Is An Accelerated Nursing Program Worth It
Many employers value the varied range of skill and knowledge that graduates from accelerated nursing programs bring to their careers. In most cases, employers note that graduates from accelerated programs tend to be more mature, possess stronger clinical skills and are flexible in the work environment.
A range of different employers across the country are entering into a partnership with schools to offer a scheme whereby they repay graduates the cost of tuition in a bid to attract graduates from accelerated programs.
Visit our nursing career resource section to learn more about various career pathways in Nursing.
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Find Accelerated BSN Programs by State
California State University Northridge
CSUN was founded in 1958 and is one of the largest public colleges in the United States. CSUN has won numerous awards from a multitude of institutions through the nation. The student body is made up of more than 38,000 students from 93 different countries. A GPA of 2.8 is required to graduate.
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 99%
- Accreditations CCNE, California Board of Registered Nurses, American Association of Colleges
- Program length 15 months
S To Register For The Nclex
Be sure to talk to your school about the requirements for signing up for the NCLEX. They can help you with timing and steps. The process can take some time, so dont wait until the last minute. Here are some important steps you need to take to register for the big day:
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How Much Do Nurses With A Bsn Earn
Having your BSN will give you a lot of flexibility in the type of salary you can earn. This, along with being an overall fulfilling career will makes nursing a desirable path. Your salary will change depend on where you work. Urban locations will pay more, but your cost of living will also likely be higher. Community health centers may not pay as much as private ones, but you will also be more likely to be eligible for the loan forgiveness programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows RNs earning a median of $66,640 annually. You can earn the most in California, Hawaii, Alaska, Massachusetts, and Oregon at a salary between $80,000 to $96,000.
Innovative And Specialized Faculty

Students have access to innovative Patient Simulation and Standardized Patient Centers. Faculty have the highest qualifications and conduct research in their areas of specialization.
Upon program completion, students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nursing licensure.
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Online Accelerated Nursing Programs
Many schools now have at least partially online options for completing your BSN. These programs can enable you to continue working and meet other life goals while you pursue your education. These programs use technology to deliver classes online and allow you to complete assignments and class discussions from the comfort of your own home. They will also work with you to help you get obtain clinical experiences near your home or in a location convenient for you.
Admission Requirements And Application Process
- Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
- Must have cumulative GPA 3.0 or better from all college-level courses
- Complete nine prerequisite courses:
- Within the last five years:
- Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab
- Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab
Apply
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Clinical Requirements For Accelerated Nursing Programs Absn
The required clinical hours to become an RN are determined by your state board of nursing . In general you can expect to complete about 500 hours of supervised clinical practice during your 12 month education. During this time you will be able to gain confidence in your nursing skills by providing direct care to patients in a supervised setting. This will allow you to practice in a safe manner. That way when you go out into the nursing world you will have the confidence that you can provide safe care and you will also know your limitations as you continue to learn. In your clinical setting you will be supervised by an experienced nurse.
Second Degree Accelerated Bsn
This program is a 14-month, 62-credit cohort model for those who already hold a non-nursing bachelors degree. It prepares students to practice nursing in a range of settings from ambulatory care and community-health agencies to acute and long-term care facilities. Students learn to provide evidence-based care, using critical thinking and clinical decision-making.
We offer the program at two locations: Lakewood, NJ on our Georgian Court Campus Nutley, NJ on our Interprofessional Health Science Campus .
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-R.N. licensing exam.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Seton Hall University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Resources:
- 1N.J.s first B.S.N. program
- 12% Male Undergraduate Nursing Students
- 88.2% Most Recent One-Year Retention Rate
- 80% Full-time Faculty with Doctoral Degrees
“When applying to nursing schools, Seton Hall University caught my eye immediately. The College of Nursing’s mission regarding innovation and aspiring nurse leaders is what attracted me to the program. The nursing profession is consistently evolving and requires culturally competent, innovative leaders, such as those made at Seton Hall.”Read more about Jasmine’s journey.
Jasmine Ahmed, current student
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What Are Second Degree Bsn Nursing Programs
A second degree BSN nursing program is designed to give those who currently have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field the opportunity to earn a nursing degree in a shorter amount of time. For example, if professionals currently have Bachelors Degree in Education, they can earn a second degree BSN so that they can make a career move. The program moves very quickly so students must dedicate a significant amount of time to the programs to make sure that they are successful in their nursing programs.
A number of credits from the first bachelors degree program may apply toward the second degree BSN program. The majority of the general education coursessuch as social sciences, communications, and humanities from the previous bachelors degree program may apply toward the second degree BNS degree.
The second degree nursing programs focus on disease prevention, adult and family health, promoting health, and maximizing wellness levels. Students get to work with experienced medical professionals during their clinical experiences and nursing programs, and they are prepared to work in acute care, emergency rooms, critical care, intensive care, and other medical facilities. Students are eligible to take the licensing exam to become Registered Nurses upon completing their second degree BSN programs.
What Will I Study While Attending An Absn Program
Earning your BSN whether in a traditional or accelerated format requires that you complete certain courses. These courses are necessary to be eligible to take the NCLEX exam to become an RN. The benefit is that since this is your second degree, you will not have to repeat core courses that are not nursing related. George Washington Universitys program offers a good example of what a typical second degree BSN curriculum will look like:
- Pharmacology
- Transition into the Nursing Profession
- Children and Families
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Accelerate Your Way To A Nursing Career With A Second Degree Bsn
You can use your bachelors degree from any field to fast track your way into one of the worlds most in-demand professions by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Carlows second degree nursing program.
With this degree in hand, youll be sought after by health care entities around the country. Carlow prepares nurses with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Not only is Carlow in the heart of Pittsburghs medical district with close proximity to clinical sites, its strong, reputable nursing program has a high NCLEX pass rate.
Carlows second degree BSN curriculum is in an accelerated format over 15 months. The program requires 32 credits of nursing support courses and 63 credits of nursing courses, including theory courses, clinical experiences and NCLEX seminars. As a convenience, some courses are offered in 8-week sessions, while others are 16 weeks long.
Clinical nursing experience is an integral part of the program and is completed at various health care agencies in the area.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Accelerated Second Degree Bsn

The accelerated second degree BSN is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in another field and wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This is a full-time, 15-month option.
The ABSN program starts in mid-May and concludes the following August.
Graduates qualify to take the NCLEX-RN, the licensure examination for eligibility to become a registered nurse. Current reports indicate that MSU BSN graduates who took the NCLEXRN examination in 2018 had a combined first-time pass rate of 93 percent.
Students can attend classes in one of two locations:
- MSU campus in East Lansing
- Detroit Medical Center in Detroit
The healthcare needs of individuals, families and populations demand a highly qualified nursing workforce prepared for the challenges of the future. This accelerated nursing program builds on prior learning to provide a broad professional preparation based on nursing science and grounded in biological, physical and behavioral sciences and the humanities.
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Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Overview
Explore our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing B.S. See how you can redirect your career and make a difference.
You’ve studied hard and earned a degree, but are thinking about making a change in your career path.
The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing is designed for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study and will help you earn a Nursing degree quickly.
The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing is a pre-licensure nursing program for college graduates who want to become registered nurses . Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. All prerequisites must be completed before applications are reviewed for this program.
Pros And Cons Of Second Degree Bsn Nursing Programs
The pros definitely outweigh the cons when it comes to enrolling in second degree BSN nursing programs.
Pros-
- The programs are short. Students attend the programs for 12 to 20 months and earn their Bachelors Degree in Nursing so that they can start their new careers.
- They can become Registered Nurses. Once students have fulfilled the requirements that their second degree nursing program and the State Board of Nursing requires, they can take the licensing examination to become Registered Nurses.
- They allow professionals the chance to start a new career. Not many programs allow students to earn a bachelors degree in less than one year, but the second degree nursing program does.
Cons-
- Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to begin the programs. It may be hard for some people to earn their second degree BSN if they do not meet the GPA requirements.
- Programs move very quickly. The program is full-time and moves quickly. It can be very easy to fall behind in the nursing program if students cannot keep up with the course content.
- Students may not be able to start the program immediately. These programs have prerequisites that students must meet before they can enroll in the programs. It may take several months to begin the programs if students do not meet certain requirements.
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What Are The Goals Of The Accelerated Second Degree Bsn Program
Holy Family Universitys BSN program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education , 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20001, phone 887-6791. Graduates of this pre-licensure baccalaureate program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses .
The goals of the program are to:
- Provide a nursing curriculum that is designed to meet global healthcare needs
- Prepare you to practice as a professional nurse generalist
- Educate you to provide culturally competent and ethical care
- Provide you a foundation for graduate study
Features of the Program:
- Expose you to many different hospital systems and clinical placements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
- Supportive classroom environment
- F1 VISA holders are not eligible at this time for the 2nd Degree BSN program.
- Submit all academic credentials to World Education Services for a course-by-course review
- Submit official scores of the TOEFL or IELTS exam
Program Tuition and Financial Aid
The Second Degree Fast Track and Evening/Weekend Track tuition is $36,000 effective July 1, 2019. There will also be fees which include ATI Testing Fee, General Fees may apply, and incidental expenses for items such as books, uniforms, etc., above this amount.*Tuition/fees are subject to change in the future.
Please note: Due to a limited number of spaces each semester, admission to the program is highly competitive.
Serve Families And Communities With Liberty Universitys Bs To Bsn Accelerated Nursing Degree Program
Are you interested in transitioning from your previously earned bachelors degree to a bachelors degree in nursing? Maybe your personal or career goals have changed, and youd like to earn your BSN degree as soon as possible. If this sounds like you, we have the program for you! Liberty Universitys accelerated B.S. to BSN program offers you rigorous academics, expert professors, the prestige of an accredited nursing program, and the ability to finish your degree in as little as 2 years.
As a Christian university, we believe that it is our duty to care for others and as a nursing student, youll be able to do just that. This degree program was designed with your success in mind. Our BSNs rigorous curriculum can help equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to stand out as a principled, knowledgeable professional who is capable of providing care to people who need it most.
Please note: Students can apply to this program with a Bachelor of Arts degree, but sciences must be completed.
Pursue Your Degree with Confidence
What Will You Learn?
- How to communicate with other cultures as a health professional
- Human nutrition
- Missionary nurse
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Arizona State University Edson College Of Nursing And Health Innovation
Arizona State University, or ASU, is made up of five campuses spread out among the Phoenix metro area. The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers nursing programs on the Downtown Phoenix campus. U.S. News and World Report voted Arizona State #1 for innovation for the fifth consecutive year in 2019. There are two second degree nursing pathways the Accelerated BSN and the Master of Science in Nursing .
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate 99.5%
- Tuition $10,710 . Actual tuition varies by program .
- Accreditations CCNE
- Program length varies by program . Find a list of their nursing programs here.
Certification For Second Degree Bsn
Just like other registered nurse degree programs, graduates of accelerated 2nd nursing degrees must become certified by taking the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs . For certification and licensures, students must ensure that their online accelerated 2nd degree BSN is recognized by their states board of nursing. Since the online approach is not very popular for the accelerated second degree in nursing, it is wise for students to ensure their schools meet the required minimum requirements.
As a general note, students wishing to take an accelerated second-degree nursing online program should be ready to part with free-time, a second job, or other commitments they may be having during the period of study. A compressed four-year curriculum being covered in an average of 15 months is not a walk in the park it calls for utmost sacrifice. But for the go-getters, it is quite possible.
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How Much Do Absn Programs Cost
It always comes down to money. Luckily for you there are a ton of ways to pay for your nursing education. It is also worth noting that the price of doing a second degree BSN will depend on the school you attend. Private schools will almost always cost more than public ones and both offer comparative quality educations. There are also various programs listed below that can help you pay for your nursing education. Here are price examples from a public and private school:
- Boston College: $1,404/credit or $42,120/year
The Nurse Corps Loan Forgiveness program and Public Service Loan Forgiveness are two examples of programs that will pay for your education if you commit to working in medically underserved areas. This can help take the financial pressure out of pursuing a second bachelors degree. Some other repayment options are listed here:
- Individual Hospital Repayment Programs
- Military Programs
Our handy state guides are designed to help you find scholarships offered in your state as well!