Accelerated BSN

#1

BSN program in SC, US News ranking, 2023

100%

NCLEX 1st-time Pass Rate 2024

4

consecutive semester program

8:1

Student-to-Faculty Clinical Ratio*

Now accepting applications for Spring 2025

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024

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

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.

 
 
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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).

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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.

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

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

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Meet Your Lead Faculty, Dr. Kristen Poston

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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

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