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Dedicated to Patient-Centered Care

´óÏó´«Ã½ Charlotte’s cohort-based accelerated Nursing bachelor of science (ABSN) degree program is tailored for career changers looking to make a difference in Mecklenburg County and beyond.

The 4-semester curriculum balances classroom learning (hybrid in the last two semesters) with clinical experiences across a range of practice settings, from large hospitals to smaller clinics and outpatient units. The clinical sequence begins with Foundations of Nursing Practice and advances to Care of the Adult I and Mental Health Nursing. The final practicum course, Care of the Adult II, marks the transition of practice from nursing student to novice professional nurse. 

Becoming a nurse is about more than knowing how to take blood pressure readings or conduct intake interviews. ´óÏó´«Ã½’s program is structured to help students develop their critical thinking skills, clinical judgment and leadership — crucial traits for delivering patient-centered healthcare.

“Each semester in the ABSN program classroom content is aligned with clinical experiences. We incorporate simulation experiences to enhance students’ confidence and knowledge in patient care,” notes Associate Professor Dana Mangum.

Pairing Coursework and Clinicals

´óÏó´«Ã½ Charlotte’s Simulation Lab is a space to learn and practice the methods to deliver safe and efficient patient care. The next step is participating in clinical practicum opportunities. ´óÏó´«Ã½’s program offers a sequence of 7 course-and-clinical pairings to build real-world skills.

Clinical placements take place at a range of organizations, from large hospital systems like Atrium Health or Novant to smaller outpatient or inpatient clinics.

For the traditional basic clinical cohort, a maximum of 8 students are assigned to a clinical site, which they go to at the same time each week. They are overseen by a clinical instructor, who makes sure they provide safe care and perform work within their scope of practice. Working with the nurses on the unit, students perform some tasks on their own, such as assessing patients and providing basic care.