2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Accelerated BSN Program (pre-licensure)
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 Return to: College of Health Sciences
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program option is designed for students with an earned bachelor’s degree or higher in another field of study desiring to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This option allows qualifying students to earn a BSN degree in 16 months. The ABSN program option requires 128 credit hours for degree conferral, and consists of 62 credit hours of nursing-specific courses.
Graduates of Lipscomb’s Accelerated BSN program are prepared to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam. Licensure is required for clinical practice.
Accreditation and Approval
The Baccalaureate nursing program at Lipscomb University located in Nashville, TN is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
P: (404) 975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
The Accelerated BSN program option has full approval status from the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON).
Costs
Please visit https://www.lipscomb.edu/nursing for more information.
Accelerated BSN End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Lipscomb University’s Accelerated BSN program will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge from nursing, liberal arts, natural and social sciences into the practice of professional nursing
2. Provide holistic, evidenced-based, person-focused care to diverse populations across the lifespan in a variety of contexts
3. Collaborate with individuals, families and communities utilizing teaching and learning principles to promote, maintain and restore health
4. Evaluate evidence to integrate into nursing practice
5. Implement principles of quality and safety for both the care provider(s) and care recipient(s)
6. Communicate and collaborate with members of the healthcare team, consumers, & stakeholders to optimize the delivery of healthcare and utilization of resources within complex systems
7. Utilize information technology to guide decisions & communicate data to support clinical judgment
8. Develop a professional nursing identity that reflects Lipscomb School of Nursing core values and the Christian faith
9. Participate in activities that support resilience, nursing expertise, & the development of leadership abilities
Functional Abilities for Nursing Practice
Delivering care as a registered nurse requires many competencies, such as the functional abilities listed below. These functional abilities align with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials Domains.
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Aligned ACCN Domain(s) |
Rationale for Professional Readiness |
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Sensory: See, hear, touch, smell, distinguish colors
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Domain 2: Person-Centered Care
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Essential for accurate physical assessment and recognizing subtle changes in patient status to ensure safety
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Communication: Speak and write with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency
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Domain 6: Interprofessional Partnerships
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Critical for collaborative care, reducing medical errors, and advocating for patient needs within a healthcare team
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Motor: Manual dexterity, gross and fine movements
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Domain 5: Quality and Safety
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Necessary for the safe administration of medications and the precise execution of clinical procedures
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Cognitive: Learn, think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems, and reach judgement.
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Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing
Domain 4: Scholarship
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The foundation of clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice required for complex decision-making
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Behavioral: Emotional stability, responsibility, and accountability
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Domain 9: Professionalism
Domain 10: Personal/Leadership Development
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Ensures the delivery of compassionate care and the ability to lead in high-stress environments |
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the Accelerated BSN program must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited college/university
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale (based on the earned bachelor’s degree)
- “C” or higher average in the following prerequisite courses:
- Mathematics (3 credit hours)
- Social Sciences (3 credit hours)
- “B” or higher average in the following three prerequisite science courses:
- Introduction to Microbiology (4 credit hours, including lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology I (4 credit hours, including lab)
- Anatomy & Physiology II (4 credit hours, including lab)
- Chemistry for Health Sciences or General Chemistry* (recommended, not required)
- Submitted Accelerated BSN Program Application
* Transfer credit is evaluated on a course-by-course basis.
Additional Nursing Requirements
Before beginning the Accelerated BSN curriculum-and at the start of each subsequent academic year-students must provide documentation of:
- Required immunizations/titers (see the Traditional BSN Nursing Student Handbook for details)
- A clear criminal background check and negative drug screen, as required by clinical agencies
Students must also:
- Meet eligibility requirements for RN licensure in Tennessee
- Earn a 76% exam average or higher in all nursing courses (unless otherwise stated in the BSN Nursing Student Handbook)
- Earn a 76% course average or higher to remain in good academic standing and progress in the program
To earn a BSN degree from Lipscomb University, students must successfully complete all required coursework for the ABSN program (62 credit hours + prior-earned baccalaureate credit), totaling 128 credit hours.
Licensure
After successful completion of the prescribed curriculum, the Accelerated BSN student is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Licensure is required to deliver patient care as a Registered Nurse (RN).
CoursesAccelerated BSN Nursing CoursesOther Courses
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