Rutgers–Camden Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN)

Last updated: June 17, 2025

Program Address

Rutgers School of Nursing | 530 Federal Street | Camden, NJ 08102

Program Overview

Rutgers–Camden Accelerated BS in Nursing (ABSN)

The Rutgers–Camden Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a fast-track pathway into the nursing profession for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Designed to be completed in approximately 15 months over four consecutive semesters, the program combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical experience in diverse healthcare settings throughout southern New Jersey and the Delaware Valley. Students learn in a supportive cohort model and benefit from access to advanced simulation labs, expert faculty, and a range of academic support services through the SNC-CARES initiative. With a curriculum grounded in nursing theory, clinical judgment, and compassionate care, the Rutgers–Camden ABSN prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and transition confidently into professional nursing practice or advanced study.

Program Structure & Duration

  • Length: Full-time accelerated program completed in four consecutive semesters (including summer) — approximately 15 months
  • Format: Cohort model with a structured sequence of lectures, labs, and clinical rotations; students progress together.

2. Curriculum Highlights

  • Clinical Training: Comparable quality and intensity to the traditional BSN program, with clinical practice in partner hospitals across the Delaware Valley and Southern New Jersey.
  • Courses likely include (based on standard ABSN content):
    • Foundations of Nursing
    • Health Assessment
    • Pharmacology
    • Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, Mental Health Nursing
    • Community Health & Nursing Research
  • Clinical Hours: 3–4 days per week, shifts including weekends or evenings (6:30 am–10:30 pm)

3. Supportive Learning Environment

  • Cohort-based progression enhances peer support.
  • Academic Resources (SNC-CARES): includes advising, tutoring, mentorship, clinical placement assistance
  • Student Success Services: such as nursing success coaching, remediation plans, and robust academic support
  • High-tech Facilities: Simulation labs and modern learning spaces across a 100,000 sq ft facility

4. Accreditation & Licensure Preparation

  • Accreditation: Rutgers–Camden School of Nursing is fully accredited (implicitly via institutional accreditation; standard for NCLEX eligibility)
  • NCLEX Eligibility: Graduates are qualified to sit for the NCLEX‑RN and pursue advanced degrees like the DNP

5. Admission Requirements

  • Degree Requirement: Must hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
  • Prerequisites (all completed before matriculation; some conditional acceptance possible):
    1. General Chemistry or Organic Biochem II (4 cr w/ lab)
    2. Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8 cr w/ labs)
    3. Microbiology (4 cr w/ lab)
    4. Statistics (3 cr)
    5. Human Growth & Development (3 cr)
    6. Nutrition (3 cr)
    7. Ethics course (3 cr)
  • Science Prereqs Timing: Must be completed within 10 years of program start
  • GPA: Not specified online; applicant pool is typically competitive (e.g., 3.0+ reported elsewhere) .
  • Standardized Tests: No TEAS requirement mentioned officially; external sources suggest TEAS ≥80% may be used.

6. Tuition & Financial Information

  • Not publicly listed in search results; tuition details available via official “Tuition & Fees” page on the school website—you’d need to check that for current numbers .

7. Application & Start Dates

  • Start Terms: Both Fall and Spring entry options
  • Deadlines (from 2025 Info Sheet):
    • Spring admission: by October 1
    • Fall admission: by February 15

8. Outcomes & Reputation

  • Employment/Graduate Study Rate: 95 % of nursing grads are employed or in advanced programs shortly after graduation .
  • National Ranking: Rutgers–Camden DNP is #48; School praised for male nurse representation.

Feature Rutgers–Camden (ABSN) Rutgers–Newark (Second‑Degree BSN)
Program Length ~15 months (4 consecutive semesters, including summer) 14 months (4‑semester accelerated)
Program Format Cohort-based; structured lectures, labs, clinical rotations Cohort-based; in-person sequence of lectures, labs, clinicals
Curriculum & Clinical Hours Standard ABSN topics (med-surg, ped, psych, maternity, community, pharmacology); clinics 3–4 days/week with varied shifts 63 credits of nursing coursework; clinical placements with 200+ NJ partners; day/evening/weekend availability
Prerequisites Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with labs), Microbiology, Chemistry/Biochem II, Statistics, Human Growth & Dev, Nutrition, Ethics — sciences within 10 years Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Organic Biochem or Chem II, Nutrition, Statistics, Developmental Psychology, General Psychology, Sociology — sciences within 10 years; specific grade cut-offs apply
GPA Requirement Not officially specified; competitive applicant pool (~3.0+) Minimum 3.3 GPA for first bachelor’s degree required
Standardized Test TEAS may be considered informally; no official TEAS/HESI requirement HESI A2 required as diagnostic upon onboarding; does not affect admission
Support Services SNC‑CARES advising, tutoring, simulation labs, success coaching Diagnostic HESI prep, simulation facilities, academic and clinical support
Start Terms & Deadlines Fall (apply by Feb 15) and Spring (Oct 1) admission Summer (begin May; apply by Feb 1) and Spring (apply by Oct 1)
Tuition & Fees Not publicly listed Approximately $33,000 total (Newark ABSN cost)
Accreditation & NCLEX Eligibility Accredited; graduates eligible for NCLEX-RN and advanced study CCNE-accredited; 90% first‑time NCLEX-RN pass rate
Outcomes & Reputation 95% employed or pursuing advanced degrees; high placement rates 90% NCLEX pass rate; top-ranked NJ BSN, strong reputation

 

Program Summary

Program Name and Institution: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), Rutgers University–Camden School of Nursing

Accreditation: CCNE

Program Duration: 15 months: 4 consecutive semesters, including summer term

Total Credit Hours: Approximately 63 credit hours of nursing coursework

Full-time or Part-time Options: Full-time only—structured cohort format; no part-time or evening-only track

Program Start Dates: Fall cohort – application deadline around mid-February (typically Feb 15) Spring cohort – application deadline around Oct 1

Learning Format: Primarily in-person – includes classroom lectures, on-campus lab sessions, and clinicals 3–4 days per week; some science prerequisites may be completed online

Tuition: Total program cost (including books and supplies) is approximately $42,000 for in‑state students (2023–2024 rate)

Flexibility and Accessibility: Clinical Hours: Scheduled across a variety of sites, any day of the week (including weekends and evenings, 6:30 am–10:30 pm)

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