Program Overview
An affordable, accessible path into nursing at a public HBCU — Winston-Salem State’s 15-month ABSN pairs low in-state tuition with a notably accessible 2.6 GPA admission bar and a holistic review process, giving career changers a strong second-degree option.
Winston-Salem State University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is designed for individuals with a conferred bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university who want to pursue a nursing career, completing the BSN in 15 months through a rigorous full-time plan of study. As a public historically Black university, WSSU follows the same plan of study as its traditional BSN path but in an accelerated timeframe, and students are highly encouraged not to work during matriculation.
The program offers extensive practical clinical experiences and interprofessional collaborative learning, with admission decisions emailed by mid-October for the January (Spring semester) start.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at Winston-Salem State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. WSSU is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, with the program accepted across states and jurisdictions for licensure through compact designation or reciprocity.
ABSN Admission Summary
Winston-Salem State University’s ABSN program accepts applications July 1 through September 1 each year through the BSN Holistic Admission process, with students notified by mid-October for the January (Spring semester) start. Applicants must complete all admission criteria and nursing prerequisite courses (except NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing, taken after admission) prior to applying.
Application Timeline
- Application period: July 1 – September 1 annually
- Admission decisions: mid-October notification via email
- Program start: January (Spring semester); completion 15 months later
Academic Requirements
- Conferred bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6 and minimum science GPA of 2.6
- Satisfactory completion of the general education core curriculum
- Grade of C or better in prerequisite nursing science courses (2 attempts allowed; a C- at WSSU will be considered)
- All science courses completed within the past 10 years at time of application
- ATI TEAS exam required (preferred proficiency level; all levels considered)
Prerequisite Courses (22 credit hours)
Nursing prerequisite (taken after admission): NUR 2313 Introduction to Professional Nursing (3 credits) — cannot be transferred; must be taken at WSSU once admitted.
Non-nursing prerequisites (C or better; biology/science courses must include labs):
- BIO 2311/2111 Anatomy and Physiology I + Lab (CC equivalent: BIO 168 with lab)
- BIO 2312/2112 Anatomy and Physiology II + Lab (CC equivalent: BIO 169 with lab)
- BIO 1331/1131 General Microbiology + Lab (CC equivalent: BIO 275 or BIO 175 with lab)
- CHE 1311/1111 General Chemistry for Health Sciences Majors + Lab (CC equivalent: CHM 151/151a or CHM 131/131a)
- Statistics: MAT 2326, SOC 2326, GER 2326, or PSY 2326 (CC equivalent: MAT 152)
- PSY 2336 Lifespan Development (CC equivalent: PSY 241)
The 22 prerequisite credit hours count toward the 60 general education hours required for transfer students and meet 3 of the 7 Areas of Knowledge. Note that admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the nursing program or to the Upper Division of Nursing.
Curriculum
The ABSN program comprises 128 total credit hours (about 42 nursing credits), including hands-on courses such as Health Assessment, Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing, Community Health, and Leadership in Nursing.
NUR 2313 – Introduction to Professional Nursing
Introduces foundational nursing concepts, focusing on evidence-based practice, health maintenance, and wellness across the lifespan. Covers therapeutic communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, with lab work practicing essential skills in simulated environments.
NUR 3312 – Health Assessment
Develops essential health assessment skills, focusing on normal and common alterations across the lifespan. Complements courses in pharmacology and nursing foundations.
NUR 3316 – Pharmacology for Nurses
Explores pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug classifications, and medication calculations. Emphasizes nursing responsibilities and critical thinking in safe medication administration.
NUR 3314 – Clinical Nursing Foundation
Provides fundamental nursing skills, integrating theoretical concepts with practical client care experiences. Emphasizes the nursing process in various healthcare settings.
NUR 3318 – Introduction to Pathophysiology for Nurses
Examines core concepts of pathophysiology, exploring disease processes and clinical implications across the lifespan.
NUR 3102 – Adult Health Nursing I
Focuses on nursing care for adults with health alterations, applying the nursing process to adapt care plans for individuals and families. Clinical experiences support skill development.
NUR 3117 – Clinical Reasoning
Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, using problem-based learning to strengthen clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
NUR 3511 – Mental Health Nursing
Covers nursing care management for mental health needs, focusing on building therapeutic nurse-client relationships. Clinical practicum in mental health settings fosters collaboration and advocacy skills.
NUR 3303 – Nursing Research
Introduces the research process, emphasizing the role of nurses as research consumers. Students critically appraise studies and develop plans for nursing research.
NUR 3502 – Child Health Nursing
Focuses on family-centered care for children, with clinical practice supporting the roles of caregiver, advocate, and educator in health settings.
NUR 4304 – Leadership and Management of Care
Examines the roles of nurse leaders and managers, addressing ethics, finances, and health policy in healthcare. Emphasizes responsible decision-making and research in nursing leadership.
NUR 4511 – Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Focuses on nursing care for childbearing families, covering health promotion, care processes, and role functions within maternity settings. Clinical practicum reinforces skills.
NUR 4502 – Community Health Nursing
Develops a holistic view of client needs in community settings, emphasizing nursing care across diverse environments.
NUR 4103 – Adult Health Nursing II
Builds on Adult Health Nursing I, focusing on complex health conditions and advanced nursing roles in critical care settings. Clinicals emphasize the nursing process and patient teaching.
NUR 4201 – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice I
Integrates previous nursing concepts through clinical scenarios to strengthen critical thinking and clinical judgment.
NUR 4202 – Content Synthesis for Nursing Practice II
Enhances analytical skills for managing complex care situations, emphasizing NCLEX-style testing and clinical judgment.
NUR 4203 – Care of the Older Adult
Addresses gerontological nursing principles, focusing on meeting the health needs of elderly clients and examining social, ethical, and legal aspects of care.
More detail is available in the WSSU ABSN catalog.
Clinical Requirements
The ABSN program integrates extensive clinical practicum experiences throughout the 15-month curriculum, providing hands-on learning across diverse healthcare settings including pediatrics, mental health, public health, and maternal-newborn care. Clinical components are embedded in courses such as Clinical Nursing Foundations, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Maternal-Newborn Nursing, and Community Health Nursing, plus synthesis and capstone work.
Students develop critical thinking, therapeutic communication, and culturally sensitive, holistic care through faculty and community partnerships across the Winston-Salem region.
Tuition
Winston-Salem State University charges per-credit-hour undergraduate tuition, with full-time enrollment (12+ credits per semester) billed at a flat rate plus mandatory fees. For 2025-2026, NC residents pay about $1,700.50 per semester in tuition (out-of-state about $7,028.50), with roughly 42 nursing credits across approximately three semesters.
- NC residents: approximately $6,000-$7,000 in tuition; about $10,800-$12,000 including mandatory fees (~$1,348.50/semester)
- Out-of-state residents: approximately $25,000-$30,000 in tuition; about $29,100-$34,000 including mandatory fees
Optional fees include a book rental fee ($300/semester, opt-out available) and health insurance ($1,226.80/semester, waivable with verified coverage). A one-time New Student Fee ($165) applies. Note that the Fixed Tuition Program is not available for second-degree students, and prerequisite course costs are not included.
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.
Compare North Carolina ABSN Programs
Looking for tuition, program length, admissions requirements, and side-by-side comparisons? See our complete guide to North Carolina ABSN Programs.