The University of St. Thomas Houston has taken a bold step in an effort to help alleviate the nursing demand, specifically in Texas, and the wait time nursing school applicants experience while trying to get started on a bachelor of science in nursing degree. That step? Expanding UST’s prestigious nursing programs to include a 12-month, Second-Degree Accelerated BSN program in Houston.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and you are ready to begin a rewarding career as a nurse, here is how ABSN@UST can help make it happen for you.
How Our Accelerated BSN Program Works
UST’s new Accelerated BSN Program in Houston fast-tracks your nursing education through a unique blended learning experience that includes online coursework, in-person skills & simulation labs at a state-of-the-art nursing facility and diverse clinical rotations inside Houston’s most respected hospitals.
This hybrid format allows you to gain the knowledge and experience you need to graduate a confident, practice-ready nurse in as few as 12 months.
Online Coursework
Online courses allow students to have some flexibility in terms of when and where they study. Instead of having to show up for a scheduled lecture inside a traditional classroom setting, UST’s ABSN students will be able to login, study and complete assignments wherever they want to study.
While students still have to adhere to the deadlines set by UST ABSN instructors, they can complete their online work on a timetable that works best for their lifestyle.
Hands-on Labs
The accelerated nursing program is not ALL online. The student will put what they learn online into practice at our site in Houston. UST’s ABSN site is a state-of-the-art facility where students will take exams, practice nursing skills and partake in simulated scenarios inside a safe, hospital-like setting under the guidance of UST’s expert nursing instructors.
Clinical Rotations
To round out UST’s Accelerated BSN program’s comprehensive learning model, students will be able to put the knowledge they gain online and in labs into real-world practice inside top hospitals around the Houston metro area. Clinical experiences start during the first semester and provide ABSN students the opportunity to work with actual patients in a variety of settings.
Admissions Requirements
While it is a second-degree program, you will need more than a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to be eligible to apply to UST’s Accelerated BSN program in Houston. In addition to a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, you must:
- Complete the prerequisites for the program prior to enrollment.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (including a 3.0 GPA for all science courses).
- Complete the interview process.
- Earn a score of 80 or higher on the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment exam.
Why Enroll in ABSN@UST?
Finding the right accelerated nursing program is not just about access and timeframe - it is about finding the right fit for you and making sure you will be earning a quality degree. Fortunately for you, UST’s ABSN program provides students so many benefits, including a robust history of developing high-quality nurses.
Quality Education
The University of St. Thomas is known for providing students with an accredited, high-quality education. UST maintains accreditation status at the university and nursing school levels so students will gain an education and BSN degree that meets the strict academic standards set forth by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
UST ranks among the top 20 Regional Universities in the West U.S. News & World Report 2020.
History of Excellence
Established in 1947 by the Basilian fathers, the University of St. Thomas developed a curriculum that develops intellectual growth through diverse educational opportunities. The University’s undergraduate and graduate programs are rooted in the fearless pursuit of knowledge which is why UST offers more than 35 undergraduate majors and more than 20 graduate programs in which students can excel.
When it comes to nursing education, the Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing strives for national recognition for its holistic nursing education allowing students to learn how to take care of the whole patient - mind, body and spirit, and become part of a holistic healing ministry that can serve the community.
Diverse, Collaborative Culture
The University of St. Thomas in Houston prides itself as a diverse, collaborative community and encourages engagement in this inclusive culture through education that helps students to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally and lead ethically.
Although UST prides itself as a Catholic University, the University thrives in diversity among the student body. The University of St. Thomas welcomes and embraces undergraduate and graduate students of all faiths and no faith.
The Nursing Demand in Houston
Houston is a great place to become a nurse through UST’s Accelerated BSN program because it is known as one of the best medical communities in the world. That is mainly due to the fact the city is home to the Texas Medical Center (TMC) which is the largest medical complex in the world and helps takes care of 4.8 million patients every year.
Despite this impressive medical community, the nursing shortage is still expected to hit Texas hard by 2030, which would make it the second-largest shortage in the country behind California. That is why programs like ABSN@UST are so important. The ABSN program will help fuel a quality pipeline of career-ready nurses, ready to help spread their knowledge of holistic healthcare to patients all over the Houston area.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have been called to become a nurse, now is the time to be bold and put your dream into action. If you’re ready to put your non-nursing bachelor’s degree toward a future in nursing, there is no better time or pathway than ABSN@UST. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our Accelerated BSN program in Houston and get started on your path.