Accelerated BSN

BSN program in SC, US News ranking, 2023

100%

NCLEX 1st-time Pass Rate 2024

consecutive semester program

8:1

Student-to-Faculty Clinical Ratio*

Now accepting applications for Fall 2025

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025

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Program Overview

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN) in Nursing degree program is a four-consecutive semester program, which includes a summer semester. It is an on-campus program, with classroom, clinical, and lab components.

The ABSN program focuses on the knowledge, skills, and values deemed essential for professional nursing practice in today's multifaceted health care system. As a BSN-prepared nurse, graduates may work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, community agencies, health clinics, long-term care facilities, and private practices.

Special focus is given to leadership, care coordination, and communication skills. Teaching styles are diverse and include classroom instruction, online instruction, and a combination of classroom and virtual activities. Students are expected to be prepared and interactive for all teaching styles.

Why MUSC's ABSN Program

The ABSN program also provides a foundation for graduate study in nursing. MUSC offers the Post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees
Students learn to apply concepts and principles to clinical practice and gain experience doing so with individuals, families, and populations in a variety of health care systems

Curriculum

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program must earn 121 semester hours to complete degree requirements. The Accelerated BSN must be completed on a full time basis.

Year 1, Semester 1

NURSU 315	Health Assessment*	4
NURSU 451	Pathophysiology/Pharmacology I	3
NURSU 385	Professional Nursing & Nursing Practice	2
NURSU 461	Foundations & Gerontologic Nursing*	6
IP 711	IP Foundations & Teamstepps	1
IP ###	IP Concentration Course of Choice	1
Semester Total		17

Year 1, Semester 2

NURSU 452	Pathophysiology-Pharmacology II	3
NURSU 464	Research & Evidenced Based Practice in Nursing	3
NURSU 387	Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing*	5
NURSU 454	Medical Surgical Nursing I*	6
Semester Total		17

Year 1, Semester 3

NURSU 417	Women's Health*	5
NURSU 405	Nursing Care with Children & Their Families*	5
NURSU 409	Population Focused Nursing*	5
Semester Total		15

Year 2, Semester 4

NURSU 372	Health Care Systems & Policy**	2
NURSU 376	Leadership & Management in Nursing**	3
NURSU 455	Medical Surgical Nursing II Synthesis Practicum	7
Semester Total		12

Curriculum Total		61
Prerequisite Credit Hour Total		60
Required Credit Hour Total		121

* Clinical course

** Online course

Clinical Experiences

ABSN students participate in clinical experiences throughout various clinical agencies, including in-patient, out-patient, and community settings in the greater Charleston area. Clinical rotations primarily take place at sites located on or close to the MUSC campus.

MUSC operates a 700-bed medical center, a nationally recognized children’s hospital, the NCI-designated Hollings Cancer Center, a Level I trauma center, the Institute of Psychiatry, more than 100 outreach locations across the state, and South Carolina’s only transplant center.

In addition to rotations in the clinical setting, the College of Nursing uses best practices simulation to provide a safe environment for learning psychomotor and critical thinking skills. Simulation experience also allows students to connect didactic learning with clinical learning.

VANAP

The Veterans Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) was established in 2007 as a five-year pilot program to facilitate stronger and mutually beneficial partnerships between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Schools of Nursing (SON).

Learn More

Admissions

Prepare to empower patients and promote evidence-based care. Look toward the next stage by applying to one of the College of Nursing’s degree or certificate programs.

Review Requirements

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Learn more about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loans, and financial aid resources.

Learn More

Meet Your Lead Faculty, Dr. Kristen Poston

poston headshot

Kristen Poston
DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHSE
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Assistant Professor
mcdanikf@musc.edu

Dr. Kristen Poston is an Assistant Professor and the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Nursing (CON) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, her Master of Science in Nursing, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from MUSC.

Dr. Poston has been a faculty member at the CON since 2017. Prior to serving as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, she was the Lead Faculty for Undergraduate Programs.

She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). She spent her time as a Registered Nurse working in neurology and neurosurgery at MUSC, and has extensive experience as a FNP in urgent care and rural health. In addition to her roles at the CON, Dr. Poston has served as the President of the South Carolina Nursing Education Simulation Alliance and on the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Nurses Foundation.

Dr. Poston’s scholarship interests are centered on practice readiness, simulation, immersive virtual reality, and the development of clinical judgment in prelicensure nursing students. She is passionate about preparing high-quality nurses for certification and practice, primarily through experiential learning and simulation. Dr. Poston aims to inspire excitement and growth in students via supporting their development to become the next generation of nurse change-makers. She considers it an honor and a privilege to empower students to reach their professional goals at the MUSC College of Nursing.

Undergraduate Program Coordinator

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LaChone Taylor
Undergraduate Program Coordinator
taylolac@musc.edu

RN-BSN/ABSN admissions coordination and letters
NursingCAS SuperUser
RN-BSN/ABSN registration, LOA, withdrawal processing
RN-BSN/ABSN orientation coordination
Convocation and graduation coordination

State Authorization and Professional Licensure

State Authorization

MUSC is approved by South Carolina to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. MUSC is authorized to offer online distance education programs to students who live in all NC-SARA states, which includes all states except California. MUSC is also authorized to offer distance education programs to students who live in California because MUSC is a public institution of higher education, and California has no restrictions on such institutions providing distance education to its residents.

Before applying, please ensure your state of residence is authorized Click here for more information

Professional Licensure

The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants and students should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links below. Additional questions may be directed to the Director of Student Services and Alumni Affairs: Jessica Williams

MUSC is approved to offer online distance education to all SARA states and California.

The MUSC College of Nursing BSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). BSN graduates are eligible to sit for national licensure (NCLEX-RN) and DNP graduates are eligible to sit for national certification (ANCC, AANP, PNCB) in their specified track (A/GNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP). Passing these exams meet the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional requirements.

International Applicants

Due to several distance-education components of this program, MUSC is unable to issue- I-20 forms to allow students to obtain F-1 student visas. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those holding other valid U.S. visas will be accepted.

TOEFL Scores and Nursing Licensure

TOEFL Scores
The score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. A TOEFL score of at least 80 is required.

International Applicants
MUSC College of Nursing degree programs are unable to admit international students requiring an F-1 visa. Applications will only be accepted from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those holding other valid nonimmigrant visa classifications that allow participation in lawful study while in the United States.

Professional Licensure
The Board of Nursing for each state dictates licensure requirements for Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. MUSC College of Nursing applicants should familiarize themselves with the requirements for the state(s) in which they intend to practice using the links below. The MUSC College of Nursing BSN and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). BSN graduates are eligible to sit for national licensure (NCLEX-RN) and DNP graduates are eligible to sit for national certification (ANCC, AANP, PNCB) in their specified track (A/GNP, FNP, PMHNP, PNP). Passing these exams meet the requirements for professional licensure in South Carolina but other states may have additional requirements.
• RN Licensure
• APRN Licensure

State Authorization
MUSC College of Nursing online programs are approved to offer distance education to students in all SARA states and California. Additional information can be found here.

Out-of-state Clinical Experiences
Out-of-state applicants and students are responsible for contacting their State Board of Nursing to determine any requirements that are needed in order to complete clinical rotations as a distance student. The NCSBN provides a quick search of Prelicensure Distance Education Requirements per state. Students should notify their Program Director upon entry if there are requirements that our school must complete for Board of Nursing approval. Currently, we cannot accept applications from students from Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Louisiana.
Out of State Applicants

*The Student-to-Faculty Clinical Ratio may vary depending on the specific clinical course.

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