Accelerated BSN Nursing Programs List [Top-Rated ABSN Schools]
Are you looking for how to become a nurse after college? Do you know the standard requirements for accelerated nursing programs?
What Is An Accelerated Nursing Program?
Can you do a nursing degree if you already have a degree? Yes.
As the name implies, the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is a speedy coursework option for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
This quick nursing program is unique as it offers, among other things, online or physical study plans, relevant curriculums, easy payment options, and a wide variety of advantages.
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ABSN MEANING
An ABSN, which stands for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a program specifically designed for those who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in another field and now want to become RNs.
Getting an ABSN Degree
As mentioned above, earning an ABSN degree would mean completing an accredited bachelor’s degree program. Students are, therefore, expected to have acquired good judgment, communication, and decision-making skills.
Also, students can transfer credit units to their nursing coursework depending on the courses offered during these programs. This is possible if they studied chemistry, biology, and philosophy courses.
Furthermore, ABSN degree programs are available in online or physical forms. The online training allows students to take classes over the air for the entire length of their programs.
After this, they must take in-person clinical practices in healthcare facilities.
Students will prepare for the National Council Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) at the end of their degree programs. This is the final step in earning an ABSN degree.
Work Expectations
ABSN degree programs offer students comprehensive training whether they received a bachelor’s degree in healthcare. Moreover, they should expect to work as much as they learn.
This could include overseeing or contributing to critical decision-making processes, supervising allied healthcare professionals and less-trained nurses, and taking on sensitive tasks in and around healthcare facilities.
The advanced and complex roles of Registered Nurses mean that ABSN degree holders will receive high pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses receive an annual average salary of $82,750.
List Of Second-Degree Nursing Programs
Depending on the program structure and intensity, accelerated programs range from 12 to 19 months, though some can be as long as two years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nursing has a 9% job growth outlook, a higher-than-average outlook for the next several years.
Many individuals choose nursing as a second career, making accelerated programs even more popular.
BA / BS TO BSN PROGRAMS
Here are all the facts about most post-bachelor nursing programs.
Accelerated BSN is a second-degree type of program.
The ABSN is an additional program that a bachelor’s degree holder can undergo, different from their first-degree course and often less hectic.
Requirements For Accelerated Bachelor Of Science in Nursing
ABSN programs are developed for and utilized by students who have completed undergraduate studies in a course but still want to fulfill a nursing ambition.
It does not matter what field or area they previously focused on. The program allows them to start a short, practical, all-encompassing nursing study.
Other than the ABSN, nurses have a few more accelerated-type programs. These are the accelerated ADN and MSN programs, respectively.
ADN stands for Accelerated Degree in Nursing. The program is also designed to usher people into the nursing career. The ADN program typically lasts between twelve and sixteen months, and it prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
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Accelerated Nursing Program Requirements
On the other hand, the Accelerated MSN is more advanced than the accelerated BSN and ADN programs.
It is a Master’s Degree in Nursing that takes about thirty-six months to complete. It also offers established nurses a chance to take on work in education, health policy, and other advanced practices.
Here is how to become a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree.
The ABSN is a mid-level nursing career program. It ranks ahead of the AND program but below the AMSN program.
According to the Nurse Journal, good pay awaits nurses who attend and complete the program. The journal quoted PayScale and reported that the salary was about $86,800 as of June 2021.
Importantly, this amount is intermediate compared to salary offers on the two other accelerated nursing-type programs.
There is much more from where that came from. Fast-paced nursing programs are for those with a bachelor’s, providing access to valuable experiences and outstanding hospital facilities.
This experience includes clinical immersion experiences with local or global placement options in most institutions.
However, no matter the choice of placement, students in the MBSN program would get to work with healthcare groups. They also work with volunteers and other related institutions.
This training is all done in environments with relevantly diverse cultures, populations, and age groups.
1 – 2 Year Nursing Programs for Bachelor Degree Holders
The speed and the wide variety of activities that characterize the ABSN program could be challenging for some. This challenge is because the program magically reduces four years of study into months.
This unique pace of study requires that every prospective student comes prepared. A successful ABSN student must consistently display five characteristics.
These include ambition, curiosity, motivation, dedication, and organization.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program trades more comprehensive nursing study for a short but demanding one and offers a relevant degree.
Are you interested in nursing school after your Bachelor’s degree?
12-Months Quick Nursing Programs
Below are the top schools where you can enroll for your Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. All the schools discussed here are fully accredited and are highly rated.
Regardless of your work or location, you can enroll in any of these schools since you can enroll part-time, full-time, or even online to obtain your Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
LIST OF ACCELERATED NURSING PROGRAMS
1. Duke University of Nursing
The Duke University of Nursing is one of the prestigious schools known for extensive research regarding the Duke University of Nursing program.
Applicants should enroll as full-time students since the program is campus-based. Their tuition fee is $23,241 per semester.
The program duration is estimated to last 16 months, and students must meet specific requirements before their admission is considered.
Depending on your nursing field, these are some credits that you should complete: Human Anatomy and Physiology 6-8 credits; Microbiology (lab recommended) 3-4 credits; Basic Statics 3 credits; Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology 3 credits.
The NCLEX pass rate at the Duke University of Nursing is 99%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. University of Washington
The University of Washington offers an accelerated BSN program (ABSN) to nurses who wish to acquire more knowledge in the nursing field.
The institution allows applicants to apply for admission to their Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery (DNP-NM) program. Their tuition fee is $13,297.
This full-time program exposes students to over 1,000 hours of supervised hands-on patient care in hospitals and communities. Applicants should have a minimum of 2.8 GPA.
Their DNP is focused on teaching nurses how to build a solid foundation in research and nursing practice. Nursing from this institution can comfortably work at military installations, birthing centers, hospitals, etc.
The NCLEX pass rate at the University of Washington is 94.35%, and Commission fully accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
3. Florida International University
Florida International University is a highly-rated institution offering qualified nurses an accelerated BSN program. Full-time students can complete this program within the space of three semesters.
Their tuition fee is $7,296.
This program is a full-time practice fully grounded on hands-on, learning-centered education, etc., to ensure that students receive the best knowledge in their field.
Applicants of this accelerated BSN program are being offered the opportunity to apply for scholarships and other related financial aid to support their fees.
The NCLEX pass rate at Florida International University is 100%, which is a thumbs up. Also, they are accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
4. Truman State University
Truman State University is another well-known institution offering an intensive ABSN program that eligible nurses can start during the summer.
This school is quite exceptional, and they have a high-technology simulation facility that helps students with field experience. Their tuition fee is $3,828/semester.
They allow their students to be exposed to the nursing field by sending interested nurses to hospitals outside the school region, probably in other countries, to acquire more in-depth knowledge in the nursing field.
At Truman State University, the ABSN program duration is approximately 15 months, and it is designed for nurses who have completed a Bachelor’s degree, probably in a different course. Still, they intend to have the same in nursing.
The NCLEX pass rate at Truman State University is 98%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
5. Montana Tech
Montana Tech is a highly-rated institution that offers an accelerated BSN program to students who wish to obtain a degree in the nursing field.
They offer two different programs for students that enroll in ABSN program in their school. Their estimated tuition fee is $1,721.50/semester.
One of their programs is Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure, a four-year degree program for everyone who enrolls in it.
The second category of this program is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Post-Licensure Completion, and applicants are to enroll online only.
The program duration for students who enroll in their online program will surpass four semesters. It will include other classes such as Care of the Aging Client, Nursing Leadership & Management, etc.
The NCLEX pass rate at Montana Tech is 100%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
6. West Virginia University
West Virginia University is another extraordinary institution with a good rating from its active students and alumni.
They offer an accelerated BSN program allowing students to access other nursing graduate programs when they must have completed their accelerated BSN program.
Their tuition fee is $4,188/semester.
As full-time students, students are provided with a Personal Rapid Transit system that serves as free transportation for their classes.
The NCLEX pass rate at West Virginia University is 100%, and the program is accredited.
7. Phillips School of Nursing
The Phillips School of Nursing, situated at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, is another highly rated institution that offers an accelerated BSN program to students who wish to be professionals in the nursing field.
Their tuition fee is $900/credit.
Their accelerated BSN program is designed to expose students to evidence-based research, and the goal is to give students the best knowledge in the nursing field.
The ABSN program in this institution is designed for students who have obtained a degree in another profession that is not nursing.
The NCLEX pass rate at the Phillips School of Nursing is 100%, and it’s pretty dope. Also, they are fully accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
8. Drexel University
Drexel University is an outstanding institution that offers an accelerated BSN program in two flexible formats. They allow students to enroll in either a full-time or a part-time schedule.
Their estimated tuition fee is $26,001 per semester.
The program duration for their full-time study is 11 months, while that of part-time students is 24 months.
Their part-time program is designed for people occupied probably with their job, and their lectures are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends.
Admitted students are also exposed to clinical and simulated care through hands-on experience.
The NCLEX pass rate at Drexel University is 94.26%, and the Nursing Commission accredits the course on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
9. George Mason University
George Mason University offers an accelerated BSN program to holders who wish to obtain a bachelor of science in nursing.
Their program is impressive, and they expose students to every possible practical they need. Their tuition fee is $5,962 per semester.
The estimated program duration is 15 months for full-time study. One of their admission requirements is that applicants must have a degree from their previous studies.
Also, applicants should be a way to get admission into this school, which is quite competitive because they have hundreds to thousands of applicants every academic session.
The NCLEX pass rate at George Mason University is 100%, and the CCNE duly accredits the program.
10. Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing is another extraordinary institution with a high acceptance rate of approximately 86% in its accelerated BSN program.
Their ABSN program is designed to enlighten students with little knowledge of nursing. Their tuition fee is $6,721 per semester.
The estimated program duration for the accelerated BSN program at Mount Carmel College of Nursing is 13 months for full-time students. Also, students are to attend 40 clinical hours per week.
The NCLEX pass rate at Mount Carmel College of Nursing is 98.68%, and the CCNE fully accredits them.
11. University of Miami
The University of Miami offers a swift accelerated BSN program to students aiming to become nurses regardless of their former degrees.
The institution is quite innovative, exposing its students to other innovative private research universities. Their estimated tuition fee is $24,242 per semester, involving other expenses.
The program duration of the accelerated BSN program at the University of Miami is 12 months which is relatively fast and short.
The school then exposes students to diverse hospital simulations, including treating a trauma patient, assisting an expectant mother in labor, etc.
The NCLEX pass rate at the University of Miami is 100%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). They also have a reasonable graduation rate which is approximately 82%.
12. Allen College
Allen College is another excellent school offering an accelerated BSN program to students seeking a nursing degree. The school is situated in Waterloo.
Besides the accelerated BSN program, the institution also offers other degree programs in the nursing field. Their estimated tuition fee is $9,113 per semester. The financials involves other expenses as well.
The program duration for the accelerated BSN program at Allen College is approximately 15 months, and students are exposed to both occupational therapy and a doctorate program when they enroll.
Meanwhile, applicants must have been degree holders in any other courses.
The NCLEX pass rate at Allen College is 96%, and the CCNE accredits the program.
13. University of Houston
The University of Houston is quite a flexible institution offering eligible candidates an accelerated BSN program. They provide their ABSN program in two formats: a full-time and an online program.
Their tuition fee is approximately $4,853 per semester.
Students should expect a program duration of 12 months which is relatively short and significant.
Their in-person and web-enhanced learning are superb, and students are taught everything they should know. Also, their program begins every spring period.
The NCLEX pass rate at the University of Houston is 100%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
14. University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is quite an outstanding institution that offers an accelerated BSN program to students with a bachelor’s degree from their previous studies.
The accelerated BSN program at the University of Wyoming is popularly known as BRAND, and it stands for Bachelors Reach for Accelerated Nursing Degree. Their tuition fee is $2,608.50 per semester.
Other fees were added to it, though.
The program is designed to train well-knowledge nurses in the medical field, and students are exposed to hands-on experience while studying.
The NCLEX pass rate at the University of Wyoming is 92%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
15. Binghamton University
Binghamton University, which offers an accelerated BSN program, also provides various nursing degrees to students in the nursing field or those who intend to obtain a nursing degree.
Their tuition fee is $4,761.50 per semester.
This institution is well-known for its research approach, and they were the first institution to earn the designation for its simulation center. They also expose students to hands-on practical experience in diverse ways.
The NCLEX pass rate at Binghamton University is 88.5%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
16. Augustana University
Augustana University is another highly rated institution offering its students an accelerated BSN program. They provide intensive studies for every student that enrolls in their ABSN program.
Their tuition fee is $15,980 per semester.
The estimated program duration for their accelerated BSN program is 16 months. Within this period, students will be exposed to diverse practicals.
The NCLEX pass rate at Augustana University is 96%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
17. Denver School of Nursing
The Denver School of Nursing is an outstanding school offering accelerated BSN programs to existing nurses or those who wish to become nurses.
Their program is unique, and they focus on training and educating nurses. Their estimated tuition fee is $5,016.50 per semester.
They provide students with a virtual library, simulation lab, and other learning facilities.
The NCLEX pass rate at the Denver School of Nursing is 91%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
18. Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College is quite a great institution that offers an accelerated BSN program that students can complete within a short time.
Their ABSN combines lectures and clinical classwork to give students the best knowledge in nursing. Their tuition fee is $18,845 per semester.
The program duration for accelerated BSN at Lynchburg College is two years for full-time students, and the program usually begins in May every year.
The NCLEX pass rate at Lynchburg College is 100%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
19. Villanova University
Villanova University, situated in Villanova, Pennsylvania, is another institution that offers an accelerated BSN program for both existing nurses and students with bachelors in other fields.
Their tuition fee is $47,600, and this includes another small fee.
The estimated program duration is 14 months, and students will be exposed to diverse activities and groups, including research projects and other hands-on practical experiences.
The NCLEX pass rate at Villanova University is 94.09%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
20. Del Mar College
Del Mar College is another great institution offering an accelerated BSN program, and this school is in Corpus Christi, Texas.
They also offer vocational nurse certificates and associate of applied science degrees in Registered Nursing. Their tuition fee is $1,241 per semester.
Students enrolling in the ABSN program at Del Mar College can also register for an associate of arts degree in nursing.
Their program duration is approximately five semesters, and the curriculum involves Microbiology & Clinical Pathology, Nutrition & Diet Therapy, Human Anatomy & Physiology, etc.
Their NCLEX pass rate at Del Mar College is 93.16%, and Commission accredits them on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Conclusion On Second-Degree Nursing Programs
ABSN stands for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The degree is called accelerated because it prepares students for a career as registered nurses within a short period.
Another thing about an ABSN degree is that it allows students unusual considerations. This is that they begin a career in healthcare after earning a bachelor’s degree in any field of their choice.
After completing their degree training programs, ABSN holders become Registered Nurses and will be qualified to work in any healthcare facility.
The ABSN programs we discussed here are outstanding and have good alums ratings.
You can still enroll in this accelerated BSN program while working as a nurse, as some schools allow part-time and online ABSN studies.