Online ABSN Programs in North Carolina: Inside Top Schools
Ready to accelerate your path to a BSN in North Carolina? Whether you’re starting fresh or advancing your nursing career, an online Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program can help you reach your goals faster. This EduMed guide covers tuition, accredited schools, admission requirements, career opportunities, and how online learning can fit your busy schedule.
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Popular Online ABSN Programs in North Carolina
An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) might be the perfect way to switch to a nursing career without starting from scratch. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, this could be your fastest path to becoming a registered nurse (RN).
North Carolina has a serious nursing shortage, so now’s a great time to become a registered nurse in the state. You can reap the benefits of strong job prospects and solid pay.
Many ABSN programs are offered in hybrid learning formats, meaning:
- Classes are part online and part on-campus for flexibility
- Hands-on clinical training takes place in person at healthcare facilities
- Courses are self-paced and take about 12 to 24 months to complete.
- Curriculum bypasses general education and focuses only on nursing.
The in-person clinicals required for online students will cover the practical elements of your education, often incorporating real patients to prepare you for the field as you work in clinics, hospitals, schools, and other locations.
Figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming, but we’ve got you covered. Take a look at some reputable ABSN programs in North Carolina below and get a sense of ideal school features to keep in mind.
Northeastern University ABSN Program
Northeastern University’s ABSN Program is offered in three locations: Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Charlotte, North Carolina. The program lasts for four semesters, complete with nursing labs that allow for risk-free practice while still maintaining a sense of realism.
The Burlington, Fall River, and Charlotte school locations offer scholarships to new students, including $26,000 at the Charlotte location with the possibility of an additional $10,000 dependent upon a student’s prior educational experience.
Applicants can expect a turnaround of a few weeks for an admissions decision.
Duration: 16 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $1,307 per credit hour (67 credit hours total)
Admissions Requirements:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree (or 62 non-nursing credits)
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a “C” grade or higher
- Ability to meet all university technical standards
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Written goal statement
- Updated resume
- Two letters of recommendations
- Fundamentals and theories of nursing
- Health assessment
- Drug therapy
- Ethical practice
- Wound care
- Intravenous therapy
- Adult care
- Community health
East Carolina University (ECU)
East Carolina University’s (ECU) Accelerated Second-Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program is a solid option for students looking to study full time and on-campus. This program is designed for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
While it’s not online, the hands-on experience and intensive coursework prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam and a variety of nursing roles. Simulation-based learning activities are part of the curriculum in order to enhance students’ practical nursing skills.
Clinical placements provide hands-on experience in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings within a 60-mile radius of ECU’s Greenville campus.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: On-campus
Cost: $11,184.00 (Tuition)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “B-” or higher
- HESI Admission Assessment (A2) exam scores
- Completion of Anatomy and Physiology courses within last five years
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Healthcare-related volunteer or work experience (optional)
Curriculum:
- Nursing Fundamentals
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Nursing Research
- Evidence-based practice
- Cultural competence
- Leadership in nursing
The University of North Carolina (UNC)
If you’re looking to switch careers into nursing, the University of North Carolina (UNC) has an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Program that might be perfect for you. It’s accredited by the CCNE and taught by committed faculty, giving students many opportunities for research.
You’ll get a mix of rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical practice to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. While it’s not fully online, the program features flexible scheduling with evening classes and weekend clinicals to accommodate the different lifestyle needs of students.
Duration: 4-semesters
Mode: On-campus
Cost: $25,039 (in state) $66,961 (out of state)
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- Transcripts
- Essay
- Community service experience
Curriculum:
- Building Effective Relationships in Healthcare
- Clinical Nursing Skills and Health Assessment
- Pathophysiology/Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
- Family Focused Genomic Health Care
- Mental Health Promotion and Psychiatric Care Across Populations and Settings
- Reproductive Health and Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family
- Nursing Care of Adults
- Nursing Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents
- Community Health Nursing
- Leadership in Nursing Practice
- Nursing Synthesis/Capstone
- Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
FAQs from NC Accelerated BSN Students
Pursuing your accelerated BSN in North Carolina is an exciting step, but it can justifiably feel a bit overwhelming. You’re not the only one who might feel this way; a lot of students likely have the same questions during their search and are unsure what to expect.
To make things easier, we’ve answered some of the most common questions to help guide you. Find out all you need to know about admissions processes, clinical requirements, program structures and more by continuing on.
Are there accelerated BSN programs in North Carolina that accept students with a non-science bachelor’s degree?
Yes, if you have a non-science bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in an accelerated BSN in North Carolina. Some accelerated programs, such as RN to BSN programs, only accept RNs with an associate degree in nursing, but many other schools accept students with bachelor’s degrees of any background.
Keep in mind though, there are usually a few prerequisite courses—like anatomy or microbiology—that need to be completed first.
Schools like East Carolina University and UNC-Chapel Hill welcome students from all fields. For those already licensed, RN to BSN no prerequisites options are also available for a faster path to a bachelor’s degree.
How competitive is the admission process for ABSN programs in North Carolina?
Getting into an Accelerated BSN program in North Carolina, such as an RN to BSN program, is a competitive process with a fast-paced curriculum and limited spots. Some programs, like East Carolina University, accept as few as 20 students a year.
Generally, a school’s admissions team considers a student’s:
- GPA
- Completed prerequisite courses
- Scores on entrance exams like the TEAS or HESI
- Healthcare or volunteer experience
- Personal statements
- Recommendation letters
How do clinical hour requirements vary among North Carolina’s ABSN programs?
North Carolina’s ABSN programs usually need around 500 to 800 clinical hours, but the requirements will ultimately depend on the school. Some schools follow North Carolina’s minimum practice hours requirement for nurses at 640 hours, while others go the extra mile to give more hands-on experience.
A few programs also offer virtual simulations, especially those with a hybrid setup. If you’re comparing programs, make sure to check out their specific requirements.
Are there opportunities for interprofessional education during the program?
Plenty of Accelerated BSN programs in North Carolina mix in interprofessional education (IPE), so you’ll get to work alongside future pharmacists, social workers, and physical therapists. It’s a solid way to sharpen teamwork and communication skills—both of which are non-negotiable in healthcare.
Some schools do this through joint classes, simulation labs, or clinical rotations, giving you a broader view of patient care.
Programs at Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, for example, make sure grads are ready to hit the ground running in collaborative settings. If flexibility matters, one of the top online BSN programs can help you plan around your schedule.
What is the typical student-to-faculty ratio in these programs?
Student-to-faculty ratios in North Carolina’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs will vary depending on the school. For example, Duke University leads with a 6:1 ratio, offering more personalized instruction. Meanwhile, East Carolina University has an 18:1 ratio, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill follows closely at 17:1.
Smaller ratios often mean more individualized support. When choosing a program, it’s worth considering how these differences might affect your education and overall success in an intensive ABSN program.
Expert Insight
With smaller class sizes, students tend to grow closer to one another and there may be an expectation that everyone get together outside of class to study, whether in-person or virtually. For some students, this is great. But for others, like those who prefer to study alone, this can present a challenge. Choose a class size that will encourage your learning success.
Why Career Changers in North Carolina Are Choosing Nursing
For career changers, nursing offers a meaningful transition. Diverse educational backgrounds can be a versatile bonus for those entering the field. Business professionals bring leadership skills, educators excel in patient education, and psychology majors apply their understanding of human behavior.
North Carolina’s nursing shortage creates a prime opportunity for those seeking stability and purpose. Explore these benefits of earning a BSN and becoming an RN in North Carolina.
- Demand: According to calculations from NC Nursecast, the state will need about 12,500 more nurses by 2033, pushing demand higher.
- Salary: The high demand for nurses in the state keep salaries competitive—RNs in North Carolina average $75,000 annually.
- Fulfillment: Beyond job security, nursing is a career that allows you to make a positive difference in the healthcare field by improving the lives of North Carolina residents.
- Career opportunity: Nursing isn’t limited to bedside care—opportunities extend to public health, research, administration, and more.
