Blog Updated on January 18, 2025.
The need for new nursing graduates is considerable in our world today where a nursing shortage continues to make news headlines in nearly every state. Naturally, this creates a wealth of potential opportunities for those contemplating a career switch to nursing. With plentiful nursing education program options, it can be challenging to determine which type of program is the best fit.
One option to consider is an accelerated nursing degree program such as an ABSN, which enables students to become registered nurses (RNs) more quickly. But what is an ABSN exactly, and why can completing the degree be beneficial?
This blog will help you answer those questions, looking at why an online ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program may be one of the most affordable and effective ways to reach your professional goals.
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What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?
An accelerated nursing program, such as an ABSN program, is a fast track for undergraduate nursing studies where experienced nursing faculty serve as educators for nursing students and develop the students into holistically-trained clinicians who are then able to serve in diverse nursing roles. Such a program can make it possible for students to become a registered nurse in under two years.
It is possible to efficiently transition from your current occupation to engage in nursing as a second career. With a bachelor’s degree in another field, you can be eligible for enrollment in an accelerated nursing program.
Accelerated programs are commonly delivered with 100% online coursework and in-person clinical hours. Many programs also offer an on-campus residency experience to hone necessary clinical skills and help you gain comfort before you deliver hands-on care in a supervised nursing student role during your clinical placement.
Topics you can expect to study and apply to real-life situations while in an accelerated nursing program include:
- Foundations of nursing practice
- Medical and surgical nursing
- Nursing and older adult health promotion
- Nursing care of children
- Transition to professional nursing roles
An accelerated program may be an efficient way to earn your degree, but it is not short on academic rigor with a focus on successful programmatic outcomes. Ultimately, the courses you will encounter during the program will provide you with a comprehensive foundation for a nursing career, including the core concepts that drive the field. Completing an ABSN program can provide the necessary experience and skills to anchor your nursing career regardless of the direction it takes.
Accelerated Nursing Program Benefits
One of the primary benefits of accelerated nursing programs is that the curriculum design has been intentionally crafted to foster quality clinicians in a rigorous, fast-paced manner. These programs are a preferred route forward to graduating quickly and becoming a nurse in the shortest amount of time.
The idea of a fast-paced program can be overwhelming, especially when nursing programs are challenging. It can be helpful to consider whether nursing is right for you as an initial step. This profession may be an excellent fit for you if:
- You enjoy caring for people
- You are a good listener
- You enjoy flexibility in work hours and locations
- You desire a broad range of career options
1. Earn Your RN License Quickly
Accelerated nursing programs are one of the quickest ways to become an RN. An online ABSN program is exciting because it allows you to achieve your BSN degree and become an RN in two years or less. This accelerated pace can be viewed as an advantage for becoming a second career nurse if you want to transition from your old career path as quickly as possible.
2. Increase Your Earning Potential
When considering what an ABSN is worth, you’ll also want to keep in mind another key benefit: earning power. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2023 median annual salary for RNs was $86,070. This compares favorably to nursing roles typically attained by completing certificate or diploma programs. For instance, the BLS lists the 2023 median annual salary for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses at $59,730.
3. Expand Your Career Opportunities
Careers for BSN-prepared nurses extend beyond the hospital and outpatient clinic settings, although many fulfilling employment positions are within these areas. A BSN degree opens opportunities for non-clinical positions and additional nursing certifications where you may find work in areas such as:
- Nursing education
- Nurse administration
- Clinical research
- Public health
- Leadership and management
Another type of nursing education program with a relatively short completion timeline is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, where you can also become an RN but without a BSN degree. The main benefit of an ABSN option, when compared to the ADN, is that the ABSN allows you to achieve the BSN degree, which is valuable for professional advancement.
Why Choose an Accelerated Nursing Program?
There are several reasons you might consider enrolling in an ABSN program, including program length, networking opportunities, and ease of enrollment. That’s not to mention that the program can help you establish a career focused on helping others and making a difference in patients’ lives.
1. Accelerated Nursing Programs Help You Reach Your Goals Faster
First, an accelerated nursing program will allow you to complete your nursing education faster than a traditional program. The sooner your nursing education program is completed, the sooner you will have the opportunity to celebrate your graduation with friends and family.
As an ABSN program graduate, you will then be eligible to apply for nursing licensure and to sit for the national nurse licensure examination (NCLEX). This exam is designed to confirm that your healthcare knowledge can translate into actionable skills. Passing this test is required to obtain licensure regardless of your state of practice, although some states may have additional requirements. It’s wise to check with your state of intended practice prior to enrolling in an ABSN program.
Once you achieve your passing score on the NCLEX and are granted RN licensure, you are then able to enter the workforce as part of this in-demand profession.
Second, the completion of an accelerated nursing program with the achievement of the BSN degree is a prerequisite for graduate nursing programs. If you are passionate about the idea of working as an advanced practice clinician in the role of a nurse practitioner, for example, the BSN degree will allow you to transition into a graduate nursing program faster.
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or the terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) clinical degree are both pathways for potential careers in nursing such as:
- Nurse management
- Clinical nurse education
- Health organization executive leadership
- Advanced practice nursing
- Specialized nursing (i.e., demographic-focused)
- Psychiatric mental health nursing
- Certified nurse anesthetist
You may be thinking about the shorter-term transitions from your current career toward nursing, but longer-term options are available for ambitious individuals seeking to become advanced nursing clinicians and healthcare leaders.
2. Accelerated Nursing Programs Connect You With a Diverse Group of Colleagues
In addition to helping you reach your goals faster, the flexible nature of the ABSN program is appealing to many different life situations. For this reason, you will be connected with a diverse group of colleagues while completing your education. This exposure is advantageous because you gain access to a network of future nurses and have the chance to learn from their individual backgrounds and clinical experiences while in your program.
Online nursing programs are immersive. With the technology available today, you have the opportunity to connect with your fellow classmates through a variety of learning management systems and platforms. You can collaboratively discuss case studies, interesting clinical experiences, and more through the connections made in the online classroom. These connections can also develop into networking opportunities that may also potentially influence the trajectory of your career down the road.
Your colleagues also help provide encouragement and motivation to stay on the course when you are committed to an accelerated nursing program. They are there to help you celebrate milestones and persevere through the more challenging moments of nursing school along with dedicated program faculty and staff.
3. Registration for Classes Is Relatively Easy
Accelerated programs not only have enrollment support available but there are also often multiple start dates each year because individual courses are shorter in duration. Ease of course registration is made possible because there are flexible options for completing your program.
Because of the shorter course lengths, you will also find closeness to other student cohorts in the program who can share their experience and tips for how to succeed in an accelerated program. Professional connections with your colleagues from nursing school can last a lifetime.
When it comes time to locate your clinical experiences, some online ABSN programs include complementary clinical placement support to help your clinical rotation:
- Be secured with a qualified preceptor
- Meet the required program outcomes
- Finalize in a timely manner
- Fall within a reasonable distance of your geographical location
- Allow you to focus on your studies
During the registration process, you will also have access to support staff who will help you discover tuition and financial aid options to complete your ABSN in an affordable way.
As you explore the many available online ABSN programs, it is crucial to look for an accredited program that is mission-driven with expert faculty that will prepare you for future success. As a university that meets these criteria, Holy Family University is an excellent choice to consider.
Why Choose HFU to Pursue Your Accelerated BSN If You Already Hold a Bachelor Degree?
You know what an ABSN is and the benefits of pursuing an accelerated nursing program. So, where can you earn an ABSN?
If you are ready to begin the transition from your current career toward nursing, Holy Family University (HFU) offers an online ABSN program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The curriculum is designed to train nurses in the delivery of holistic, quality care. Coursework is delivered 100% online with one on-campus residency experience and required clinical hours with clinical placement services included in the program.
Key program highlights include:
- Graduation in as little as 14 months
- More affordable than local programs
- Excellent NCLEX-RN preparation (2024 pass rate was 96%)
- Five prerequisite courses compared to some competitors’ eight or nine
- Clinical rotations exposing you to different specialties and patients, allowing you to discover elements of nursing that best align with your interests
Learn how HFU can prepare you to embark on a new and exciting career, where you can make an impact on other people’s lives.
Complete The Form to Access Your Online Nursing Program Guide
