Start Helping Sooner with the UNE A.B.S.N.
The world is in dire need of nurses. UNE can help you become one faster than ever before. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, UNE’s 12-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (A.B.S.N.) program will allow you to begin helping people for less expense, after less time.
In the A.B.S.N., you’ll be immersed in evidence-based nursing science. Through experiential learning in clinical settings and in UNE’s cutting-edge simulation lab, you’ll develop the skills to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the largest and most trusted segment of the healthcare workforce.
Why UNE for Your Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
UNE’s School of Nursing is part of a comprehensive health sciences university recognized internationally for interprofessional, collaborative practice. By working with graduate students and faculty across the health sciences, you are uniquely prepared for modern, team-based health care.
- Save time and money — become a licensed nurse in only 12 months
- Financial Aid, including merit awards
- State-of-the-art, hospital-like simulation lab
- Situated close to Greater Portland’s hospitals, health agencies, and community-based organizations
- NCLEX-RN licensing exam pass rate above the national average since 2013
- Student Nurses Association Club
of UNE Nursing students pass the NCLEX on the first try
Compared to the State of Maine at 91.98% and nationally at 82.21%
What will you study? Accelerated B.S. in Nursing Curriculum Overview
As a Nursing student, you will explore the domains of adult health, geriatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics, mental health, and more. The following table outlines the curriculum, full of exciting courses that you will take:
A.B.S.N. 12-Month Curriculum
General Education Coursework (previous degree) – 40 credits
Prerequisites (must be taken within past 10 years)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| A&P I with lab | 4 |
| A&P II with lab | 4 |
| Microbiology with lab | 4 |
| Chemistry with lab or Nutrition | 4/3 |
| Human Growth and Development/Lifespan | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Pathophysiology | 3 |
| Ethics | 3 |
| Total | 28/27 |
Semester 1 (Summer)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Health Assessment | 3 |
| Adult Health I (Clinical/Lab/Simulation) | 8 |
| Mental Health (Clinical/Simulation) | 4 |
| Pharmacology | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Semester 2
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Adult Health II (Clinical/Lab/Simulation) | 7 |
| Maternal/Child Care (Clinical/Lab/Simulation) | 8 |
| Community/Public Health | 3 |
| Total | 18 |
Semester 3
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Leading Evidence-based Change | 5 |
| Adult Health III (Clinical/Lab/Simulation/Preceptorship) | 9 |
| Transition to Practice | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
Total 12 months
| Total UNE Nursing Credits | 53 |
|---|
To learn more about the program see the Academic Catalog or Frequently Asked Questions.
Career Paths for Nursing Majors
Emphasizing clinical reasoning and judgment, understanding of health and human functioning, expertise in care and therapeutics, and knowledge of health care resources, UNE’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares you for one of the world’s most rewarding careers.
As a nurse, you may work in a variety of settings, including:
- Acute care (hospitals)
- Primary care
- Long-term care facilities
- Public and private schools
- Federal, state, and local health departments
- Home health care
- Accountable care organizations
Career Advising in the Accelerated Nursing Program
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Nursing Careers by the Numbers
Expected rate of nursing job growth from 2016 to 2026, with 438,100 new nursing positions
Experiential Learning in Nursing
Whether you’re practicing basic skills on fellow nursing students, learning emergency medical techniques with high fidelity patient simulators, or caring for people in clinical practice settings, in UNE’s Nursing program, you’re always learning by doing.
Service Learning
Our Service Learning Program enables you to serve in communities with some of society’s most vulnerable populations. You may work with a variety of agencies and nonprofits, including:
- Homeless Health Outreach
- Partners for World Health
- Cumberland County Jail
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging
- Maine Access Immigrant Network
Interprofessional Education
- Prepare for modern, team-based health care models in UNE’s Center to Advance Interprofessional Education and Practice (CAIEP)
- Work with students in a wide range of different health professions programs to provide quality, patient-centered care
- Reap the personal and professional benefits of graduating from one of only a handful of private universities with a comprehensive health care mission
Contact
If you have application or admission questions contact Pete Heeley at (207) 602-2385 or pheeley@une.edu.
For general questions or questions related to curriculum and coursework, email Elizabeth Mann RN, MSN, PHNA, assistant clinical professor, and A.B.S.N. program coordinator at emann1@une.edu.
12-Month Accelerated B.S.N. FAQ
What degree do I need to enter the Accelerated B.S.N?
A bachelor’s degree in any field is required for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UNE.
How long does the Accelerated B.S.N. program take?
The UNE Accelerated B.S.N. (A.B.S.N.) program begins every May and runs for three consecutive semesters. It takes 12 months to complete. The schedule is coordinated with the University Undergraduate Academic Calendar.
Where is the Accelerated B.S.N. program located?
Students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program will study on UNE’s beautiful Portland, Maine campus.
What are the prerequisites for the A.B.S.N. program?
The A.B.S.N. program at UNE in Maine 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
- Pathophysiology
- Ethics
All math and science prerequisites must have been completed within the last 10 years.
Can I transfer any other courses into the program?
UNE’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program cannot accept in transfer any previously completed nursing courses from other programs.
What GPA do I need to be accepted?
For UNE’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, we require a 3.0 GPA in your prior baccalaureate degree. We require prerequisite math and science courses to demonstrate a B- or higher.
What are the admission deadlines for the A.B.S.N. program? How do I apply?
All applications for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program must be completed through www.nursingcas.org. The applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until April 15 of the year of admission or until we fill a qualified class.
Do I need to wait a year to apply if I will not finish my prerequisites by the admission deadline?
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 by UNE, 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 to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program until the following application cycle.
Do I need to complete an essay, submit references, or GRE scores?
There is an essay included in the application for UNE’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Two references are required and may be submitted through NursingCAS. GRE’s are not required.
I am not sure if I am a strong enough candidate for this program. Can you please review my transcripts?
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.
When will I find out if I am accepted?
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.
What is the cost of the program?
Information about cost for UNE’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program can be found at www.une.edu/sfs/undergraduate/costs.
Is financial aid available for this program?
Absolutely. Students who are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program may qualify for a merit award and are encouraged to submit the FAFSA form for additional funds. Learn more about our financial aid office or call (207) 602-2342 for more information.
If I am accepted, what will I need to complete before starting the program?
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 in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Information about this will be sent to you when you make your decision to attend UNE.
Will I have accommodations for a disability at 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.
Is there campus housing? Will I need a car?
The University of New England Portland, Maine 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 for the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program may be during the day, evening, weekends, or nights. We do not guarantee clinical placements with classmates or roommates and therefore it is important that students maintain personal transportation or make specific arrangements as needed.
Can I work while doing the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program?
While UNE does 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 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. Classes and clinical times vary each semester and it is not possible to predict “free” time from semester to semester. The 12-month A.B.S.N. program requires class and clinical time that could significantly impact students’ time constraints throughout the program.
We strongly advise that students do not work outside of the program if at all possible.
What opportunities can I expect as a student in the A.B.S.N. Program?
- 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.
Accreditation
UNE’s Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Contact ACEN
3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Ga. 30326
(404) 975-5000
info@acenursing.org
www.acenursing.org
The program has also been approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing.
Apply Today
If you’d like to apply for this program, you should use the Centralized Application Service for Nursing Programs (NursingCAS).
Important Deadline Information
Each cohort is admitted for the summer semester, which begins in May, and will work together as a group throughout the program. The application process opens on September 15 of each year, and applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until April 15, or until a qualified class is filled.