03/13/2022
An accelerated BSN may be an ideal option for people with a bachelor’s degree in another field considering a career shift into nursing.
However, many accelerated BSN programs have limited slots for prospects. So several students miss out on getting a place annually. You can avoid that by applying to programs with high acceptance rates.
So, which BSN programs have the highest acceptance rates? This article covers that and everything else you need to know about returning to school for an accelerated BSN.
An accelerated BSN is a second-degree program for someone with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline and desires to become a registered nurse.
Accelerated BSN programs can last anywhere from 12 to 19 months, depending on the structure and intensity of the program. Some, however, can last up to two years.
You’ll be completing nursing-specific courses throughout these months. Many of these courses may be condensed to accommodate the accelerated pace towards graduation.
It’s crucial to note that the program’s advertised duration doesn’t include the time it may take to finish the prerequisite courses required for admission.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that by 2024, there’ll be 3.19 million nurse positions available. For many professionals, an accelerated BSN curriculum is worthwhile. Nursing is a field that’s always in demand because it contributes to people’s health and well-being.
Nurses can assist people in both their happiest and saddest moments. Nursing is a rising profession, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the coming decade, RN positions will grow at a rate of 9%.
Obtaining a BSN may also help you qualify for a master’s degree in the future. With an MSN, you could study to become a certified advanced practice nurse. Roles in advanced practice nursing are expected to grow at 26% over the next decade.
Due to limited capacity and a large number of applications, accelerated programs can be highly competitive. These three pointers can assist you in standing out:
Many accelerated programs require some core prerequisite courses, in addition to a bachelor’s degree. Microbiology, statistics, anatomy, and physiology are a few examples.
If you haven’t taken these classes in a while, double-check to see if the institution requires completing these prerequisites within a particular number of years.
Most nursing programs require an entrance exam before they’ll admit you to the program, and accelerated applicants are no exception. The entrance exam covers all the courses needed for nursing school admission, including maths, reading comprehension, sciences, vocabulary, and general knowledge.
There are numerous resources available to assist you in studying for and scoring well on the admission exams, whether it’s the HESI, ATI, or TEASE.
GPA is a crucial factor to consider when applying to accelerated BSN programs. Many programs have a minimum GPA requirement, typically ranging from 3.0 to 3.5.
Regardless of competitiveness, there are still nursing schools with high acceptance rates. Many of these schools aggressively recruit nursing students and often offer a variety of nursing degrees.
West Virginia University is a public institution that was founded in 1867. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,086 (fall 2019), its setting is suburban, and the campus size…....
Accounting Acting (BFA) Advertising Agriculture and Natural Resources
West Virginia, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 84.3%
West Virginia University‘s BS/BA to Bachelor of Science program is an accelerated course for those who already have a bachelor’s in any field. The program runs for 18 months, after which graduates can sit for the RN licensing examination.
For over 90 years, Regis has boldly empowered generations of leaders to change lives and be a force for good in the world. A coed, Catholic university founded by the…....
Biology Biosystems Engineering Business Analytics CommunicationMassachusetts, US School Type : University
Acceptance Rate: 79.3%
Regis University offers a full-time accelerated BSN program at its Weston, Massachusetts campus. You can complete this accelerated course in 16 months. At completion, you become eligible for the NCLEX-RN exam.
The program has a 93% pass rate on the NCLEX examination. That attests to the quality of nursing education the institution provides.
DeSales University is a private institution that was founded in 1964. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,398 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is…....
Accounting Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Biology BSN ProgramCenter Valley, PA, US School Type : Private, Coed
Acceptance Rate: 78.8%
You can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 15 months at DeSales University. The program is full-time, and all courses are held on campus.
Although the program has a rigorous admission process, its acceptance rate puts it at the very top. The program offers an internship in the last semester to provide you with additional clinical experience.
University of South Alabama is a public institution that was founded in 1963. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,050 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus…....
Accounting Anthropology Art BiologyAlabama, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 78.7%
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you can take this Accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway to become a registered nurse. As a public school, the University of South Alabama has a high acceptance rate.
You can opt for the MSN program towards the end of your BSN. There, you can take one of the several nursing specialties.
Drexel University is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,552 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is…....
Art Business Communication Computer SciencePhiladelphia, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 74.7%
If you can put in enough hours and work, you can get your BSN degree in just 11 months with Drexel University’s BSN (Accelerated Career Entry Program). The full-time nursing program required you to commit five days a week to attending classes and performing other course-related activities.
The institution’s 97 – 100% National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) pass rate is encouraging. Also, the high acceptance rate means you stand a good chance of getting a place in the program.
Oklahoma City University is a private institution that was founded in 1904. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,526 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size…....
Biology Chemistry Computer Science Criminal JusticeOklahoma, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 74.6%
Oklahoma City University has an accelerated study track that allows students to complete the BSN program in 16 months. Students spend four semesters in the full-time program.
As a student, you have a total of 56 credit hours in nursing courses to take. Afterward, you can sit for the NCLEX exam. In 2020, the university had a 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate.
Loyola University Chicago is a private institution that was founded in 1870. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,612 (fall 2020), its setting is city, and the campus size…....
Art Business Communication EducationIllinois, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 67.2%
If you hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing area, you can find your way into the nursing profession with Loyola University Chicago ABSN Program. The best part is that you can complete the program in 16 months.
Students get to benefit from the immense knowledge and experience of the teaching staff and clinicians. The program is a perfect blend of nursing courses, simulation labs, and clinical rotations.
Clemson University is a public institution that was founded in 1889. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,868 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is…....
Animal Science Anthropology Architecture ArtSouth Carolina, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Clemson University’s Accelerated Second Degree Nursing is an intense full-time program. It’s a perfect fit for bachelor’s degree holders looking to become RNs.
The program takes 16 months, comprising four semesters. As a student, you’ll learn skills that’ll prove helpful in professional nursing practice.
Purdue University—West Lafayette is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,920 (fall 2020), its setting is city, and the campus size…....
Art Business Communication EconomicsIndiana, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 60%
Purdue University offers a 16-months Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It’s a full-time program that runs for four semesters and requires students to complete 59 credits.
Students receive training to pass the NCLEX-RN. Graduates can opt to jump right into professional practice or pursue a doctoral degree.
Kent State University Kent State University is one of 91 public doctoral universities with high research activity, as categorized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Kent State…....
Accounting Acting (BFA) Acting & Performing Arts AdvertisingOhio, US School Type : University
Acceptance Rate: 50%
This program runs four to five semesters, depending on the student’s schedule. For every admission year, it has a daytime cohort, summa cohort, and weekend cohort.
Graduates are eligible to sit for National Certification and Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). With a 90+ NCLEX pass rate, you can be sure you’re in good hands.
Students can fast-track their career as nurses by enrolling in online accelerated BSN programs that allow them to get their second degree and begin working in their chosen field.
The following online accelerated BSNs had the highest acceptance rates in 2021:
Thomas Edison State University is a public university located in Trenton, New Jersey. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 69 undergraduate students. The Thomas Edison State University…....
Accounting Art Communication Computer ScienceNew Jersey, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Because the Thomas Edison Online Accelerated BSN program is demanding and hence noted for its severity, students are not permitted to take on additional work outside of the CCNE accredited program. Clinical experiences are held at Capital Health Campuses across New Jersey,
Marymount University is a private institution that was founded in 1950. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,041 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is…....
Accounting Applied Statistics Art Art HistoryVirginia, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Marymount University’s online second-degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is specifically for those who wish to transition into nursing. Because of the rigorous coursework, practicing nurses are advised not to apply.
The program has a 16-month duration and inculcates the best nursing values into students for that period.
University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution that was founded in 1895. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 35,064 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the…....
Accounting ADN Program Biology BSN ProgramTexas, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate: 82.9%
Enrolling at UTA College of Nursing and Health Innovation gets you a BSN degree as early as nine months. The RN-BSN program builds on your existing nursing skills and experience.
The program focuses on nursing leadership and research-based science. If you desire advanced roles in healthcare, this program does well to prepare you for that.
Elmhurst University is a private institution that was founded in 1871. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,838 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is…....
BSN Program Cyber Security Data Science Information TechnologyIllinois, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 67.8%
Elmhurst University offers an accelerated BSN program to help fast-track your career as an RN. With any bachelor’s degree, you can earn an ABSN in 16 months.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). That’s after 60 credit hours and 625 clinical hours.
If you have a day job and want a BSN degree to get you up the ladder in your career, a hybrid accelerated BSN program is a good fit.
These hybrid programs are a mix of on-campus classes and online classes. Although there are fewer on-campus classes, most institutions require minimizing how much time you spend at work.
That way, you can meet the program demands and get the best out of the training. Let’s take a look at hybrid BSN programs with the highest acceptance rates.
Indian River State College is a public institution that was founded in 1960. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 16,942 (fall 2019), and the setting is Suburban. It utilizes…....
Accounting Anthropology Art BiologyFlorida, US School Type : Public
Acceptance Rate:100%
Indian River State College offers an accelerated RN to BSN, which you can complete in 14 months. The nursing program has 121 credits, and students will learn the fundamentals of leadership, research, and community practice.
The university has a 100% acceptance rate, and the same applies to its accelerated BSN program.
Nestled in the scenic Laramie Valley and in the shadow of the towering Snowy Range Mountains, the city of Laramie is the home of the University of Wyoming. When you…....
Accounting Agricultural Business Agricultural Studies Agriculture and Natural ResourcesLaramie, WY, US School Type : public
Acceptance Rate: 96%
BRAND’s program lasts 15 months, from summer to summer. It includes regular online classes as well as a mix of distance and in-person instruction and clinical work.
The first summer of classes takes place primarily on campus in Laramie. Although campus dorm services can offer housing, many students prefer to commute. For the first summer, sessions are held on campus 4-5 days a week, every other week.
Following the in-person summer courses, most education happens online using technology that enables face-to-face interaction with teachers. Those who apply for this program must be self-disciplined and independent, as BRAND is intellectually demanding and rewarding.
Gwynedd Mercy University is a private institution that was founded in 1948. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,990 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size…....
Accounting Biology Business Administration CommunicationGwynedd Valley, PA, US School Type : Private, Coed
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Gwynedd Mercy University is a liberal arts college that is one of the Catholic 16 Sisters of Mercy colleges. The mission of Gwynedd Mercy is about service. Their 314-acre campus is near Philadelphia.
For over 60 years, the university’s Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions has been a hub of cutting-edge nursing education and practice.
Gwynedd Mercy offers an online accelerated BSN program for second-degree individuals seeking the best clinical practice and critical health sciences curriculum.
University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh is a public institution that was founded in 1871. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,267 (fall 2019), its setting is city, and the campus size…....
Art Biotechnology Business Administration Criminal Justice, US School Type :
Acceptance Rate:76.3%
The University of Wisconsin accelerated BSN program provides rigorous coursework for 52+ weeks to prepare students for a rewarding nursing career. This hybrid program is perfect for bachelor’s degree holders looking to get a BSN.
Students have to maintain the best academic standards because the program takes one year. So there’s a lot to do. Although most of the work happens online, students have to meet some requirements on-site.
Capital University is a private institution that was founded in 1830. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,282 (fall 2020), its setting is urban, and the campus size is…....
Accounting Art Biology BusinessColumbus, OH, US School Type : Private, Coed
Acceptance Rate: 72.1%
With Capital University‘s hybrid accelerated BSN program, you can transform your nursing career in 20 months. The program takes an average of 32 students per cohort and runs for five semesters.
Some courses take place online, while others have to be face-to-face. There are also clinical rounds on specific days to give you a complete nursing training experience.
Marian University (IN) is a private institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,566 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size…....
Business Education Liberal Arts MathematicsIndianapolis, IN, US School Type : Private, Coed
Acceptance Rate: 61.5%
Marian University is a non-profit Catholic university in Indianapolis that was founded in 1936. It’s within their value system to invite students from all areas of life to learn at this university, even though it’s a faith-based institution.
Marian University provides a competitive online accelerated BSN program, a hybrid curriculum with in-person labs in Indianapolis. The best part about the program is that non-nurses can apply. So your first degree can be in anything – be it biology or psychology.
The program is notable for its flexibility, as the material is mostly delivered through an e-learning environment, which the second-degree students can access whenever they want.
Olivet Nazarene University is a private institution that was founded in 1907. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,802 (fall 2020), its setting is suburban, and the campus size…....
Art Music Nursing ScienceBourbonnais, IL, US School Type : Private, Coed
Acceptance Rate: 57.8%
The online Accelerated Bachelors in Nursing Program at Olivet Nazarene University is for second-degree students who want to transfer into the field of nursing after earning a BA in another discipline. You’d have to opt for the university’s RN-BSN program if you’re an RN.
This is a full-time hybrid program that combines hands-on learning with online education, emphasizing practical and theoretical aspects. Exams always occur in Oak Brook, IL, and labs plus clinical work takes place in numerous locations throughout the Chicago area.
With a total of 59 credit hours, the program might take students up to 16 months to complete.
Methodist College is a private institution. Its tuition and fees are $17,988.....
BSN Program MSN ProgramPeoria, IL, US School Type : Private
Acceptance Rate: 44%
BSN students at Methodist College receive intensive training that includes online day classes, weekend face-to-face lectures, and clinical experience sessions. These in-person workshops are helpful because you’ll get plenty of hands-on practice, which will help you fine-tune your professional skills.
You have the option of completing this ABSN degree part-time or full-time. Full-time students will work together as a cohort to complete the degree in five semesters.
However, as a part-time student, you won’t be part of a cohort because you’ll work at your speed.
For persons who already have a college degree, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a fast way to acquire a nursing degree. You may be eligible to enroll in an ABSN program if you hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
College graduates who desire to start a career as a nurse are the best candidates for ABSN programs.
The cost of an accelerated BSN program can range from $40,000 to over $80,000.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), more than 250 accelerated nursing bachelor’s degree programs exist across the country, with several more in the works to accommodate the growing demand.
Fortunately, the programs on this list are spread across the country to help you identify the one closest to you.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% growth in the employment rate of registered nurses for the next decade. There’s no better time to join this thriving profession.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, that’s no problem. You can easily switch to a BSN with an accelerated BSN program that falls under two years in length. Some are way shorter.
But getting admitted into a program can be problematic. Save yourself that stress and consider programs with high acceptance rates, as we’ve discussed.
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