Nursing students in class

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing

Bachelor of Science
  • 122 Credits
  • School of Nursing
  • Bronx

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Get on the fast track to becoming a nurse

Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Overview

Explore our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing B.S. See how you can redirect your career and make a difference.

You've studied hard and earned a degree, but are thinking about making a change in your career path. 

The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing is designed for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study and will help you earn a Nursing degree quickly.

The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ASDBS) is a pre-licensure nursing program for college graduates who want to become registered nurses (RN). Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. All prerequisites must be completed before applications are reviewed for this program.

Choose the program path that fits around your life. Take classes primarily held on weekdays with clinicals often held on weekends. Or enroll in our intensive weekend program with classes and clinicals on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

Nursing background

Explore our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing B.S. (ASDBS) Weekend Program

The weekend ASDBS program is an intensive weekend program. It is a pre-licensure program for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study.  The program consists of 5 semesters that you will complete over 18 months. Coursework and clinical will be completed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The first cohort will begin in the Fall of 2021.

Explore Our Full Curriculum Listing
Learn about nursing opportunities

Career Opportunities

Job growth for registered nurses is increasing faster than average, and evolving health care demands in the US promise continued growth. Students are prepared for work as nurses in community and hospital settings. 


How to Apply

Students are able to apply to the program by using the Mercy University Undergrad Application or Common App.

Application Deadlines

Spring Summer Fall  Fall Weekend
October 15 February 15 April 15 April 15

The Mercy Advantage

  • Relationship with leading hospitals
  • State-of-the-art simulation labs

Just listen and watch as students in our nursing program describe their education: personal, cutting edge, and preparing them for success!

IPE Simulation

Interprofessional Education in Simulation Labs

Students from various health professions work with a simulated patient (a student actor from the university) in one of the simulation labs.  These interprofessional experiences help students learn about other professions’ roles and responsibilities, values and ethics, and teamwork.  These simulated experiences prepare them for their real-world clinical experiences.

Nursing students engaged in an IPE experience

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15% Growth

Career Outcomes

Salary expected to rise 18% through 2026*


*Bureau of Labor Statistics
bill

$85K Salary

Average Pay

For nurses in the New York area
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18 Months

Program Completion

Complete the program in as little as 18 months

Want More Info?

We'd like to hear from you! Get more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students are able to apply with the Mercy College Undergrad Application or Common App (https://www.commonapp.org/school/mercy-college).

Students are not required to meet with anyone from admissions.

The ASDBS Program is intended for students pursing a second bachelor’s degree. Therefore, many of the federal and state need-based financial aid programs, such as Pell, are not available for ASDBS students. Mercy University does not offer merit scholarship for this program. Students may have the option to utilize federal student loans to help fund their education. Mercy has a much lower tuition rate than most private colleges so many students can self-fund by utilizing our payment plan or through support from their employer. We encourage you to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss your funding options. 

External funded scholarship opportunities:  

Contact Paul Reid at preid9@mercy.edu or (718) 678-8790.

Program Details & Curriculum

General Education Requirements: 51 Credits

Nursing Prerequisites: 13 Credits
(in transfer)
A&P with Lab/BIOL 131/131A
Chemistry or Genetics (note that only chemistry will be accepted for Fall 2023 and subsequent matriculation)
Human Development or Developmental Psychology
Microbiology/ BIOL 265

Lower Division Nursing43 Credits

Major Concentration
Upper Division Nursing
 15 Credits

Total 122 Credits

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.

 

Program Outcome I - Technology

  • Student will demonstrate proficiency with patient care technologies and information management systems to gather and manage data to communicate effectively with patients, families, health care professionals, and policy decision makers. [I, II, IV, V, VIII, IX]
  • Student will demonstrate skills in using patient care technologies, information systems, and communication skills, based on a foundation of the arts, sciences and humanities, that support patient outcomes and nursing practice.  [IV, VII, IX]

Program Outcome II - Research

  • Student will demonstrate a basic understanding of how evidence is developed including the research process, clinical judgment, interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences as applied to practice. [III, IV, VI, VII]

Program Outcome III - Leadership

  • Student will apply leadership concepts, skills, and decision making to the provision of nursing care and nursing practice in collaboration with organizations and communities. [II, VII, VIII, IX]
  • Student will demonstrate leadership and communication skills to participate in quality improvement initiatives with health care teams. [II, VI, VII] 

Program Outcome IV - Quality

  • Student will appraise principles of quality improvement, health care policy, and cost effectiveness to assist in the achievement of safe and quality outcomes of care for diverse populations. [II, V, VII, VIII]
  • B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.8 from an accredited institution
  • Anatomy &  physiology II with lab (4 credits)
  • Microbiology (3 credits)
  • Psychology or human development (3 credits)
  • Chemistry (note that only chemistry will be accepted for fall 2023 and subsequent matriculation) (3 credits)
  • Personal Statement
  • 1 professional reference

To be eligible, the above prerequisites must be completed with B - or better before the semester application deadline.  

Applicants with international education are required to have their earned credits evaluated by NACES to be comparable to United States standards. 

Application Deadline

Spring Summer Fall  Fall Weekend
October 27 February 15 April 15 April 15

Enrollment Deposit Cost

Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Fall Weekend 2023
$250 $500 $500 $500

Enrollment Deposit Submission Deadline

Spring Summer Fall Fall Weekend
November 5 March 5 May 5 May 5

Refund Deadline

Spring Summer Fall Fall Weekend
November 5 March 5 May 5 May 5

Current tuition and registration fees equal $10,367 per term. There is an additional Nursing Program Fee of $1,500 per term, bringing the total per-term cost to $$11,867. As this is a five-term program, the current average cost for the entire program would be approximately $59,335. Tuition and fees may increase prior to the start of any summer term.  

2023 ASDBS NCLEX Pass Rate: 81%

Full-Time Faculty

Part-Time Faculty

Faculty Emeritae/i