Nursing (Accelerated)

Keiser University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN) in Nursing equips graduates of non-nursing bachelor’s degree programs with the knowledge, clinical experience, and professional competencies required for entry into nursing practice. The accelerated nursing program covers the full spectrum of nursing education, from foundational science prerequisite courses and physical assessment through advanced care management, nursing curriculum for community settings, and health outcomes research. ABSN students gain direct patient care experience through structured clinical placements, building the confidence and skill set needed to deliver safe, compassionate, patient-centered care.

Program Mission

The College of Nursing at Keiser University utilizes a “students first” philosophy to increase access to nursing education for a diverse student body at the undergraduate and graduate level and prepares students to provide holistic nursing care to improve individual, community, and global health outcomes. Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program enables students to provide evidence-based collaborative care to diverse patient populations in varied settings.

Program Goals

1. Demonstrate leadership, clinical decision-making, and effective communication skills to provide and evaluate safe, high-quality nursing care.
2. Creatively engage in rational inquiry, utilizing evidence-based nursing knowledge to give holistic care of patients in a continuum of healthcare environments.
3. Employ information management and patient care technologies to enhance the delivery of quality patient care.
4. Engage in system and organizational level policy to provide safe, high-quality care.
5. Collaborate with interprofessional healthcare teams to ethically design and manage care of families and individuals across the lifespan

Program Outcomes

Keiser University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students to deliver evidence-based, collaborative care to individuals, families, and communities across a variety of healthcare settings. The Programmatic Student Learning Outcomes represent a culmination of measurable competencies that support graduate readiness to practice effectively within today’s complex healthcare environment.

The Programmatic Student Learning Outcomes are:

• CARE COORDINATION: Utilizes effective leadership, communication and collaboration for shared decision making with the patient and multidisciplinary healthcare providers in the deliberate organization, design and management of safe, high quality and high value care for culturally and spiritually diverse patients across the continuum of healthcare environments.
• RESEARCH AND TRANSLATION: Engages in scientific inquiry with a spirit of creativity, utilizes evidence-based nursing knowledge, and translates data and information into nursing practice to address common clinical scenarios.
• INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Utilizes patient care technology and information systems to communicate, collaborate and support clinical decision-making in the delivery of quality patient care in a variety of healthcare settings.
• ADVOCACY AND POLICY: Integrates professional nursing values, ethical, legal, and theoretical practice frameworks fundamental to the discipline of nursing to influence health promotion, disease prevention, healthcare policy, and regulation across the lifespan and practice environments.

Prerequisites for Major Courses

Admission to the ABSN program requires completion of the following before beginning nursing major courses:

• Bachelor’s or Graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline from an accredited school, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the last 60 credits of the degree with a 3.0 GPA.
• An acceptable background check in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act upon enrollment.
• Personal interview with the BSN Program Director or Designee, and approval from the BSN Admissions Committee.
• Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for general education and science prerequisite courses.
• Prerequisite courses of DEP2004 Lifespan Development (3 credits) and STA2023 Statistics (3 credits) with a “C” or better earned prior to acceptance.
• Minimum grade of “B” in the following additional science courses prior to beginning nursing major courses:
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credits)
  • Human Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credits)
  • General Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • General Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
  • Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
• Satisfactory drug screening and completion of all required health screening in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act and clinical requirements.
• A Wonderlic SLE minimum score of 23 is required. The exam must be administered on site at a Keiser University campus. Applicants who fail to achieve the minimum required score on the Wonderlic SLE will be allowed to retest after a 24-hour period. If the candidate fails to achieve the minimum required score on the retest, the candidate may retest after 60 days. A fourth attempt may be made 120 days after the third attempt. Applicants who do not achieve the required score after four attempts must wait 12 months before re-starting the Wonderlic SLE testing cycle.

Program Highlights

• Accelerated four-semester format for nursing major courses
• Small class sizes that support personalized attention from experienced nursing faculty
• Clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings
• Simulation-based learning that strengthens clinical judgment and hands-on nursing skills
• Integrated learning and assessment resources that help students build the knowledge, clinical judgment, and test-taking skills needed for success on the NCLEX-RN examination
• Emphasis on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, health promotion, and disease prevention
• Preparation for professional nursing practice, leadership, and continued academic advancement

Estimated Student Costs

Required and Optional Fees for Programs: Fees are costs set by the university in addition to tuition (and room and board, if applicable). These fees may be required for your program or optional depending on the courses you take, and they support the costs associated with completing an approved program of study. Fees are defined in the or supplement and listed on the school’s billing statement or invoice. Fees that are optional will not be paid using GI Bill® benefits and will be the responsibility of the student choosing these additional options. For additional guidance, please see your Program Director or Admissions Counselor.

Letter of Recommendation

State Licensure Disclosures

Accreditation Statuses

Keiser University holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). . Baccalaureate degree nursing (BSN) programs at Keiser University campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, 404-975-5000, fax 404-975-5020. . The BSN programs are organized across three divisions: North Central, East, and West.

Gain Job-Ready Skills for a Nursing Career:

• Evidence-based nursing practice and clinical decision-making
• Patient-centered care and therapeutic communication
• Nursing care coordination across the lifespan
• Critical thinking and critical analysis in clinical settings
• Health promotion and disease prevention strategies
• Patient safety and quality improvement
• Psychomotor skills for direct patient care
• Leadership skills for interprofessional healthcare teams

Keiser University offers career-focused degree programs designed to support working adults, traditional students, and career changers. With experienced faculty and comprehensive student support, Keiser helps learners achieve their personal and professional goals at all levels.

Admission includes Keiser University's general requirements plus any program-specific requirements listed below, followed by the university’s application process.

Keiser University students take one class at a time, in 16-week semesters.

Keiser University publishes this program as approximately 40 months and 120 credit hours.

Keiser University lists this program as available on campus.

Tuition is charged per 16-week semester according to the credit hours scheduled.

Keiser University charges tuition per 16-week semester according to the number of credit hours scheduled, not per program. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

Required fees

• Application fee — $55.00, one time on enrollment
• Registration fee — $145.00, one time on enrollment
• Education fee — $980.00 per semester, for programmatic participation and facilities resources
• Annual health insurance plan — $2,169.00 where applicable to allied health programs, waived with proof of coverage by a qualified plan

Other fees are charged per occurrence: withdrawal $100.00, re-entry $150.00, transcript $5.00, student ID replacement $15.00, returned check $35.00, late payment $10.00 and library late fee $10.00. Clinical, licensure, professional skill development and technical fees vary by program.

Financial aid

Keiser University participates in federal Title IV financial aid. Students seeking aid complete the FAFSA using the university’s federal school code, 015159.

The curriculum blends nursing science, clinical practice, and professional coursework — including pathophysiology, physical assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, evidence-based practice, care management across the lifespan, community and mental health nursing, and nursing leadership. Representative courses are listed below.

Graduates of Keiser University’s accelerated baccalaureate degree in nursing enter the workforce prepared for registered nurse roles across a wide range of healthcare environments. This accelerated BSN program strengthens clinical care knowledge, nursing practice skills, and leadership capacity, positioning graduates for entry-level and advanced clinical positions. The BSN degree also serves as the foundation for graduate nursing education, including MSN and DNP programs, supporting long-term nursing career advancement.

Career Pathways in Nursing

• Registered nurse (hospital and clinical settings)
• Surgical and perioperative nurse
• Emergency department RN
• Medical-surgical nurse
• Pediatric nurse
• Labor and delivery nurse
• Rehabilitation nurse

• Home health nurse
• Hospice and palliative care nurse
• Oncology nurse
• Public health nurse
• Nurse case manager
• Travel nurse

How to Apply

1. Submit your online application.
2. Speak with an admissions advisor.
3. Provide transcripts or transfer credits.
4. Enroll and choose your start date.

Keiser University’s accelerated BSN program gives career changers, degree holders, and working professionals a direct path into nursing practice. Whether pursuing an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, students gain the clinical experience, nursing education, and NCLEX-RN preparation needed to enter the nursing profession with confidence. Small class sizes, experienced faculty, and dedicated clinical placement support set Keiser apart as a top choice among nursing schools in Florida.