How Accelerated Nursing Programs Work

When you start researching accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, you'll find the term used two different ways. The first type of “Accelerated BSN” is a second-degree program designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to become a registered nurse (RN). The second is a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) that’s structured so you can finish in less than four years. Both are pre-licensure nursing programs designed to prepare you to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

At Herzing, we offer both types of accelerated programs. Here's how each option works, who each one is designed for and what to consider as you compare them.

Type 1: A Second Degree for Career-Changers

If you already earned a bachelor's degree in another field, our Accelerated BSN (ABSN) option lets you build on the college work you've already done and concentrate on nursing. It's a 120-credit program you can complete in as few as 20 months. We accept up to 90 approved transfer credits toward it.

Note that the 20-month timeline assumes you’ve taken certain science prerequisites as part of your first bachelor’s degree program. If you haven’t, the program may take up to 24 months to complete.

What makes this pathway shorter is the fact that you’ll transfer in most of your general education requirements from your previous degree. That leaves the nursing curriculum as the focus of your time with us. Your prior coursework is reviewed when you apply, so you'll know before you start how much of the 120 credits you still need to complete.

You'll find the ABSN option at 10 of our campuses: Atlanta, Brookfield, Clarksville, Kenosha, Madison, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa.

Who Our ABSN Program Is For

This option is built for you if you hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum 2.5 GPA and you're ready to become an RN. If your GPA is above 3.0 and you’d rather earn a graduate credential on your way to licensure, our Master of Science in Nursing - Direct Entry (MSN-DE) is another path for students who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree.

Type 2: A Traditional BSN in Less Time

You don't need a prior degree to move toward your goals quickly. You can complete our traditional BSN program in as few as 36 months rather than the typical four years. The shorter timeline is possible because of how we schedule our academic year. Herzing offers three semesters of instruction per year, which means year-round classes rather than a long summer away from your coursework.

You can also transfer up to 90 approved credits to the traditional BSN program, which could save you even more time. Note that if you’re going to complete your degree in 36 months, you’ll need to:

• Attend every semester each year after you matriculate
• Carry a full course load of at least 16 semester credit hours
• Follow the course schedule set by the Academic Dean
• Maintain a 2.00 or higher GPA in all classes

Who Our BSN Program Is For

This is the program for you if you're starting without a prior degree or a healthcare credential and you want to become an RN for the first time. You'll complete your general education courses and your nursing courses with us, and you'll have the support of experienced faculty and advisors from your first term through graduation.

ABSN vs. BSN at a Glance

Can I Earn My BSN Online?

Our traditional BSN is available as an online BSN that includes the in-person experience nursing licensure requires. All didactic coursework is asynchronous. You'll complete eight clinical courses, seven of which include precepted clinical hours in or near your geographic area.

To prepare for clinicals, you'll attend two in-person intensives lasting two to four days each at our Brookfield, Wisc. or Nashville, Tenn. campuses. Just like the on-campus BSN, our online BSN is designed to be completed in as few as 36 months. The online BSN program is only available in select U.S. states.

The ABSN option works differently. You can complete general education coursework online, but your core nursing courses meet on campus. You'll enroll at one of the 10 campuses that offers the ABSN option. If getting to a campus isn't practical for you, the online MSN-DE may be worth a closer look.

You’ve got a nursing goal. Herzing wants to help you reach it. Get in touch to talk through your options, and we'll help you find the BSN pathway that’s best for you.