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Launch your second career in nursing
Enrolling in the online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Elmhurst University is your fast track to building a new and fulfilling career as a registered nurse (RN) from a University that supports you and is grounded in intellectual growth, integrity and social justice.
With your prior bachelor’s degree in any discipline as your foundation, you’ll earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree through our online ABSN program in just 16 months. You’ll be fully prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and be well-positioned for your new role providing direct patient care.
- 16 months to complete
- 60 credit hours
- 625 clinical hours
- Clinical placement support provided
- 2 residencies in our innovative Simulation Center
- 2 intakes per year - Fall/Spring
Program requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
- Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Successful completion of required prerequisite courses
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.
You will need 25 credit hours of prerequisites courses, and you must have earned a "C" or better within these prerequisite courses:
- Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits)
- Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits)
- Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- General Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
- Lifespan Psychology (3 credits)
- Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Students who reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Vermont and Wisconsin or who are willing to move to one of those states are welcome to apply to the ABSN program. Please see our State Authorization page for more detailed information.
Is This Accelerated Nursing Program Right for Me?
This accelerated program is a rigorous, full-time program requiring 100% of your commitment. It’s strongly advised that you don’t work, even part-time, but exclusively focus on the program for 16 months.
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 except for your clinicals and two on-campus residencies that will take place on Elmhurst University’s campus, located just west of Chicago.
The accelerated online BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE),* and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Elmhurst University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Online ABSN Fast Facts
Focuses on theories, principles and processes for adult populations experiencing common health problems within priority areas of care. Emphasis is on nursing care of the older adult. A systems framework is used to discuss clinical prevention and patient-centered care for select chronic care issues, including end of life. Introduces methods for evidence-based decision-making to support the role of provider of care. The beginnings of leadership skills and ethical practice in promoting optimal care outcomes in acute and community-based systems are fostered. Includes supervised laboratory experiences and clinical practicum.
Focuses on theories, principles and processes for care of adults from diverse populations experiencing select acute, chronic and complex health problems. A systems framework facilitates integration of knowledge from previous nursing and science courses. The roles of provider and designer of nursing care are developed. Application of evidence-based methods for use in decision-making support basic leadership skills and ethical practice in promoting optimal outcomes. Includes a supervised clinical practicum in a variety of settings.
Focuses on theories, principles and processes related to care of the child from infancy through adolescence within the context of family. Using a systems framework, delivery of family-focused nursing care emphasizes clinical prevention, health promotion and health restoration. Influences of genetics, environment and social policies on family and child health nursing roles are considered. Provider, designer and manager of care roles are developed. Basic leadership skills and ethical practice are fostered in a supervised clinical practicum in a variety of settings.
Focuses on theories, principles and processes related to reproductive health from early to older adulthood within the context of family. Using a systems framework, family-focused patient-centered care addresses perinatal, women’s and men’s health. Clinical prevention, genomics and end-of-life issues are examined. Provider, designer and manager-of-care roles in ethical practice with vulnerable populations are developed. Basic leadership skills are demonstrated through values clarification and conflict management in family-centered clinical decision making and management of care outcomes in a supervised clinical practicum in a variety of settings.
- Fall 2022 Start:
August 29, 2022 - Spring 2023 Start:
January 30, 2023
Focuses on synthesis of theories, principles and processes in nursing roles of provider and designer/manager/coordinator of care in complex health care systems. Care for diverse groups of patients with multisystem health problems is addressed. Emphasis is on increasing autonomy and collaborative leadership in interprofessional teams, ethical practice and achievement of safe and quality care outcomes. Includes practice in a supervised clinical practicum.
