Frequently Asked Questions

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree.

No, students interested in pursuing a degree in nursing should complete the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University application to be considered for admission to the nursing program.

All applications are expected to be completed online. This specific online link is for the BSN application may be submitted by pre-licensure students only.

For the ABSN track, applicants are encouraged to speak with an enrollment counselor before completing the application.

Applications documents are kept on file for two years. Reactivation applicants need to complete a new application and provide admissions with their updated transcripts, as well as any new information to meet criteria for admissions. You are only allowed to reactivate complete applications.  

• Completed GBCN of Mercer application.
• $50 online application fee (made by check or money order) made payable to the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University.
• Official transcripts from any college, university or technical college ever attended. Documents can be mailed to Nursing Admissions, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341 or sent by email. Documents must be postmarked by the admission deadline.
• Essay
• Resume
• Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) score report (for pre-licensure applicants only).

International applicants can find more information here.

Yes, GBCN requires pre-licensure applicants sit for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), which is a nationally normed exam that assesses the applicant’s readiness for enrollment in an entry-level nursing degree program. For testing dates and locations please, visit the ATI Testing site.

Click here to see deadlines for all programs.

The BSN degree program has three tracks.  The earliest timelines for completion is as follows:

• Traditional BSN Track – four semesters.  Students enter fall semester (junior year) and complete coursework with traditional college classroom and clinical environments.
• Second Degree Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Track – three continuous semesters, which offers the student the option to enter any semester and complete coursework in an online module content (no classroom); examinations, labs, and clinical are in person.
  • Applicants must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (in addition to meeting other admission criteria) to be considered for this pathway.
  • Clinical and labs require presence
• RN-BSN Completion Track – three continuous semesters with classes online
  • This is the only track offering a part-time option, which lengthens the program to five semesters or longer.
  • Clinical experience requires presence

Yes! While our traditional BSN is four semesters, if you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, our 3-semester 12-month Accelerated BSN track in Atlanta could be your fast-track to a future in nursing.

• The completion of the prerequisites for the program.
• A cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher (this includes all coursework that has been attempted except for health, PE, orientation and learning support courses).
• A transfer GPA of a 3.0 or higher (this includes courses that will transfer into the nursing program).
• A science GPA of a 3.0 or higher (this includes transferable science courses, such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II and Microbiology).
• Quality of the admissions essay.
• Community service and work experience.
• TEAS score (for pre-licensure students).
• TOEFL scores and international transcript evaluation (as applicable)

*Applicants may be considered for admission if they do not have the minimum 3.0 GPA or the minimum TEAS composite score (76%) on a case-by-case basis.

• Anatomy & Physiology I (lecture and lab), 4 hours
• Anatomy & Physiology II (lecture and lab), 4 hours
• Pathophysiology, 3 hours
• English Composition I, 3 hours
• English Composition II, 3 hours
• Introduction to Psychology, 3 hours
• Political Science or Economics, 3 hours
• Introduction to Sociology or Anthropology, 3 hours
• Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology, 3 hours
• Statistics, 3 hours
• Cultural Appreciation, 3 hours
• Fundamentals of Microbiology (lecture and lab), 4 hours
• Nutrition, 3 hours
• General Education Elective, 3 hours
• Speech or Communications, 3 hours
• Fine Arts/Humanities Elective, 3 hours
• Philosophy or Ethics, 3 hours
• Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan, 3 hours
• Religion or other elective, 3 hours

The pre-requisites for the RN-BSN track and ABSN program are different.

Admission to the nursing program is competitive, and students are not guaranteed admission based on the GPAs. The GPAs listed below are reflective of GPAs which are often competitive. However, there is no guarantee that meeting/exceeding these GPAs will result in admission to the program.

• Overall GPA: 3.27
• Transfer GPA: 3.42
• Science GPA: 3.39

Prelicensure BSN Track students should be prepared to enter a full-time program with the majority of the courses and clinical experiences taking place during the weekdays. There is no part-time program for prelicensure students. RN-BSN Completion Track students complete all coursework asynchronously online.

The only undergraduate students who can enter the BSN degree program during the summer are Registered Nurses (RNs) who are seeking a BSN degree  (RN-BSN track) and those in the second degree accelerated BSN (ABSN) track.

No.

No, credit is not awarded for employment as a certified nursing assistant (CNA or equivalent), medical assistant, surgical technician, LPN or other role. RNs with diploma credit could be awarded escrow credit for diploma courses. The only credit considered for transfer credit must be earned at an accredited college or university, and the course must be applicable towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

The Admissions Office reviews transcripts and determines if coursework from a previous degree is acceptable for transfer into the nursing program. It is very rare to receive approval for transfer credit of nursing coursework from another institution. Students accepted to any track for the BSN (traditional, accelerated, RN-BSN) will have their transcripts closely evaluated. Applicants to our ABSN track must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the program.

Click here to find an information session in the program of your interest.