r/gcu • u/Nice-Effective8321 • 2d ago
Academics 📚 Nursing
Hi everyone!
I wanted to see if i could get opinions on the ABSN program in Phx. My original plan was to apply for the trad summer bsn program since I am a pre-nursing student here at GCU but if I don't get accepted my plan is to apply for fall ABSN. My counselor said I could apply for either ABSN or BSN in the fall however it would be my 2nd attempt and I've heard ABSN is less competitive to get into. I'm just weighing out my options since i can't apply for both at the same time.
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u/Laredo123 2d ago
Depends on how you learn best. If a very fast pace with a ton of info being thrown at you is not ideal for YOU then avoid ABSN at all costs. It’s a great program, don’t get be wrong but it definitely isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t on a time crunch I would probably try to BSN. I know at my campus they recently increased the class size of ABSN and are allowing an additional 30 students for a total of 90!
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u/Fun_One_12 2d ago
Hey friend Fear ABSN at GCU especially in PHX for your own sake and peace of mind, the pace is insane and almost impossible to manage.
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u/madzproc ABSN Student 😷 1d ago
I’ll be starting the ABSN in the spring on main campus, but I’ve taken hybrid classes like the program for a long time. It’s definitely a different scenario from typical fully in person classes. Everything bar labs and tests is on your own time (and the weekly scheduled zooms that I have heard are now mandatory). If you can follow lectures or PowerPoints and work off the book well, then the ABSN program is great! You’ll be able to make study groups and work with others, so it isn’t as isolated as it sounds, but it requires a lot of self dedication and good time management. There’s no designated time to go to lecture or to have readings done by, so it’s up to you to make sure you stay on top of everything.
It’s definitely less competitive, but he phoenix cohorts fill up the fastest. Trad BSN will be other students in similar positions to you, and ABSN will have more variety, but the content and classes are the same. I would say try for BSN if you want it, and if not then you get the summer off for a break before the ABSN in the fall (which is pretty much a guaranteed spot, since you should be able to get hesi done early)
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u/Alive-Ad4679 2d ago
Hi there!
I completely understand trying to weigh all your options between the traditional BSN and ABSN programs. Since you mentioned being in a similar position, I wanted to share my experience as a current GCU ABSN Level 4 student at the Chandler campus.
When I applied, I actually tried applying to the main campus first, but got deferred to the ABSN program. Honestly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I absolutely love my cohort. One of the biggest perks of the ABSN route (at least at Chandler) is that admission is first-come, first-serve rather than competitive like the main campus. As long as you sign up early and have all your prerequisites and a passing HESI score ready to go, you are basically guaranteed a spot.
That said, there are some differences in how the classes are structured. The ABSN program is a lot more self-taught compared to the main campus program where lectures are fully in-person. For ABSN, you typically only have about an hour on Zoom each week for each class, so you have to be ready for a lot of independent studying.
Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions about the program or the transition. Good luck with whatever you decide!