Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

ELIGIBILITY

• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Grade of “C-“ or better in all prerequisite courses required for the major in Nursing.
• Applicants must have a previously earned non-nursing baccalaureate and/or graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university and have completed all departmental and core requirements prior to the intended start term.
• Three of the following science courses must be complete by the application deadline and all four must be complete by the program start date: Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I), Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology, Chemistry. All four science courses must include a lab component.
• Other prerequisites may be in progress at the time of application but all must be completed by the start of the program for those admitted.
• Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful completion of a drug screening and a criminal background check. For a complete list of Disqualifying Offenses, click here.
• Eligibility for all BSN programs is pending the successful completion of the Essential Functions and Safety Forms. For a complete list of Essential Functions, click here.
• Applicants must have the ability to meet all the requirements for licensure and the physical, psychological and emotional standards established by the Colorado Nurse Practice Act and the State Board of Nursing.
• A complete health history and physical examination record indicating that the student is physically able to meet the objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, and is appropriately immunized is required upon admission to the program.
• Applicants must have the ability to complete the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for health care professionals certification.
• If English is not your native/first language, you must meet the following language proficiency requirement:
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Internet-based: Minimum score of 82 (24 Writing, 20 Speaking, 22 Reading, 16 Listening) on the TOEFL.
  • TOEFL – Computer-based: Minimum score of 213
  • Regis University's TOEFL code is 4656.

RANKING

The Accelerated BSN program has a competitive admissions process where students are selected based on a number of factors including cumulative GPA, science GPA, current resume, two recommendation forms, personal statement, and previous health care and/or volunteer experience. Academic performance is weighted more heavily than the other criteria.

Accepted students generally have cumulative and science GPAs above 3.0. The most recent starting class had an average GPA of 3.5.

Accelerated BSN applicants who appear best qualified for the program will receive a written invitation for a faculty interview. All applicants will be notified in writing regarding interview status.

• Applications must be submitted by the appropriate deadline. The application deadlines are June 15 each year for the following January term and September 15 for the following May term. To allow for timely processing, it is recommended that the NursingCAS application and all supporting materials (transcripts and letters of reference) be submitted to NursingCAS at least 5-6 weeks prior to the application deadline. However, an application will be reviewed as long as all documents are received by NursingCAS by the specified application deadline.
• ATTENTION REAPPLICANTS: All prospective students who are reapplying must use their existing NursingCAS account. NursingCAS allows applicants to roll their previous application forward and you are able to update most application documents. In order to roll your application forward you will need to select the new term designation and Regis University will require that you provide an updated personal statement, resume and third letter of recommendation from a new reference. If you have completed any coursework since you last submitted your application you must do an academic update and supply NursingCAS with the updated official transcript.
• Please note that interview decisions and acceptance to the program are made based on cumulative GPA, science GPA, two recommendations, a personal statement, and previous healthcare/volunteer experience. It is imperative that all of this information is included in detail within your NursingCAS application. Please note that items such as references and the personal statement/essay are not required fields within NursingCAS, but are required by Regis University and must be completed in order for an application to be considered complete. The below information and documents must be submitted and included in your NursingCAS application:
  1. Submit the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) application online at www.nursingcas.org .
  2. Submit two recommendation forms directly to NursingCAS. You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to have your evaluators send electronic letters of reference (eLORS) per the NursingCAS application. The recommendations must be from professional or academic sources.
  3. Submit a written personal statement in the space provided on the NursingCAS application. This personal statement is reviewed and scored and is a required component of Regis University’s application. You’ll need to write a brief statement, USING YOUR OWN WORDS, expressing your motivation or desire to become a Nurse. The NursingCAS application provides a space to enter your statement (2970 character count, this is about 495 words). Please follow the Instructions on NursingCAS carefully.
  4. Within the “Professional Experience” portion of the application include all relevant healthcare certifications, employment experience, and/or volunteer experience.
  5. Request official university and/or college transcripts to be sent directly to NursingCAS. Official transcripts should not to be sent directly to Regis University at the time of application. Only admitted applicants will be asked to submit official transcripts to Regis University. Arrange for NursingCAS to receive a separate official transcript from each regionally accredited U.S. university and/or college you attended. NursingCAS will not verify your application until all official transcripts and other required materials are received. See NursingCAS for Transcript Request Forms. NursingCAS will not accept student-issued transcripts or transcripts sent by an applicant.
• After the application deadline you will receive an electronic form from Regis University that will allow you to update the Admissions Committee on any recently completed coursework. Please fill out this form in a timely manner and return it to your Admission Counselor. You do not need to send updated transcripts to Regis at that time. The form will provide for the Admissions Committee any updated information related to coursework that have not been included in your NursingCAS application.

To participate in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, you must have a completed BA/BS degree and are required to complete the specific core studies and departmental requirements.  

The following courses are required prerequisites:

• Chemistry/Lab (4)*
• Microbiology/Lab (4)*
• Anatomy/Lab or A&P I/Lab (4)*+
• Physiology/Lab or A&P II/Lab (4)*+

*Three of the four science courses listed above must be complete by the application deadline.
+Students can take either Anatomy/Lab and Physiology/Lab as a sequence or A&P I/Lab and A&P II/Lab as a sequence to fulfill the prerequisite requirement.

• General Psychology (3)
• Developmental or Child Psychology (3)
• Nutrition (3)
• Sociology (3)
• Statistics (3)
• Philosophy (3)
• Religious Studies (6)
• Health Care Ethics (3)

Prerequisites may be taken at any regionally accredited institution. We highly recommend requesting an unofficial evaluation of your previous college/university coursework. If you would like an unofficial evaluation, please send a copy of your transcripts, including a cover letter with your name, address, phone number and program of interest, to the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Office of Admissions, 3333 Regis Blvd., Mail Code G-9, Denver, CO 80221. You may also fax your request to 303.964.5400 or email it to healthcare@regis.edu. Completed evaluations are sent via email within approximately two weeks of receipt.

We have created Transfer Guides that provide recommended course work from Colorado colleges to transfer to Regis University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program options. One course will fulfill one requirement only. Course requirements are subject to change without notice. For further information contact the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, Office of Marketing & Admissions at 303.458.4344.

How often does the Accelerated BSN program begin?
The program begins in January and May of each year. We do not offer a Fall start for the Accelerated BSN program.

What is the minimum GPA to apply?
Although the minimum GPA needed to apply is 2.5, the majority of students accepted to the Accelerated BSN program have well above the minimum.

Who is eligible to apply for the Accelerated BSN program?
This program is designed specifically for students with a previous non-nursing baccalaureate or higher degree. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required to apply. All applicants must have three of the four science prerequisites complete by the application deadline. All prerequisites, including the four science courses must be completed by the program start date for those admitted.

How long does it take to complete the program once I begin?
The Accelerated BSN program is 12 months. If you begin in January, you will graduate the following December. If you begin in May, you will graduate the following May.

Is your program accredited?
Regis University is regionally accredited by North Central Association (NCA). The Loretto Heights School of Nursing at Regis University is accredited by The American Association of Colleges of Nursing – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (AACN-CCNE). As of April 1, 2002, Regis University voluntarily chose to no longer use NLN as the accrediting body for our nursing programs. NLN is the primary accrediting body used by associate degree programs. In light of recent changes, baccalaureate and master level programs are moving toward AACN-CCNE as their primary accrediting body. AACN-CCNE supports collegiate professional education and therefore is in line with the level of education that Regis provides.

When is the application deadline?
Currently, a complete application must be submitted by June 15th for the following January start (Spring) and September 15th for the following May start (Summer). The Accelerated BSN program does not offer a Fall start. Only complete applications postmarked by these deadlines will be reviewed.

Do I apply directly to Regis?
All applicants must apply through Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS) system. NursingCAS offers prospective students a convenient way to apply to nursing programs offered at schools nationwide.

How can I learn more information about the program?
You can attend an information session to learn more about Regis University and the Accelerated BSN program. Information sessions take place at the main Denver Campus the second Tuesday of the month at noon and the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 P.M. You do not need to RSVP to attend these sessions.

How competitive is admission into the program? How many applications do you receive and how many do you accept?
We generally receive 250-350 applications for each term. We accept 48-52 students in the May start term and 78-82 students in the January start term. The final admissions decision is made by the School of Nursing's Student Affairs Committee and is based on a number of factors including cumulative GPA, science GPA, current resume, two recommendation forms, personal statement, and previous health care and/or volunteer experience.

Do my prerequisites have to be complete when I apply?
Three of the four science prerequisites must be complete by the application deadline. The science prerequisites include: Human Anatomy (or Human Anatomy & Physiology I), Human Physiology (or Human Anatomy & Physiology II), Microbiology, and Chemistry. All science prerequisites must include a lab component. All other prerequisites can be outstanding by the application deadline, but must be complete by the intended start date.

Can I work while attending this program?
The Accelerated BSN program is a full-time, intense, and challenging campus-based program. Even though we try to keep class and clinical hours between Monday and Friday, some of your clinical rotations will occasionally be held in the evenings and/or on the weekends. You are strongly discouraged from trying to maintain a job while enrolled in the program.

How many clinical hours will be completed in the course of this program?
You will complete 772 hours of clinical education during the program. The final 180 hours will be spent one-on-one with a clinical preceptor at a selected site.

Where are clinical rotations completed?
Clinical rotations are completed at a variety of hospital and health care facilities in the Denver metro area.

Where can I complete my prerequisites? Is it acceptable to complete these at a community college?
Prerequisite classes may be completed at any regionally accredited college or university. You may complete all prerequisites at a reginally accredited community college, with the exception of Health Care Ethics, which must be upper division. Click on Transfer Guides to view the classes we accept in transfer from local community colleges.

Where can I take Health Care Ethics?
Health Care Ethics is a required prerequisite for the Accelerated BSN program that must be taken prior to your intended start date. Health Care Ethics is offered at Regis University every eight weeks online. Upon acceptance, you will receive a registration form for this course, and you can take it the semester prior to your intended start. You may also choose to take this course at Regis University prior to your acceptance into the program. You should register for this course through your admissions counselor only. All transfer courses for Health Care Ethics must be reviewed individually and approved by the Dept of Health Care Ethics.

Does Regis offer Financial Aid to Accelerated BSN students?
Yes, and most ABSN students are taking financial aid in some form for their tuition/fees. Primarily, you will be offered “loans” as opposed to grants when seeking a second bachelor’s degree. You will be connected with your financial aid counselor upon acceptance to begin this process.

Do you prefer a specific major within my previous bachelor's degree?
No. Although health care experience is helpful to you as a nursing student, and we give credit for it in the application process – if you have a non-health care degree from a regionally accredited school and you complete your prerequisites prior to your start date – you are equally as eligible as any other applicant.

Do you require the GRE or any other admissions/pre-nursing exam with my application?
No.

Do you have a waitlist?
We do not offer a wait list for any of our BSN programs. Instead, each applicant pool is reviewed, and one group of students is accepted conditionally pending any outstanding prerequisites; a second group is considered as “alternates” for that specific start term, and the last group is denied acceptance for that start term. If you are an alternate or denied acceptance, you will have to reapply to be considered for the next start term. We then suggest contacting your admissions counselor to discuss how to improve your application for your next review.

Is campus housing available for Accelerated BSN students?
Students within the ABSN program typically live within 15-20 miles from campus – and are most often finding housing in the Highlands/Berkeley neighborhood. Once admitted to the program, the Office of Admissions works with incoming students to help those interested in getting connected with roommates. If you are interested in housing offered by Regis University, there is an off campus apartment building which is designed for Accelerated BSN, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Pharmacy students only. Check out Pomponio Village.

What does the typical schedule for an Accelerated BSN student look like?
The Accelerated BSN schedule includes three semesters. Each semester is split into three five-week sessions. Within each five-week session you will take two classes and one clinical rotation. You will be in class or clinical Monday - Friday, typically from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Although, your schedule can vary and clinical rotations and lab time can go into the evening or even be scheduled on the weekend. It's imperative that you are flexible and ready for a new schedule every five weeks.

What is the typical class size for the Accelerated BSN program?
Most often, classes include about 20 students. Lab courses are typically smaller.