Best Online BSN Programs for Non-Nurses 2024
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2024Thinking of a career pivot to nursing? Well, you wouldn’t be the first.
More than one in three nurses (37%) earned a non-nursing degree before setting on the path to become a registered nurse (RN), according to a 2022 survey from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Though there are different ways of becoming a registered nurse, many of these transitions were likely made possible thanks to accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) programs across the U.S.
Learn more about ABSN programs and which may be right for you.
What Is an Online ABSN Program?
An online ABSN is essentially a shortcut to earning a nursing degree if you already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing major. These accelerated programs allow you to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree in a relatively short time.
Rather than the standard four years it would take to earn a bachelor’s degree, ABSN programs allow you to go back to school to become a nurse in just one to two years. Your studies will be focused on nursing-related courses, and you won’t have to retake general education requirements you already completed while earning a bachelor’s degree.
It’s worth noting that you’ll still have to complete the required clinical hours as part of an online ABSN program. This means that while your coursework may be done entirely online, you’ll still need to perform in-person clinical work at some point during your studies. Programs often have different practicum requirements. You may also have to travel to a campus for lab exercises and simulations.
Once you finish your online ABSN program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become an RN.
Are Online ABSN Programs Hard to Get Into?
Online ABSN programs can be somewhat difficult to get into.
These programs tend to have strict GPA requirements, usually a minimum of 3.0 GPA from your first bachelor’s degree program. Many programs will also require a letter of recommendation, and some require you to take the HESI A2 test. You’ll also want to check which prerequisite courses an ABSN program requires. Even if you already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, you may still be missing the required credits.
Nursing school itself can be difficult. Clinical placements, in particular, can be stressful for nursing students, but online learning may lighten the load and allow you to complete your studies at a pace best suited for you.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online ABSN Programs 2024
Methodology: BestColleges ranked the following online ABSN programs using a scale that emphasizes programs that can be completed quickly and at a relatively low cost. It also took into account the average first-time pass rates for students taking the NCLEX. Additionally, this ranking considers the number of credits you’ll be expected to complete over the course of the program and the hours required to complete your clinical rotations.
University of Massachusetts Boston
UMass Boston offers one of the best returns on investment if you’re looking to pursue an ABSN. The public research university’s ABSN program can be completed in just 12 months for a relatively low cost. Coursework includes online learning and about 20-25 hours each semester of lab and simulation work. This is also one of the few ABSN programs that doesn’t have a set clinical hour requirement.UMass Boston’s cost includes tuition, fees, textbooks, a laptop, and NCLEX prep materials.
- Length: 12 months
- Credits to graduate: 54
- Clinical requirement: Approximately 48 hours per semester
- Cost per credit: $648
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 95%
University of Indianapolis
The University of Indianapolis’s ABSN program offers students across the U.S. a chance to earn a BSN quickly. While most online ABSN programs offer all coursework online, many require students to live close to a branch campus to perform lab work. At the University of Indianapolis, students need only come to campus twice for four-day residencies. The university also offers placement services to help you secure a practicum role at a nearby healthcare facility. Students must pass the HESI A2 test to be accepted.
- Length: 15 months
- Credits to graduate: 56
- Clinical requirement: 570 hours
- Cost per credit: $860
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 91%
Holy Family University
This private university in Philadelphia offers a relatively quick — although limited — ABSN program. You must reside in Pennsylvania to enroll, but you cannot be a resident of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties. While this limits the applicant pool, if you do qualify for enrollment, you’ll have access to a program that only requires a single one-week on-campus residency for graduation. The institution offers placement services to help you secure a clinical rotation.
- Length: 14 months
- Credits to graduate: 59
- Clinical requirement: 504 hours
- Cost per credit: $857
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 90%
University of Tulsa
University of Tulsa’s online ABSN program is among the cheapest ABSN programs in the U.S., although it takes slightly longer to complete than most programs.
Tulsa’s program is also restricted to students who are residents of one of the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Virginia
If you do reside in one of these states, you can apply to begin your studies during any of the five start times offered each year.
- Length: 18 months
- Credits to graduate: 60-66
- Clinical requirement: 630 hours
- Cost per credit: $458
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 95%
Rockhurst University
Rockhurst is a Jesuit university that offers an online ABSN program. This program allows you to earn a BSN largely from your own home. Although you can complete Rockhurst’s ABSN program 100% online, you will need to complete one 10-day, on-campus residency to graduate.
You can only enroll in Rockhurst’s ABSN program if you are a resident of one of the following states:
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Nebraska
Rockhurst offers one-on-one NCLEX coaching to help you pass your licensing exam.
- Length: 16 months
- Credits to graduate: 60
- Clinical requirement: 583.5 hours
- Cost per credit: $783
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 93%
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
The University of Wisconsin’s ABSN program is a rigorous program that can help you earn a BSN in just one year.
UW Oshkosh’s program charges the same tuition whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. You must, however, reside in one of the following states to enroll:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wisconsin
The university says students should expect to spend about 8-12 hours on coursework each day.
- Length: 12 months
- Credits to graduate: 52
- Clinical requirement: 728 hours
- Cost per credit: $927
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 96%
Baylor University
The Waco, Texas-based Baylor University’s online ABSN program stands out for its high NCLEX pass rate.
Graduates from Baylor’s online ABSN program pass the NCLEX on their first try 98% of the time, according to the institution. That’s well above the national average, and it is the highest pass rate among all programs ranked.
The ABSN program is only open to Texas residents.
Although coursework is all done online, students must visit Baylor’s campus twice during their degree program. The university offers clinical placement services.
- Length: 12 months
- Credits to graduate: 62
- Clinical requirement: 720 hours
- Cost per credit: $1,098
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 98%
Elmhurst University
This Illinois university provides many benefits seen in other online ABSN programs.
It does fall short in one key area: first-time NCLEX pass rate. Approximately 86% of graduates pass the licensing exam on their first try, which is slightly below the national average for all U.S.-educated first-time test takers in 2023.
You must be a resident of — or willing to move to — one of the following states to enroll in this program:
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Wisconsin
Elmhurst does relieve ABSN students of a massive burden by identifying and securing placement sites for students in their local community.
- Length: 16 months
- Credits to graduate: 60
- Clinical requirement: 620 hours
- Cost per credit: $833
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 86%
Marian University
Marian University’s online ABSN program allows students to finish coursework at their own pace online.
The program does, however, require students to visit one of its campuses twice a week to attend lab sessions. Simulation labs aren’t required during the full 16 months of the program, but it’s an important note to remember when comparing programs.
Lab requirements can be completed in Indianapolis or Nashville.
- Length: 16 months
- Credits to graduate: 63
- Clinical requirement: N/A
- Cost per credit: $925
- NCLEX first-time pass rate: 96%
How to Pay for an Online ABSN Program
Nursing school costs vary from program to program, but for the most part, an ABSN program will cost you between $45,000 and $65,000 in tuition and fees — though some can be completed for as little as $20,000.
Online ABSN programs also require a laptop and reliable internet access, which further adds to prospective costs. Many online ABSN programs require one or two visits to a main campus for lab experiences, so you’ll also have to account for travel expenses if you live far from your program of choice.
Online ABSN programs can be paid for in many of the same ways as you would pay for any BSN degree. Scholarships and grants can help lessen the burden, but due to the high costs associated with nursing school, there’s a possibility you’ll need student loans as well. If this is the case, you should prioritize federal student loans before taking out private loans.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online ABSN Programs
An online ABSN program may be worthwhile for you due to the high projected job growth in nursing professions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow 6% over the next decade. Employment of advanced practice nurses is projected to grow 40%, although these jobs require a master’s degree.
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