Online Accelerated BSN Programs in UT: Top Degrees and Details
Do you already have a bachelor’s degree but want to transition into nursing? An Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program in Utah can help you fast-track your path to becoming a registered nurse. By transferring credits from your previous degree, these programs allow you to earn your BSN in less time while gaining the hands-on training needed for licensure. EduMed covers top ABSN programs, admission requirements, costs, curriculum details, and career opportunities in this guide. Keep reading to find the right program and take the next step toward your nursing career.
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A Look Inside Online ABSN Programs in Utah
Some accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs are offered in hybrid formats, meaning that you’re able to complete your classes online but will have head to the campus or other in-person locations for labs, simulations, and clinicals. The online classes can often be completed at a student’s own learning pace, while the practical experiences will usually involve real patients and operate under supervised professionals.
Features of accelerated programs:
- Shortened duration: Students speed through their BSN, finishing in just a year or two as opposed to four years with a traditional course of study.
- Rigorous course of study: The pace is aggressive, so most ABSN students might have to avoid full-time jobs, instead working part-time hours at most to help with expenses.
To get you started in your search, we’ve spotlighted a few of Utah’s best ABSN programs. Take a look at some of the most popular options below.
Roseman University
The competitive ABSN Program at Utah’s Roseman University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students have two attendance options — on campus or hybrid online — but labs, group assignments, and clinical rotations are always in person.
Features:
- On-campus classes Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm with some labs after class hours
- Prerequisite courses can be completed through the school’s partnership with StraighterLine (offers affordable, self-paced online classes)
- 94.67% of graduates hired within six months
- Average NCLEX pass rate of 94.23%
Duration: 18 months
Mode: On campus or hybrid
Cost: $58,200
Admissions Requirements:
- Transcripts
- 2.75 GPA
- 49 credits
- Test of Essential Academic Skills
- Interview
Curriculum:
- Professional Nursing and Healthcare Concepts
- Health Assessment
- Nursing Care Across the Lifespan
- Pharmacology
- Concept Integration
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Arizona College of Nursing
Salt Lake City is home to one of the campuses of the Arizona College of Nursing. Enrollees of the school’s CCNE-accredited accelerated BSN Program review their transcripts with an advisor to transfer as many credits as possible and finish their degrees in three years or fewer.
Features:
- General education courses offered in the evenings, if needed
- Foundational courses and labs are on campus
- Most of the final year is devoted to completing clinical rotations at partnering Utah healthcare institutions
- 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023
- Assistance with resume development and interview preparation; connections to job opportunities
Duration: Three years or fewer
Mode: Hybrid
Cost:$95,880
Admissions Requirements:
- Transcripts
- 2.75 GPA
- Health Education Systems, Inc., A2 exam
Curriculum:
- Human Pathophysiology
- Human Nutrition
- Critical Thinking in Clinical Decision-Making
- Pharmacology
- Community Health Nursing
Accelerated BSN Student FAQs: Your Questions, Answered
With so many options, deciding which program is the right one for you can be difficult. We’ve compiled questions that prospective ABSN students typically have and provided the answers here. With this information, you’ll be equipped to choose your program and start your ABSN ASAP.
How long does it take to finish an accelerated BSN program in Utah?
It can take 16 to 24 months to finish an accelerated BSN program in Utah, but length of time varies from school to school and can depend on how many credits you can transfer. The program at Grand Canyon University, for example, is on the speedier side — it takes 16 months as long as you can transfer at least 60 credits. On the lengthier end, Arizona College of Nursing’s program typically takes around 24 months.
If you’re already in the nursing field, look for LPN to BSN and RN to BSN programs for other quicker options to get your bachelor’s degree.
How many credits can be transferred to my Utah ABSN program?
Most commonly, up to 60 credits can be transferred to an accelerated BSN program in Utah. Most allow you to transfer general education credits and some allow you to transfer other relevant credits.
The ability to transfer credits from your prior degree is one major benefit of ABSN programs as it allows you to finish faster than you would in a traditional program.
What are the admission requirements to get into an ABSN program in Utah?
Some of the typical requirements include:
- Transferable Credits: Not all accelerated programs require a bachelor’s degree, but they all require a minimum number of transferrable credits. Roseman University, for example, requires a minimum of 65 general education credits.
- Prerequisites: Human anatomy, human physiology, and chemistry are often listed as required courses.
- Entrance Exam and Other Screening Measures: The HESI exam or the Test of Essential Academic Skills are common requirements.
Expert Insight
Be sure to check each prospective school’s list of prerequisite courses as they may vary slightly. You can expect that you’ll need to take at least anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. Some schools also require statistics and psychology. This is especially important if you plan to take prerequisites at one school and transfer to another school’s nursing program.
How do I know if an accelerated Utah BSN program is of high quality?
The main thing to look for when determining the quality of an ABSN program is proper accreditation. Reputable programs will be accredited by either the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. In addition, you need to verify that the program is approved by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
For further insight, take a look at our guide on accreditation for online colleges.
Is there financial aid to help pay for my ABSN program in Utah?
Yes; scholarships, grants, and loans are available to assist you. However, because you don’t have to pay back scholarships and grants, it’s best to exhaust those options before pursuing student loans. Many universities offer internal scholarships, and you can find them by visiting the financial aid section of their websites.
To get started on your search for financial aid options, check out our nursing scholarship guide, guide on BSN programs that offer financial aid, and main financial aid guide.
Why Career Changers in Utah Are Choosing Nursing
One of the great parts about nursing is that the skills you acquired in your studies before nursing school remain useful. Communication, psychology, business, and education will all come in handy. You can even parlay those skills into nursing roles in public health, research, nursing management, and community education to play a valuable role in your locale.
Explore these additional benefits of earning a BSN and switching to a nursing career in Utah:
- Job Security: Nursing is in demand across the US. Utah expects an impressive 25.3% increase in RN jobs in the coming years, considerably higher than the national average of 6%.
- Earning Potential: Median salaries for RNs in Utah sit at just under $80,000, with even higher salaries available to nurses with more experience and those fulfilling management roles.
- Fulfillment: Nursing is a rewarding career, giving you the ability to make significant changes in the health outcomes of Utah residents.
