Accelerated BSN Programs in Ohio (OH) – Online & Campus
Earn your BSN quickly through one of the many accelerated BSN programs Ohio offers. Advance your nursing career and save time and money.
There are many great things about being a nurse, some of which may have led you to your decision to pursue this career path yourself. Likewise, there are many ways to become one, including earning an associate degree, switching careers, and earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or other postgraduate nursing qualification. One of the most prestigious and well-respected undergraduate nursing qualifications, though, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Like many aspiring BSN candidates, you may already have bachelor’s in a different field or several years of nursing already under your belt, making you hesitant to return to square one: the beginning of a four-year degree program. Luckily, you don’t have to. Instead, you can put your academic and professional experience to work and enroll in one of the many accelerated BSN programs Ohio offers. These programs — many of which take place online or in hybrid formats — allow students like you to earn a BSN in record time and often for less money.
At this point you may be wondering how an accelerated nursing program works and whether it’s a good fit for you. Keep reading to learn about some of the best accelerated BSN programs Ohio has to offer, a standard timeline, the benefits and challenges of these programs, and more to help you determine if this path is right for you.
Inside Accelerated Online & Hybrid BSN Programs in Ohio
Online programs allow you to complete your accelerated BSN from the comfort of your own home. While you need to do your research and ask the right questions to find the best program for you, the high-quality examples profiled below provide a framework of what to look for in online/hybrid accelerated BSN programs in Ohio.
Cleveland State University
At Cleveland State University, you can earn your accelerated BSN in as little as sixteen months. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and takes place almost entirely online. In-person requirements include two residencies where you work at the school’s nursing laboratories on its Cleveland campus. The program also places you in a clinical residency for hands-on, practical experience.
Prospective students need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 with a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses. You also must complete an interview and provide two letters of recommendation as part of the application process.
Mercy College of Ohio
Mercy College of Ohio offers a hybrid Accelerated BSN program for those who already have bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields. This program offers clinical options in Tiffin and Willard as well as at Mercy’s Toledo campus. Wherever you choose, you’ll complete a combination of online and in-person courses with online lectures and in-person labs and clinicals. You’ll also be prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for nurses by the time you finish the program.
Prospective applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must also complete relevant prerequisite courses before beginning the program. Financial aid is available for accelerated BSN students.
Mount Carmel College of Nursing
Mount Carmel College of Nursing, one of the largest nursing schools in Ohio, offers its Second Degree Accelerated BSN in a variety of formats, including hybrid and fully online. Unlike the other accelerated BSN programs Ohio schools offer, this program also offers 13-month and 18-month tracks and varying start dates for each with the 18-month option being more flexible. Whichever track you choose and whether you opt for online or hybrid learning, in-person course requirements include labs and clinicals.
To be considered for admission, you need many of the typical requirements found in the other accelerated BSN programs Ohio schools have. This includes an accredited bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing subject with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You also must complete all prerequisite courses before the start of the program. Financial is available.
Inside Traditional Accelerated Ohio BSN Programs
For students who want a traditional, on-campus experience for their accelerated BSN, there are plenty of Ohio programs to choose from. We’ve highlighted three top schools below with high-quality programs that provide the resources and community you want of an on-campus degree to help you get started on your search.
Kent State University
The Accelerated (Second Degree) BSN program at Kent State University, a public institution, is a second degree program where students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a different field can earn a BSN in as little as fifteen months. Most of the program must be completed in person at the Kent, Ohio campus, though you may have the opportunity to complete some of your coursework online via distance learning. The program also includes clinicals that can be completed at hospitals across northeastern Ohio. Evening and weekend classes are available.
To be considered for admission, you need a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher cumulatively and have passing grades in all relevant science courses before the start of the program. Financial aid is available once enrolled, and Ohio students may be eligible for in-state tuition.
The Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, a flagship public institution, is one of the largest and most prestigious Accelerated BSN programs Ohio offers. This on-campus, traditional program takes as few as 18 months and includes opportunities to practice your clinical skills at The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center as well as other top healthcare facilities. Upon graduation, you are eligible and prepared to sit for your NCLEX exam. The program accepts applications for a once-per-year, summer start.
You need an accredited bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in a non-nursing major to apply and must complete a personal statement, two essay questions, and an online video interview as part of your application. You must also complete all prerequisite courses with a grade of B- or higher before the start of the program.
Xavier University
Xavier University has one of the only in-person Accelerated BSN programs Ohio students can enroll in through three distinct campuses – one in Cincinnati, one in Cleveland, and one in Columbus. There are also three start dates per year – spring, summer, and fall – for extra flexibility. The program includes online lecture courses, in-person labs and simulations, and clinicals at healthcare facilities near your campus of choice. The program is 63 credits and can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Students are paired with advisors to help them with coursework and clinicals as well as with NCLEX prep. Admitted students must complete required math and science courses in microbiology, statistics, anatomy, and physiology before starting the program.
Timeline of an Accelerated BSN Program in Ohio
Before you begin your accelerated BSN, it’s helpful to not only scout out available nursing scholarships but also gain a clearer picture of what the degree process might look like. The timeline below tells you what to keep in mind at different points in your accelerated BSN journey.
Six Months Before
In the six months leading up to your accelerated BSN studies, you may need to finish your previous bachelor’s degree or arrange to take time off to study if you’re already working as an RN. Depending on your program and your previous educational background, you may also need to complete prerequisite courses before the start of your program. If you’re studying in person, make sure your commute and living situation are established in the six months leading up to your start date.
First Six Months
The first six months of your accelerated BSN program will likely be heavy on traditional coursework and, potentially, labs and clinicals. Most of the accelerated BSN programs Ohio schools offer will pair you with clinical sites for the hands-on portion of your degree. Your first six months will also likely include an orientation and health and safety training for your clinical site. Six months is also, in most cases, enough time for at least some of your first midterms or finals, so be prepared to study.
Last Six Months
The final six months of your accelerated BSN program will be some of the most intense of the whole program. Not only will you be working hard at your clinicals and preparing for final exams, but you’ll also begin (or continue with greater intensity) studying for your licensing exam. Many schools provide licensing exam prep as part of their program.
Six Months After
Six months after completing your accelerated BSN program, you’ll probably have taken and hopefully passed your NCLEX and any other relevant licensing exams. This means you can create a winning nursing resume and start looking for nursing jobs in Ohio’s hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare settings. Keep in touch with your former instructors and classmates, too, to help build your professional network in your new nursing career.
Benefits & Challenges of Accelerated BSN Programs for Non-Nurses
If you’re new to nursing or even the healthcare field in general, your accelerated BSN is going to represent an exciting but challenging transition. Here are some of the benefits of your program you can look forward to as well as strategies for addressing some of the challenges you may face.
Benefit: High Return on Investment
Nursing is not only a rewarding career but a lucrative one with many nurses earning over $125,000 yearly. Your accelerated BSN has a shorter completion time, which can lead to lower tuition for the same qualifications as any other BSN degree, so your return on investment should be excellent.
Benefit: Fast Track to Nursing Career
If you’re interested in becoming a nurse, why wait? An accelerated BSN helps you begin a nursing career at the same level as someone who has a four-year nursing degree but in less than half the time that a traditional degree. This means less time preparing and more time nursing. Take time to learn more about how long certain programs, like those taking you from RN to BSN, can take to better understand what type will work best for you.
Benefit: Preparation for Advanced Degrees
A BSN can be only the beginning of your nursing education. If you’re interested in specializing in nursing in fields like anesthesiology, midwifery, gerontology, or forensics, you may want to pursue an MSN or even a nursing doctorate (PhD). An accelerated BSN can be a great first step to get you there.
Challenge: Adaptation to Nursing Culture
Non-nurses may need to adjust to the professional culture around nursing. Working in a healthcare setting and communicating with doctors, technicians, and patients is a unique environment and may take some getting used to after coming from a different professional setting.
Challenge: Intensive Pace
An accelerated nursing program is an intensive one, packing four years of nursing education into as little as one year. To avoid burnout, keep your schedule reasonable and practice self-care and self-compassion throughout your studies.
Challenge: Transition & Preparation for Licensing Exams
Non-nurses may not be familiar with the process of becoming licensed and looking for nursing jobs. Your school will be aware of this and may even help you prepare for your licensing exams and your job search, even if you decide to pursue a non-nursing career with your nursing degree, but be sure to speak up if there’s anything about the process that confuses you.
