Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Start a Meaningful Career With an Online ABSN
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The Wilkes University online ABSN is a fast and flexible pathway to becoming a nurse in Pennsylvania. It is designed specifically for career-changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Online coursework offers flexibility, while your on-campus residency and in-person clinicals provide hands-on experience.
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The Wilkes University online ABSN is a fast and flexible pathway to becoming a nurse in Pennsylvania. It is designed specifically for career-changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Online coursework offers flexibility, while your on-campus residency and in-person clinicals provide hands-on experience.
Start Your New Career with a Strong Foundation
Wilkes University was the first CCNE-accredited school in PA to offer an online ABSN, and we also boast PA’s longest-running CCNE accreditation at the baccalaureate level.
Every cohort of students that we graduate helps us improve the program, which means we’re continuously learning to better prepare you for your new career.
Wilkes is a small, non-profit university that offers big opportunities. Our students enjoy a supportive environment here and go on to do great things at leading healthcare providers, such as:
- Geisinger
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- St. Luke’s Health Network
- Tower Health
- Vanderbilt
- UPMC
- The University of Pennsylvania
More About Clinical Placement Support
The Wilkes Clinical Placement team works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience that is compliant, meets the University and national guidance for clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future practice.
What Are Clinicals?
During clinicals, you will put online learning into practice with real patients. Under the supervision of a preceptor or clinical instructor, you will gain hands-on nursing experience across various settings and specialties.
Please note: placements may include weekends and be up to 125 miles from your location.
How Does the Clinical Placement Process Work?
The Wilkes Clinical Placement team handles the majority of logistics and direct communication required to secure a placement, as well as:
- Confirm placement site and preceptor details
- Verify clearance and completion of health, training or other requirements
- Review dress code and professional expectations
How Do I Prepare for Clinicals?
Online training will begin during the first week of class. During the on-campus residency in weeks 6 and 7, you will practice clinical skills with your cohort and faculty at the Clinical Nursing Simulation Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Your main focus should be completing your coursework and all clinical clearance requirements, which vary by placement. A Clinical Placement Coordinator will guide you through each step.
What Can I Expect During Clinicals?
Your experience will be unique based on your exact rotation. You may have a 1:1 placement with a preceptor and indirect supervision from a Wilkes clinical supervisor. Or, you may be placed in a clinical group model with a clinical faculty on-site.
ABSN students typically complete clinicals 2-3 days a week. Shift length varies from 6-12 hours.
* The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing/ Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate/APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)
ABSN Curriculum Sample
For a complete list of courses and course descriptions, access our comprehensive program guide.
The nursing process is utilized to support nursing students in developing competencies for assisting vulnerable individuals, families, and communities to manage selected psychiatric mental health problems, Nursing theory is correlated with clinical practice in acute, chronic, and community-based care settings. (Credits: 3)
The nursing process is utilized to support nursing students in developing competencies for assisting vulnerable individuals, families, and communities to manage selected psychiatric mental health problems, Nursing theory is correlated with clinical practice in acute, chronic, and community-based care settings. (Credits: 3)
This course uses a variety of strategies to prepare final semester pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students for entry into professional nursing practice. Students are assessed for readiness to sit for the NGN-RN as well as for entry into professional nursing practice in all settings across the continuum of care. This course provides students with a quantitative analysis of their readiness to pass the NGN-RN. (Credit:4)
Online ABSN Program Outcomes
You’ll graduate ready to step into the field and start making a difference in the lives of your patients.
Program graduates can feel confident in their job prospects —according to the AACN, 95% of nurses who earn a BSN/ABSN are employed within 4-6 months of graduation.
To become an active nurse, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN. That’s why preparing students for the NCLEX-RN is a priority at Wilkes, evidenced by our high pass rates that consistently beat the national average.
The online ABSN program prepares you with foundational nursing knowledge, including:
- How to care for your patients at different stages of life
- Soft skills to help you succeed in real-world healthcare settings
- How to provide care with compassion and cultural awareness
Curious about the specific nursing skills you’ll pick up during this program? Fill out the form at the top of this page to access more information, including a curriculum breakdown.
Do I Qualify for Wilkes ABSN?
1. What degree should I have to be qualified for Wilkes ABSN?
Bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA.
2. Can I apply for Wilkes ABSN from anywhere?
No, you must reside in Pennsylvania.
3. What do I need to apply for Wilkes ABSN?
In addition to the requirements above, the application also requires the following:
- Statement of professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation
- Six prerequisite courses (see "Prerequisites" tab for details)
Hear from Staff and Students
I am amazed at the amount of knowledge I have gained in only 6 months of this program, and the lifelong relationships I have formed with my classmates.
Celia Rossini, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
As a professional, I learned that if you are unsure of something or you need help, just ask for it. I think Wilkes stands by that same motto. So I have had questions, I reach out to my professors. They've always been prompt about replying, and the same goes for the clinical placement team. If you email them a question, they'll get back to you quickly
Kelly Samuels, ABSN Student
I don't ever feel like I'm being judged or have to pretend that I understand something even though I don't. It's just a really welcoming, amazing environment, both from the faculty and the students.
Payton Bell, ABSN Student
The Wilkes program is run by a wonderful group of faculty and staff. Our faculty here are very smart, educated, and knowledgeable. They also understand the new NCLEX exam and built the curriculum around it.
Katie Sunday MSN, RN, ABSN Coordinator
Why Become a Registered Nurse?
If you want a career where you can be proud of the work you do, nursing is a great option. Nursing is demanding but highly rewarding work.
Dean Zbegner puts it simply: “You will remember those people who you took care of intimately. I don't care what discipline you're in or what specialty, you will always know that you made a difference.”
Greater fulfillment and a sense of purpose aren’t the only benefits of a nursing career. Demand is high for nurses and that’s unlikely to change in the next decade. This makes nursing a field with high earning potential and job security. See why the future is bright for RNs:
1) National Council of State Boards of Nursing
2) Lightcast Labor Insights
3) U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read More About Wilkes Online ABSN
ABSN Program: Meaning and How It Helps Meet Demand for Nurses
What are ABSN programs? Learn more about what ABSN stands for, how they differ from BSN programs and how they help address the national nursing shortage. Read More
Comparing Online vs. On-Campus Nursing Programs Pros and Cons
Discover the pros and cons of online vs. on-campus nursing programs, including cost differences, flexibility, and curriculum. Read More
What to Expect During a Nursing Clinical
Experience nursing clinicals: vital for nursing education. Discover what to expect, duties, and placement process. Enhance practical skills. Read More
FAQs About the Online ABSN Program
Admissions
Information can be found on our Get Started page, and by completing the form at the top of the page. Or, you can contact an admissions counselor by emailing us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu, calling us at 888-413-5633 , or scheduling a time to chat. .
We do the heavy lifting for you. For more information on the nursing clinical placement process, visit our Clinical Placement Services page, access your free program guide , or email us at admissions@onlinenursingdegrees.wilkes.edu. You can also call us directly at 888-413-5633 or schedule a time to speak with us.
No, there are no GRE or GMAT requirements to enroll.
Yes, they're accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.
*The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing/doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Courses are 15 weeks, and the online ABSN program takes 11 courses / 4 terms / 15 months to complete.
Financial Aid
Yes, financial aid is available to qualifying nursing students. Please fill out a form or schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor to learn if you qualify for financial assistance. You can also give us a call at 888-413-5633 . We're happy to help!
Tuition
Tuition is subject to change.
Tuition for the online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is $66,233 (including general fees).
Other
Yes. They’re accredited by the CCNE*.
*The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing/doctor of nursing practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Excluding nursing clinicals and residencies, all coursework is 100% online. Each course experience is primarily asynchronous.
