Accelerated Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
Program Overview
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABS) Nursing program is a fast-track RN to BS completion program now available at additional two Penn State School of Nursing campus sites—Erie and Worthington/Scranton. A three year, $943,818, continuance grants received by Dr. Raymonde A. Brown from the U.S Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) facilitated the expansion of the program in July, 2011. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the number of baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses (BS-RNs) in rural underserved areas of Pennsylvania (PA) with a special emphasis on creating a nursing workforce better prepared to assume the direct care of this vulnerable patient population.
The current nursing shortage differs from those of the past, and will take collaborative and visionary efforts to address the varied issues and to be more than a short-term fix. The interrelationship of many factors makes the solution to the nursing shortage especially challenging and merely increasing the number of nurses will not completely solve today’s health care crisis. There is concern that access to quality healthcare may be compromised by the mix of diploma (DIP), Associate Degree (AD) and Bachelor of Science (BS) prepared nurses. AD education is the most commonly reported nursing education of RNs in the US, representing 45% of nurses versus 34% BS education and 20% DIP education (2008 National Sample Survey of RN).
The ABS program enables associate degree-prepared registered nurses to obtain a baccalaureate degree in one year—less than half the time it usually takes to complete a typical RN to BS completion program.
Program Goals
Overall, ABS Program goal:
Impact the health profession workforce composition by increasing the number of BS-RNs, which will ultimately impact the quality of care for rural PA.
Healthy People 2010 Goal 1:
Increase quality and years of healthy life (BS prepared nurses have been linked to quality care, decrease in mortality, and a survival advantage).
In 2010, both the Tri-Council for Nursing and IOM Future of Nursing report recommends that at least 80% of RNs possess a BS by 2020 to support a more highly educated workforce that will address quality and safety across healthcare settings. Currently, only 43% of the nursing workforce possesses a BS or higher degree (AACN, 2005) and only 16% of AS nurses pursue a BS degree.
Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr) Goals(1 and 3):
Eliminate Health Barriers: Assure the appropriate supply, diversity, composition and distribution of the health professions workforce.
Assure the quality of care: Improve the knowledge, skills, competencies and outcomes of health professions workforce.
About the Program Curriculum:
The program curriculum is designed so that students spend only one day per week on campus and all course work is completed in three semesters, which allows those individuals who are limited by location and/or employment a greater opportunity to participate in the program. The cornerstone of the ABS curriculum is providing a quality BS completion program in a format that is time efficient.
The compressed curriculum design incorporates a hybrid of in-class, web-enhanced, and online courses over 7 week sessions. Each student will have a plan of study developed and will have access to a variety of support and retention activities designed to insure their success, including an assignment of a mentor, computer support, tutoring and writing center services, access to Penn State’s course management system (ANGEL)and extensive library collection, and online or in-person access to Project staff and faculty.
Sample Course Sequencing |
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First 7.5 Weeks |
Second 7.5 Weeks |
Spring |
Nurs 357 |
Nurs 465 |
Nurs 390 |
Nurs Elective |
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Eng 202A |
Psych 200 |
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Summer |
Nurs 200W |
Nurs 417 |
Nurs 251 |
Nurs Elec |
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Nutr 251 |
CAS 100 |
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Fall |
Nurs 475 |
Nurs 475 |
Nurs Elec |
Nurs Elec |
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Art |
Hum |
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Benefits of Obtaining a BS:
Historically, bachelor's-prepared nurses demonstrate stronger professional-level skills such as communication, critical-thinking, problem-solving, leadership, professional integration and research/evaluation.
Employment opportunities
Hospitals preparing for Magnet statue employ a larger proportion of BS-RNs
Higher pay grades in some institutions (e.g.VA system pays BS higher pay scale)
Advanced education
BS required for admission to graduate level programs
Career advancement
Management opportunities (e.g. many institutions require BS)
Clinical specialty positions (e.g. critical care, life flight nursing)
Career ladder opportunities (e.g. VA system encourages AD to pursue BS)
Program Staff
Dr. Jo Anne Carrick, D.Ed, CNE, Assistant Professor, Campus Coordinator for Nursing Programs, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College jam39@psu.edu
Nick Miehl, MS, RN, CNE, ABS Recruitment and Retention Advisor, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College njm19@psu.edu