Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

Additional information for international applicants.

Along with your application, you will need to submit the following materials:

• Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• A personal statement
• Names and contact information for three professional and/or academic references; a letter is not required at the time of application, but the admissions committee reserves the right to request a letter if needed
• Your resume (optional)

What should the personal statement include?

Applicants must submit a personal statement that addresses all the following questions. Please use question/answer format with headers for each item listed.

1. Describe what drew you to pursue nursing as a career and how you see yourself contributing to the nursing profession over the next 5-10 years. (approximately 200 words)
2. Describe how your values align with the mission of Creighton University. (approximately 200 words)
3. Describe an uncomfortable situation or ethical dilemma you encountered. What was your response in the situation, and what (if anything) would you do differently and why? (approximately 200 words)
4. The 12-month Accelerated BSN is an academically rigorous program during which much of a student’s time is occupied with school obligations. Describe the strategies you plan to use to successfully complete this challenging program given the competing demands on your time. (approximately 200 words)
5. If applicable, provide a rationale for any of the following discrepancies on your transcripts. Part of this rationale should provide an explanation of what has changed to promote success in this program.
   • Grades that are lower than a C
   • Courses with a W (withdrawals)
   • Semesters in which you were not a full-time student
   • Other considerations (extended leaves, previous enrollment in professional programs, misconducts, dismissals)

Program Requirements and Prerequisites

Note: Prerequisites and bachelor degree can be in progress when you apply to the program, but all courses must be completed prior to the start of the program—preferably 45 days in advance.

International students must submit official transcripts with final grades for all prerequisite courses to the Office of Admissions at least 60 days prior to the term in which they wish to begin studies.

To be considered for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements and prerequisites.

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in another discipline from an accredited college or university prior to the start date for the program. (You can apply while your Bachelor’s Degree is in prograss, but it should be completed and on official transcripts 45 days in advance. If you are admitted, you will need to provide an official transcript showing your degree earned and date conferred prior to the first day of class.)
• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of the following prerequisite courses 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 and 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; and microbiology

Applicants must also have two of the following courses completed before the application deadline:

• General chemistry
• Human anatomy (A&P I)
• Human physiology (A&P II)

Also note that introductory chemistry, survey of chemistry or a combined general, organic and biochemistry course will NOT meet the general chemistry requirement. Human anatomy, human physiology, general chemistry, and microbiology must have been completed in the last 10 years. There is a potential to override this rule depending on the grade you initially received, when you took it, and how you have used the knowledge from these courses since you took them. To petition this requirement, please reach out to our admissions advisors at nursing@creighton.edu.

Prerequisites can be taken through any accredited institution and must meet our semester hour requirements. Courses can be taken online or in person. If you have questions about specific courses we can accept, please email nursing@creighton.edu.

Additional information for international applicants.

In both our Omaha and Phoenix locations, the program has two start terms, fall and spring, and each one has a priority deadline and a secondary deadline. 

August Start

• April 1: Priority scholarship deadline
• May 1: Secondary deadline

January Start

• September 1: Priority scholarship deadline
• October 15: Secondary deadline

Please note that students requiring an F-1 visa may only join a January cohort, due to visa regulations.

You can start the application process at any point. We recommend applying early to ensure that we receive all application materials prior to the deadline. Please note: If you are applying through NursingCAS, there is about a week turnaround time between when your application is completed through their system, and when it is sent to us. Keep this in mind when applying close to the deadlines.

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

Nurses are in high demand and earning an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton opens the door to a fulfilling nursing career.

Creighton graduates work in specialties such as: 

• Critical care
• Cardiovascular ICU
• Neonatal ICU
• Emergency
• Progressive care
• Acute care
• Critical care stepdown
• Medical - surgery
• Pediatric ICU
• Pediatrics

They choose roles in states across the U.S. in institutions like Mayo Clinic, Children's Nebraska and Northwestern Medicine. 

You'll be prepared for a career in areas such as public health, schools, home health or hospice, long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, government and social service agencies, and research.

Earning your BSN also sets up pathways to advanced roles like nurse practitioner, nurse educator and leadership. Those called to nursing will find a wide range of job opportunities and ways to improve the health and well-being of others.