Westmont College BSN Programs

Westmont College BSN Programs help you become a registered nurse in just 16 months. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program started in January 2022 and combines comprehensive education with extensive clinical training. The program’s graduates have achieved a 94% first-time NCLEX pass rate and now work at premier medical centers across the country.

Westmont’s nursing program adapts to your educational background. Students with existing bachelor’s degrees can complete the 16-month ABSN program at a cost of $68,000. Current and prospective Westmont students can choose a fast-track option to earn two bachelor’s degrees in four and a half years. Students complete 15 to 21 units each semester and gain practical skills through 900 total clinical hours. The program accepts 24 nursing students to their nursing school in both Fall and Spring cohorts, which ensures individual-specific experiences throughout your education.

Types of Programs Offered

Westmont College offers unique educational paths to help you earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Their Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program serves as the core of their nursing education, which they launched in January 2022. Students attend classes at Westmont Downtown, located in Santa Barbara’s heart, with cutting-edge simulation labs and modern healthcare facilities built specifically for accelerated nursing education.

Students need a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree to join the ABSN program. The program runs for 16 months, costs $68,000, and requires students to complete 15 to 21 units each semester. Students attend classes and clinical experiences two to three days weekly.

Westmont’s program accepts 24 nursing students in each Fall and Spring cohort. The small class size gives students customized attention throughout their educational experience.

Westmont has created an innovative undergraduate nursing fast-track program for new and current students. Students can earn two bachelor’s degrees in just four and a half years through this alternative path. The program follows this structure:

• Complete three and a half years toward your first degree on the Montecito campus
• Enter the ABSN program during the final semester of your senior year
• Receive your first bachelor’s degree after completing your first ABSN semester
• Finish your nursing degree after one additional year

This fast-track option makes nursing education more affordable, and Westmont’s financial aid covers both degrees. Students gain quality clinical experience through partnerships with Cottage Health and Sansum Clinics in Santa Barbara.

Westmont’s nursing programs have grown to meet California’s healthcare needs. The college expanded from fall and spring enrollment periods to include a third enrollment period in May, adding 24 more slots for nursing students.

Westmont’s nursing programs maintain strict accreditation standards. The Board of Registered Nursing has approved the ABSN program, and it received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education after showing excellence in mission and governance, institutional commitment and resources, curriculum and teaching-learning practices, and assessment of program outcomes.

Online and Hybrid Options

Many prospective nursing students ask about remote learning possibilities in Westmont College BSN Programs. Westmont understands that attending traditional classroom sessions can be challenging while balancing work and life commitments.

Students with busy schedules or time constraints might find conventional in-person classes challenging. All the same, Westmont College’s online class options could fit your busy lifestyle. These alternative learning formats are a great way to get the scheduling flexibility you need during your nursing education.

Westmont’s core Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program focuses on intensive, hands-on learning experiences. But some components might work better with flexible formats to support your learning trip. Students working full or part-time while studying nursing should look into curriculum aspects that offer adaptable scheduling.

Your specific situation might allow you to complete some coursework through remote learning platforms. Clinical components need in-person participation, but theoretical elements could offer more flexible delivery methods. You should ask program advisors about specific classes available in alternative formats that match your situation.

Traditional classroom experience remains central to Westmont’s nursing education. The college adapts to changes in the digital world. Innovative technology continues to improve remote learning capabilities, and options for nursing students seeking flexibility keep growing. Westmont knows your educational path might need customized solutions.

Note that options beyond traditional classroom attendance might work for your scheduling needs. Program administrators can help you find BSN curriculum components that fit your flexibility requirements. This approach lets you work toward your nursing career goals while managing your current commitments.

Admission Requirements

You’ll need to meet specific criteria to join Westmont College’s BSN Programs because the selection process is competitive. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program only accepts students who already have their first bachelor’s degree.

The admission process starts with your official transcripts that show your completed or in-progress bachelor’s degree. You should have an overall GPA of 3.3 or higher. Your grades in core science courses carry significant weight.

Your prerequisite coursework must include:

• Human Physiology with Lab (completed within 7 years)
• Human Anatomy with Lab (completed within 7 years)
• Microbiology with Lab (completed within 7 years)
• Any Chemistry with Lab
• Thinking Historically (most history courses qualify)
• Composition
• Public Speaking
• General Psychology
• Introduction to Statistics
• Introduction to Sociology
• Working Artistically OR Reading Imaginative Literature

Science prerequisites (Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology) need completion within seven years before you apply. Each course requires a GPA of 3.3 or higher. The same GPA requirement applies to English courses.

The current Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam is mandatory. Make sure Westmont College receives your official scores directly. Your scores should meet or exceed the national rank composite score.

You’ll also need two letters of recommendation from a recent employer, faculty member, or active mentor. These letters should be on letterhead and describe how long they’ve known you and why you’d make a great nurse.

The personal statement should highlight your passion for nursing and how you plan to make a difference in the profession. Tell us why nursing appeals to you, show you understand the program’s challenges, mention your support system, and acknowledge the difficulty of working while studying.

The application deadline for spring 2026 admission is August 15, 2025. Remember that meeting all prerequisites doesn’t guarantee your spot since each cohort only takes 24 students.

Accepted students receive an admission letter and must confirm by May 1 for fall admission or December 1 for spring admission. Before orientation starts, you’ll complete health requirements, pass background checks, and get your uniform.

What’s Different about the BSN Programs at Westmont College

Westmont College’s BSN Programs stand out because of their faith-integrated approach to nursing education. The curriculum weaves Christian values into every aspect, which helps students care for both physical and spiritual needs of their patients. This integrated viewpoint makes Westmont nursing graduates unique in healthcare settings.

Small class sizes create meaningful connections between students and instructors. The intimate learning environment limits each cohort to 24 students, which allows faculty members to provide tailored attention and mentorship. Many larger nursing programs don’t offer this level of individual guidance.

The program’s strategic collaborations with leading healthcare providers add another dimension to the education. Students can access premier clinical sites throughout Santa Barbara County through affiliations with Cottage Health and Sansum Clinic. They gain hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings, from acute care to community health.

Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice form the core of Westmont’s nursing curriculum. Students participate in high-fidelity simulation experiences that prepare them for real-life nursing scenarios. These sessions help build confidence and clinical judgment before entering actual patient care environments.

Leadership development complements the program’s clinical excellence. Students learn to support patients and influence healthcare policy, which prepares them for advanced roles in nursing.

Service learning plays a vital role in the program. Students work on community health projects that serve underserved populations. This experience offers a broader viewpoint on healthcare delivery and social determinants of health.

The unique combination of academic rigor, faith integration, tailored learning, premier clinical partnerships, and leadership development sets Westmont’s BSN programs apart. These elements shape students into nurses who provide exceptional, compassionate care across all healthcare settings.