Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN-H): What It Is and How It Can Advance Your Career

Many students who enter the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program have already earned a prior bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to health care. The ABSN program allows individuals with a prior bachelor’s degree to earn a nursing degree and become a registered nurse (RN) in a fraction of the time it would take to earn a traditional four-year BSN degree.

What Is an Accelerated B.S. in Nursing?

After their initial Bachelor’s degree, people who enroll in Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN) programs are, on average, several years into their careers and have decided that they want to switch to a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). By holding a prior bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field of study, such as business, biology, or psychology, students who are admitted to ABSN programs have already completed the core general education requirements for a B.S. degree. This enables them to complete their Nursing coursework and required clinical experience and get ready for practice as RNs in a much shorter period of time than if they had started as first-year students in a B.S. in Nursing program, which is why they are called “Accelerated” programs.

National Louis University’s Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN-H) Hybrid program is intended for individuals holding a prior Bachelor’s degree who have completed required prerequisites within the last five years and maintained a C grade or better. The program is designed to allow candidates to complete their nursing education in the shortest possible time. Students in the ABSN-H Hybrid program attend lab and simulation sessions and complete clinical rotations in a variety of healthcare settings. A strong emphasis is placed on interprofessional education and learning in a simulated environment. The program culminates in candidates sitting for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).

Why Pursue an Accelerated B.S. in Nursing?

As the degree is specifically aimed at career changers who have already invested in a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, they can now use that prior degree in their accelerated second-degree BSN program (the nursing degree is built directly on prior general education). In addition, nursing is a very stable career that offers strong, consistent demand and, above all, a well-structured career path leading to licensure upon successful completion of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required to practice as a licensed RN in the U.S. and Canada.

Another reason ABSN programs appeal to career changers is that the degree enables holders of the degree to practice direct patient care in evidence-based healthcare practices and thereby impact patients’ health outcomes in tangible ways, which many professionals seek in a career change from fields in which they felt that their professional work did not have a direct, human impact.

Healthcare systems and nursing programs are searching far and wide for ways to recruit students to enter nursing, in part due to nationwide nursing shortages. Not only can second-degree students bring valuable maturity, life experience, and transferable skills to a clinical training program, but there are also well-supported programs for career changers right now.

Key Questions About This Degree

What prerequisites are typically required?

The ABSN Program generally requires students to complete a series of prerequisites before the program begins. These prerequisites typically consist of Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Statistics, completed with a grade of “C” or better within the last 5 years. In addition, applicants for the ABSN Program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in all college-level coursework.

How long does an ABSN program typically take?

Although there are differences among ABSN programs, they can be completed in 12-20 months. The time frame for completion of an accelerated second-degree BSN program is significantly shorter than the typical four years of study for a student who begins as a freshman and pursues a BSN degree.

What does the NCLEX-RN have to do with this degree?

To become a licensed registered nurse in the U.S. and Canada, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed in their state. Graduates of ABSN programs are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN after completing their program of study in nursing and to become licensed to practice as RNs. What does a hybrid format mean for this kind of program?

Many nursing programs are delivered in a hybrid format. Hybrid programs combine online coursework with in-person classroom instruction, as well as lab, simulation, and clinical training that cannot be delivered online. A hybrid format offers the flexibility of online coursework, as well as the in-person training required for students to complete clinical training and sit for the NCLEX-RN to become licensed RNs

Upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam, graduates of the ABSN program will receive their RN license and be able to practice in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and public health organizations. The employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next decade due to an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, and increased demand for healthcare services across a variety of settings. BLS projections and wage data for Registered Nurses can be found on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and BLS websites.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses.

Career changers often bring diverse skills to the table. As they complete their ABSN program, many find that their prior background in a particular field, such as business, can lead to roles in healthcare administration or leadership. Many find that their background in psychology can lead to work in mental health and/or behavioral health nursing. Those who go on to earn their Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN) can go on to work as a Nurse Practitioner, and/or as a Nurse Educator, or in other clinical specialties where they can practice at the advanced level.

Accelerated B.S. in Nursing at National Louis University

This will be the final program offered by National Louis University’s School of Nursing. Currently, admissions requirements and prerequisite information for the Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN-H) Hybrid for students with a Bachelor’s Degree program can be found on the Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (ABSN-H) program page.