Frequently Asked Questions

The Accelerated B.S.N. (A.B.S.N.) program begins every May and runs for four consecutive semesters. It takes 16 months to complete. The schedule is coordinated with the University Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

The ABSN program is designed for students who have a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing program and have completed the required prerequisites. The prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university. They are:

• Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
• Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Chemistry with lab or Nutrition
• Human Growth and Development/Lifespan
• Statistics

All science prerequisites must have been completed within the past 10 years.

We cannot accept in transfer any previously completed nursing courses from other programs. Two non-nursing courses required in the program — Pathophysiology and Ethics (must have a bioethics or healthcare ethics focus) — may be transferred in, with prior approval.

We recommend a 3.0 GPA in your prior degree. We look at every application individually to make admission decisions. We expect that all prerequisite science courses will be at the B- or above.

All applications must be completed through www.nursingcas.org. The applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until April 15 (for the May cohort) of the year of admission or until we fill a qualified class.

If you are taking one or two prerequisite courses in the semester prior to the start of the program, you may still apply. If you are offered admission, it will be contingent on the successful completion of these courses. If you have more than two courses to take, we recommend waiting to apply until the following application cycle.

There is an essay included in the application. Two references are required and may be submitted through NursingCAS. GRE’s are not required.

No. We do not do individual transcript reviews. All of your transcripts and your application must be submitted through NursingCAS. If you have a specific question about a course or courses transferring, you may contact Pete Heeley, director of transfer admissions, at pheeley@une.edu.

Application information must be verified before review, which can take several weeks. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will be notified shortly after the review process.

Information about cost can be found at www.une.edu/sfs/undergraduate/costs. Students who are admitted may qualify for a merit award and are encouraged to submit the FAFSA for additional funds.

Certain immunizations, a CPR course from the American Heart Association at the level of Basic Life Support, a criminal background check, and drug testing are all required prior to beginning your clinical rotations. Information about this will be sent to you when you make your decision to attend UNE.

The University of New England, through our Student Access Center and in conjunction with federal and state laws, adheres to reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

The University of New England Portland Campus has no campus housing. If you are looking for housing in the area, please visit Off Campus Student Services for more information. There is also a Roommate Survey if you are looking to live with someone else. Clinical times may be during the day, evening, weekends, or nights. We do not guarantee clinical placements with classmates or roommates and therefore, it is important to have your own vehicle.

While we do not have any specific requirements about work or outside commitments, we find that for students to be successful they need to dedicate their time to the rigorous nature of the program. Classes and clinical times vary each semester and it is not possible to predict “free” time from semester to semester. We recommend that you do not plan for more than a few hours a week of outside work, if any.

• Clinical Simulation Experiences. Allowing students to safely practice patient care in state-of-the-art Simulation Labs.
• Interprofessional Education as value-added. Starting with your first class in the Westbrook College of Health Professions, you will learn and work with other members of the health care team building skills you will use every day in your own practice. On the Portland campus students have the opportunity for case based learning with other health professions.
• Service Learning Programs. Work with other UNE students and faculty on community-based service teams at local shelters, county jail projects, immigrant community centers, rural Maine immersion and other locations.
• Professional Involvement from day one. The UNE Student Nurse Association is affiliated with the National Student Nurse Association. Be a member, run for office, organize service activities, attend a national conference.