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 Program offers registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their nursing education. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed part-time in two years or full-time in just one year. With growing healthcare demands and an 80% predicted increase in baccalaureate-prepared nurses by 2020, this online program provides comprehensive learning through over 200 interactive activities. Students develop critical decision-making skills while positioning themselves for enhanced career opportunities in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Auburn, AL - Public 4-Year - auburn.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Auburn University's RN to BSN program provides registered nurses a seamless pathway to advance their nursing credentials. Designed for associate degree holders, the flexible online track enables professionals to complete their bachelor's degree in just three semesters. Students with an unencumbered RN license can earn up to 37 transfer credits, accelerating their academic journey. The program emphasizes holistic nursing practice, evidence-based care, leadership, and population health, preparing nurses for expanded roles and enhanced career opportunities.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Auburn University's RN to BSN program transforms experienced registered nurses into advanced healthcare professionals. This innovative track allows associate degree nurses to elevate their education efficiently, completing the program in just three semesters. Designed for working professionals, the hybrid program offers flexible learning with a comprehensive curriculum focusing on holistic nursing, evidence-based practice, and professional leadership. Applicants need a minimum 2.5 GPA, current RN licensure, and prerequisite course completion. Students can earn up to 37 transfer credits, accelerating their path to a bachelor's degree and expanding career opportunities in healthcare.
West Chester, PA - Public 4-Year - wcupa.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Chester University's RN-to-BSN program provides working nurses a flexible pathway to advance their nursing credentials through a fully online, accelerated curriculum. Designed for licensed registered nurses, the program can be completed in as little as two semesters, with no transfer credit charges and CLEP credit acceptance. Prospective students need a minimum 2.75 GPA and must complete 120 total credits, with 30 credits from WCU. The CCNE-accredited program focuses on professional development, research, ethics, leadership, and population health, preparing nurses for expanded roles in modern healthcare settings.
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Chester University's innovative RN-to-BSN online program empowers working nurses to advance their careers efficiently. Designed for flexibility, students can complete their degree in as little as two semesters. The CCNE-accredited program customizes learning paths based on prior coursework, requiring only 30 new credits from WCU. With a comprehensive curriculum covering professional communication, research, health policy, and leadership, nurses gain advanced skills to enhance patient care and expand career opportunities.
Online Learning - Visit Website
West Chester University's RN-to-BSN program provides registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their nursing credentials entirely online. Designed for working professionals, the program allows completion in as little as two semesters with no transfer credit charges. Students will develop advanced nursing skills through comprehensive coursework covering professional communication, research, ethics, health policy, and leadership. Admission requires a minimum 2.75 GPA and official transcripts from previous institutions. The curriculum meets AACN baccalaureate standards and prepares nurses for expanded healthcare roles with enhanced critical thinking and technological competencies.
Cincinnati, OH - Public 4-Year - uc.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Cincinnati's RN to BSN Online program offers a flexible pathway for working nurses to advance their education. Designed for licensed RNs with an associate degree, this fully online program allows students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing without disrupting their professional lives. With no clinical requirements and only nine nursing courses, students can typically finish in 9-18 months. The program's affordable tuition, guaranteed for four years, ranges from $564 per credit hour, making it an accessible option for career advancement.
Concentration: Public Health Nursing - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Cincinnati's RN to BSN Online program with a Public Health Nursing concentration offers working nurses a flexible pathway to advance their careers. Designed for registered nurses with an associate degree, this fully online program allows students to complete their bachelor's degree in just 9-18 months without clinical requirements. With six annual start dates, the program emphasizes interprofessional, evidence-based practice and provides a pathway for graduate studies through CCNE accreditation.
Concentration: Nurse Educator - Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Cincinnati offers a fully online RN to BSN program designed for working nurses seeking career advancement. Specifically tailored for the Nurse Educator concentration, this flexible program allows registered nurses to earn their bachelor's degree without disrupting their professional commitments. With only nine nursing courses and no clinical requirements, students can complete the program in as little as nine months. The CCNE-accredited curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and interprofessional education, preparing nurses for leadership roles and potential graduate studies.
Philadelphia, PA - Private 4-year - drexel.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Drexel University's online RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their nursing career. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed in as little as 12 months, allowing nurses to transfer up to 135 quarter credits. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based learning, critical thinking, and leadership skills essential for modern healthcare. With a competitive tuition rate of $549 per credit and a three-year tuition lock, the program provides an affordable and accessible route to career growth. Graduates gain comprehensive skills in community health, patient care, and professional nursing practice.
Rochester, NY - Private 4-year - rochester.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Rochester's RN to BS Online Program offers registered nurses a flexible pathway to complete their bachelor's degree in just 16 months. Designed for associate's or diploma-prepared nurses, this innovative program provides 100% online coursework with mobile technology and an optimized iPad device. Students gain advanced knowledge in patient care and population health through interactive learning experiences, guided by expert nursing faculty. With significant scholarship opportunities ranging from 50-100% tuition coverage, nurses can advance their careers, explore new roles, or prepare for advanced practice degrees without disrupting their current work.
Fairfield, CT - Private 4-year - sacredheart.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
Sacred Heart University's Online RN to BSN program offers registered nurses a flexible pathway to advance their education and career. Designed for working professionals, this CCNE-accredited program can be completed in as few as 10 months with an accelerated track. Students can transfer up to 90 credits, reducing both time and cost. The program costs $390 per credit hour and requires a 2.5 minimum GPA for admission. With a holistic curriculum emphasizing nursing excellence and human-centered care, graduates are prepared for leadership roles in healthcare settings and enhanced professional opportunities.
Wilmington, NC - Public 4-Year - uncw.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of North Carolina Wilmington's RN to BSN online program provides registered nurses with a flexible pathway to advance their nursing career. Designed for working professionals, this CCNE-accredited program can be completed in as few as 12 months, with a total tuition of $6,334.20 for in-state students. Applicants need an associate's degree in nursing, a current unencumbered RN license, and a minimum 2.4 GPA. The curriculum covers critical areas like healthcare policy, community health, leadership, and research, preparing nurses for diverse roles in healthcare and positioning them for career advancement.
Jacksonville, FL - Public 4-Year - unf.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The RN-BSN Bridge online program empowers registered nurses to advance their careers by completing a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Designed for working professionals, this flexible program helps nurses expand their knowledge, enhance clinical competencies, and unlock new career opportunities in healthcare. With just 30 credit hours and a one-year completion timeline, nurses can seamlessly transition from associate's degrees to a fully accredited BSN, positioning themselves for higher-level roles and potential salary increases.
Fayetteville, AR - Public 4-Year - uark.edu
Online Learning - Visit Website
The University of Arkansas offers a flexible RN to BSN online program designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. Nurses with an associate's degree or diploma can complete this comprehensive degree in just one year, enhancing their earning potential and professional opportunities. The fully online curriculum prepares nurses to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive care across diverse healthcare settings. With no campus visits required, the program accommodates working professionals through multiple semester plan options.
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.