Best Online Accelerated BSN Programs

Baylor University

Baylor is an esteemed, private university located in Waco, Texas. Their Louise Herrington School of Nursing is ranked as the #1 nursing school in Texas, and #25 for the United States’ Most Innovative Schools. This accelerated nursing program is flexible, remote and perfect for students looking to begin their nursing careers.

Prerequisites for this nursing degree program are as follows:

• Microbiology
• Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• Chemistry
• English Composition I & II
• English Literature
• Federal Government
• Bible-Based Religion
• World Religion
• History
• Nutrition
• Statistics
• Intro to Psychology & Developmental Psychology
• Intro to Sociology

This program didn’t earn such esteemed rankings without offering a few highly-valuable advantages. Just to name a few, here are some of the benefits of this online ABSN program:

• Assistance with clinical placement – Baylor’s faculty assists online students in finding appropriate healthcare facilities to fulfill their required clinical hours. Not only are these hours necessary for credit completion, but they also ensure graduates of the program are prepared for a career outside of nursing school.
• Practical skills – Baylor students emerge with more than just technical knowledge of the medical field. They learn the ins and outs of the job through practical skill development in addition to textbook studying. You’d cover such topics as professional nursing, fulfilling patient needs, clinical care for all life stages and healthcare issues and policies.
• Experienced faculty – Classes are taught by some of Baylor’s finest faculty, including nationally recognized leaders in the medical field.

Marymount University

Located in Arlington, Virginia, Marymount University is a private institution that U.S. News ranks as #31 for Regional Universities South. Requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, and successful completion of the following prerequisite courses:

• Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• Chemistry
• Developmental Psychology 
• Microbiology with Lab
• Nutrition
• Sociology
• Statistics

If you meet the admission requirements, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of this ABSN program, including:

• NCLEX preparation – Over the past 5 years, Marymount graduates consistently pass the NCLEX at a high rate of 90%. Students at Marymount are thoroughly prepared for their licensing exam, and learn a well-rounded curriculum that covers all elements of nursing.
• Mentorship and support – Every student is appointed their own Success Advisor during their time at Marymount. Advisors help students choose the right classes, provide mentorship within the department and keep them on track for efficient program completion.
• Flexible GPA requirements – While most ABSN programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, Marymount allows admission with a 2.8 or above. This flexibility is proof that Marymount is concerned with your aptitude and passion for nursing, rather than focusing on your performance in a previous major.

Wilkes University

Wilkes University is a privately owned college in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Students looking to earn their BSN in a short amount of time can enroll in Wilkes’ online ABSN program, so long as they meet the school’s admission requirements, which include:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 GPA
• A written statement of nursing career goals
• Two letters of recommendation
• Five pre-requisite courses 

Advantages of this program include:

• An especially accelerated program – Students of Wilkes University’s online ABSN program will be prepared for a career in nursing within a single year, making it one of the fastest BSN programs in the country.
• Competitive tuition – Your total cost of tuition at Wilkes University will fall between $56,000 and $60,000, a competitive rate for a private university with such a rigorous program.
• Excellent NCLEX pass rates – Wilkes University consistently garners above-average passing rates for graduates of their ABSN program. The online coursework prepares you well by covering a large number of topics, including foundations of nursing, evidence-based care, leadership skills, and cultural and economic diversity among patients.
• Clinical placement assistance – Members of Wilkes’ Placement Team are trained to help all students find clinical placement sites within their community, ensuring graduation requirements are met and enough practice is done to prepare students for a career in healthcare.

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University is a private liberal arts college located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois. The school not only offers in-person classes, but also a distance ABSN program. Requirements for this program include:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A minimum 2.8 GPA
• 25 credit hours in the following prerequisite courses:
  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II
  • Microbiology with Lab
  • Statistics
  • Chemistry with Lab
  • Lifespan Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology

Just a few advantages of this unique program include:

• Award winning – The distance ABSN program at Elmhurst is the only one of its kind in Illinois, and U.S. News ranks it the #3 Most Innovative School in the Midwest and the #7 Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Midwest. The program is also accredited by the CCNE.
• Full time and fast paced – This full time program can be completed in as little as 16 months. Elmhurst also accepts a large variety of credits from other programs, allowing graduates to complete their core requirements with greater ease.
• Support – Every student will have full access to a staff of advisors. Your advisor will be there to help every step of the process, from application to graduation.

University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis School of Nursing’s online programs equip students for rewarding careers in nursing, advanced practice, education, and leadership. UIndy's faculty have outstanding reputations and bring decades of clinical experience in a wide range of specialties to the classroom. Their online ABSN program ABSN is a unique online program prepares you to become a compassionate nurse in just 15 months

Prerequisites for UIndy's online ABSN program are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree in any field
• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.82
• HESI A2 test score (at local site if proctored)
• Prerequisite courses including:
  • Human Anatomy
  • Human Physiology 
  • Microbiology
  • Organic Chemistry or General Chemistry I & II
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Social Science
  • Philosophy
  • Statistics or College Algebra

Advantages of this program include:

• Clinical placement support – During the program, you’ll work with a dedicated UIndy placement coordinator who will walk you through the clinical placement process and be your primary point of contact. Based on your goals, the course objectives, competencies, and where you live, your placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you within a reasonable driving distance.
• Nationally ranked university – The University of Indianapolis is a nationally ranked school by U.S. News & World Report as well as being recognized as a 2021 Nursing School of Distinction by Colleges of Distinction.
• Experienced, innovative faculty – You will learn from award-winning clinicians who are recognized for innovation and who bring real-world experience into the online classroom. As trusted University faculty members, they are committed to your success as a new nurse. 

Rockhurst University

Rockhurst is a Jesuit University located in Kansas City, Missouri. Their Saint Luke’s™ College of Nursing and Health Sciences is committed to preparing the health care workforce of tomorrow by offering undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate programs for adult learners with an emphasis on the education of the whole person. Rockhurst's hybrid accelerated nursing is a full-time program that prepares you to become a skilled nurse in just 16 months.

Admission requirements for this nursing degree program are outlined below:

Some of the many benefits of Rockhurst's online ABSN program include the following:

• Clinical placement services – Rockhurst's clinical placement team works closely with you to provide a seamless placement experience, ensuring your rotations meet University and national guidelines. Based on your goals and where you live, your placement coordinator will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you within a reasonable driving distance.
• Holistic nursing education – Guided by Jesuit values, Rockhurst University prepares advanced practice nurses to care for the needs of the whole person through rigorous academics, rich and varied clinical experiences, and a spirit of inquiry and reflection.
• 100% graduate employment rate – 100% of Rockhurst's ABSN program graduates have been employed in the nursing field.

Holy Family University

Holy Family University is a private Catholic institution that embraces diversity and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming and accessible learning community for everyone. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, their core values encourage students to pursue a holistic path that emphasizes family, respect, integrity, service and responsibility, learning, and vision. Holy Family's mission is to immerse students in the tradition of service so they can lead with purpose.

Admission requirements for Holy Family's second-degree hybrid ABSN program are as follows:

Benefits of Holy Family's hybrid ABSN program include the following:​​​​​​​

• 100% online coursework – Flexible learning with Synchronous and Asynchronous sessions make it easier to balance school responsibilities with life responsibilities.
• 1 on-campus residency – Build hands-on clinical skills in Holy Family's high-tech simulation lab help students translate theory into practice during the one on-campus residency visit.
• 14-month program – The degree can be completed in just 14 months, which is faster than many hybrid ABSN programs.
• Exam preparation – Holy Family's NCLEX-RN pass rates are above the national average.