What is ABSN? Your guide to accelerated nursing education
What is ABSN? Your guide to accelerated nursing education
If you’re interested in becoming a registered nurse, there are multiple pathways to help you achieve your goal. One option is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, also known as an ABSN. Here’s what you should know if you’re looking at programs and trying to figure out what works best for you!
What is ABSN?
An ABSN is not a nursing credential. Instead, it refers to the type of program you might pursue to earn your BSN. It is faster and more condensed. Any ABSN program will still need to go through the same accreditation process as a BSN program. So, as long as you have found a quality institution, you shouldn’t have to worry about an accelerated BSN program cutting corners when it comes to your education.
ABSN vs. BSN — what’s the difference?
There is no difference in your qualifications if you go through an ABSN program versus a BSN. You will still be able to say you have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing either way and be prepared to provide compassionate, competent care to your patients in whatever setting you choose to work. Students in both types of programs complete the same number of nursing credits, clinical hours and lab hours to complete their degree.
The difference is primarily the timeframe. You will learn everything you need to know as a nurse in a shorter, more intensive time period. The length of the program varies, but it’s typically one to one and a half years, with classes usually taking place year-round.
Is an ABSN program right for me?
Just because you know you want to go through a Bachelor Science in Nursing program does not necessarily mean that an ABSN is right for you. You’ll need to consider two things: your background and your goals. Do you have significant college credits already or even a bachelor’s degree? An ABSN will be a great fit because it will build on this experience.
An ABSN is also a great option if you’ve been out in the working world for a while, but are still dreaming of a career as a registered nurse. With an ABSN, you can shift gears and achieve your career goal faster. The program is designed for career-changers who want to become registered nurses without starting over — letting you earn your degree faster and step into a profession with a median salary of nearly $94,000 sooner than you might think.
If you’re highly motivated and ready to make that big career change, or leverage the credits you’ve already earned to bring you closer to your goal of becoming a nurse, an ABSN will be your best bet at making it happen.
What should I look for in an ABSN program?
What to look for in an accelerated BSN program may be very specific to your lifestyle and career goals. For example, if your primary objective is to become a nurse as fast as possible, you’ll want to look for a program that’s as short as possible. However, you’ll need to keep in mind that the shorter a program is, the more work you’ll be expected to complete at once. So make sure committing to the program is realistic for you.
Like with any nursing program, you’ll want to look into the student learning outcomes to ensure that the program will make you a confident nurse from day one. Look at the program’s partnerships with established health care settings, as these will help set you up for success in clinicals. Smaller class sizes that allow you to truly get to know your instructors will also allow you to thrive in the program, which will help you become a fantastic nurse after you graduate!
Enroll in the University of Northern Iowa’s accelerated BSN
For those who are confident they want to become a nurse ASAP, an ABSN is the right choice. It’s a fast way to earn your BSN and start earning a nurse’s salary.
In a short amount of time, UNI’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has established itself as a high-quality program capable of building practice-ready nurses. The accelerated BSN builds on this reputation, aimed at providing the same great degree in a fraction of the time. ABSN students get to use the same cutting-edge technology, including high-fidelity medical simulators, that all our nursing students learn from.
You’ll experience more than 400 hours of clinicals in settings such as acute, long-term, hospice, chronic, rehabilitative, and critical/trauma care, obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, community and public health, and more. The program is already enrolling students to start classes in fall 2026. The first cohort of students will get to complete the program at a special discounted rate that’s nearly half the cost of other programs in the region. And students from states bordering Iowa can also take advantage of UNI’s Neighboring State Rate, providing in-state tuition!
Don’t wait to start working toward your goal of becoming a nurse. Move forward faster with UNI’s ABSN!
As Iowa's only regional comprehensive university, we are designed to provide critical coursework with real, practical fieldwork.
Real, relevant academic excellence for a world that expects future-ready graduates.
- 94% of UNI grads find success within six months of graduation.
- UNI offers the largest Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program in the state.
- UNI has the only dementia simulation taking place in a whole house in the state.
- UNI is ranked a top regional public university by U.S. News & World Report.
