Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs have the same curriculum and skills training that traditional programs do, yet on a faster timeline.

Concordia University, St. Paul’s ABSN program, for example, is designed to give you credit for previously completed college coursework. This allows you to graduate with a BSN degree in as few as 16 months, following successful completion of any needed prerequisites.

ABSN programs also typically offer multiple start dates per year, so you don’t have to wait to apply.

What is an accelerated nursing program like, and is it right for you? Explore the details of what you can expect, consider the many benefits of an ABSN, and then check to see if you meet the admission requirements.

What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program Like?

It’s important to know how an ABSN program works before determining if it could be the right choice for you. You should expect a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum and in-person learning components. You’ll learn the same material and skills as you would in a traditional BSN program, compressed into a shorter timeframe.

Online Coursework

Your theory coursework will be delivered using an e-learning platform. You will study fundamentals of nursing, population health, pharmacology principles, and more. The material will include interactive exercises, readings, audio/visual components, and online quizzes.

The material you learn in your online nursing coursework will correspond with what you’re doing in labs and clinical experiences, allowing you to develop competency through applied experience.

At CSP Global, classmates and instructors are easy to reach through our online learning management system’s (LMS) chat function and discussion boards. Your instructors will also make themselves available via in-person and virtual office hours, telephone, and email.

One of the greatest benefits of online coursework is that you can complete it whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you. Of course, you will still have deadlines and expectations, but you can choose the time of day and location that works best.

Immersive Labs

Concordia University, St. Paul offers nursing skills labs to students at our ABSN learning centers in Portland and St. Paul. These labs mimic actual healthcare facilities and provide a safe environment where you can hone your psychomotor skills and competency demonstration.

In skills labs, you’ll learn how to conduct head-to-toe nursing assessments, insert IVs and catheters, perform physical assessments, care for wounds, and more. You will practice on medical manikins so you can learn from your mistakes without putting patients at risk.

Skills labs prepare you for clinical experiences and build your confidence by allowing you to build competency through practice in a controlled environment.

Clinical Learning Experiences

Students complete clinical experiences at various healthcare facilities and community-based agencies near their ABSN program site. During this portion of our program, students experience a variety of practice areas, including mental health, population health, acute care, and pediatrics/obstetrics.

Clinicals are a key element of nursing education because they allow students to practice their skills in actual healthcare settings and community-based agencies. Students learn directly from experienced nurses, and they get to see the full scope of professional nursing responsibilities.

Comparing the ABSN to Traditional BSN and MSN Programs

When you’re considering your options for nursing school, it’s essential to understand the differences between each type of program. What is an ABSN like compared to a traditional BSN or MSN program? Explore the differences so you can make an informed decision for your future.

Accelerated BSN vs. Traditional BSN

Both programs cover the same general nursing curriculum, and both offer a blend of didactic learning and applied experiences. The main difference is that a traditional BSN is designed for those with little to no prior college experience, while an ABSN program is designed for adults transitioning to new careers who already have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or obtained a minimum number of college credits.

The obvious benefit to enrolling in an accelerated nursing program compared to a traditional program is that you will finish your studies in a relatively short timeframe. This will allow you to enter the job market sooner.

BSN vs. MSN

A BSN, whether traditional or accelerated, teaches the foundational knowledge and skills you need to pursue licensure and an entry-level job as a registered nurse (RN) generalist.

In contrast, a Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, is usually designed for licensed, working RNs who are already licensed and employed as RNs who are interested in exploring advanced roles that require graduate level educational preparation. Once you have a BSN, you can pursue an MSN if you’d like to position yourself for an advanced practice nursing role or potential career advancement.

Benefits of an ABSN Program

There are many compelling benefits to enrolling in an ABSN program, including the following:

Leverage Your Prior Education and Enter the Nursing Field Quickly

With our ABSN program, you don’t have to spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Instead, you can put your prior non-nursing college education to good use. Because our ABSN program eliminates the general education requirements, which our students have already completed, you can graduate much sooner.

Gain Applied Clinical Experience

Although students complete our curriculum on an accelerated timeline, you will meet the same standards as any student in a traditional four-year BSN program. Our curriculum includes plenty of clinical experience hours to refine your nursing skills within a laboratory environment, actual healthcare and community-based settings as well as simulated patient care experiences.

Prepare Effectively for the NCLEX-RN

Once you graduate from an accelerated nursing program, you must complete one more step before you can become a registered nurse: passing the NCLEX-RN®. On top of your online coursework, skills labs, and clinicals, CSP’s ABSN program will prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN successfully. Throughout your time at CSP Global, you will answer practice NCLEX-RN questions so you are ready to excel on test day.

Is an ABSN Program Right for You?

ABSN programs are for students wanting to switch to nursing after already completing some or all of a bachelor’s degree. If you have finished 54 non-nursing college credits or have a bachelor’s degree in another field, then you may be

ABSN programs are for students wanting to switch to nursing after already completing some or all of a bachelor’s degree. If you have finished 54 non-nursing college credits or have a bachelor’s degree in another field, then you may be eligible for Concordia University, St. Paul’s ABSN program.

You must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, including a minimum 3.0 GPA in all science prerequisites. You must be able to clear a criminal background check, demonstrate English language proficiency if English is not your first language, and complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 65%. In addition, you must complete all prerequisites with a minimum grade of C.

The biggest factor that Concordia University, St. Paul looks for in our students is a passion for nursing and patient care. We want to teach the next generation of nurses, and if you have a heart for patients, then you will fit right in.

Pursue Your Future in Nursing With CSP Global

Now that you can see how an accelerated nursing program works, you can see that it is not easy, but it is worth it. A career in nursing provides more than a steady income; it provides a sense of purpose and an opportunity to care for others.

Our tight-knit learning community promotes supportive student-faculty relationships and spiritual growth. At CSP Global, you will learn to care for the whole patient in body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach to education will prepare you to champion health, provide quality care, and exhibit leadership not just within healthcare organizations, but throughout the community.

Whether you’re ready to apply or just have questions about our ABSN program, reach out to one of our admissions advisors.