If you’re considering our 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Ohio, you’re probably wondering what makes Xavier University known for nursing. We get it. Going back to school for nursing is a major life decision―and where you attend does matter. As you read through this post, you’ll discover six of the many reasons so many students choose our university for their nursing education.

1. Top-Ranking University

Based in Cincinnati, Xavier University, aside from being a university known for nursing, offers more than 90 majors and 60 minors across four colleges. It consistently ranks among the nation’s best universities. In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked our university #5 on its list of best colleges in the Midwest.

2. Jesuit Education Philosophy

Founded in 1831, Xavier University is the fourth oldest Jesuit-based higher learning institution in the United States. We’re also one of only 27 institutions in the country to be part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU).

Rooted in the liberal arts tradition, a Jesuit education aims to develop competent, compassionate leaders who strive to build a better world. It’s a teaching philosophy that emphasizes academic excellence, ethical living, service to others, and social justice.

Every Jesuit Catholic school adapts this teaching philosophy so that it aligns with the institution’s overarching mission. At Xavier, we emphasize cura personalis—the Jesuit value that focuses on caring for the whole person. This means we prepare our students at the intellectual, moral, and spiritual levels.

And you don’t have to be Catholic to attend our university. Our doors are open to anyone who desires knowledge in the service of others and has a willingness to always do more.

Holistic Approach to Nursing

Now that you have an understanding of our Jesuit education philosophy, you’re probably wondering how it ties into our nursing curriculum. As a student in our 16-month ABSN program, you’ll learn core nursing skills and discover how illness can impact patients from a physical, psychological, social, cultural, and religious perspective.

Furthermore, you’ll learn how self-care, self-responsibility, and self-reflection have a significant impact on your job performance and overall career satisfaction. After all, when nurses have the right work-life balance, they’re able to provide the best possible patient care.

It’s also worth noting that our programs, BSN, ABSN, MIDAS, and MSN programs, are among the select few in the country to have the endorsement of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation. This means that Xavier nursing graduates are automatically eligible to take the Holistic Certification Exam after passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®). Nursing graduates of non-endorsed schools must pass the NCLEX-RN and actively practice as a holistic nurse before they can pursue certification.

3. Admissions Process

Another unique aspect of Xavier that makes it a great place to take part in an ABSN program is our admissions process. We make it incredibly easy to apply to our program, from the help offered by our admission counselors to our three start dates per year. And because of the way our program is designed you won’t have to worry about getting waitlisted.

Straightforward Admissions

Applying to nursing school doesn’t have to be complicated, and our admission counselors can prove it. By choosing our ABSN program, you’ll work closely with your assigned counselor who will provide you with personalized support throughout the admissions process. This individual will connect with you regularly to make sure your application is moving along smoothly and will be readily available to address any questions or concerns you have.

To begin our ABSN admission process, you need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher learning institution, along with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7.

When it comes to the four prerequisite courses, you must earn a B in Microbiology, a B in Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and a C in Statistics (you may only have one retake in the sciences and one for Statistics). You can complete these courses online through our university.

Greater Enrollment Capacity

While registered nurses are in high demand across the country, it’s common for nursing schools to turn away thousands of qualified applicants annually. These schools are struggling to find the necessary resources to expand their class sizes. This isn’t the case for Xavier. We are the only university in Ohio to have three ABSN program locations (Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus), with each one offering three start dates a year. This means that we have seats available now, so you don’t have to worry about being waitlisted and putting off your dream.

Quick Admission Decision

We admit students into our ABSN program on a rolling basis, which means we review applications as they come in rather than waiting for the submission deadline to pass. This approach lets us provide you with an admission decision within a few weeks of applying. It also means that the earlier you submit your application, the better your chances of getting a spot in your preferred term.

4. Accelerated Learning Path

As a full-time Xavier ABSN student, you’ll complete a rigorous blend of online courses, hands-on nursing labs, and in-person clinical rotations in various areas of nursing practice. And together, these learning components will give you the academic foundation and clinical preparedness required to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam and enter the profession with confidence.

Online Course Convenience

While assignment deadlines still apply, our online ABSN courses bring some flexibility and convenience to the rigors of nursing school. Because there’s no specific classroom schedule for this portion of the curriculum, you can learn the fundamentals and theories of nursing whenever it best fits into your daily routine. Overall, these online nursing courses set the foundation for the hands-on skills you’ll develop at our ABSN Learning Center and local health care facilities.

Hands-On Skills Practice

As an ABSN student, you’ll attend nursing skills and simulation labs at your designated ABSN Learning Center almost every week. Outfitted with real hospital equipment and advanced patient simulation technology, our nursing labs provide a realistic backdrop for you to develop your core clinical skills and problem-solving abilities without the fear of harming an actual patient.

Real-World Clinical Experience

We provide some of the best clinical placements of any nursing school in Ohio, as we have a strong, expansive network of health care partners in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. While we can’t guarantee placement at a specific health care facility, we will ensure that you receive a quality experience that promotes your learning and growth.

Your clinical rotations start during the first semester. Often, you’ll take what you learned in lab and apply it in a real-world setting shortly thereafter. These settings include hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics. Clinicals are active learning environments where you and members of your cohort perform tasks a nurse would typically do in a given situation.

5. Learning Support

While Xavier University is known for nursing, we’re also known for the high level of support our students have as they go through our rigorous ABSN program.

Supportive Faculty

From the first to the last day of class, our nursing faculty make it their mission to see you through your goal of becoming a nurse. After all, to graduate as a practice-ready nurse, it’s important to learn from instructors who not only implement effective teaching strategies but also provide high levels of support.

While in the program, you also have access to an academic success coach who serves as a student advocate. This individual can connect you with a variety of resources to enhance your overall nursing school experience.

Close Cohorts

Given our ABSN program is a second-degree option for students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our cohorts represent a good mix of recent college graduates and career changers.

While our ABSN students come from different fields of study, they all share the same goal, which is to work hard and accelerate their nursing career. Sarah B., a 2018 ABSN graduate, said she learned a lot from her peers who came from different educational backgrounds. “There’s a lot of value in having a diverse group of people contributing to the conversation,” she said.

6. Professional Readiness

Our nursing graduates are well-respected in the health care community. Xavier nursing alumni are seen as knowledgeable, professional, and ethical. Not to mention, they enter the workforce prepared to meet the current and future challenges of an ever-evolving health care system.

NCLEX Preparation

Before entering the profession, every nursing school graduate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination to get their nursing license.

The NCLEX is unlike any test you’ve taken before. It features complex multiple-choice questions where all the answers are correct, and you must choose the most correct one. It’s also not an exam you can start studying for a few weeks in advance. NCLEX preparation begins on your first day of nursing school and ends when you pass the exam.

At Xavier, we teach and continuously reinforce the type of nursing content presented during the NCLEX. You also have access to what’s called the ATI nursing education platform. It’s an online resource that features several study tools to help deepen your understanding of the curriculum. These features include tutorials, e-books, simulations, and an NCLEX test prep service.

Nursing Employment in Ohio

Once you’re a registered nurse, you can seek employment pretty much anywhere there’s a need for patient care. While hospitals remain the most prominent employer of nurses, you can choose to work in any number of inpatient and outpatient settings, from private practices to nursing homes to schools.

Health care is a major economic driving force throughout the state, as the Ohio Department of Development recognizes several health care facilities as some of the largest employers in Ohio. And because Xavier University is known for nursing, you will find that many employers are happy to hire Xavier graduates, as they know our nurses have been well-trained.

Ready or Not?

Now that you know all the different reasons Xavier University is known for nursing, the next step is to contact our admission team to get all of your questions answered about our 16-month ABSN program in Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Columbus.