Thomas Reed, RN
June 27, 2025
Choosing an accelerated RN‑to‑BSN program allows experienced nurses to advance their education, credentials, and career trajectory without pausing their professional life for years. By graduating sooner, you become eligible for leadership roles, specialty units, and higher salary brackets more quickly. The streamlined timeline also keeps you engaged and motivated, reducing the risk of burnout or distraction that can accompany longer degree pathways.
Boston, MA - Private 4-year - northeastern.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Northeastern University's RN-to-BSN online program accelerates nursing professionals' educational trajectory through an innovative, flexible curriculum. Uniquely positioned to meet the rising demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, the program can be completed in as little as one year. Students benefit from over 200 interactive learning activities that cultivate advanced clinical reasoning and leadership skills. The program's military-friendly status and tailored design for working registered nurses enable seamless academic progression while maintaining professional commitments. Northeastern's accelerated format and comprehensive online platform distinguish it from traditional nursing education pathways, offering an efficient route to career advancement in healthcare.
Auburn, AL - Public 4-Year - auburn.edu
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Auburn University's RN to BSN online program revolutionizes nursing education by offering an accelerated pathway for registered nurses seeking advanced credentials. With a remarkable three-semester completion timeline, the program uniquely enables students to leverage up to 37 transfer credits, dramatically reducing traditional degree completion time. Tailored for working professionals, the curriculum emphasizes holistic nursing practices, evidence-based care, and leadership development. Military-friendly and designed for associate degree holders, the program requires a current RN license and minimum 2.5 GPA. The program's flexibility and strategic credit transfer approach make it an exceptional choice for nurses wanting efficient professional advancement.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Auburn University's Concurrent BSN program provides a dynamic hybrid learning experience for registered nurses seeking comprehensive professional development. Distinguished by its three-semester completion model, the program offers unprecedented flexibility for working healthcare professionals. Students benefit from a curriculum that integrates clinical practice hours, evidence-based methodologies, and professional leadership training. The innovative approach allows for extensive transfer credit recognition (up to 37 credits), significantly expediting degree completion. With mandatory current RN licensure and a minimum 2.5 GPA requirement, the program ensures high-quality educational standards while accommodating the complex schedules of practicing nurses.
West Chester, PA - Public 4-Year - wcupa.edu
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West Chester University's RN-to-BSN program offers an accelerated online pathway for licensed registered nurses seeking career advancement. Distinguished by its rapid two-semester completion timeline, the program eliminates transfer credit charges and accepts CLEP credits, enabling faster degree progression. The CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes professional development, research methodologies, ethical considerations, and leadership strategies in healthcare. With a focus on population health and modern nursing practices, students gain comprehensive skills to expand their professional capabilities. Prospective students need a minimum 2.75 GPA and must complete 120 total credits, with 30 credits specifically from West Chester University, making it an efficient and targeted educational experience for working nurses.
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Chester University delivers an innovative online RN-to-BSN program designed for working nurses seeking swift career progression. Uniquely structured to accommodate professional schedules, students can complete their degree in just two semesters. The CCNE-accredited curriculum provides personalized learning paths, requiring only 30 new credits from the university. Comprehensive coursework covers advanced topics like professional communication, healthcare research, policy development, and leadership training. With asynchronous learning, year-round course offerings, and no transfer credit charges, this program enables nurses to efficiently enhance their academic credentials and expand clinical competencies.
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Chester University's RN-to-BSN program provides a dynamic online educational pathway for registered nurses aiming to elevate their professional qualifications. Strategically designed for working professionals, the program allows degree completion in as little as two semesters. The curriculum meets rigorous AACN baccalaureate standards, emphasizing advanced nursing skills through comprehensive coursework in professional communication, research methodologies, healthcare ethics, policy analysis, and leadership development. With CCNE accreditation, flexible 7-week course sessions, and multiple nursing course options, students can rapidly transform their clinical expertise while maintaining professional commitments.
Cincinnati, OH - Public 4-Year - uc.edu
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The University of Cincinnati's RN to BSN Online program accelerates nursing education through a streamlined, flexible curriculum designed for working professionals. By eliminating clinical requirements and offering only nine nursing courses, students can complete their degree in just 9-18 months. The program's unique structure allows registered nurses with associate degrees to advance their education without workplace disruption. With six annual start dates, CCNE accreditation, and affordable tuition at $564 per credit hour, nurses can efficiently upgrade their credentials. The military-friendly program offers multiple pathways, including Public Health Nursing and Nurse Educator tracks, providing comprehensive professional development opportunities.
Concentration: Public Health Nursing - Online Learning - Visit Website
University of Cincinnati's Public Health Nursing concentration within the RN to BSN Online program offers a targeted approach for nurses seeking specialized community health expertise. This innovative program enables registered nurses to develop advanced population health skills through a fully online, interprofessional curriculum. By focusing on evidence-based practices and community wellness strategies, students can complete their degree in 9-18 months without traditional clinical requirements. The program's flexibility, six annual start dates, and CCNE accreditation make it an ideal choice for nurses wanting to expand their professional capabilities in public health sectors.
Concentration: Nurse Educator - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Cincinnati's Nurse Educator concentration provides a strategic pathway for registered nurses aspiring to leadership and teaching roles. This fully online RN to BSN program distinguishes itself by preparing nurses for educational settings through a compact nine-course curriculum. Students can complete the program in as little as nine months, with no clinical disruptions. The CCNE-accredited program emphasizes evidence-based instruction and interprofessional learning, positioning graduates for advanced academic and clinical leadership positions. Affordable tuition, multiple start dates, and guaranteed pricing make this an attractive option for career-driven nurses.
Philadelphia, PA - Private 4-year - drexel.edu
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Drexel University's innovative online RN to BSN program stands out for its accelerated learning model, enabling registered nurses to complete their degree in just 12 months. The curriculum strategically blends evidence-based practice with advanced nursing leadership skills, preparing professionals for complex healthcare environments. Unique program advantages include transferring up to 135 quarter credits and a competitive tuition rate of $549 per credit with a three-year tuition lock. CCNE-accredited and designed for working nurses, the program offers exceptional flexibility through interactive digital learning technologies. Military-friendly status and experienced nursing faculty further enhance the educational experience, making career advancement both accessible and efficient.
Rochester, NY - Private 4-year - rochester.edu
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The University of Rochester's RN to BSN online program stands out for its accelerated 16-month curriculum designed specifically for working nurses seeking career advancement. By leveraging innovative mobile learning technologies and providing an iPad for coursework, students can seamlessly balance professional responsibilities with academic progression. The program distinguishes itself through comprehensive scholarship opportunities covering 50-100% of tuition, making advanced education more accessible. Emphasizing interactive patient care and population health learning, nurses receive expert faculty guidance while developing advanced clinical competencies. The program's flexible online format enables registered nurses with associate's degrees or diplomas to efficiently complete their bachelor's degree without workplace disruption, positioning graduates for enhanced nursing roles and potential advanced practice pathways.
Fairfield, CT - Private 4-year - sacredheart.edu
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Sacred Heart University's accelerated online RN to BSN program emerges as a strategic pathway for working nurses seeking efficient degree completion. Distinctively streamlined, the program enables registered nurses to transform their professional trajectory in just 10 months, significantly faster than traditional pathways. With CCNE accreditation and flexibility for working professionals, students benefit from transferring up to 90 credits, reducing both time and financial investment. The curriculum emphasizes holistic, human-centered nursing care, preparing graduates for advanced healthcare leadership roles. The program's competitive $390 per credit hour rate and multiple annual start dates make it particularly attractive for nurses seeking rapid, accessible educational advancement without compromising academic rigor.
Wilmington, NC - Public 4-Year - uncw.edu
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The University of North Carolina Wilmington accelerates nursing career progression through a strategically designed online RN to BSN program. What distinguishes this program is its remarkably condensed 12-month completion timeline, making it ideal for working professionals. Leveraging a flexible digital curriculum, students explore critical healthcare domains including policy, community health, leadership, and research methodologies. The CCNE-accredited program requires an associate's degree in nursing, current unencumbered RN license, and minimum 2.4 GPA. With a competitive in-state tuition of just $6,334.20 and multiple nursing career pathway options, UNC Wilmington offers an efficient, cost-effective route for registered nurses seeking bachelor's level advancement. Military-friendly status further enhances program accessibility for diverse student populations.
Jacksonville, FL - Public 4-Year - unf.edu
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The University of North Florida's RN-BSN Bridge Online program offers registered nurses an accelerated pathway to advancing their professional credentials. By requiring only 30 credit hours and providing a streamlined one-year completion timeline, nurses can efficiently transition from associate's degrees to a comprehensive bachelor's degree. The program uniquely caters to working professionals through complete online flexibility, enabling students to balance career and educational goals. With an emphasis on expanding clinical competencies and professional knowledge, graduates are strategically positioned for enhanced healthcare roles and potential salary advancement. Active RN licensure and maintaining a minimum 2.70 GPA are key program requirements, ensuring high-quality educational standards.
Fayetteville, AR - Public 4-Year - uark.edu
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The University of Arkansas RN to BSN online program delivers an accelerated pathway for registered nurses to elevate their professional credentials. By leveraging a fully digital curriculum, students can complete their degree within 12 months without mandatory campus visits. The program strategically emphasizes evidence-based practice and culturally sensitive care delivery, making it ideal for working healthcare professionals seeking rapid career progression. With multiple semester scheduling options and no entrance exam requirements, nurses can seamlessly transition from associate's degree or diploma to a comprehensive bachelor's level education. Military-friendly policies further enhance the program's accessibility for diverse nursing professionals.
Accelerated RN‑to‑BSN bridge programs compress the traditional two‑year bachelor’s curriculum for registered nurses into an intensive schedule that typically spans 9 to 18 months. Full‑time tracks often wrap up in about a year by offering courses year‑round, while part‑time or hybrid options may extend to 15–18 months to accommodate working professionals. Summer and intersession courses, combined with credit transfers for prior ADN coursework, help ensure you meet all degree requirements without unnecessary breaks.
| Normal | Accelerated | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 12-18 Months | 8-12 Months |
| Part Time | 18-36 Months | 12-24 Months |
Despite the fast pace, these bridge programs maintain the same accreditation standards and comprehensive learning outcomes as traditional BSN tracks. You’ll work with seasoned nursing faculty who guide you through structured coursework, evidence‑based practice seminars, and leadership practicums. Clinical experiences remain robust, ensuring you fulfill, and often exceed, required capstone and practicum hours under expert supervision. Small cohort sizes and frequent skills workshops reinforce learning without cutting corners.
Looking for the fastest RN to BSN program? Ensure it also delivers on these essential quality points.
Completing your BSN in an accelerated format gets you back into the workforce at a higher level faster. You’ll gain advanced clinical judgment, leadership competencies, and project management experience through intensive capstone projects and interdisciplinary collaborations. That head start not only positions you for nurse manager or educator roles but also lays the groundwork for graduate study or specialty certifications, giving you momentum toward long‑term professional goals.