emphasizes using credible data to support patient-centered decisions.
NRS 423 Introduction to Nursing Informatics
Covers the use of informatics in nursing, including EHRs, data management, telehealth, and legal considerations. Focuses on improving patient outcomes through technology.
NRS 374 Specialty Nursing Concepts II
Covers essential care principles in obstetric, pediatric, and mental health nursing. Emphasizes safe and evidence-based interventions for patients and families.
NRS 414 Population Health
Prepares students to deliver care at the community and population levels. Topics include epidemiology, disaster response, cultural health issues, and social justice in healthcare.
NRS 421 Nursing Leadership: Fostering Quality and Safety in Organizations
Equips students with leadership and management skills to improve patient care quality and safety within complex healthcare settings.
NRS 440 Specialty Clinical Concepts II
Applies specialty nursing concepts in clinical settings for obstetric, pediatric, and mental health care. Reinforces knowledge through hands-on patient care experiences.
NRS 425 Health Promotion in Nursing
Focuses on preventing illness and promoting health across the lifespan. Includes chronic illness management and the nurse’s role in community-based health strategies.
NRS 474 Medical-Surgical Nursing III
Centers on caring for adults with complex, multi-system conditions in high-acuity environments. Includes evidence-based practices, labs, and clinical applications.
NRS 450 Transition to Nursing Practice
Integrates all prior learning to prepare students for entry into professional nursing. Involves varied experiences to build readiness for real-world practice.
NRS 417 Perspectives in Global Healthcare
Explores global healthcare systems and social determinants of health. Emphasizes ethical issues, equity, and challenges in international healthcare delivery.
NRS 495 Professional Readiness
Supports the final transition from student to practicing nurse. Focuses on readiness, professionalism, and entering the healthcare workforce confidently.
More detail is available in the University of Providence nursing catalog.
Clinicals and Skills Labs
Clinical education is a major part of the program. Students complete 18 clinical credits, with each clinical credit equaling about 45 hours per 8-week term, for substantial hands-on training across the program. Clinical placements take place in a mix of urban and rural healthcare settings tied to the student’s skill-lab location, and some travel may be required.
The program also uses in-person skills labs and simulations — guided by clinical nursing faculty and site coordinators — to help students build competence before entering clinical settings.
Students must provide their own transportation to clinicals, labs, and classes, and housing is generally not included, though reduced-price dormitory space may be available in Anchorage through Providence Alaska.
Tuition
The estimated total tuition for the Accelerated BSN is about $60,804 at the general tuition rate for 54 credits. Students who qualify for the healthcare professional rate may pay about $47,628 in tuition.
These totals do not include deposits, textbooks, uniforms, shoes, software, health insurance, clinical supplies, or other program-related costs (textbooks are estimated at about $1,500, and a $500 Accelerated Nursing tuition deposit applies).
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.