Are There Accelerated BSN Programs?
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A bachelor of science in nursing degree is an undergraduate program that prepares individuals to become registered nurses (RNs). BSN curriculum typically includes a combination of general education courses, nursing theory and practice, and clinical experiences.
Graduates of BSN programs are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive patient care, promote health and wellness, and work in various healthcare settings. Nurses with a BSN are highly valued in their field, and earning this degree opens up career advancement and specialization opportunities. While a BSN isn’t necessary to work as an RN, it is increasingly becoming the standard sought after by employers.
Accelerated BSN programs are designed for students with bachelor’s degrees in a field other than nursing, and a BSN would be their second undergraduate degree. These programs are often called second-degree BSN degrees. Since these programs are accelerated, students can expect to earn their degree in 12 to 15 months, depending on the prerequisites for each program.
There are many online or hybrid options for students who want to complete an accelerated BSN. These flexible programs offer didactic coursework through distance learning while completing labs, simulations, and clinicals in person. The exact format will vary by program but can include frequent campus visits or periodic on-campus intensives. Some programs require students to attend clinicals at a prescribed location, while others help students find a placement near their homes. While some programs may require students to live near campus, others understand that students may live further away and only require periodic campus visits.
Read on to learn about admission requirements and the importance of accreditation. Below are also some top accelerated online and hybrid BSN programs for nurses and non-nursing students.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for accelerated BSN programs will vary based on the program. Typical requirements for an accelerated BSN will often include:
- A bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Prerequisite courses in subjects such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and psychology.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is common, although some programs may have a higher GPA requirement for prerequisite coursework.
- Official transcripts
- Personal statement or essay
- Letters of recommendation
- An entrance exam, such as the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or the HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Inc. Admission Assessment), to assess readiness for the nursing program.
Accreditation
Accelerated BSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Students should ensure their program is accredited as it is required for licensing. Accreditation assures students, nursing boards, and employers that a program meets a high level of quality in curriculum, faculty, facilities, and clinical experiences.
Online and Hybrid Accelerated BSN Programs
Here are some top online and hybrid accelerated BSN programs.
Rockhurst University Saint Luke’s – College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Students can complete Rockhurst University’s hybrid accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) program in as little as 16 months. This program recognizes the value of a student’s previous work experience and leverages it to fast-track their nursing journey. The comprehensive curriculum combines 100 percent online coursework with an immersive 10-day campus experience. Additionally, students will gain invaluable hands-on training through on-site clinical placement practicum hours.
As an affiliate of Saint Luke’s Health System and guided by Jesuit values, Rockhurst University is committed to equipping aspiring nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to provide holistic care. Students can expect rigorous academics, diverse clinical experiences, and a commitment to inquiry and self-reflection.
- Location: Kansas City, MO
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $783.33 per credit
Students can earn their second degree accelerated BSN degree at Marymount University. This program is offered in a hybrid format with all coursework online and clinical experiences in person in Virginia. Due to the condensed nature of this degree program, classes are rigorous and challenging. This is the only distance ABSN program offered in Virginia. In total, it takes four semesters to complete this program.
All students will learn how to deliver compassionate patient-centric care that is culturally relevant as well as how to use evidence-based best practices in their care. Currently, this program boasts a 90 percent NCLEX pass rate for its graduates. To complete this program, students must earn 65 credit hours and complete 640 clinical hours.
- Location: Arlington, VA
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $18,700 per semester
At Wilkes University, students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing can complete the one-year accelerated BSN to start their nursing career. This is an online program that allows students the opportunity to complete their coursework without having to relocate. To help students complete their clinical requirements, this program has a robust clinical placement service at no additional cost. This allows students to focus on their studies without worrying about logistics.
Graduates of this program have a higher-than-average pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam and are well-prepared for entry-level work in nursing. Clinical experiences in this program include rotations in various specialties to ensure students have a well-rounded, hands-on education.
- Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Duration: One year
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $63,429 for the entire program
Kent State University offers an accelerated BSN program catered to students who have already attained a bachelor’s degree in another field. This program equips aspiring practitioners with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in professional nursing. It is designed to foster a profound understanding of a nurse’s societal role while simultaneously nurturing the capacity to pursue future graduate-level studies.
Students can complete this degree in as little as 15 months. Many classes are offered online, but this program is a hybrid format in in-person classes on campus as well. Hands-on learning for students starts in the state-of-the-art simulation lab and then carries over to clinical experiences at major hospitals throughout northeastern Ohio.
- Location: Kent, OH
- Duration: 15 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $23,423.60 per one year
University of the Incarnate Word – Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Profession
The hybrid accelerated BSN at the University of the Incarnate Word Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Profession is a 62-credit hour program that can be completed in as little as 16 months. Candidates for this program must have at least a bachelor’s degree of 60 non-nursing college credits to be eligible for admission. Didactic classes are offered online, with in-person labs on-site in San Antonio.
With three start dates each year, students have the flexibility to join a cohort when it is convenient for them. This program is rooted in a Christian-based value system. This belief system is an essential part of the curriculum.
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $60,450 for the entire program
Roseman University of Health Sciences
Roseman University of Health Sciences offers an accelerated BSN in a flexible hybrid modality. All didactic coursework is offered online through faculty presentations, while clinical rotations, laboratory assignments, and group projects are completed on campus or at healthcare facilities in Southern Nevada or Utah. Over 94 percent of graduates of this program are hired within six months, and in 2023, 100 percent of students who attempted the NCLEX exam passed.
Admission requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing from an accredited institution. Applicants must also take the Test Of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) To demonstrate academic readiness for this program.
- Location: Henderson, NV
- Duration: 18 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $60,000 for the entire program
Idaho State University School of Nursing
Individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and are looking to make a career change can complete Idaho State University’s School of Nursing accelerated BSN. This three-semester program is offered in a hybrid format with classroom and online classes. Although this program has an online component, students must be within daily commuting distance of campus. This program strongly emphasizes critical thinking skills, effective communication, and the ability to interact constructively with patients and families.
This is a highly competitive program, with only 50 students admitted to the Meridian campus and 20 students admitted to the Pocatello campus in each cohort. Admission requirements include extensive prerequisite coursework, completion of the Test Of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), and a personal interview.
- Location: Pocatello, ID
- Duration: Three semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $564 per credit hour
Concordia University, St. Paul
Online coursework at Concordia University St. Paul’s accelerated BSN program teaches students the content they need to be ready nurses. In-person skills labs and clinical experiences in St. Paul, MN, or Portland, OR, ensure students gain the hands-on skills to be expert providers. This is a full-time program that can be completed in 16 months. There is also a strong emphasis in this program on leadership preparedness to help students move into leadership roles.
To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must have completed 54 non-nursing college credits and have an associate’s or non-nursing bachelor’s degree before enrolling in the program.
- Location: St. Paul, MN and Portland, OR
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $1,050 per credit
The University of Providence offers a rigorous and focused accelerated BSN degree program specifically structured to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for a career as a registered nurse. This intensive program has a condensed time frame of 12 months. The curriculum seamlessly blends online coursework with in-person instruction, encompassing skill labs and immersive clinical experiences at clinical locations in Anchorage, AK, or Lewistown, MT.
Throughout this program, students develop the essential theoretical foundations while concurrently honing their practical expertise in real-world healthcare settings. While there is ample online coursework, students must relocate near one of the two campuses for on-campus classes.
- Location: Anchorage, AK and Lewistown, MT
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $974 per credit
Northeastern University – Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing
With start dates in January, May, and September, students have a high degree of flexibility in choosing their start time for the accelerated BSN at Northeastern University Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing. This 16-month-long program consists of 62 credits, and graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX exam. Fundamental and theory classes are taught online, while labs and clinical rotations are in person.
Skills students will learn in this program include providing competent and compassionate care, delivering culturally relevant care, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and clinical judgment.
- Location: Burlington, MA
- Duration: 16 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $1,263 per credit hour
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterThanks to her experience writing in healthcare, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth articles on timely topics for NursingColleges.com since 2022. Her aim is to assist both students and professionals in navigating the intricate process of selecting a nursing program and understanding the ever-evolving realm of nursing education.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.