Best Accelerated Online Nursing Degree Programs of 2024

Choosing an accelerated nursing program can be a smart move if you’re looking to start your nursing career quickly. These programs are designed to provide a fast-track option for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to obtain their nursing degrees. In addition, with the rise of online education, many top-ranked nursing schools now offer accelerated nursing programs that can be completed almost entirely online.

This article will take a closer look at the best accelerated nursing programs available online, including their advantages and disadvantages. We will also provide a comprehensive review and compare the similarities and differences between the most common types of accelerated nursing programs: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Whether you are a recent college graduate or a working professional seeking to change careers, this guide will help you find the best accelerated nursing program to fit your needs and goals.

The Different Types of Accelerated Nursing Programs

The most common accelerated nursing programs are the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). In this section, we will compare these two programs by highlighting the similarities and differences in admissions requirements, curriculum, expected completion time, and other relevant details.

Accelerated BSN programs

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are ideal for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and wish to pursue a career in nursing. Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to enter the nursing workforce. They can follow a broad range of career paths, including hospital nursing, community health, public health, and research.

Admissions Requirements

While admissions requirements can vary depending on the institution, the following list includes standard requirements that are most common for accelerated online nursing programs.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA requirements (usually around 3.0)
• Prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay
• Admissions tests, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills

Completion Times

ABSN programs typically take 12 to 18 months to complete, depending on the program and the student’s previous coursework.

Estimated Cost

The cost of an ABSN program can vary significantly depending on the institution and location. However, on average, students can expect to pay between $40,000 to $90,000 for tuition, fees, and other expenses.

Curriculum

ABSN programs often include courses in nursing theory, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, and clinical experiences in various healthcare settings. While each curriculum is unique, they are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed registered nurses.

Accelerated MSN programs

Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs offer a fast-track option for nurses pursuing advanced education and career opportunities. Graduates of these programs are well-positioned to pursue many different advanced nursing roles in various healthcare settings, such as midwifery, nurse practitioners, and nurse anesthetists. Many nurses find these roles attractive, as they often come with increased responsibilities, higher salaries, and more significant opportunities for career advancement.

Admissions Requirements

Similar to ABSN programs, admissions requirements may vary depending on the specific program. Regardless, these admissions requirements are standard and virtually identical across the board.

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution
• Minimum GPA requirements (usually around 3.0)
• Current, unrestricted RN license
• Prerequisite coursework in statistics and research methods
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay
• Admission tests, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Completion time

In most cases, accelerated programs take 12 to 24 months to complete, depending on the program and the student’s previous coursework.

Estimated cost

The cost of an accelerated MSN program can vary widely depending on the institution’s reputation and its faculty. However, students can expect to pay between $40,000 to $100,000 for tuition and related fees.

Curriculum

Accelerated MSN programs typically include courses in advanced nursing practice, healthcare policy, leadership, and research methods, as well as clinical experiences in specialized areas of nursing practice. Each curriculum is designed to help students excel in advanced nursing roles such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse educator, and nurse administrator.

Is an Accelerated Nursing Program Right for You?

Accelerated online nursing programs offer several advantages that can make them a desirable option for students. One significant advantage is the accelerated timeline, which allows aspiring nurses to complete the program and enter the workforce sooner. Additionally, online programs offer greater flexibility than traditional on-campus programs, allowing students to balance their coursework with a full-time job or raising a family. Due to reduced overhead costs, online programs may be more cost-effective than traditional on-campus programs.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. Online programs require self-discipline and motivation to stay on track and complete assignments on time, which may be challenging for some students. On the other hand, successfully completing an online program can also demonstrate strong time management skills to future employers. Another potential disadvantage is limited in-person interaction with professors and other students, which may not be ideal for individuals who value traditional learning environments and face-to-face interaction.

Our Research

This list features some of the country’s best online accelerated nursing programs. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the best online accelerated nursing programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as US News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.