If you are considering a career change to nursing, the first step is to earn a degree. There are both traditional and accelerated paths to reach this goal.

Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program could be the right option for you to transition into nursing, with an accelerated 16-month curriculum for students at our program sites in Portland, Oregon, and St. Paul, Minnesota. “What is an ABSN?” and “What are the differences between nursing career pathways?” Discovering these answers will be helpful as you evaluate ABSN’s meaning and plan your career.

Explore what is involved in an ABSN program, the key differences between ABSN and traditional nursing programs, and factors to consider before determining which is right for you.

What Does ABSN Stand For?

An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a baccalaureate nursing degree program that confers a BSN degree on a faster timeline. Program lengths and eligibility requirements can vary, but our program is designed for both transfer students and those earning a second degree.

After successfully completing an ABSN program, you will be qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN, the national nursing licensure exam that anyone in the US must pass to legally work as a registered nurse (RN).

ABSN vs. BSN: Key Differences

There are multiple ways to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, one of which is an ABSN program. Another pathway is the traditional BSN program. Although traditional four-year BSN programs and ABSN programs both confer the same degree, there are several differences between them.

ABSN Program

• Length: Through Concordia University’s ABSN program, you can graduate with a BSN in as few as 16 months.
• Curriculum: The ABSN program focuses solely on nursing education rather than including general education courses like a traditional four-year degree path.
• Learning approach: ABSN programs like ours offer a hybrid approach, blending online coursework with in-person nursing labs and clinical learning.
• Ideal student: ABSN programs are designed for second-degree students and transfer students. They are ideal for those switching to nursing from another academic area or profession.
• Admission requirements: ABSN programs may require a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credits, as well as other admission requirements. At Concordia University, St. Paul, we accept either a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 54 college credits, along with completion of prerequisite courses.

Traditional BSN Program

• Length: Traditional BSN programs most often require four years of undergraduate study.
• Curriculum: This program type includes general education requirements as well as nursing education.
• Learning approach: Traditional BSN programs usually require in-person learning for all components, with no option for online coursework throughout the full degree path.
• Ideal student: Traditional BSN programs are typically designed for high school graduates or students who need to have summers off from schoolwork.
• Admission requirements: Traditional BSN programs require a high school diploma or GED, along with other school-specific admission requirements, which may include SAT® test scores.

There are similarities and differences between ABSN vs. BSN programs. Both provide students with quality nursing education and the same degree path.

Although a traditional BSN program includes general education courses and ABSN programs do not, their nursing curricula are designed to meet the requirements for registered nurse (RN) licensure. At the bachelor of science level, this includes coursework in all nursing populations and specialties like fundamentals of nursing, medical-surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, pharmacology, pathophysiology, as well as population health and nursing leadership.

What Is an ABSN Program Like?

CSP’s ABSN program is fast-paced, with a rigorous curriculum that teaches nursing within the framework of evidence-based practice.

You’ll need to commit to an intensive schedule of coursework, studying, skills labs, and immersive clinical learning experiences. Along the way, you’ll have the support of our dedicated nursing instructors and other members of your nursing cohort.

Online Coursework

With CSP’s online coursework, it’s not necessary to commute every day. This can free up more time for studying. You’ll take online courses that offer a variety of learning approaches, like:

• Interacting on the discussion forums
• Participating in simulated case studies
• Reading learning materials
• Taking self-assessments
• Active learning methods and materials

Skills Labs

It isn’t possible to earn a nursing degree entirely online. You’ll visit your ABSN learning center for on-campus skills labs. During these labs, CSP’s instructors will work with you while you develop your competency in performing nursing skills in a safe, controlled environment. Some of the skills you’ll learn include:

• Inserting IVs
• Inserting nasogastric tubes
• Monitoring blood pressure and other vital signs
• Performing physical and other patient assessments
• Providing wound care

Immersive Clinical Learning Experiences

Your clinical learning experiences will take place at nearby healthcare facilities and in the simulation environment. You’ll practice interacting with patients and delivering direct patient care in a variety of settings. This exposure to the scope of nursing practice can help you figure out where your specific nursing care interests lie.

Benefits of Choosing an ABSN Over a Traditional BSN

CSP’s ABSN program offers considerable benefits over a traditional BSN. One of the most significant advantages is the ability to graduate in as few as 16 months. You’ll still need to take the NCLEX-RN after you graduate, but you can become a nurse far more quickly than with a traditional BSN.

Other benefits of choosing an ABSN include that these programs:

• Leverage your prior non-nursing education, which means you don’t have to take general education classes while taking your nursing courses
• Offer a flexible, hybrid approach to learning
• Deliver high-quality nursing education with academic and advising support
• Emphasize applied, immersive learning with exposure to the broad scope of professional nursing practice

Who Should Consider an ABSN Program?

An ABSN program can be a great choice for individuals interested in switching to a nursing career. If any of the following describe you, consider CSP’s ABSN program:

• You’re a current college student with at least 54 non-nursing credits completed, and you’d like to transfer to our ABSN program.
• You earned a non-nursing Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. You’ve been in the workforce for a while but are dissatisfied with your career and interested in the opportunities nursing offers.
• You aren’t a current college student or a graduate, but you have at least 54 non-nursing credits.

Additionally, our ABSN program is an ideal fit for those willing to invest the hard work necessary to master nursing concepts and skills, hold themselves to a high standard of professional ethics, prioritize patient health and safety and advocate for vulnerable populations in society.

If you don’t have non-nursing college education, your journey to become a nurse will likely involve exploring traditional BSN programs.

Begin Your Nursing Journey at Concordia University, St. Paul

Since 1893, Concordia University, St. Paul has focused on delivering quality education that prepares our graduates to achieve their career goals and make an impact on their communities. As an ABSN student, you will work through a comprehensive curriculum and build the key nursing skills needed in the modern healthcare industry.

If you’re ready to transition to a career in nursing, we’re here to help. Contact an admissions counselor today to discover if our accelerated nursing program is the right fit for you.