If you are interested in making the change to a nursing career, then you are probably interested in Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs. The ABSN degree path can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to enter the nursing profession and become a registered nurse (RN), and it can do so in a short time frame.
This guide offers an overview of accelerated nursing programs, including who they are designed for, the benefits of taking an ABSN program, and what to expect in an ABSN course.
Accelerated nursing programs (sometimes also called “second degree nursing programs”) are specifically created for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. Students entering an accelerated nursing degree program receive transfer credit for their general education and prerequisite science coursework from their previous bachelor’s degree.
ABSN programs can be completed in a shorter amount of time than a traditional undergraduate bachelor’s degree—generally one to two years. The coursework taken in the ABSN is focused on nursing topics and on clinical experience, and the program also prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), which all nurses must earn in order to become a registered nurse (RN).
ABSN programs are designed for adult learners who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. There are numerous scenarios in which someone may be interested in pursuing an ABSN degree.
These include individuals who:
To apply to an accelerated nursing program, you need to meet certain requirements.
Academic requirements include:
Personal and health requirements include:
You will also need to purchase and maintain a student nurse liability insurance policy throughout your program.
You may be wondering why you shouldn’t just enroll in an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program. ASN programs take about two years and prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, just like an accelerated BSN program does. However, a BSN confers several advantages over the ASN.
The chief advantage of earning a BSN instead of an ASN is that you have more education, are better trained, and will have more job opportunities. Earning your BSN will increase your competitive advantage in the workplace. It also expands your potential salary range.
Salaries for nurses vary greatly across the country, but generally speaking, a new nurse with a BSN looking for his or her first job can expect to earn more than a new ASN-qualified nurse. Recent surveys from various states show an advantage for BSNs that can range from $2,000-$6,000 more per year at entry level.
Source: https://www.nursinglicensure.org/articles/adn-vs-bsn.html
The chief advantage comes with the potential for advancement. Many roles in management, case management, research, and training require applicants to hold BSN degrees. Graduate nursing degrees also require BSNs as a prerequisite.
Accelerated nursing programs offer many advantages over traditional degree programs. These advantages include:
Accelerated nursing programs often require applicants to have completed prerequisites in science, mathematics, and health topics. Some students will have taken these courses during their first undergraduate degree. Others may need to re-take or complete prerequisites before enrolling in an ABSN program.
Students most often have to take nursing prerequisites when they:
An enrollment advisor will be able to help you determine which prerequisites, if any, you need to take before beginning nursing classes as part of an accelerated nursing degree.
Prerequisites that may be required include:
At GMercyU, we offer nursing prerequisite courses online with in-home laboratory kits for hands-on learning.
Earning a BSN as your first nursing qualification sets you up for positive outcomes in your nursing career. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine issued a recommendation that 80% of the nursing workforce have a BSN by 2020. This is because multiple studies have shown that patients treated by BSN nurses have better health outcomes, including fewer post-operative blood clots, fewer pressure sores, and lower mortality. Better patient care often leads to lower health care costs, which is a key concern for hospitals and clinics of all sizes.
Next, hospitals and other employers increasingly prefer to hire nurses with BSN degrees, and some, like the Veterans’ Administration and the U.S. Armed Forces, require new hires to have one. A recent Payscale.com analysis of 187,000 nursing job openings found that nurses who hold a BSN would qualify for 88% of the positions, while nurses with only an associate degree would qualify for 51%.
With experience and professional development, a BSN degree can take you to some of the highest-paid nursing occupations in the health care industry.
Job Title |
Salary |
Growth |
Surgical Nurse |
$74,197 |
26% by 2020 |
Pediatric Nurse |
$41,000-$65,500 |
26% by 2020 |
ICU Nurse |
$62,000 |
26% by 2020 |
Obstetric and Gynecological Nurse |
$60,000 |
26% by 2020 |
RNs who hold BSN degrees can enter nursing practice specialization areas, which offer the opportunity for interesting and fulfilling work as well as the chance to develop specialized, in-demand skills.
These specializations can include:
Nurses who hold a BSN may also qualify to work as school nurses, travel nurses, case managers, nursing managers or clinical supervisors who monitor nursing students during clinical placements.
In addition to giving you a competitive edge with employers and a skill set that can lead to better patient care, earning a BSN degree sets you up for graduate nursing education in the future.
After you have gained nursing career experience and explored the specializations which interest you, your BSN can qualify you to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and possibly even a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
With an MSN degree, you can qualify for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) in specialties including:
An MSN degree can also equip you for management and administration roles in hospitals and health care systems. Having the option to earn an MSN or other graduate degrees down the line is yet another advantage of earning your BSN in an accelerated program.
An accelerated BSN teaches the essential skills and knowledge you will need to start your nursing career ready to provide superior patient care. The curriculum in these programs combines classroom instruction, laboratory and simulation experience, and clinical rotations in local health care facilities.
You will learn a combination of health science and nursing practice theory, research skills and hands-on practical clinical skills. Courses will also address professional ethics, technology, and health policy.
At GMercyU, we aim to produce BSN graduates who are ready to take on leadership roles as they gain experience as well as prepared to provide superior clinical care. When you complete our accelerated nursing degree program, you will be ready to:
Accelerated BSN programs present nursing courses over a shorter timeframe than four-year programs. At GMercyU, our ABSN program takes place over four semesters for a total of 16 months. The course progression for 2018-2019 is:
First Semester - 20 credits
Second Semester - 16 credits
Third Semester- 17 credits
Fourth Semester - 14 credits
After completing your degree, you will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN examination and register with your state in order to be licensed to practice. State licensing laws vary, so check with your state’s nursing board so you understand what is required.
You can also ask your nursing instructors, program directors, or clinical education coordinators for more information about how to obtain your license in your state.
Online Accelerated Nursing Programs are becoming more and more popular for adults interested in the health care field, who want to expand their knowledge past their bachelor’s degree but need the flexibility and convenience of an online education.
With that in mind, many institutions have implemented online ABSN programs to help adult learners earn their second degree while still being able to manage their everyday obligations, such as family and work. These programs offer most theory classes online to cut down the amount of time spent on campus. However, students will still need to attend laboratory classes, simulation sessions and clinical experiences in person.
One of the great things about online Accelerated Nursing Programs is that they do not just consist of video lectures and PowerPoints that require heavy reading and notetaking. Today’s technology allows institutions to incorporate interactive simulations that expose students to situations they could encounter as a nurse.
GMercyU offers best-in-class online nursing programs, whether you're seeking bachelors, masters, or certificate options.
Accelerated nursing programs can typically take anywhere from 12-18 months to complete. An individual’s time frame will depend on whether he or she needs to take prerequisite courses before beginning the nursing curriculum.
Yes, you can obtain your BSN without holding an RN license first. The entire rationale behind ABSN programs is to allow people new to the health care field to enter nursing practice. Therefore, you can apply to enroll in an accelerated BSN after earning your bachelor’s degree in another field.
No, but it will confer a significant career advantage for nurses who have one. The Institute of Medicine’s recommendation to have 80% of RNs qualified with BSNs by 2020 is not binding or a legal requirement. There is as of yet no legislation in effect in any state to require nurses to hold a BSN as a minimum requirement for practice. The ASN is not being phased out, although employers increasingly prefer BSNs.
Some states have considered so-called “BSN in 10” laws, which would require ASN-qualified nurses to earn a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure in order to maintain the right to practice as an RN. So far, New York is the only state to pass a BSN in 10 law, which became effective January 1, 2018. Some employers may have internal policies which require new hires to hold a BSN or which require current nurses who only hold an ASN to upgrade to a BSN within a certain time period in order to keep their jobs.