Georgian Court University’s new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (A.B.S.N.) degree will launch this year, giving aspiring registered nurses a faster way to earn their degree and get to work.
The new, second baccalaureate degree nursing program can be completed in as little as 14 months and is offered by the Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU. The highly selective A.B.S.N. program, which is 67 credits, is full time and admits students only once a year, beginning in December 2020. Students enrolled in the program must already have a bachelor’s degree with a 3.5 GPA (or better) in their previous program.
“Nursing is intense, challenging, and rewarding,“ said Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., RN, dean of the nursing school. “It also demands significant commitment from students and faculty as they cover topics critical to patient care. Our A.B.S.N. program maximizes what students will learn in the classroom, in labs, and through clinical placements—all in about a year.”
A Profession in Great Demand
A.B.S.N. students can complete their program quickly, but more than that, they can put their knowledge and skills to work at a time when health care systems need more professionals.
“The pressure on hospitals and institutions to provide exceptional patient care cannot be understated,” said GCU President Joseph R. Marbach, Ph.D. “We hear it from our partners at Hackensack Meridian Health, from local employers at community clinics, and from alumni working in the field. This new program helps meet that need.”
“At the same time,” said Dr. Marbach, “Georgian Court’s new A.B.S.N. offers another pathway for students to put their passion for helping others into professional practice. Pursuing a career in nursing is also beneficial economically, as national data from 2019 points to a median salary of about $73,300.”
The A.B.S.N. joins other programs in Georgian Court–Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing, where enrollment is up 103 percent since 2015. By graduation, more than 90 percent of GCU nursing graduates are employed—often by Hackensack Meridian Health facilities across the state. As a result, GCU nursing graduates serve families and patients throughout Ocean, Monmouth, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Middlesex counties.
Read more about the A.B.S.N. program and learn about upcoming sessions and how to apply.
