Online ABSN Programs in California: Finding a School
Do you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to switch to a nursing career? Accelerated BSN programs in California, often called ABSN programs, can fast-track your path to licensure by allowing you to forgo the general education requirement and jump right into the nursing curriculum. This guide looks at how online ABSN programs work, including admissions requirements, program content, and more.
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What Nurses Recommend When Choosing an Accelerated BSN Program in California
California’s accelerated BSN programs are competitive, and every option in this ranking has earned its place in our rankings. The harder question is which program fits your reality: where you live, which clinical sites you can access, and whether you have the schedule bandwidth the program will require. Our EduMed nursing experts share what they’d think through before applying.
Prioritize Strong NCLEX Pass Rates
NCLEX pass rates for California’s nursing schools are publicly reported, and not paying attention to these numbers is a mistake. That number is one of the most important signals of program quality, and you want to see at least 90% if not higher. I recommend looking up pass rates on the California Board of Registered Nursing website for any program you’re seriously considering before looking at any other factors.
Understand California's Licensing Trade-Offs
I always tell future nurses to think about where they want to live after graduation, especially when it comes to taking the NCLEX. California isn’t part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so if there’s a good chance you’ll move out of state, you’ll need to apply for a license in your new state when the time comes. California remains one of the most desirable places to work as a nurse because of the pay and the state’s mandated nurse-to-patient ratio.
Profiling Top ABSN Programs in California
While there are many pathways to becoming an RN, ABSN programs are specifically designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. These programs allow you to transfer many of your general education credits, so you don’t have to completely start over with your second degree.
Features of hybrid and online ABSN programs:
- Courses are offered online before your clinical training begins
- Clinical training is still required in-person, so your studies aren’t 100% online
- Provides vital hands-on experience to prepare you for licensure, examination, and employment
- Some programs are accelerated, meaning you can finish quickly (sometimes in half the time of a traditional program)
Below, we highlight two of the best online accelerated BSN programs in California that offer a combination of in-person and online learning.
National University
National University in San Diego, CA offers a BSN program for second degree seeking students. This program offers year-round enrollment, and aspiring nurses can apply without an application fee or any entrance essays or exams.
Many of the general education courses you’ve taken can be transferred to this program, but 45 of the required credits must be taken at National University.
What you’ll learn:
- Key skills necessary to excel as an RN
- Ways to apply current evidence to your nursing practice
- How to develop caring, therapeutic nursing relationships with your future patients
Duration: 15-22 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $407/credit hour
Total estimated cost: $94,620
Admissions Requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 in general education and prerequisite courses
- Grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses
- Clear criminal background check and drug screen
- Attend a pre-nursing forum
- Accepted into specific nursing program for second degree students
- Submissions of Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Version VII exam scores
Curriculum:
- Nursing Theories and Models
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Research
- Pharmacology in Nursing
- Foundations of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Childbearing Family Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
- Pathopharmacology
- Community Healthcare
- Nursing Leadership/Management
- Professional Issues in Nursing
Concordia University
Concordia University is a private Christian school that offers an ABSN program for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This program offers those with at least 65 non-nursing college credits a fast track to earning a BSN and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Features:
- Fully in-person program at their campus in Irvine, CA
- Hybrid program at their campus in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Can be completed in a little over a year
- Both in-person and online students complete 765 clinical hours
Duration: 15 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $930/per unit
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed bachelor’s of science or bachelor’s of art in any discipline or a minimum of 65 non-nursing college credits
- Cumulative GPA of 3.25
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for prerequisite courses
- Completion of 100 hours of qualifying patient care experience with at least 75 hours completed before submitting an application
Curriculum:
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Foundations of Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Skills Lab
- Adult Medical/Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacology Lab
- Behavioral Health Nursing
- Bioethics and Healthcare Professions
- Wellness Care and Prevention
- Advanced Medical/Surgical Nursing
- Maternal/Newborn Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Advanced Senior Preceptorship Clinical
- Transitions to Practice
- Community Health Nursing
- Leadership/Management Theory
- Research in Nursing
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FAQs: California Online Accelerated BSN Programs
Between all the different programs, courses, and fees that come along with ABSN programs, it can be challenging to know which one is right for you. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions aspiring nursing students have before they apply for an ABSN program.
How long is an accelerated BSN program in California?
Most accelerated BSN programs can be completed in less than two years. Generally, a bachelor’s degree takes around four years to complete, but California’s accelerated BSN programs offer a path to completion in half that time.
How long it takes for you to complete an ABSN program also depends on the required prerequisites and your own education or experience. ABSN programs are often similar in length to other nursing pathways, such as LPN to BSN programs.
How many of my current bachelor’s degree credits can be transferred to my California accelerated BSN program?
Depending on the program, you can usually transfer between 65 to 75 credits to an ABSN program in California. Most accelerated BSN programs cater to students with significant college experience, including those with bachelor’s degrees in a non-nursing field and those looking to change careers.
As a result, most BSN nursing programs in California expect incoming students to possess a substantial amount of transfer credit if not an entire undergraduate degree that satisfies core prerequisites. Keep in mind that each school may have different requirements for how many credits you need before applying.
How much do ABSN programs in California cost?
The total cost for an ABSN program in California can range anywhere from $20,000 to $90,000. There are many factors that will impact the cost, such as the type of university and the amount of credits needed.
There also may be a different cost for in-person versus online programs since some schools charge a different amount per credit and there may be distance learning fees.
Fortunately, most accelerated BSN programs in California are relatively affordable, especially when considering the financial aid available with scholarships and grants.
How do I know if an accelerated California BSN program is high quality?
The main way to tell whether an ABSN program is high-quality is to see if it’s state-approved and accredited. State approval through the California State Board of Nursing means you can pursue your license after graduation without any hiccups, given you’ve met all other requirements.
Proper accreditation, overseen by the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) also indicates a program is high-quality. Earning a BSN from a program with accreditation ensures that your degree will be recognized and valued by potential employers.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my accelerated BSN program in California?
Yes, there are many online BSN programs with financial aid for new and returning students in the form of scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans. State entities like the California Board of Nursing and the Department of Health Care Access and Information and Information often provide financial aid opportunities and resources for BSN students as well.
If you’re looking for other ways to pay for school, you can also check with potential employers for incentive programs. The type and amount of financial aid available will vary by school, but most offer some form of help for students.
Why Change Careers to Nursing in California?
Many people have decided to seek a second degree in nursing through accelerated BSN programs because of the benefits of a career in healthcare. RNs have one of the most fulfilling careers out there because of the direct impact they have on patients. But that is not the only benefit.
Here are a few other benefits of changing your career to become a nurse in California:
- Nurses in California make an average of $124,000 per year, which is nearly 50% higher than the national average
- 50 California counties will face a shortage of registered nurses by 2033
- You’ll better the overall health of California residents, improving access to care and contributing to a healthier state
Even if you don’t plan to retire as an RN, getting your nursing license can open up the door for numerous other opportunities in the healthcare field. Many RNs go on to earn their master’s degree, move up to leadership positions, or pursue other roles as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Expert Insight
Another benefit to becoming a nurse in California is the state’s mandated nurse-to-patient ratios, meaning they place a limit on the number of patients you can care for at one time, no matter your specialty. This ensures you have the appropriate amount of time to tend to each patient. Not every state has this mandate.
