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Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
Creighton University College of Nursing offers one of the most successful and longest-running accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in the nation. Ranking as a top 30 program by U.S. News & World Report, we’ve been providing quality accelerated nursing education for over 45 years with proven high NCLEX pass rates consistently exceeding the national average.
Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), our program recognizes and builds on your past education and experiences. Our full-time program allows students who have at least a bachelor’s degree in another discipline to earn a BSN degree in just 12 months compared with the traditional 4-year program. This program is offered in Omaha and Phoenix.
Program Details
The program consists of five eight-week terms, one two- week term and one three-week term. Courses are led by our dedicated faculty who create and share new knowledge to advance the discipline of nursing through teaching, service, research and professional practice.
You’ll learn:
- Critical thinking
- Clinical decision-making
- Professional communication skills
- Strong theoretical knowledge and clinical skills
- Ethical decision making
- Integrate respect for each person’s dignity, worth, and spiritual uniqueness
- Demonstrate clinical judgment and professional accountability to safe practice and quality client outcomes
- Collaborate effectively as a leader
Months to complete the program
Start date options for Omaha and Phoenix: January and August
overall NCLEX pass rate for the past 5 years
Admissions Requirements
Application Materials
- Application
- Personal Statement
- Names and contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Letters are not required at the time of application, but the admissions committee reserves the right to request a letter if needed.
- Resume (Optional)
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
Program Requirements and Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in another discipline from an accredited college or university prior to the start date for the program.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of the following pre-requisite coursework with a C (2.0) or higher prior to the start date of the program.
- 3 semester hours (or 4.5 quarter hours) each of:
- General Sociology
- General Psychology
- Developmental Psychology (must cover the lifespan)
- Ethics
- Statistics
- 2-3 semester hours (or 3-4.5 quarter hours) of:
- Human Nutrition
- 4 semester hours (or 6 quarter hours) each of:
- Human Anatomy or Anatomy and Physiology I
- Human Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology II
- General Chemistry (cannot be an Introductory Chemistry, Survey of Chemistry or a combined General/Organic/Biochemistry course)
- Microbiology
- 3 semester hours (or 4.5 quarter hours) each of:
- Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, General Chemistry, Microbiology must be completed in the last 10 years.
- Pre-requisites can be in progress when you apply to the program, but applicants must have two of the following courses completed before the application deadline.
- General Chemistry
- Human Anatomy (A&P I)
- Human Physiology (A&P II)
All prerequisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the program, preferably 45 days in advance.
Program Locations
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On Campus
Omaha
We’ve been training nurses for nearly 60 years at our Omaha campus, and today nursing students learn in the newly built CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education. With strong and established community connections, our students have access to learning experiences in multiple specialties at clinical sites. Sites include CHI Health, Methodist Health System, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha VA Medical Center and other community-based locations.
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On Campus
Phoenix
In Phoenix, students begin their training at our state-of-the-art, interprofessional health sciences campus in the Phoenix Medical Quarter. The Phoenix program is helping to meet the critical need for nurses in the region. Clinical experiences occur in Dignity Health, Valleywise Health, Destiny Springs Healthcare, Aurora Behavioral Health, Children’s Rehabilitative Services and other clinical and community partners.
International Students
See the details related to your specific campus below:
- Omaha and Phoenix Campuses: International students are welcomed into this program and F-1 visas will be supported upon admission.
Transcripts
Any course work taken at an accredited institution outside of the United States must be evaluated course-by-course by a NACES approved credentialing agency. Official evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to NursingCAS.
Prerequisite Courses
U.S. immigration regulations require that students needing an F-1 visa must successfully fulfill all prerequisites before an I-20 can be issued. To allow sufficient time to complete all the steps in the visa process, students must submit official transcripts with final grades for all prerequisite courses to the Office of Admissions at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the term in which they wish to begin studies.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
English Language Proficiency is an important part of the application process for those whose first language is not English. The College of Nursing has the discretion to determine individual standards for how this requirement will be met using one or more of the following:
- English Language exam scores. All applicants who have obtained a degree from an institution outside of the United States must present a TOEFL score of at least 100 an IELTS score of at least 7, or a DuoLingo score of at least 120. Scores over 2 years old will not be accepted. Students must ask the testing agency to send original scores to Creighton University (Institutional Code 6121).
- Students who have completed a degree from the following countries may petition to waive the English Language Proficiency requirement: Australia, Canada, Barbados, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Scotland, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, and Virgin Islands.
The College of Nursing reserves the right to require students to re-take the exam. It is also at the discretion of the College of Nursing as to whether an English Language Proficiency exam is required of applicants who have earned a college degree from a university in the United States or another approved country.
OPT Disclaimer for Accelerated Nursing Students:
Optional Practical Training (OPT) permits international students to receive full-time employment in their field of study upon completion of a degree program. If eligible, United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) can grant F1 visa holders up to 12 months of OPT for each higher degree level they obtain.
Many students entering Creighton’s Accelerated Nursing Program have already utilized their bachelor’s level 12 month OPT opportunity. This means they will not be eligible for another OPT opportunity after completion of the Accelerated Nursing Program; even if it’s an entirely different field of study. Please be mindful of this as you make plans during your 60-day grace period, after completion of your degree. If you have questions about your options, please email globalengagement@creighton.edu
Dates & Deadlines
Each start term has a priority deadline and a secondary deadline.
- We will read applications and release decisions on a rolling basis for the fall start date between January 1 and May 1. The last date to submit applications and all associated materials for the fall cohort is May 1.
- We will read applications and release decisions on a rolling basis for the spring start date between June 1 and October 15. The last date to submit applications and all associated materials for the spring cohort is October 15.
If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.
- August Start Term (Omaha and Phoenix)
- April 1 Priority Deadline
- May 1 Secondary Deadline
- January Start Term (Omaha and Phoenix)
- September 1 Priority Deadline
- October 15 Secondary Deadline
ABSN Children’s Nebraska Scholarship
Students in Creighton’s Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program in Omaha have the opportunity to receive a full-tuition scholarship in exchange for a two-year work commitment at Children’s Nebraska. This scholarship supports students as they develop the skills to become exceptional practice-ready, pediatric nurses in one of 89 pediatric subspecialties across multiple Children’s Nebraska facilities.
Scholarship Highlights:
- Full tuition and fees coverage for Creighton’s Omaha ABSN program
- Open to students beginning their ABSN journey in Fall 2025 through 2027
- Requires a two-year commitment to work at Children’s Nebraska in any pediatric specialty post-graduation
This scholarship will be awarded after admission and is contingent on Creighton College of Nursing capacity and program stipulations. Scholarship applications will be reviewed after the final admission deadline.
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Seamless Transition to Graduate Education Pathway
The Seamless Transition to Graduate Education Pathway offers a tailor-made progression for recent BSN graduates from Creighton's College of Nursing aiming for a terminal degree in Advanced Nursing Practice or as a Nurse Educator. Building upon the strong foundation laid by Creighton's BSN program, students are well-prepared with the crucial knowledge and skills to thrive in their graduate studies. Recognizing the excellence of our BSN programs, we ensure a smooth transition to graduate education by crediting the successful completion of specific courses.
The program accommodates the diverse needs of students by offering a choice among various DNP or MSN Programs of Study. Whether opting for part-time or full-time enrollment, students can tailor their educational coursework to align with their professional goals and personal commitments. This approach ensures a flexible and enriching experience, allowing graduates to thrive as they embark on their advanced nursing education.
Clinical Specialties
We prepare you for choices in your career covering six specialties with over 900 clinical hours:
- Critical Care
- Community and Population Health
- Labor and Delivery/Obstetrics
- Medical-Surgical
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric and Mental Health
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. View cost of attendance.
Financial Aid
To help make your studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available scholarships.
Step 1: Complete the FAFSA
This is the first step to establishing eligibility for all federal and state student aid programs.
- Complete your FAFSA. (For step-by-step guidance to filing your FAFSA, check out this video.) When completing your FAFSA, you should note that you are completing a second Bachelor’s degree (not a graduate or professional degree).
- Check for missing documents to complete your aid offer.
- Accept aid offer, complete master promissory note and loan entrance counseling for the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan program at studentaid.gov.
- Please review the loan limits set in place by the Department of Education.
Throughout your program at Creighton, you will need to file two FAFSAs and accept your financial aid offer two times. FAFSAs for the upcoming year open in October. If needed, you may also complete private/alternative loan applications, outlined below.
Step 2: Other Student Loan Options
The Federal Nursing Loan has a fixed interest rate of 5% with no loan origination fees. The Federal Nursing Loan does not accrue interest while in school nor during the nine-month grace period before repayment begins.
- Complete master promissory note for the Federal Nursing Loan at ecsi.net/promi2
- Students applying for private/alternative loans will need to select a lender and complete their loan application. Learn more about private/alternatives loans. Remember your program will cross two academic years, so you will need to complete two private/alternative loan applications, one for each year.
Step 3: Refund (if you are receiving funds in excess of tuition and fees)
Disbursement of funds is five days prior to the start of each semester.
- Any excess funds to help pay for living expenses will be refunded to you at that time.
- Sign up for direct deposit in your NEST account under Student Accounts. Learn more.
Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731.
Financial Aid FAQs
What kind of aid can I receive?
- This is a second bachelor’s program, so you’re still an undergraduate student. That means that you may qualify for federal loans, depending on your FAFSA eligibility, but you will not qualify for any federal grants. Many of our students pursue private loans in addition to any federal loan options.
Are there scholarships available?
- Creighton does not have institutional grants or scholarships available for incoming Accelerated Nursing students. Limited scholarships may be available as you continue in the program.
Can I use my veteran’s benefits?
- Creighton University has proudly supported military personnel and their families for more than 100 years. We are a Yellow Ribbon school and will work with you personally to understand your benefits through the Accelerated Nursing program. Learn more.
“My biggest take away from Creighton is that you are never alone. You always have someone in your corner and you can/should always ask questions.”
— Harmony Latham, ABSN
“Creighton laid the foundation for who I am as a nurse today, and I think a comprehensive education was a necessary part of my journey.”
— Harrison Jones, ABSN
“The learning and clinical experiences you will have at Creighton will set you up for success for the rest of your nursing career.”
— Kaylee Taylor, ABSN
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Creighton University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).
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Outcomes
Nurses are in high demand. With a BSN, you’ll have myriad career opportunities. And, you’ll be job-ready as our program has a 5-year average of 93% pass rate for NCLEX, the exam to earn your RN license. Bureau of Labor Statistics' research projects a 9% increase in nursing positions through 2030—nearly 200,000 job openings per year. Only 3 out of 5 nurses work in hospitals. They work in schools, home health agencies, mental health settings, long-term care facilities, community health, government and social service agencies, and research.
Nursing Admissions
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
Email: nursing@creighton.edu
Phone: 402.280.2000 or 800.544.5071
Fax: 402.280.2045
Graduates who complete Creighton University College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing meet eligibility requirements to take the National Council Licensure Exam-RN (NCLEX-RN). All 50 states, and U.S. state territories, require the candidate to take the NCLEX-RN prior to practicing as an RN.
Graduates who complete Creighton University College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum meet requirements for all 50 states.
Creighton University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program in Nebraska has been approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing, DHHS Licensure Unit, PO Box 94986, Lincoln NE, 68509-4986
Creighton University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program in Arizona has been approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, 1740 W Adams St, Phoenix, AZ 85007 and the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, 1740 W Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
