Program Overview
A top-ranked, mostly-online path into nursing — Wilkes University’s hybrid ABSN is ranked #3 in Pennsylvania, delivering coursework online with a single two-week on-campus residency and clinical placements across major Northeastern PA and Lehigh Valley health systems, all in 15 months.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline and are ready to pivot into professional nursing. This CCNE-accredited program — ranked #3 in Pennsylvania by RegisteredNursing.org — lets students earn their BSN in an intensive 15-month format over four full-time semesters.
It follows a hybrid online model, featuring online coursework complemented by a two-week, hands-on residency at the Wilkes-Barre campus, and draws on the Passan School of Nursing’s more than 70 years of educating nurses.
Wilkes reports that its nursing graduates regularly achieve NCLEX pass rates above national averages, making this a strong choice for career changers seeking rapid entry into the high-demand healthcare field.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate nursing program at Wilkes University’s Passan School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Wilkes University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Because this is an online program, prospective students should verify state authorization for their primary state of residence before enrolling.
ABSN Admission Summary
Admission into the ABSN program is competitive and requires applicants to hold a baccalaureate degree in a major other than nursing from an accredited institution.
Essential admission criteria
- A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in the prior bachelor’s degree program (official transcripts required)
- An online application, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals
- Satisfactory TOEFL scores for applicants whose native language is not English
- “Good moral character” for licensure; students may need a health evaluation and will undergo criminal record checks, child abuse clearances, and a urine drug screen
Required prerequisite coursework (minimum grade as noted):
- Elementary Statistics — 3 credits, 2.0 (C) or greater
- Nutrition — 3 credits, 2.5 (C+) or greater
- Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II with labs — 8 credits (4 each), 2.5 (C+) or greater
- Chemistry with lab — 4 credits, 2.5 (C+) or greater
- Microbiology with lab — 4 credits, 2.5 (C+) or greater
A minimum grade of 2.5 is required in the sciences. Students may repeat only one science course one time for a grade less than 2.5.
Curriculum
The ABSN curriculum totals 48 required credits focused entirely on upper-division nursing coursework, designed for adult learners building on their prior education. Students complete 11 courses over four full-time semesters, spanning foundational skills (Physical Assessment, Pharmacotherapeutics, Medication Calculations, and Foundations in Nursing), specialty nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult Health I & II, and Nursing Care Across the Lifespan), and professional development (Leadership and Population Health, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Research, and a final Preparation for Professional Practice course with NCLEX-RN preparation).
NSG 211 – Physical Assessment
This course builds comprehensive physical assessment skills as a core part of the nursing process. Students learn to gather health histories and perform head-to-toe examinations, moving from general observations to focused assessments of each body system. Emphasis is on organizing findings and recognizing normal versus abnormal patterns.
NSG 224 – Pharmacotherapeutics and Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing
This course introduces the principles of pharmacology using a body-system and drug-classification approach. Students review indications, adverse effects, contraindications, age considerations, and dosage concepts while linking medications to patient conditions. Critical thinking is used to support safe medication administration and sound clinical decisions.
NSG 210 – Principles of Nursing: Individual, Family, and Community
This course introduces professional nursing, the nursing process, and basic concepts of holistic care. Students apply nursing theory in simulation and clinical settings as they care for individuals and families within their community context. Learning focuses on meeting basic human needs and beginning to think like a nurse at the bedside.
NSG 216 – Nursing Care of the Psychiatric Mental Health Client
This course uses the nursing process to guide care for individuals, families, and communities with psychiatric and mental health needs. Students explore common mental health conditions, therapeutic communication, and evidence-based interventions. Clinical experiences occur in acute, chronic, and community settings to build confidence with vulnerable populations.
NSG 307 – Adult Health I
This course focuses on nursing care for adults with selected acute and chronic conditions in the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and endocrine systems. Students use the nursing process to promote optimal health for adults and their families across community and inpatient settings. Classroom learning is reinforced through simulation and diverse clinical experiences.
NSG 341 – Nursing Informatics
This course introduces the use of technology and information systems in nursing practice. Students learn how data, information management, and electronic tools support communication, clinical decision-making, and quality outcomes. Content bridges nursing science, computer science, and information science to prepare students for technology-rich care environments.
NSG 308 – Adult Health II
This course continues adult health content with emphasis on complex conditions affecting the gastrointestinal, neurologic, hematologic, oncologic, and immune systems. Students also study care for patients with burns, trauma, and various types of shock. Learning integrates classroom, simulation, and clinical practice to refine advanced adult care skills.
NSG 309 – Nursing Care Across the Lifespan
This course prepares students to provide safe, individualized nursing care from conception through end of life. Content covers health promotion, illness prevention, and management of selected health alterations across age groups. Students focus on adapting care plans to changing developmental needs for individuals, families, and communities.
NSG 318 – Nursing Roles in Leadership and Population Health
This course examines the nurse’s leadership role in population health and community-based care. Students use the nursing process to assess communities, plan interventions, and evaluate outcomes for diverse and vulnerable groups. Emphasis is on advocacy, coordination of care, and understanding how social and environmental factors influence health.
NSG 319 – Preparation for Professional Practice
This capstone course helps students transition from the student role to entry-level professional nurse. Learners review major content areas, complete readiness assessments for the NCLEX-RN, and refine skills needed for practice across care settings. The course emphasizes test-taking strategies, professional expectations, and career preparation.
NSG 342 – Introduction to Nursing Research
This course introduces the steps of the research process and the role of evidence in nursing practice. Students learn to read and critique research reports and consider how findings can inform clinical decisions. Emphasis is on building comfort with research language and linking evidence to quality patient care.
More detail is available in the Wilkes Accelerated BSN catalog.
Clinicals & Facilities
Students transition into clinical experiences after completing a mandatory two-week on-campus residency in Wilkes-Barre, which provides essential hands-on training and networking opportunities. Clinicals can be completed in Northeastern Pennsylvania or the Lehigh Valley region at partner healthcare institutions, including Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Commonwealth Health, and St. Luke’s Health Network, with hours distributed among acute, chronic, and community settings (students arrange their own transportation).
The program uses a sophisticated Clinical Simulation Center featuring high-fidelity manikins in surgical, critical care, and pediatric/obstetrics suites to allow safe rehearsal of high-stakes scenarios.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated total tuition for the 15-month ABSN program is approximately $62,276, based on the four-semester program structure. Because Wilkes’s published tuition tables combine several rate structures, prospective students should confirm the exact online ABSN tuition (and any applicable fees) directly with the school.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.