Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs

Find Accelerated BSN Programs by State

Accelerated BSN programs, similar to a second degree BSN programs, had their beginning at Creighton University over 30 years ago. Accelerated BSN programs have undergone many adjustments over the years and gained popularity in the early 1990’s when nursing schools around the country began developing and offering their own accelerated nursing programs. The accelerated version of the second degree BSN program is more intensive and can often be completed in less time. The national and local nursing shortages were the driving force behind the development of accelerated second degree nursing programs. Positive impacts of accelerated BSN programs on the nursing shortage have been documented in most all areas of nursing practice.

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Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in any field are candidates, in most cases, for accelerated BSN programs. Applicants to accelerated second degree BSN programs will often be required to meet certain prerequisite classes prior to enrollment if their previous bachelor’s degree or master’s degree courses do not transfer or meet the requirements. General education requirements for the BSN are most often met with credit hours from the first bachelor’s. Prerequisite course information is easily obtained by contacting the school’s accelerated BSN program coordinator or admissions department. Select schools offering accelerated BSN programs can be found below, listed by state.

Accelerated BSN programs are extremely intensive programs requiring rigorous course schedules and complete dedication by students to the program. Programs run anywhere from 12 months to 20 months. Generally, students will take courses in biology, natural sciences, nursing theory, nursing practice and related study areas. Clinical requirements take place in hospitals, community based settings and related facilities working with experienced faculty and preceptors. Depending on the clinical site, students frequently gain experience in operating room nursing, emergency room nursing, critical care nursing, acute care nursing, neonatal intensive care nursing, pediatric intensive care nursing and other nursing fields during their clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are such a beneficial aspect of the nursing curriculum, allowing future nurses to experience working in the various fields of nursing and to hopefully find one that matches their talents and interests. The accelerated BSN program is often much less expensive than a traditional four-year BSN program and depending on the program, will incorporate some master’s level nursing courses.

NCLEX-RN pass rates for accelerated BSN program graduates often exceed the national averages. This is has been attributed to accelerated BSN second degree student type. The accelerated BSN student is assertive, often has a number of years of work experience and has made a major life decision to change careers. This student has the focus and desire to extrapolate everything they can from the curriculum and clinical instruction. The work ethic of the accelerated BSN graduate has been recognized throughout the nursing community and graduates are often highly sought after by top employers. This all means that it is a great time to start researching this education and career path.

Feeling like this is the right move for you both personally and professionally? The first step is to select an accelerated BSN program, many of which are listed below by state. Contact the school for specific admissions requirements, application procedures and financial aid information.

Accelerated BSN and Second Degree BSN Programs Listed by State

Alabama

Samford University – Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing

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Samford University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program and the Alabama Board of Nursing. Samford University is an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.

Programs Offered: RN to MSN (for associate’s and diploma RNs), MSN – (Specializations: Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA), Nurse Educator, Management, Family Nurse Practitioner), MSN/MBA, DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate (Specializations: Family nurse Practitioner, Education, Management)

Samford University – Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing,
800 Lakeshore Drive,
Birmingham, AL 35229

California

Concordia University

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Located in Irvine, CA, Concordia University Concordia University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Accelerated Second Degree BSN

Mount St. Mary’s College Department of Nursing

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Located in Los Angeles, CA, the Mount St. Mary’s College Department of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: ADN, LVN Mobility Option (LVN to ADN or LVN to BSN), BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, ADN to MSN

Colorado

Regis University – Loretto Height School of Nursing

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The Regis University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: RN to BSN, RN to MS in Nursing (Tracks: Leadership in Health Care Systems – Management or Education), Online DNP – (Tracks: Advanced Practice Nursing, Advanced Leadership in Health Care)

Connecticut

Quinnipiac University Department of Nursing

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The Quinnipiac University BSN and MSN programs are Accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), and are approved by the Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing.

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BSN, Part-time MSN, MSN – (MSN Specializations: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner), Post-Master’s Certificate

275 Mount Carmel Avenue,
Hamden, CT 06518

District of Columbia

Catholic University of America – School of Nursing

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The nursing programs are CCNE accredited.

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs – Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator, Community/Public Health Nurse Specialist Educator Program, Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist & Nurse Practitioner Programs – Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), PhD, DNP

The Catholic University of America,
620 Michigan Ave., N.E.,
Washington, DC 20064,
PH: 800-673-2772

Florida

Barry University College of Health Sciences – Division of Nursing

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The BSN program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Barry University accepts applications year-round, click below to request information and program materials.

Programs Offered: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN/BSN-to-MSN, Part-Time MSN – (Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator), Accelerated RN to MSN, RN to MSN Bridge (RN with baccalaureate in another field to MSN), Post-Master’s Certificate (Tracks: Acute Care NP, Family NP, Nursing Administration), PhD in Nursing

Barry University College of Health Sciences,
Health Sciences Admissions,
11300 N.E. Second Avenue,
Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies

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The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. The anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. The nurse-midwifery program is accredited by the American College of Nursing-Midwives.

Programs Offered: BSN, Second Degree BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Acute Care NP, Adult NP, Family NP, Blended Role Psychiatric/Mental Health Specialist, Women’s Health NP), PhD Nursing, Graduate Certificates: Education or Research

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies,
P.O. Box 248153,
Coral Gables, FL 33124

Illinois

Lakeview College of Nursing

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Located in Danville, IL, the Lakeview College of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the American Association Colleges of Nursing Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Programs Offered: BSN, LPN to BSN, Accelerated BSN, BSN Completion Program (For RN’s)

Maryland

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

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The BSN and Master’s nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are approved by the Maryland State Board of Examiners of Nurses. The baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs are endorsed by the Maryland State Board for Higher Education.

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BS, RN to BS, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Practitioner Option – Adult, Family, or Pediatric Primary Care, Adult Acute/Critical Care | Management of Care Option – Health Systems Management, Health Systems Management: Emergency Preparedness/Disaster Response, MSN/MBA, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist – Forensic Nursing, Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse-Midwifery in collaboration with Shenandoah University Division of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist/Health Systems Management, Public Health Nursing), MSN/MPH with the Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – (Tracks: Public Health Nursing, Nurse Practitioner with a Public Health Nursing Focus – Adult Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner with a Public Health Nursing Focus), MSN/PhD, PhD, DNP

Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing,
525 N. Wolfe Street,
Baltimore, MD 21205-2110

Nebraska

Creighton University School of Nursing

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Located in Omaha, NE, Creighton University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The accelerated second degree BSN program is began over thirty years ago and is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States.

Programs Offered: BSN, Part-Time BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, Part-Time MSN, RN to MSN, MSN – (APRN Tracks: Adult Acute Care and Adult NP, Family Nurse NP, Neonatal NP, Acute Care Pediatric NP, Behavioral Health NP, Public/Global Health Nurse, CNS, CNL), Post-Master’s, DNP

New Jersey

Seton Hall University College of Nursing

School Branding

The Baccalaureate nursing programs and the Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN (Second Degree), RN to BSN, Bridge to MSN (For nurses with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees, MSN – (Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Systems Administration, Case Management, Nurse Practitioner (Pediatric, Adult or Gerontological), School Nursing), Joint MSN/MBA, MA Nursing Education, PhD, Post-Bachelor’s Certificate – (Concentrations: Nursing Administration, Nursing Case Management, School Nurse)

Seton Hall University College of Nursing,
400 South Orange Avenue,
South Orange, NJ 07079

New Mexico

New Mexico State University School of Nursing

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Located in Las Cruces, NM, the New Mexico State University School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs and the MSN programs are approved by the New Mexico Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, Second Degree BSN (For Non-Nurses) , RN to BSN Completion, MSN Online – (Tracks: Nursing Administration, Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Public/Community Health Nursing, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Online)

New York

Binghamton University – SUNY Decker School of Nursing

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Located in Binghamton, NY, the Binghamton University – SUNY Decker School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Practitioner – Community Health Nursing, Family Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Programs , Clinical Nurse Specialist – Same specialization options as the NP), Post-Master’s Certificate, PhD

Columbia University School of Nursing – New York

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All Nursing programs offered at the Columbia University School of Nursing are accredited by the Collegiate Commission of Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New York State Education Department.

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BS/MS, MSN – (Specializations: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner), University Statutory Certificate for Nurses with an NP and a Master’s who want additional specialization, MS Completion, MSN/MBA, MSN/MPH, DNP, PhD

University at Buffalo School of Nursing

School Branding

The Baccalaureate nursing programs and the Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing – BS, Second Degree Accelerated BS, MS – (MSN Tracks: Adult/Medical-Surgical CNS, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Maternal and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist), Post-Master’s Certificates – (Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Maternal and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing

University at Buffalo School of Nursing,
1040 Kimball Tower,
State University of New York at Buffalo,
Buffalo, NY 14214-3079

University of Rochester School of Nursing

School Branding

The Baccalaureate nursing programs and the Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Part-Time BSN, Accelerated BSN (for Second Degree Students), Part-Time MSN, Accelerated MSN (for Second Degree students), RN to MSN, MSN – (Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner), Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with Pediatric Behavioral Health Specialization), Care of Children and Families (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner/Neonatal Nurse Practitioner), Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Adult/Family), PhD, DNP

University of Rochester School of Nursing,
601 Elmwood Avenue,
Box SON,
Rochester, NY 14642

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing

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Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Programs Offered: Traditional BSN, Part-Time BSN, Second Degree BSN, Accelerated Second Degree BSN, Accelerated RN to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nursing Administration, Nurse Educator), Joint MSN/MBA, PhD in Nursing, DNP

Oklahoma City University Kramer School of Nursing
2501 North Blackwelder
Oklahoma City, OK 73106-1498

Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

School Branding

The Baccalaureate nursing programs and the Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: Accelerated BSN – Second Degree, Accelerated BSN/MSN Direct Entry, MSN – (Tracks: Adult Acute Care NP, Adult Health NP, Adult Health NP and Gerontology NP Program, Adult NP: Advanced Practice Oncology NP, Family Health NP, Gerontology NP, Neonatal NP, Pediatric NP, Pediatric Acute/Chronic NP, Pediatric Critical Care NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Primary Care Family NP, Health Leadership Master’s, Nursing and Health Care Administration, Nurse Anesthesia Program, Nurse Midwifery Program, Post-Masters Certificate in Sleep, Psychiatric Mental Health CNS Program), MSN/PhD, PhD

University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing,
418 Curie Boulevard,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6020

Villanova University College of Nursing

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The bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs offered by Villanova University are fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Graduates of the BSN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

Programs Offered: BSN, Adult Learners, Second Degree BSN, BSN/MSN Gateway for RNs, MSN – (Concentrations: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Administration, Nursing Education, Nurse Anesthetist), Post-Master’s Certificates – (Concentrations: Same as MSN except for Health Care Administration), PhD

Villanova University College of Nursing,
800 E. Lancaster Avenue,
Villanova, PA 19085

Tennessee

Belmont University School of Nursing

School Branding

The Baccalaureate and Master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner), Post-Master’s Certificate – (Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education)

Belmont University School of Nursing,
1900 Belmont Blvd,
Nashville, TN 37212-3757

Virginia

Marymount University School of Health Professions – Department of Nursing

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All nursing programs offered by Marymount University School of Health Professions are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and hold approval from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered: BSN, RN to BSN Online, Accelerated BSN, MSN – (Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education), DNP, Post-Master’s Certificate – (Family Nurse Practitioner or Nursing Education)

Marymount University School of Health Professions – Department of Nursing,
2807 North Glebe Road,
Arlington, VA 22207

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