Become a registered nurse (RN) in under 2 years
Help fill the growing need for registered nurses in your community by enrolling in one of Elmhurst University’s online accelerated nursing programs for non-nurses. For those with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, Elmhurst offers two full-time, second-degree nursing program options:
Through our hybrid nursing programs, you'll complete all coursework entirely online while gaining valuable hands-on experience through one or two on-campus residencies and clinical placements in your local community.
Academically Strong
Accredited by the CCNE and ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a leading Midwest university
Integrated Support
Dedicated student advisors will be by your side from application to graduation
Accelerated BSN vs. MSN: How do I know what program is right for me?
While both the ABSN and MENP programs offer convenient, quick pathways to a new and meaningful nursing career, the specifics of what the programs offer and who they are designed for differ. Both the ABSN and MENP programs are rigorous and full-time, requiring 100% of your commitment.
Choose the ABSN if...
- You have a bachelor's degree in any field and are looking to enter a career in healthcare.
- You are eager to earn your bachelor's degree in nursing in as few as 16 months.
- You have a passion for helping others and are looking to turn that devotion into a career.
Choose the MENP if...
- You have a bachelor's degree in any field looking for leadership positions in healthcare.
- You want to earn your master's degree in less than two years.
- You see yourself as a nurse practitioner and/or hold a leadership role in the future.
Either program may work if...
- You have a bachelor’s degree in any field and are looking to pivot to a career in healthcare.
- You are still deciding the next steps in your educational journey.
Speak with an advisor if...
- You are unsure which program is the right fit for your career goals.
- You have any questions regarding clinical placements, tuition, curriculum, and more.
- Click here to fill out a form and connect with an advisor.
Program Details
With your bachelor’s degree in any non-nursing discipline as your foundation, you’ll earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN examination.
- 16 months to complete
- 60 credit hours
- 450+ clinical hours
- 105 lab hours
- Two on-campus residencies – one in the first term, and one in the final.
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university with a 3.2 cumulative GPA
- Completion of the following college-level courses, with a grade of “C" or better in each. Must have been completed within the past five years.
- Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- General Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
- Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
- Intro to Psychology or Sociology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Your enrollment advisor will help you determine which prerequisites will transfer and which you’ll need to complete before starting the program.
- To be admitted to the nursing program, students must:
- Meet certain health requirements and functional abilities;
- Have the demonstrated ability to engage in diverse, complex and specific experience essential to the acquisition and practice of essential nursing skills and functions; and
- Have the unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical and social abilities required to satisfactorily perform these skills and functions.
- Total credits: 71
- $845 per credit hour
- Tuition cost: $60,000
The MENP program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN and the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) exams.
The MENP program is currently accepting applications from students who reside in, or are willing to move to, the following states:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Wisconsin
View a list of all states and whether the Diane Tyrrell Department of Nursing and Public Health curriculum meets the educational requirements necessary for graduates of the prelicensure programs to be eligible for licensure in that state.
Students looking to enter the field of nursing and and envision themselves in a leadership role in the future. The MENP is perfect for those who not only want to become an RN but also aspire to bea nurse practitioner. Graduates are better positioned for leadership roles and earn higher salaries on average.
Now accepting applications for Spring 2027
Spring 2027 Start:
February 1, 2027
Looking for a side-by-side comparison? See the key differences between the ABSN and MENP programs here:
| ABSN | MENP | |
|---|---|---|
| Degree upon Completion | Bachelor's Degree | Master's Degree |
| Program length | 60 credits/16 months | 71 credits/20 months |
| Clinical hours | 450+ | 850+ |
| Program cost | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| Exam(s) | NCLEX-RN | NCLEX-RN, CNL |
| Credentials** | RN | RN, Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) |
| Ideal student |
Students who want to enter nursing to follow their passion for caring for others |
Students who want to enter nursing and advance to leadership roles to improve patient safety and quality outcomes |
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Elmhurst University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791
**Upon successful completion of the relevant licensure examinations
Clinical Learning Experience
Both the ABSN and MENP programs combine online learning with clinical experiences, including experiential learning hours in the field as well as lab work.
ABSN:
Total Clinical, lab and simulation hours: ~600
- 60 credit hours
- 450+ clinical hours
- 105 lab hours
MENP:
Total Clinical, lab and simulation hours: ~1000
- 71 credit hours
- 850+ clinical hours
- 75 lab hours
Being surrounded by nurses growing up sparked Mia’s love for the noble profession. Building on her bachelor’s in human biology, she hopes to positively impact patient lives with an MSN.
David’s strong desire to give back to humanity drove him to study nursing. Learn about his residency experience and why Elmhurst was the school for him.
What Are the Nursing Career Options for Graduates?
Nursing career outlook is bright for BSN and MSN program graduates. They’re prepared to fill some of the most in-demand jobs in health care.
Professional Nursing
Both Accelerated BSN and MSN degrees prepare second-career nurses for employment as RNs. Registered Nurses provide patient care and education in numerous health care settings. Approximately 75 percent of nurses practice in hospitals and ambulatory clinics. They can work in a variety of hospital settings, including post-surgery, acute care, emergency, and post-partum. Ambulatory settings include outpatient clinics, urgent cares, or infusion and community health clinics. The remainder of nurses work in nursing and residential care facilities, government and educational services. Nurses can also serve as educators. Some examples of nursing educator roles include diabetes educators, hospital unit educators, and college professors.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that nursing careers will grow by 6% between 2025 and 2035, almost twice as fast as the average for all occupations.
BSN- and MSN-prepared nursing graduates have stronger nursing career prospects than associate-degree prepared nurses. Thus, graduates of ABSN and MENP programs have some of the best job prospects for nurses.
Transition to a Nursing Career as a Leader
Is your goal to start a nursing career that leads to managing patients’ care and improving quality and safety? Elmhurst University’s direct-entry MSN distance program prepares you in under two years to start your nursing career and take the Clinical Nurse Leader exam. The career outlook for MSN-prepared nurses is high.
What Is the Return on Educational Investment?
Advancing your nursing education is an investment that can benefit second-career nurses right away.
Choosing a nursing career enhances job satisfaction, health care knowledge, and the ability to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Second-career nurses can also achieve a considerable return on their educational investment.
The tuition cost of Accelerated BSN and MENP programs differs by university. direct-entry MSN tuition is usually higher due to the graduate-level nursing education and program length. For example, the tuition for Elmhurst University’s distance MENP program is $10,000 more than their distance ABSN program.
Based on the prevailing nursing salaries, the potential return on investment for ABSN and MENP graduates is significant.
Nurses’ average salary is $97,550. Second-career nurses who enter the workforce with a master’s degree are likely to accelerate their earning potential. This is due to leadership prepared coursework.
In addition, nurses with an MSN degree have a higher earning potential because they have a faster path to advanced practice nursing.
Career Outlook for Advanced Nursing Pathway
Similar to ABSN graduates, direct-entry MSN graduates choose an entry-level professional nursing job to gain experience after licensure. MSN-prepared nurses have the educational foundation and safety focus to advance their careers faster than their BSN counterparts. Some examples of MSN nursing roles include hospital administrators, nursing educators, and informaticists. These leadership roles enable MENP graduates to make a broader impact in health care.
Clinical nurse leaders aim to improve patient outcomes and safety. As a CNL, you can work in a variety of environments, including hospitals, pharmaceutical and medical device companies. In hospitals, CNLs can serve as educators, care coordinators, risk assessors, and upper-level management. So there are many nursing career options.
Kickstart Your Second Career in Nursing
The online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program will help you solidify your skills and knowledge for a career in nursing while teaching you the required competencies in just 16 months. Work alongside registered nurses through a variety of hands-on experiences in Elmhurst’s state-of-the-art Simulation Lab and examine the factors that influence the well-being of diverse communities. Earning an accelerated BSN is the perfect opportunity for those looking for a second career as a BSN-prepared RN.
The online Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice (MENP) program prepares you with the foundations, skills and clinical experience to begin your career as a clinical nurse leader. Enroll with a bachelor’s degree in any field and graduate with an MSN degree. You can also advance your education after graduation by bridging to a nurse practitioner through post-graduate certification programs or a Doctor of Nursing practice program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both of our fast-track nursing programs offer a convenient path to a new and meaningful nursing career. Students in the ABSN program will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 16 months, while those in the MENP program will earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in 20 months.
Both the ABSN and MENP programs combine online courses with in-person clinical hours, with 450+ hours required for the ABSN program, and 850+ clinical hours needed for the MENP program.
Both the ABSN and MENP programs are rigorous and full-time, requiring 100% of your commitment. It’s strongly advised that you don’t work, even part-time, but exclusively focus on the program for the 16-20 months you are enrolled.
You will use an online learning platform to complete your nursing courses and have direct access to your professors and fellow students. All coursework is done entirely online. Your clinical hours will take place in person, as well as our on-campus residencies.
See what you can expect as an online student here.
The ABSN program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination, while the MENP program prepares you to sit for both the NCLEX-RN and the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) exams.
Both programs will set students up for a successful career in healthcare, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting a 6% growth for registered nurse positions by 2035, faster growth than average.
