Program Overview
The University of the Incarnate Word offers a hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track in San Antonio for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits. The program can be completed in 16 months over four semesters and is designed as a full-time option for students who want a fast path into registered nursing.
The curriculum combines online didactic coursework, in-person labs, and clinical rotations, which gives students both flexibility and direct patient care experience.
UIW states that the track includes 62 credit hours and prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
The school reports that in 2024, 95.76% of UIW BSN students passed the NCLEX on the first attempt, which is a strong outcome.
Students complete over 900 clinical hours and start clinical learning early in the program.
ABSN Admission Summary
UIW’s ABSN track is built for career changers and transfer students who want a faster route into nursing. Admission requires prior college work, a solid academic record, completion of prerequisite courses, and a qualifying HESI A2 score.
Admission Requirements
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or at least 60 non-nursing college credits
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite coursework
- Completed application through NursingCAS
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Completion of all prerequisite courses
- HESI A2 exam required before application review
- Acknowledgement for Legal Requirements form for background check process
- ABSN track currently accepts U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents only
- International students are not currently eligible
HESI A2 Requirements
- Minimum total score to apply: 75%
- Target score in each required section: 75% or higher
- Required sections:
- Math
- Reading Comprehension
- Vocabulary and General Knowledge
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology
- Scores must be dated within 12 months before application submission
- Applicants may test up to two times per application cycle
- At least three weeks must separate exam attempts
Other Admission Notes
- UIW offers rolling admissions
- The program has three start dates each year: January, May, and August
- Students may apply while finishing their final semester of prerequisites
- Conditional acceptance may be offered pending final transcripts
- Admitted students must complete a criminal background check
- Admitted students must provide CPR and First Aid certifications
- Immunization documentation is also required after admission
Prerequisite Courses
UIW’s ABSN prerequisites provide the science and general education base needed for accelerated nursing study. The exact number of prerequisites depends on whether the applicant is entering as a second-degree student or as a transfer student with 60 or more college credits.
Prerequisite Summary
Second-degree applicants complete 27 prerequisite credits, while transfer applicants may need up to 35 prerequisite credits. All prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must also meet any remaining UIW core curriculum requirements that are not already covered by previous coursework.
Prerequisites for Second-Degree Students
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- Introduction to Microbiology and Lab
- Biological Chemistry for Health Professions
- Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Introduction to Nutrition
- Introduction to Psychology
- Lifespan Development
Additional Prerequisites for Transfer Students
In addition to the science and support courses above, transfer students may also need:
- Composition I
- Composition II
- Dimensions of Wellness
UIW notes that admissions representatives help applicants identify which previous credits will transfer and which courses still need to be completed.
Curriculum
The ABSN program includes 62 credit hours of coursework, combining online classes, simulation labs, and over 900 hours of clinical rotations in various specialties such as medical-surgical, pediatrics, and obstetrics.
Semester 1
NURS 2350 – Intro to Professional Nursing Leadership
Covers the basics of professional nursing leadership, including the nursing process, scope of practice, and healthcare systems.
NURS 2313 – Basic Health Assessment
NURS 2313L – Basic Health Assessment Lab
Focuses on health assessment skills such as health history and physical exams, with practical application in a lab setting.
NURS 2315 – Nursing I: Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Introduces nursing roles in health assessment, promotion, and disease prevention across the lifespan; includes a clinical practicum.
NURS 3325 – Healthcare Pathophysiology
Explores fundamental pathophysiological concepts relevant to clinical nursing practice.
NURS 3335 – Pharmacology & Safe Medication Administration
Covers essential pharmacology principles, emphasizing safe medication practices and administration.
NURS 2125 – Integrated Clinical I
NURS 3125 – Integrated Clinical II
Semester 2
NURS 3315 – Nursing II: Aging, Chronicity & Care Coordination
Builds on health promotion principles, focusing on managing chronic conditions and elder care across the lifespan.
NURS 3311 – Healthcare Communication
Enhances communication skills crucial for healthcare settings.
NURS 3545 – Medical Surgical Complex Care Nursing I
Focuses on managing chronic, acute, and complex health issues, emphasizing disease management and recovery support within a multidisciplinary team.
NURS 3345 – Medical Surgical Complex Care Nursing I Clinical
Hands-on clinical experience for the application of complex care concepts.
NURS 4431 – Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Covers nursing care for mental health conditions, focusing on care coordination for individuals and families in diverse settings, including a clinical practicum.
Semester 3
NURS 3355 – Evidence-Based Practice & Informatics in Nursing
Focuses on integrating evidence-based practice and technology to address clinical challenges, emphasizing the nurse’s role in patient advocacy.
NURS 4445 – Medical Surgical Complex Care Nursing II
Builds on prior medical-surgical knowledge, addressing complex health conditions and the nurse’s role in patient recovery and care coordination. Includes a clinical practicum.
NURS 4441 – Nursing of Childbearing Families
Focuses on nursing care for childbearing families throughout various stages.
NURS 4415 – Nursing of Children & Families
Addresses care strategies for children and their families, emphasizing family-centered nursing practice.
Semester 4
NURS 4282 – Senior Seminar
Prepares students for professional practice with a focus on integrating nursing knowledge and skills.
NURS 4462 – Nursing III: Community Health Nursing
Explores community health principles, covering public health, epidemiology, diversity, and disaster management, with a clinical practicum.
NURS 4650 – Professional Leadership Capstone
Facilitates the transition from student to professional nurse, emphasizing leadership, patient care coordination, and nursing management skills.
See the course catalog page for more curriculum details.
Clinicals and Labs
Clinical and lab learning are major parts of UIW’s ABSN track. Students complete more than 900 clinical hours at healthcare sites in and around San Antonio. UIW specifically names CHRISTUS Health System and Methodist Healthcare System among its major clinical partners.
Clinical rotations begin in the first semester, which helps students connect theory to practice right away. Students rotate through multiple specialties and work with patients across the lifespan under the supervision of clinical instructors and practicing nurses.
The program also includes both skills labs and simulation labs. In skills labs, students practice core nursing tasks such as vital signs, head-to-toe assessments, IV insertion, catheter insertion, wound care, and nasogastric intubation. In simulation labs, students work with high-fidelity manikins that can simulate events such as allergic reactions, blood loss, cardiac arrest, and responses to procedures. UIW also offers open lab hours, which gives students extra time to practice.
Tuition
The estimated total cost of the UIW ABSN track is $73,800, based on the tuition and required program fees you provided. This total includes tuition, nursing clinical fees, and other required student service fees.
The cost breakdown is:
- Tuition for 62 credit hours: $68,200
- Nursing clinical fees: $3,440
- Other fees and student services: $2,160
Estimated total tuition and required fees: $73,800
Other possible costs, such as health insurance and the graduation fee, are listed separately by the school and are not part of the core program total above.
See the official tuition page for more details.
Accreditation
The ABSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and meets the standards of the Texas Board of Nursing, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for professional practice.
Other ABSN Programs in Texas
Review all Texas ABSN Programs