Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor’s of Nursing Degree Programs 2023

What are the benefits of earning a bachelor’s of nursing degree?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing or BSN degree comes with certain benefits. The perks of earning a bachelor’s degree are obvious, foremost among them the opportunity to earn more than individuals with a high school diploma or an associate degree.

In the nursing profession, furthermore, the benefits cover both monetary and non-monetary aspects including:

Types of Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs

There are three major types of accelerated nursing programs that lead to a BSN degree.

Accelerated BSN Degree Programs

The accelerated BSN degree programs are considered second-degree programs because their students already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to secure RN licensure.

These nursing programs compress the typical four-year timeline of bachelor’s degree programs into two years or less through transfer credits, prerequisite completion before admission, and a condensed curriculum (i.e., fast-paced study).

Accelerated Online RN-to-BSN Degree Programs

The accelerated online RN-to-BSN programs are designed for registered nurses who already have either an associate in nursing degree or a diploma and an active RN license, but want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re already a registered nurse but you want to advance your career, and possibly establish a strong foundation for a nursing specialization, then an accelerated RN-to-BSN program is the right choice.

BSN-to-MSN Degree Programs

Some nursing programs allow students to complete a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, known as BSN-to-MSN direct programs, with a five-year time-to-completion. Registered nurses who want to become nursing educators, assume leadership positions, and engage in advanced nursing practice should look into graduate nursing programs, too.

Who should consider getting an accelerated bachelor’s of nursing degree?

Earning a nursing degree at the bachelor’s level in less time sounds like a no-brainer, which is the cause of the enduring popularity of accelerated nursing programs.

But there are trade-offs that prospective students must be aware of before submitting their applications to these fast-track nursing programs!

National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)

The best online accelerated nursing programs, particularly the BSN programs, prepare their students for the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The eligibility and licensure requirements are different in every state, and these are determined by the independent State Board of Nursing in each state.

The NCLEX-RN is generally the same across all states and consists of the following subject areas:

Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Experience

When determining nursing programs and their suitability to your academic and career goals as well as your current credentials, you must look at their unique aspects. You will find that the best nursing degree programs, whether RN-to-BSN programs or accelerated BSN programs, encourage prospective students to ask for more information, if necessary.

You should take advantage of it, especially if you have concerns about the cost of attendance, course sequence, and clinical internship requirements.

Admissions Requirements

Keep in mind that the best nursing programs look for prospective students who have the highest chances of earning a nursing degree. This is true for both online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs since their measures of success—retention and graduation rates, among others—will be affected by dropouts.

There’s also the matter of reputation and ranking in the nursing community as well as their accreditation status at stake.

With that in mind, applicants must be prepared for a selective admissions process with the following requirements:

• Either a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field with minimum GPA for BSN programs or a valid RN license for RN-to-BSN programs
• Official transcripts from schools attended
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements
• Completed application form and application fee, if any

Most accelerated nursing programs also require applicants to pass a series of in-person and/or virtual interviews with the admissions team and other concerned program officials.

Students are also required to pass health and background checks including physical examination, laboratory tests for contagious diseases, immunizations, and CPR certification, as well as drug screening and criminal background check.

These are usually conducted before the clinical experience component starts but may also be required before formal admission into the nursing program.

Accelerated nursing programs, particularly BSN programs, also require prospective students to:

• Undergo a basic nursing skills course that covers adult care, family and community health, nursing research, health assessment, and adult care
• Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum grade requirement and expiration date. The common prerequisites are chemistry or biochemistry with lab, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, and statistics

Time-to-completion

Accelerated nursing programs have varying time-to-completion but it’s common for online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs to have 12-month to 18-month duration. There is usually no break in between terms. The traditional nursing programs have time-to-completion periods ranging between two and three years.

The shortened time-to-completion in accelerated nursing programs is possible because students take on double the usual course load, such as 20 three-credit courses every year. The study time required can be 30 hours of classroom time and 60 hours of study time every week.

Number of Credits

Since accelerated nursing programs accept students who already have a diploma or an associate or bachelor’s degree or a nursing license, the number of credits isn’t the usual 120 credits in bachelor’s degree programs.

Instead, both online RN-to-BSN and BSN programs have less credits required for completion, usually 60 credits including core nursing courses, practicum, and clinical experiences.

Nursing Coursework

Accelerated nursing programs don’t have general education courses. Instead, students engage in nursing courses from the first day of classes and, in most nursing programs, become involved in clinical experiences in the first semester or quarter.

The core nursing courses include but aren’t limited to:

The capstone, so to speak, in the nursing degree is a series of NCLEX-RN preparation including reviews for non-nurses, usually in the final semester or quarter.

Online Learning Experience

Both online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs use a specific online learning platform known as a learning management system (LMS), such as Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard.

Online learners use their respective program’s LMS for interactive activities with their peers and professors, as well as to access learning materials like patient case studies, informational videos and graphics, and live and recorded lectures.

Asynchronous and synchronous courses are common, and self-paced study is possible, although meeting specified deadlines is a must for academic success. The cohort model is also common in accelerated online nursing programs.

Note that online accelerated nursing programs aren’t 100% online either. While the nursing courses are delivered via the online learning platform, the simulation lab, practicum, and clinical experiences are on-site and in-person.

These in-person components offer students opportunities for direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses, as well as to meet the requirements for clinical hours.

Most online nursing programs offer clinical placement services for their nursing students. Clinical placement opportunities can also be found in job fairs, recruiting events, job boards, and the alumni network.

Tuition and Fees

Prospective students in online RN-to-BSN and accelerated BSN programs must carefully consider their financial aid options before pursuing a nursing degree. This will be a substantial financial investment, so it is important to carefully consider your current and future finances.

The per-credit costs can be as high as $1,500 or more in private schools but it can be as low as $500, sometimes even less, in public schools.

Aside from the tuition and other fees, such as technology fees, the costs of the textbooks, nursing supplies and gear, and incidentals must be considered. But once you become a registered nurse, the cost of attendance can be recouped in 1-2 years, and it’s one of the reasons why the nursing profession gives the best value for the money!

Career Options for Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Holders

Registered nurses earned $77,600 as median annual wage (May 2021), which is among the better-paid healthcare professionals.

Their places of work can include government institutions, where they are likely to earn the highest wages ($85,970/year), as well as hospitals, ambulatory healthcare services, educational services, and nursing and residential care facilities.

The employment market for registered nurses is also ripe for the picking! The projected employment growth for registered nurses is 6% (2021-2031), which is around 203,200 openings every year, on average. The increased demand results from a growing number of older adults and individuals with chronic conditions.

With a nursing degree and a registered nurse license, you have many career paths to consider including, although many positions do require a master’s degree in nursing or an advanced nursing credential.

Positions include:

What criteria did we use in choosing the fastest online nursing degree programs?

We chose our list of the 20 fastest online nursing programs based on the following criteria:

Fastest Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs

 University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston is Beantown’s only public research university and the third-most diverse university in the country. Indeed, it’s a place filled with opportunities to expand your horizons while pursuing world-class education!

UMass Boston’s history of partnerships and affiliations with Boston’s industries and businesses mean more career opportunities for students and alumni alike.

This is true for students of its accelerated BSN program, an accredited program of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

There’s an emphasis on the use of technology for learning purposes in the accelerated BSN program, and it comes in various forms like use of iPads and online textbooks for coursework and exams. Students also learn nursing skills via virtual simulation exercises.

Start your nursing education at UMass Boston by completing the prerequisite courses, which can be taken either at UMass Boston or in another accredited institution.

The 12 nursing courses are completed in seven-week terms, and these include Evidence Based Nursing Practice. Competency checks and simulations are conducted at the end of each term, and there’s a two-week clinical immersion at the end of the second term.

• Required Credits: 52
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Elmhurst University

Service-oriented learning is at the heart and soul of Elmhurst University and its academic programs. While it’s a small university, it offers its students rich opportunities for personal and professional growth including internship and employment opportunities in a bustling city.

Such is its excellent reputation that it’s often cited for its academic excellence, social mobility, undergraduate teaching, and value.

The CCNE-accredited accelerated BSN program prepares students for success in the NCLEX-RN and for their future role as registered nurses involved in direct patient care.

Students also gain nursing skills and professional confidence during simulation exercises. Their nursing education includes courses in adult health, family health, and complex care. The fast-paced program of study requires 100% commitment.

Online learners access their learning materials, interact with their peers and professors, and submit assignments via an online learning platform.

While the accelerated BSN program has 100% online coursework, in-person clinicals (475+ clinical hours) and on-campus residences require physical presence on the specified sites.

• Required Credits: 60 credits in the program
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Baylor University

With its 400-hectare campus, Baylor University is the world’s largest Baptist university—and it’s also the oldest continuously operating university in the Lone Star State!

Baylor University has changed with the times, too, and it’s recognized as among the best national universities. In fact, its business, education, and sociology programs have been cited for excellence.

Baylor’s accelerated BSN program, a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited program, welcomes students with a Texas residency status but residing outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

The courses are conducted 100% online and range in duration between 3 and 10 weeks, and there are on-site 720-hour clinical experiences and one 2-week on-campus visit.

Students in the accelerated BSN program learn from experienced professors and enjoy the benefits of effective clinical placement services. Their comprehensive nursing education includes courses like Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice and Analysis and Synthesis of Complex Human Needs. The nursing courses are designed with a Christian worldview.

• Required Credits: 62
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Marian University

Among the most innovative and best value universities in the Midwest, Marian University ensures that its students receive individualized attention through small class sizes, student support services, and career services.

Due to its strategic location in Indianapolis, its students and alumni have access to diverse career opportunities in its dynamic industries, from healthcare to advanced manufacturing.

Students in its CCNE-accredited accelerated BSN program benefit from such a strategic location, too, for their in-person clinical rotations in healthcare facilities and local communities.

The program of study combines online courses in nursing theory, as well as hands-on, in-person experiences via simulation labs and clinical rotations.

The accelerated BSN program uses an online learning platform that features images and 3D graphics, replayable audio lectures, discussion and chat boards, and interactive activities and simulations.

Students can study at their own pace but must meet specified deadlines. From day one, students embark on a study of professional nursing and prepare for both the NCLEX-RN and for registered nurse work.

• Required Credits: 65 credits
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Marymount University

Among the best national universities, Marymount University is recognized for its ethnic diversity, global perspective, and academic excellence. Students learn and live with purpose, and are driven to make a positive impact on their local communities, if not the world.

Of all its academic programs, Marymount’s nursing programs stand out for its exceptional success in producing the best registered nurses and nursing professionals in the United States. Proof: Its NCLEX-RN pass rate is 90%+ for the past five years!

The accelerated BSN program, a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited program, is among its most popular programs for aspiring registered nurses seeking a career change.

Students get world-class nursing education at its Malek School of Nursing Professions, a College of Distinction for Nursing.

Students start their nursing education with the Introduction to Professional Nursing & Scholarship course. Students must also complete one on-campus skills residency and 640 clinical hours experiences while in the accelerated BSN program; the program provides clinical placement support for free.

• Required Credits: 65
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Xavier University

With an education based in Jesuit traditions, Xavier University students learn through a combination of interdisciplinary courses, community service, and faith-based studies. In fact, undergraduate students must complete the Core Curriculum, a series of required courses in Mathematics, Theology, and the Social Sciences, among other areas.

Xavier’s accelerated BSN program is among its best academic programs because of its emphasis on modern nursing theories and practices underlined by Jesuit values.

Students complete 21 online courses for the didactic component and engage in simulation labs and clinical experiences for the hands-on component. Their clinical instructors make the transition from online classrooms to real-world healthcare settings more effective and efficient.

The intensive nursing education requires 100% commitment and, thus, holding even a part-time job isn’t recommended. The program of study consists of interactive online activities, discussion boards, informational videos, and patient case studies.

Students are provided with lab guides and checklists, among other student support services, while in the accelerated BSN program.

• Required Credits: 63
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 University of St. Thomas Houston

Student diversity at the University of St. Thomas Houston is a reflection of Houston’s diversity itself. While UST Houston is a Roman Catholic university, it accepts students from all faiths and of no faith.

UST Houston’s accelerated BSN program is intended for non-nursing professionals who have at least 60 non-nursing credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.

Students receive an evidence-based nursing education informed by Basilian tradition that empowers them to become competent and compassionate nursing professionals.

The accelerated BSN program uses an interactive learning platform where online courses are held. Students gain world-class nursing education through intensive courses like pathopharmacology and holistic nursing practices for children and families.

Simulation labs and on-site clinical rotations are crucial for the development of real-world nursing skills, and these occur in Houston’s best healthcare facilities.

Students can learn at their own pace but must meet specified deadlines and attend in-person activities including on-campus proctored exams. Graduates are well-equipped for success at the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses.

• Required Credits: 58
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Concordia University St. Paul

Offering academic programs that bridge the academe-industry gap, Concordia University St. Paul is known for its workplace-ready graduates whose knowledge and skills are valued by employers.

The comprehensive liberal arts university offers its students dynamic extracurricular opportunities, from a business club to intramural athletics—or you can establish your own group!

The admission requirements for its accelerated BSN program include 54 non-nursing college credits, minimum, and a demonstration of academic aptitude for the rigorous nursing coursework. Once accepted, nursing students learn the knowledge and skills to deliver evidence-based direct patient care for diverse populations.

Students tackle subjects like Applied Pathophysiology, Fundamentals of Professional Nursing, and Nursing Informatics under the tutelage of nationally recognized professors.

The accelerated BSN program consists of fast-paced online courses delivered via an online learning platform, as well as skills labs and clinical experiences in several locations.

Students become prepared for the RN licensure exam, and CSP has a 93.75% first-time pass rate in 2021. Students are well-advised to treat the accelerated nursing program as a full-time job.

 University of Texas at Arlington

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation - University of Texas at Arlington is the biggest producer of registered nurses in the Lone Star State and the top five in the United States.

Students are encouraged to show active involvement and make meaningful impact on the world. Critical thinking skills are valued and these are developed through academics, research, internship, and service learning

The CCNE-accredited accelerated RN-to-BSN program is among the programs that produce the best registered nurses in Texas and the country! Students build on their professional nursing experiences to develop advanced nursing knowledge and skills with real-world applications.

The online RN-to-BSN coursework includes Nursing Research, Nursing Leadership and Management, and Holistic Health Assessment. The RN-to-BSN program empowers students to develop their professional nursing practice framework and become competent, compassionate, and forward-thinking professionals.

Students pursuing the online RN-to-BSN degree are eligible for federal financial aid, but UT Arlington has among the lowest per-credit tuition. Applicants to the online RN-to-BSN program must have an active RN license and submit official transcripts and an online application.

• Required Credits: 35
• Completion time: 9 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Emory University

Students taking up healthcare-related degrees at Emory University will love that it’s part of Georgia’s largest healthcare system, Emory Healthcare with seven major hospitals.

There’s an abundance of opportunities for learning, research, and internships, even employment, within the Emory universe! Who knows—you may just join the ranks of Emory luminaries who were instrumental in the development of treatments for COVID-19, HIV, and hemophilia!

Such an innovation-centric approach is emphasized in its accelerated BSN program, too, but students must commit to the program on a full-time basis.

Students learn as a team through a combination of online didactic lectures and hands-on clinical rotations in healthcare settings, local communities, and even in optional international sites. There are also two compulsory on-campus clinical intensive sessions.

Nursing students in the online accelerated BSN program also engage in a one-week capstone session that includes simulations, capstone presentations, and a NCLEX review.

The online courses include Professional Nursing: Concepts, Issues, and Trends, Foundations of Nursing Practice, and Pathophysiology/Pharmacology for Nurses.

• Required Credits: 48
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Northeastern University

Experience being the essence and ethos at Northeastern University, students are encouraged to seize opportunities for diverse experiences as they unfold. The result is a university community that meets the challenges of the contemporary world head on and in innovative ways, such as its cooperative education framework.

Students learn through integrations of didactic coursework and professional experiences through the university’s local and international partnerships.

Northeastern University’s online accelerated BSN program has three start dates, adopts a cohort model, and implements a low student-clinical instructor ratio to ensure personalized mentorship.

The nursing program is intended for individuals with non-nursing backgrounds but with either college credits (minimum of 62 college credits) or a bachelor’s degree.

The didactic component of the online accelerated BSN program consists of courses like Foundations of Professional Nursing Practice, Nursing Health Assessment and Fundamental Nursing Skills, and Advanced Assessment and Interventions.

Nursing students progress from the basics to advanced nursing skills through a combination of online nursing courses, nursing labs, and clinical rotations.

• Required Credits: 67
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Rockhurst University

Learning, leadership, and service are the core values of Rockhurst University, a comprehensive university with 50+ undergraduate and graduate programs. With an emphasis on Jesuit and Catholic traditions, the programs and their curricula are underlined by the classical modes of inquiry including philosophical, theological, and scientific causal and relational.

The university’s accelerated BSN program, which has a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accreditation, is open for non-nursing professionals with a bachelor’s degree. This is offered at the Saint Luke’s™ College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and students must have 100% commitment to its completion.

The 100% online coursework includes Foundations of Professional Nursing, Adult Health Nursing, and Maternal Child Health Nursing. Nursing students must also complete a 10-day on-campus residency in the simulation lab and 582.5 clinical hours of direct patient care in healthcare facilities.

There are three start dates every year. Applicants must complete the prerequisites and submit other documentation for evaluation purposes.

• Required Credits: 60
• Completion time: 16 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Walden University

Learning through collaborations underlines the academic programs at Walden University, and these aren’t your run-of-the-mill collaborations either! Respected industry professionals share their knowledge, skills, and experiences with students and, thus, enable them to expand their horizons.

The CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN completion program welcomes registered nurses who want to pursue career advancement opportunities armed with advanced leadership, health promotion, and community health skills.

The online RN-to-BSN program uses Digital Clinical Experiences by Shadow Health for simulation exercises that develop the students’ health assessment skills.

Students with either a diploma or associate degree in nursing can transfer up to 135 credits but must complete a minimum of 45 credits at Walden.

There are two ways of learning in the online RN-to-BSN program—course-based learning (traditional) and tempo learning (self-paced study but with deadlines). Applicants to the online RN-to-BSN program must have a valid RN license, among other requirements.

• Required Credits: 180-181 quarter credits
• Completion time: 10 months
• Format: Blended

 University of Indianapolis

The University of Indianapolis considers itself part of the larger ecosystem of the City of Indianapolis for good reasons!

Students and alumni find abundant career opportunities in the city’s industries and businesses, as well as opportunities for experiential learning, internships and extracurriculars. But the university is also a world unto its own with 140+ undergraduate and graduate academic programs!

Of these programs, the accelerated BSN program is among the best, and it ranks high alongside the university’s neonatal nurse practitioner program, the only one of its kind in Indiana. The online accelerated BSN program features a diverse student body with a common love for academic excellence and service.

The online nursing courses include Nursing Health Assessment, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, and Transitional Care in Primary and Population Health.

Students must complete two on-campus residencies and on-site clinical placements. The clinical placements total 570 clinical hours, and the university provides clinical placement services.

• Required Credits: 56
• Completion time: 15 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Purdue University Global

Of course, Purdue University Global can just capitalize on the prestigious Purdue University name, but it doesn’t! Instead, it’s known as an independent and innovative online university that mostly caters to adult learners, working professionals and other non-traditional students. No wonder it’s consistently cited as among the most innovative schools for several years running.

The CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN program is among the best training grounds for graduate studies in nursing, too, which Purdue University Global also offers.

The online RN-to-BSN program uses ExcelTrack, a learning modality that allows students more flexibility, control, and convenience. Students take a series of evaluations that determine their level of knowledge and skills in specific areas and, thus, allow them to leverage their nursing experiences.

The RN-to-BSN program is also among the most accessible nursing education, thanks to its flat tuition rate for every 10-week term; students can take as many courses as necessary during the period.

The coursework in the accelerated RN-to-BSN program is among the most comprehensive with courses in Hospice and Palliative Care, Primary Care in the Ambulatory Setting, and Case Management, among others.

• Required Credits: 90-130 credits (With prior degree credits)
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Western Governors University

With its use of an online competency-based learning modality, Western Governors University enables its students to earn their undergraduate degrees in a shorter period.

WGU also provides a three-pronged approach to student success—every student gets a program mentor who creates a personalized term plan, a primary course instructor for every course, and evaluators who review assessments and determine competency.

Students in the RN-to-BSN program are also encouraged to use their nursing competencies to advance their nursing education at the bachelor’s degree level.

Applicants must either have a diploma or have obtained an Associate in Nursing and a valid RN license, among other requirements. The nursing program trains students to become valuable members of hospitals with magnet status and to make an impact on the healthcare industry.

The online RN-to-BSN emphasizes evidence-based nursing practice via a curriculum based on the American Association of Colleges and Nursing Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Students tackle nursing theory courses as well as field experiences that they themselves have identified.

There are 23 courses in the accelerated RN-to-BSN program, and students can earn six professional certificates. Students admitted to the RN-to-BSN program take the Professional Leadership & Communication in Healthcare as their first course.

• Required Credits: 120 competency units with up to 90 credits from previous college education allowed for transfer
• Completion time: 18 months
• Format: Hybrid

 Pennsylvania State University World Campus

While the Pennsylvania State University World Campus was launched in 1998, its track record in distance education has its roots in 1892 when correspondence courses were the norm.

Today, its mission is encouraging motivated learners who cannot attend a Penn State physical campus to earn a degree or a certificate in diverse areas of study.

Among its most popular academic programs is the accelerated CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN program open for registered nurses with either a diploma or an associate degree in nursing.

Students in the RN-to-BSN program can also earn specialized certificates in Nursing Informatics, Nursing Management, or Nursing Forensics. Some credits or courses can be applied toward continuing professional education requirements, too.

The accelerated RN-to-BSN coursework covers the nursing basics including chemistry, anatomy, and health assessment, among other topics. But it also goes beyond the science and touches on topics that improve nursing research leadership and management.

Aside from the didactic coursework, the accelerated RN-to-BSN program requires completion of a 45-program hour clinical placement.

• Required Credits: 92-93 credits for the major
• Completion time: 18 months
• Format: Hybrid

 University of Central Florida

America’s Space University—that’s what the University of Central Florida calls itself for good reasons! UCF researchers and alumni have participated in diverse space-related projects, such as getting man back to the moon (i.e., the Artemis project) and performing advanced space research. Indeed, UCF has supplied NASA and the aerospace industry with top talents for 50+ years!

Closer to earthly matters, its accelerated post-licensure RN-to-BSN program is also a top producer of competent and compassionate nurses that contribute to the advancement of nursing as a profession.

Students also advance in their academic career by substituting a maximum of nine credit hours of master’s degree coursework.

The CCNE-accredited RN-to-BSN program has a demanding coursework that requires students to fully commit to their studies during the 18-month duration of the accelerated coursework. This is also true for the concurrent ASN-to-BSN track.

The core nursing courses in the accelerated RN-to-BSN program include Nursing Leadership, Management and Role Transition; Nursing Research; and Healthcare Issues, Policy and Economics. Students prepare for leadership positions in the nursing profession and for making contributions to direct patient care initiatives.

• Required Credits: 30
• Completion time: 18 months
• Format: Hybrid

 University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Students at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, known as Titans, make it known that their university is the best in the state!

Small class sizes, personalized attention, and access to exceptional state-wide resources including student support services combined with academic excellence make it so. Students also praise the affordable tuition and best value education offered by UW Oshkosh.

This is true for the popular accelerated BSN program with a selective admissions process—only 30 students are accepted for each cohort. Applicants can choose from three start dates and meet the minimum admissions requirement including a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 GPA at least, among others.

Students must be prepared for the rigorous coursework with courses completed at one credit every week. The 100% online nursing coursework covers an introduction to professional nursing, health assessment theory, and pathophysiology.

Students must also complete an on-campus two-week residency and six clinical rotations in their local communities; the rotations consist of 728 clinical hours.

Note that the accelerated BSN program doesn’t offer self-paced, self-directed study as students progress in a cohort model, follow specific deadlines, and learn in a structured online environment. Full-time commitment is necessary for academic success.

• Required Credits: 50
• Completion time: 12 months
• Format: Hybrid

 University of Colorado Online

The University of Colorado Online started in 1996 and it has been expanding its academic offerings ever since.

Today, students choose from 70+ online degrees and certificates from four UC campuses: Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Anschutz Medical Campus. Every CU campus is dedicated to making a difference in and outside of Colorado.

Offered at the Colorado Springs campus, there are two CCNE-accredited online BSN programs.

First, the dual enrolment ADN-to-BSN program is open for current ADN students who want to earn a BSN degree in the shortest time possible. Second, the RN-to-BSN program that enables students to learn while they earn as registered nurses.

Each accelerated online nursing program features online 8-week courses, affordable tuition rates, and practical learning experiences combined with didactic nursing coursework. Courses include Professional Nursing Practice, Nursing Management, and Public Health Nursing.

• Required Credits: 30
• Completion time: 12 months of full-time study; 17 months for part-time study
• Format: Hybrid