Mercy College

What you'll study

This accelerated bachelor programme combines core nursing theory with extensive hands‑on clinical experience to prepare students for entry to professional practice. The curriculum typically covers adult and gerontological nursing, maternal‑child health, paediatric nursing, mental health nursing, community and public health, pharmacology, health assessment, pathophysiology and complex care management.

Students spend substantial time in clinical placements across a range of settings — acute medical and surgical wards, intensive care, emergency departments, community clinics and long‑term care — and in high‑fidelity simulation suites. Coursework emphasises evidence‑based practice, clinical decision‑making, interprofessional teamwork, professional ethics and leadership. Assessment methods include practical skills assessments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), written assignments and supervised clinical evaluations.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a prior bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a non‑nursing subject. Typical academic expectations include a solid undergraduate GPA and completion of specified prerequisite science courses such as human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general or organic chemistry, and introductory statistics or psychology; these prerequisites must usually be completed before or at the point of entry.

Other common requirements include:

• Transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended
• A personal statement outlining motivation for nursing and suitability for an accelerated programme
• References, often including at least one academic reference
• Health clearance requirements such as immunisations and background checks
• Current CPR certification for healthcare providers
• Some applicants may be asked to complete a standardised nursing admission test (for example, the TEAS) and/or attend an interview

Career prospects

Graduates are eligible to sit the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX‑RN) and pursue registration as RNs. Career pathways include clinical roles in hospitals (medical/surgical, critical care, emergency, maternity and paediatrics), community and public health nursing, outpatient and primary care, nursing management and education, and specialised practice areas with further training.

Many graduates also progress to postgraduate study — for example, specialist clinical qualifications, advanced practice (nurse practitioner) programmes, or master's degrees in nursing, health administration or public health — depending on career goals.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College’s accelerated nursing pathway is designed for mature learners transitioning careers, offering a focused, practice‑driven curriculum delivered by faculty with clinical experience. The programme prioritises small cohort sizes to support close mentoring, intensive clinical placement opportunities and access to simulation‑based learning environments that mirror real‑world practice.

Students benefit from established relationships with local healthcare providers for clinical placements, dedicated student support services to assist with clinical placement coordination and licensure preparation, and career services that help graduates move into nursing roles or further study after completion.