Is Relocating for Nursing School the Fastest Way to Get a BSN Degree?

The United States is facing a crisis. The country desperately needs nurses. However, despite the nation’s growing nurse shortage, not enough students are getting into nursing schools, due to a number of factors, including a shortage of nurse educators.

This circumstance has many future nurses who already have college experience looking to more accessible accelerated nursing programs, like Concordia University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), as the fastest way to earn a BSN. With locations in both St. Paul, Minnesota, and Portland, Oregon, relocating for nursing school at Concordia St. Paul can yield many advantages.

We’ll dive into the reasons to relocate for your degree and the unique qualities that make Minneapolis and Portland ideal for your nursing education.

Why Consider Going Out of State for Nursing School?

The nation’s nursing situation is complicated, to say the least. According to recent estimates coming from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the nursing workforce is expected to grow by 195,400 by 2031. So, it would be logical to assume that the country would rapidly increase the number of students enrolled in nursing programs to help meet the demand.

Unfortunately, for many hopeful future nursing students, this has not been the case — and in all fairness, it’s easier said than done. Nurses with the level of experience needed to teach nursing are in high demand during shortages, which complicates efforts by many nursing schools to hire more educators.

In turn, nursing programs have been unable to produce enough nurses to meet the demands of a growing population or to replace the many nurses expected to retire over the next few years. In turn, this has led to even the most qualified students stuck waiting to get into a nursing program.

However, this is where looking away from home is to your advantage. Relocating for nursing school can save you time and help you get into nursing school more rapidly.

There are several reasons to consider relocating for nursing school, including:

• Faster timeline: You can choose a program (like CSP Global) that offers multiple yearly start dates and no waitlists, so you’ll be able to start quickly.
• More program options: You can access more high-quality nursing schools by considering a larger geographic area.
• Better suited program: You can choose a program that has all qualities you’re looking for, such as online learning, quality clinical learning experiences and NCLEX preparation.

Relocating to CSP Global ABSN

Many prospective nurses with college experience are facing similar challenges getting into nursing school. As Stephanie Hollingworth, a respiratory cardiology nurse and graduate of CSP Global’s ABSN, recalls, “I had tried so many times to get into nursing school. I had above a 3.5 [GPA] from my previous degree. I had healthcare experience. I'd been working as a CNA [certified nursing assistant]. I had done everything I could and continued to be turned down over and over.”

All in all, Stephanie received rejection letters from 12 schools before applying to CSP Global’s Accelerated BSN in Portland. Designed for students with at least 54 college credits, CSP Global’s ABSN program makes it possible to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Blending online coursework, simulations, and clinical learning experiences, the ABSN program may be a perfect fit for you and your schedule.

If you’re stuck in nursing school limbo like Stephanie was, our accredited ABSN, which offers three start dates a year, could be your fastest way to earn a BSN.

Why Move to Portland for Nursing School?

Before you move to Portland for nursing school, you probably want to know more about the city U.S. News & World Report ranked No. 22 on their 2022 list of best places to live in the United States.

Here are four reasons to love living in Portland:

1. Natural beauty: There’s no denying the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, and living in Portland, you don’t need to go far to experience the great outdoors. With 279 parks and natural areas (including the Portland Japanese Garden), 315 miles of bike trails (it’s called Bike City U.S.A. for a reason) and two major rivers within the city limits, there’s plenty to see and do without even leaving the city limits.
2. Food and drink: With literally thousands of restaurants and food trucks from which to choose, Portland is a veritable foodie’s paradise. Over the past few years, Portland’s food scene has received high praise from a number of national food publications, culminating in WalletHub ranking Portland, OR, the #1 foodie city in the U.S.
3. Activities and culture: Just a few decades ago, Portland was considered a sleepy town. Today, the city is home to a bustling arts scene akin to that of Seattle or San Francisco, albeit on a smaller scale. You’ll enjoy a range of musical shows, sports events and theatre performances. Plus, there are farmers markets, art galleries, bookstores and more.
4. Great weather: When people talk about the weather in Portland, they tend to focus on the rain, but that’s not quite fair. People are often surprised to find out how mild the weather is in Portland — the summer months are typically warm and dry, and winters are relatively warm. Most of the rain Portland is famous for occurs between the months of November and February, and the city sees very little snow.

Why Move to St. Paul for Nursing School?

Close behind Portland on the U.S. News & World Report’s best places to live is No. 27, Minneapolis-St. Paul. These sister cities, often called the “Twin Cities,” are an ideal place not only to attend nursing school, but also to start your nursing career and begin raising your family.

Here are just a few of the reasons relocating for nursing school to St. Paul is such a good idea:

1. Lots to do outdoors: St. Paul offers endless outdoor entertainment for nature enthusiasts. You just have to be OK with bundling up in the chilly winter months. Within a close distance, you can go hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, downhill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and more.
2. Family-friendly community: If family is important to you, you’ll appreciate how great the Twin Cities are for raising a family. From places like the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Children’s Museum to the iconic Minnesota State Fair and Mall of America, you and your kids will never run out of enriching activities to do.
3. Food and culture: Some of the greatest benefits of living in the Twin Cities are the amazing food and the many events that can entertain you any night of the week. Whether you enjoy music, theatre, art, dance, comedy, film, or cuisine, you’ll find contentment in the Twin Cities.
4. Great people: You’ve probably heard the saying “Minnesota nice” before, and there’s truth to it. There’s something to be said for friendly Midwesterners ready to carry out a conversation with a perfect stranger. If you’re looking for a place where you can find friends and build relationships with great people, you’ll likely strike gold in the Twin Cities.

Ready to Get Ahead?

Now that you see the advantages of going out of state for nursing school, it’s time to take the next step. Stop putting your dream of becoming a nurse on hold. Fill out our online form today to find out if CSP Global’s Accelerated BSN program is right for you.