New Accelerated B.S. in Nursing Program Announced

Wittenberg is pleased to announce that its new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program has received approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing and that the program is now actively recruiting for the spring 2025 semester.

Designed with flexibility in mind, this fully online program empowers individuals who are seeking a career change to become nurses with a rigorous education and hands-on training to excel in today's healthcare landscape. This second-degree ABSN program is 63 credits and is designed to be completed in 16 months.

"What we normally teach in three years is done in 16 months for this program," said Marie Bashaw, professor and director of nursing at Wittenberg. "It will be taught for 16-straight months from January to May and follow the degree progression building on previous courses. It will align with the current clinicals that are already in place here at Wittenberg. Enrollment is beginning for January of 2025, and we anticipate a strong enrollment for this program."

The ABSN program is for individuals who have a non-nursing baccalaureate or higher degree. Wittenberg's Department of Nursing values previous life experience and recognizes the educational backgrounds these students will bring with them from their first-earned college degree. Students admitted to the program will have earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree and completed four ABSN prerequisite courses (anatomy and physiology, statistics, microbiology, and chemistry) as a condition of enrollment.

As students apply for this new program, they can get their pre-requisites in before they even start the new program, which was developed to cater to the busy schedules of aspiring nurses.

"Offering a blend of interactive online coursework and hands-on clinical experiences, this program allows students to pursue their nursing education without compromising their current commitments," Bashaw added. "With asynchronous learning modules, students can study at their own pace and engage with course materials when it suits them best, whether that's early morning or late at night. This flexibility enables individuals to balance their professional, personal, and academic responsibilities while working toward their goal of becoming skilled, compassionate nurses."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment projections for registered nurses is expected to grow six percent from now until 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 193,100 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, over the next decade.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Wittenberg is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), a nationally recognized accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. CCNE has granted accreditation to the baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Wittenberg for 10 years, extending to December 31, 2031.

The nursing program's mission, guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials (2021), is to prepare students with a liberal arts education for baccalaureate generalist nursing practice, and to provide a foundation for graduate education.

"Wittenberg's nursing faculty are committed to nurturing a supportive learning environment where students can thrive academically and personally," Bashaw said. "By fostering strong relationships and sharing their enthusiasm for the nursing profession, Wittenberg's faculty inspire and empower students to excel and make meaningful contributions to healthcare."

For more information or how to apply, click here.