The fastest way to get a BSN is to apply to an Accelerated BSN program, like the ABSN program at Northeastern University. Our ABSN program allows you to graduate in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites. You’ll complete online courses, in-person nursing labs and clinical rotations.
If you’re considering nursing as a career path, now is a great time to begin. Nurses are essential in healthcare, as they monitor and care for patients while coordinating the entire care team.
Their many responsibilities, as well as their humanistic, patient-focused care, are part of why nurses have been recognized as the most trusted profession in the U.S. for 22 consecutive years. Plus, it doesn’t take as long as you might think to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree if you have college experience.
The fastest way to get a BSN is through an accelerated BSN program, such as Northeastern University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, which allows you to graduate in as few as 16 months.
Looking to the future of medicine, nurses are primed to be in high demand. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of registered nurses is projected to increase by 6% from 2023 through 2033, indicating that healthcare employers expect to hire about 197,200 new nurses during that time.
Before applying to earn a quick nursing degree at Northeastern, you’ll want to learn a bit more about how the ABSN program works, what you can expect from the structure and the admission requirements.
What Is an Accelerated BSN Program?
To obtain a nursing education through the traditional approach, students can typically expect a full four-year commitment. They’ll spend two of those years fulfilling general education and prerequisite requirements and two years on nursing coursework.
On the other hand, Accelerated BSN programs apply a student’s previous non-nursing education, either a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credits, to their nursing education, so students can earn their degree in much less time. General education requirements are covered by prerequisites, so students can focus on nursing courses at the start of the program.
Many programs, such as Northeastern’s ABSN, pair accelerated online nursing coursework with in-person labs and clinicals, so students can earn their BSN even faster.
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Online Coursework
Online coursework in an accelerated nursing program teaches core nursing concepts, covering the same subjects as would be covered in a traditional program. You will complete classes on topics such as nursing health assessments, pathophysiology, pharmaceutical interventions and nursing leadership, among others.
Online coursework offers flexibility and convenience. Deadlines are applicable to assignments and tests, but you can read the material and listen to lectures when and where it works best for you.
Even though online courses are housed on an e-learning platform, you still have opportunities to connect with your cohort through discussion boards and receive support from your instructors via email, phone or in-person office hours.
In-Person Skills and Simulation Labs
While online coursework offers convenience, it’s not possible to earn a nursing degree without in-person skills and simulation labs. For experiential learning, you’ll visit one of our ABSN site locations near Boston, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, or in Charlotte, North Carolina, multiple times a week.
During these labs, you and fellow members of your cohort develop nursing skills and learn to apply basic nursing procedures in various care simulations. Our labs are fully equipped with high-tech, hospital-grade equipment and medical manikins and are overseen by experienced clinical instructors.
Clinical Rotations
Like traditional nursing programs, the fastest way to get a BSN also includes clinical rotations in the curriculum. Clinicals involve providing direct patient care under supervision so you can practice your skills on real patients.
At Northeastern, these clinical rotations are located at top healthcare facilities near your ABSN site location. Here, you will work alongside clinical instructors and preceptors across a variety of specialty nursing areas.
Clinicals also give you the opportunity to get an inside look at various nursing specialties. Northeastern ABSN students may take clinicals in areas such as obstetrics and women’s health, pediatrics, public health and behavioral health.
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Benefits of Earning a Quick Nursing Degree
Accelerated BSN programs are intense. The rapid pace requires you to treat it as a full-time commitment. In fact, there may be weeks during which you’ll put in 50 to 60 hours of work.
Despite the heavy workload, there are many benefits of earning a BSN on an accelerated schedule.
- Graduate sooner. With Northeastern’s ABSN program, you could graduate in as few as 16 months. That means you can sit for the NCLEX, obtain your license and join the nursing workforce sooner.
- Earn a quality nursing degree. Although the pace is rapid, an ABSN program does not cut any corners. There is no difference in career preparedness or quality of nursing care between an ABSN graduate vs. a traditional nursing program graduate.
- Enjoy greater flexibility. Traditional BSN programs require in-person coursework, whereas Northeastern’s ABSN program offers coursework online.
- Benefit from diversity. A fast-track nursing degree program brings together students from all walks of life. You’ll work alongside students with diverse backgrounds, prior academic achievements and a wide range of ages. This means you’ll benefit from diverse perspectives.
- Gain the support of your cohort. Accelerated BSN programs use the cohort model, which means you’ll work through each component of the program with the same group of students. Nursing cohorts provide opportunities to forge lasting friendships and support one another.
Steps to Started a Fast-Track Nursing Degree
Now that you’re familiar with the fastest way to get a BSN, you may feel ready to take the next step and apply to our ABSN program. Below are the steps for Northeastern’s ABSN application process.
Consider Relocating to Earn Your Degree Faster
Relocating to a program ready to educate you can help you jump-start your plans and earn your degree sooner. Here at Northeastern, we see many qualified nursing students willing to relocate to Boston, Providence or Charlotte to attend our accelerated nursing program.
Our ABSN program can get them moving on their education as soon as possible, with three program start dates per year in January, May and September. Combined with a 16-month curriculum, relocating could make a huge difference in how quickly you enter the nursing workforce.
Contact an Admissions Counselor
Once you’ve decided which ABSN program site suits you best, gather an unofficial copy of your college transcripts and contact an admissions counselor. At Northeastern, our ABSN program has dedicated admissions counselors, who will guide you through each step of the admission process.
Your first phone call starts with reviewing your unofficial transcripts so your counselor can determine your eligibility. During this conversation, you’ll also have the chance to ask any questions you may have and obtain more information about the program.
Meet the Admission Requirements
Each nursing school establishes their own admission requirements. Northeastern attracts top students, but it’s not necessary to have earned straight A’s in your previous education. You will need:
- A completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 college credits from an accredited institution
- Ability to meet the university’s technical standards
- Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
- Other application materials, such as a personal essay and official transcripts
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to your intended start date. They are vital to earning your BSN, as they give you the knowledge you’ll need to succeed later in your nursing courses. Your prior education may have fulfilled some or even all prerequisite requirements. Your counselor will evaluate your transcript to determine which courses you still need to take, if any.
Submit Your Application
You can submit your application to our ABSN program after completing at least five of the prerequisites and registering for the final three. Be sure to submit your application at least two months prior to your intended start date.
Your application package should include:
- Online application through NursingCAS platform
- Official transcripts
- Goal statement
- Updated resume
- Two letters of recommendation
Get on the Fast Track to a New Career in Nursing
Through Northeastern University’s ABSN, you can earn a fast-track nursing degree and start your career sooner than through a traditional BSN program. Benefit from our small class sizes and dedicated instructors, who will work with you one-on-one to help you succeed.
Contact an admissions counselor today to learn if our ABSN program is the right fit for you.
