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Due to the nation’s rising healthcare needs, nursing has emerged as a lucrative and promising professional option. Statewide nursing schools acknowledge the record-breaking number of applications, resulting in an even more challenging college application process for aspiring nursing professionals.
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The Lowdown
There has never been a better time to become a nurse! Employment for RNs is expected to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032. There are several job openings, and the nursing profession requires enthusiastic nurses.
Reputable nursing schools are getting a vast number of applicants. Some nursing schools can only accept a small number of applicants, from a pool of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, making the admissions process exceedingly competitive.
Accelerated BSN programs with high acceptance rates give all students a higher chance for admission. Some might think the degree will be less valuable because admissions are less competitive with a quick time-to-degree. This is not the case!
Like a standard four-year, low-acceptance rate BSN program, students in an accelerated learning format will receive the same nursing education, complete the same nursing courses and clinical hours, require similar prerequisite courses, and be able to use their prior credits to fulfill non-nursing requirements. As a result, students can concentrate on their nursing studies, start the clinical component of their degree program earlier, and possibly complete their BSN degree in less than two years.
Please remember that admission figures and data are dynamic, despite our best efforts to present the most accurate information.
Methodology
Finding nursing schools with high acceptance rates and an accelerated format is challenging. So, we’ve done the difficult part of the search to help you choose a nursing school that will best fit your needs and expectations.
We considered the following criteria in listing the best online Accelerated BSN programs:
- An acceptance rate of 90% to 100%
- The college or university is regionally accredited
- Emphasizes convenient accelerated BSN coursework facilitated through a robust Learning Management System
- The curriculum is approved by nursing accrediting agencies
- Employs nursing professionals who hold terminal degrees as online teaching personnel
- Offers networking opportunities, career guidance, and other relevant student support services
- Features generous transfer credits and financial aid programs
Read our Methodology to learn the details of our ranking process.
The 10 Accelerated BSN Programs with High Acceptance Rates
Cox College
BSN – Accelerated Track
The Cox College of Nursing offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program accredited by ACEND, or Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. With a 100% acceptance rate, this program will give you the highest chances of acceptance.
- Students must have completed 120 credit hours to graduate from the accelerated BSN program.
- Students must complete 1,035 clinical hours.
- The average time-to-degree is two years.
- The program accepts up to 26 transfer credit hours.
- Some of the program’s coursework can be completed online, while others must be completed on campus.
- Students will graduate with the necessary decision-making abilities for the current healthcare environment.
- The program’s first year will require students to partake in online courses, labs, simulations, and clinical experiences.
- The second year of the program entails broadening a student’s clinical education.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Because of the 100% acceptance rate, students applying for the program come from broad educational contexts. To ensure that the program meets the needs of each student, it offers four more tracks in addition to the accelerated nursing program: The Early Decision Option, The Entry-Level Track, The BSN FastTrack, and The RN to BSN Completion.
Did You Know?
The degree program has a 92.7% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, higher than the national average of 84.6%.
University of Maine-Fort Kent
Accelerated BSN
The University of Maine-Fort Kent offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program designed to be completed in a hybrid learning format. The program is accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), has received approval from the Maine State Board of Nursing, and has a 100% acceptance rate.
- Students must complete 120 credit hours, most of which should be completed on campus.
- Students can complete the on-campus requirement at Fort Kent or Presque Isle campus.
- Students must maintain an average GPA of 2.5 to graduate; this ensures that the students are ready for the National Council Licensure Test for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
- The curriculum is designed to help nursing students acquire all the necessary expertise to succeed in the nursing field, including social, behavioral, biological, and nursing sciences.
- This course of study promotes the intellectual and creative development of students who aspire to pursue an advanced nursing degree.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The reason why this program requires students to complete most of its courses on-campus is to develop better collaborative skills and be better prepared to fulfill the healthcare needs of a multicultural, ever-changing society.
Did You Know?
Students are urged to submit arrest and court records for any offense other than a minor traffic infraction for review to the Maine State Board of Nursing as part of the license application process.
The University of Mississippi
Accelerated BSN
The University of Mississippi’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing has an acceptance rate of 99%. All of UM’s nursing programs, including this ABSN degree, are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- While this degree accepts all types of students, it’s best for those with a bachelor’s degree in other fields.
- The program requires students to complete 120 credit hours in a continuous three-semester curriculum to graduate in 12 months.
- The program is operated in a hybrid learning format, which allows students to experience the flexibility of online courses and intensive on-campus instruction to prepare them for successful healthcare careers.
- Students engage in hands-on, multidisciplinary clinical training.
- The curriculum is designed to help students obtain the knowledge to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
- The BSN program prepares students for entry into master’s-level graduate studies.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program allows students to study in different, equally distinctive learning environments. Jackson students learn on an academic health science campus, allowing them to receive the ideal instructional environment. Oxford, the state’s flagship institution, will enable students to continue their education and nursing practice and gain access to various student support services and resources.
Did You Know?
This is Mississippi’s first accelerated program in nursing at the baccalaureate level.
South Dakota State University
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students who prefer to learn traditionally should consider applying for the BS in Nursing at South Dakota State University. Approved by CCNE, this accelerated program has an acceptance rate of 99%.
- The program is a 120-credit-hour degree that can be completed in 12 months.
- Students are required to complete 930 clinical hours.
- While the program does not offer any online component, students can choose which campus to pursue courses.
- Aberdeen and Rapid City campuses start classes every January, while Sioux Falls accepts applicants in August.
- In addition to learning inside the classroom, students will learn through various on-campus labs and clinical rotations in their surrounding communities.
- Each campus has its own lab and simulation experiences.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This is one of the most modern nursing degree programs that prepare graduates for the diversity required to work anywhere in the United States. The foundation for a student’s nursing education is laid with a concentration on liberal arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences.
Did You Know?
The school had an 89.6% passing rate for first-time NCLEX-RN takers in 2022.
Keiser University
Nursing, BSN (Accelerated)
Another degree suitable for nursing students willing to study on-campus is Keiser University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, which is CCNE-accredited. It boasts a 97% acceptance rate.
- The program has a generous transfer credit policy, allowing students to graduate in less than the average time-to-degree.
- Full-time students can complete the 120 required credit hours in 2 years.
- The curriculum allows students to obtain the necessary knowledge and skills for better patient care and outcomes in various healthcare professional settings.
- The curriculum uses an evidence-based approach to learning that helps students understand wellness, health promotion, illness, disease management, and end-of-life care.
- In addition to the classroom component, students will practice alongside patients while employing the most recent medical technology.
- Students will undergo a rigorous curriculum preparing them for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program’s curriculum heavily emphasizes developing a student’s skills in deliberate planning, design, and management of safe, high-quality, and highly-valued care for diverse patients. Students are prepared to use creative scientific investigation, evidence-based nursing expertise, and data and information translation into nursing practice to meet typical clinical problems.
Did You Know?
Keiser University, despite being a private university, offers one of the most affordable tuition and fees.
New Jersey City University
Accelerated BSN
New Jersey City University has a 96% acceptance rate for its nursing degree programs. The Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at NJCU is among the most preferred nursing programs for students looking to change career paths. It is CCNE-approved.
- This program has a favorable transfer credit policy that allows students to transfer up to 50% of their previous degrees.
- With a completion time of 12 months, this program is one of the fastest, most accelerated BSN programs.
- Students who want to learn in the comfort of their homes can speak with an academic advisor regarding the availability of online courses.
- Students are strictly forbidden to enroll part-time and must complete classes and clinical experiences in a demanding, full-time schedule without intermission.
- The curriculum is designed to help students develop the necessary abilities to provide nursing care across the healthcare continuum and assume leadership roles in nursing.
- The program is available on two campuses; Jersey City, where classes start in September, and Fort Monmouth, where classes begin in May.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Students can work together to plan, manage, and provide high-quality care with interprofessional healthcare teams.
Did You Know?
NJCU – Fort Monmouth graduates passed the NCLEX with an astounding first-time pass rate of 97.8%, and the accelerated second-degree BSN program received special acclaim. The main campus program at NJCU was additionally ranked #14 in New Jersey.
University of Kentucky
Accelerated BSN
The University of Kentucky’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is in a hybrid learning format. With a 96% acceptance rate, this program is CCNE-accredited.
- The program requires students to complete 54-55 credits, which can be completed in 18 months of full-time study.
- The curriculum was designed to meet student’s needs and goals regardless if they enter the program with a bachelor’s or associate degree or a high school diploma.
- In addition to coursework, students must complete 700 hours of hands-on clinical experience in six specialties.
- The program has two summer sessions that typically begin in January.
- Students receive the best academic advising opportunities.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program offers four distinct internship opportunities; Health Equity, Nursing Practice, Nursing Research, and Nursing Education Internship. This allows students to customize their degrees to best fit their academic and professional goals. All accepted students must enroll in the course corresponding to the internship program immediately.
Did You Know?
The UK’s College of Nursing has taught and produced healthcare experts for 50 years. It is proud of its college community, which aggressively pursues ground-breaking research, earning it a position of #9 among the nation’s top public nursing schools that get funding from the NIH.
University of New Mexico
Accelerated BSN
The University of New Mexico offers a hybrid Accelerated BSc in Nursing for students seeking a second degree. With an acceptance rate of 96%, students can easily pursue this Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited program.
- Students must complete four terms of nursing courses in addition to the required clinical hours.
- Those who follow the suggested course sequencing and maintain 2.5 GPAs can graduate in two years.
- Students spend 16 months in coursework and the remaining month for clinical rotations.
- Students will have various clinical experiences to help them gain the practical knowledge required to be ready for a job as a BSN-prepared nurse.
- UNM students can participate in clinical rotations at the state’s only Level 1 trauma center.
- The curriculum prepares students to pass the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam.
- The program uses actual patients to help students develop the necessary skills to create a human connection.
What Makes This Program Unique:
The program allows students to participate in national clinical experiences. The Navajo Nation, the 19 New Mexico Pueblos, the Apache Nation, and the Mescalero Tribe are just some nations where ABSN students can pursue their clinical hours.
Did You Know?
In addition to real simulations, students also participate in Simulation IQ. Students can access virtual rooms through this system for telemedicine and telehealth consultations and standardized patient visits.
Wilkes University
Online Accelerated BSN Program
Wilke University’s nursing degree programs have an acceptance rate of 92%. One of the major nursing programs offered at WU is the Online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- While 100% of the didactic coursework is conducted online, students must still fulfill the one on-campus residency.
- Students can earn the degree in 12 months.
- Students will work with experts and actual patients to hone their skills in patient care.
- Students perform clinical rotations that will help them learn to apply nursing principles in various healthcare environments.
- Students will be closely supervised by their preceptor during their clinical rotation and indirectly supervised by a Wilkes clinical faculty supervisor who will guide, support, and assess their progress throughout each rotation.
What Makes This Program Unique:
Wilkes policy forbids students from contacting placement agencies, unlike other degree programs where nursing students are left alone to decide on their clinical experiences. Wilkes provides a placement team that takes care of the student’s placement. Wilkes assigns a clinical placement group by handling the practicalities of finding a clinical site with a preceptor or clinical group, allowing students to concentrate on their studies.
Did You Know?
Wilkes University offers the best student support services. Students will always feel supported throughout their degree program. Students may consult with an academic advisor to help them navigate their courses and clinicals.
Herzing University – Madison
Accelerated BSN
With a 92% acceptance rate, Herzing University–Madison’s Accelerated BSc in Nursing degree program is one of the best accelerated nursing programs. It is CCNE-approved.
- The program has a required total of 120 credits, with an average completion time of 20-24 months.
- Students are allowed to transfer up to 90 credit hours to the program.
- This degree is conducted in a hybrid learning format; general education classes are completed online, while core courses are on-campus,
- The program has rolling admissions, allowing students to enroll anytime.
- Learn from qualified instructors with real-world hospital and patient care expertise and engage in rigorous clinical training.
- The curriculum aims to equip students with the necessary knowledge to pass the NCLEX and become registered nurses.
- Students develop the necessary abilities to provide better patient care, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and apply for graduate degree programs.
What Makes This Program Unique:
This accelerated BSN program offers a dual degree option. The curriculum consists of MSN courses that will transfer to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), allowing students to save time and money while adding another level of academic difficulty to their second-degree nursing program.
Did You Know?
HU offers lifelong support. Unlike other schools that stop helping their students upon graduation, HU offers its graduates endless career counseling and other individualized services that help with career advancement.
Overview of Accelerated BSN Programs
The goal of an accelerated nursing program is to assist students in completing their bachelor’s degree more quickly than they would with a standard program. Most accelerated nursing programs are created for non-nurses who hold a degree in a different subject but want to switch quickly to nursing. These students can get their bachelor’s degree in nursing through BSN programs without completing an additional four years of study.
A fast-track nursing program typically lasts 12 to 24 months to complete. To allow aspiring nurses to earn their degrees as quickly as possible, accelerated BSN programs operate on a full-time, continuous schedule. Due to the extensive study required, it is typically not advised for ABSN students to hold a job while enrolled in this program. Yet, the syllabus is flexible in some nursing programs.
Each accelerated nursing program’s curriculum, course forms, and organizational structure might vary. However, they have some things in common.
Most ABSN programs will call for taking a mix of lectures, labs, and clinical experiences. Students can practice their abilities in a real-world nursing environment by participating in the clinical component of the accelerated nursing program. The most common courses in ABSN degrees include:
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nursing Ethics
- Microbiology
- Nursing Research
- Public and Global Health
- Health Assessment
- Nutrition
- Family, Community, and Population-Based Care
- Emergency Care
- Statistics
- Psychology/Anthropology
- Nursing Theory
Graduates of ABSN degrees will be qualified to apply for their registered nurse license by passing the NCLEX-RN board exam.
Ways to Get Accepted into Nursing School
Consolidate Your List of Nursing Programs
Accelerated BSN programs require students to do the same coursework as the traditional program but in half the time. Before sending your applications, make sure that you evaluate and ask yourself if you’re up for this challenge. Additionally, most online ABSN degree programs have a set of required specifications; make sure you can meet those, too.
Moreover, pick a program that is aligned with your objectives. For instance, specific ABSN courses can be finished in 12 months, while others take 16. You might choose a 12-month program if you want a nursing degree in a short amount of time. A 16-month program can be preferable if you plan to fit nursing school around your life.
Be sure the school has a simple procedure in place for transfers if you’re seeking nursing programs that do.
Reach Out to an Admissions Officer
It’s always important to do further research of your own on your preferred school. Remember that ABSN programs have professionals to speak directly with students about the program. Hence, your next move should be to contact an admissions officer after choosing a nursing school appropriate for you.
When reaching out to admissions officers, it’s crucial to prepare yourself and do additional research on the school and program. Making a strong first impression, showing a sincere interest in the program and becoming a nurse is important.
Pro tip: Preparing a list of questions before the call will help refresh your memory if you start feeling apprehensive and disoriented.
Understand Admission Requirements
In addition to improving your chances of acceptance to nursing school, doing some study before speaking with an admissions counselor might hasten the process. It begins by demonstrating that you know the prerequisites for enrollment in your selected program and how your academic background corresponds to those requirements.
The most common requirements of BSN degrees include the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum GPA of 2.5
- Prerequisites courses
It’s also important to note that even if your GPA falls slightly short of the admissions requirements, you will still be given consideration. Admissions counselors often hand out tips on how to improve GPA.
Be Transparent
The main goal of speaking with the admissions officer is to allow them to help you decide if the program is suitable for your needs. This entails being honest with them, especially with your academic background.
The best way to prove transparency is to present your unofficial college transcripts on hand for this chat, but if you don’t, don’t panic; your enrollment manager can explain how to get them.
While putting your best foot forward is essential, it’s also advisable to come clean about any concerns that might eventually prevent you from being eligible for nursing school. Whether you missed a deadline or have blemishes on your record, it’s crucial to be forthright about any information that could be construed as unfavorable. The admissions officer can also offer suggestions on increasing your chances of being accepted into our program; after all, their main objective is for you to succeed.
Career Paths for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduates
RNs with a BSN can choose from an astounding variety of job specialties. Many calls for a nurse’s expertise to be attested to through certification. Depending on their decision, these professionals might work in a rural hospital, a regional trauma center, or other healthcare settings.
Here is a selection of jobs to give you an idea of what is available as a BSN graduate.
Public Health Nurse
Public health nurses actively participate in their communities to promote population health rather than waiting for patients to come to them. They can provide accurate and helpful information about how individuals can protect their health because they have training as registered nurses.
Pediatric Nurse
Pediatric nurses focus on caring for children from infancy to late adolescence. These nurses have received specialized training to treat the kid with the utmost care while working with the family to address issues and challenges and improve treatment alternatives. Together with treating the patient, they collaborate closely with pediatricians and other medical professionals.
Surgical Nurse
Perioperative nurses, another name for surgical nurses, care for patients before, during, and after surgery and in the operating room. A registered nurse with perioperative training will do various tasks to support surgeons and nurse practitioners during surgery. On certain surgery patients, typically collaborate closely with a doctor to ensure everything goes as planned.
ICU Nurse
A registered nurse who focuses on providing care to patients in intensive care units in hospitals and healthcare facilities is an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse. They are responsible for monitoring the patient’s health, giving care, and offering unwavering support as they recover.
Nurse Manager
Although nurse managers may work directly with patients, they also take a back seat and handle the hiring and supervising of nursing personnel. Nursing managers play a variety of different roles. They primarily manage the nursing department’s staff and retain the experts, but they also collaborate with physicians and other medical professionals to deliver the best treatment possible.
Health Educator
Health educators instruct individuals or groups in community settings on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Assessing community needs, creating programs to satisfy those needs, and educating the community on how to address unhealthy lifestyle choices like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are all part of the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Accelerated BSN programs cost?
While costs differ significantly, the average cost of accelerated BSN programs ranges from $30,000 to $90,000.
Can anyone become an RN without a BSN?
Before, students were only required to complete an associate’s degree to become registered nurses. However, with the ever-changing competitive healthcare environment, the BSN is now considered the industry standard. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing confirms that the BSN is the minimum degree required for professional practice.
What are the benefits of an online BSN?
BSN degrees earned online provide flexibility and convenience for degree seekers juggling their academics with family and work obligations. While still having access to the same student services and other resources as students who attend classes on campus, distance learners may save money on living and transportation costs.
Can students complete their nursing clinical online?
Nursing clinicals must often be completed on-site at authorized locations by students. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, some nursing programs and healthcare facilities started using virtual simulations and telenursing to augment in-person clinical encounters. Following rules published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, many state boards of nursing have started to accept virtual simulations in place of some in-person clinical experiences.
Summary Points
- Accelerated nursing schools are a terrific choice if you’re set on becoming a nurse and want to get there quickly.
- Due to the extensive, continuous coursework of ABSN degrees, students are advised not to have a full-time job while enrolled in one.
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