Accelerated BSN

Passionate about helping others and ready to make a change in your career?

Meet the growing demand for nurses by earning your BSN in an accelerated format. The Passan School of Nursing’s accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another concentration or discipline but wish to make the transition into a career in nursing.

Our CCNE-accredited, accelerated nursing program is designed to be flexible and comprehensive with students earning their BSNs in just 15 months with 11 courses completed over four semesters.

Program Snapshot

Program Type Format Credit Hours
Accelerated Program Online 48

Why Earn an Accelerated BSN at Wilkes?

Nurses are in high demand and more hospitals are requiring entry-level nurses to hold bachelor’s degrees. An accelerated BSN from Wilkes gives you an advantage in the job market and opens up a variety of career opportunities if you’re looking to enter the healthcare field.

You’ll begin by building essential theoretical skills for delivering exceptional patient care through a sequence of online coursework. Next, you’ll transition into clinical experiences that will put you in the field after you complete a two-week, hands-on residency on the Wilkes campus. Clinicals can be completed in Northeastern Pennsylvania or in the Lehigh Valley region at one of our partner healthcare institutions.

After completing our CCNE-accredited program, you’ll be well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required to become a licensed professional nurse.

What Will You Learn as a Nursing Student?

  • You’ll study the fundamentals of physical assessment, healthcare technology and informatics, pharmacology and clinical decision making in courses that can be conveniently completed online.
  • Attend a two-week residency on the Wilkes campus in Wilkes-Barre, PA in preparation for transitioning into clinical experiences. This immersive residency offers hands-on learning and preparation for entering clinical settings, in addition to networking opportunities with classmates and faculty.
  • Build a strong foundation in the profession of nursing through in-person clinical experiences that emphasize exceptional patient care for a variety of medical, surgical and mental health needs at individual, family and community levels.
  • Become well prepared for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination as well as entry into professional nursing practice in general healthcare settings. Wilkes nursing graduates regularly achieve NCLEX pass rates well beyond national averages.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, applicants must submit:

  • An online application
  • Statement of professional goals
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 in a bachelor’s degree program

As part of the admission process, student transcripts will be reviewed for the following prerequisites, which are required for the accelerated BSN program:

  • Two semesters of human anatomy and physiology with a related laboratory experience in each course (4 credits each; totaling 8 credits) with a grade of 2.5/C+ or greater
  • One semester of microbiology with a related laboratory experience (4 credits) with a grade of 2.5/C+ or greater
  • One semester of elementary statistics with a grade of 2.0/C or greater
  • One semester of chemistry with a related laboratory experience with a grade of 2.5/C+ or greater

Interested in this program?

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The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at Wilkes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education external website.

Wilkes University nursing programs are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing external website.

Program Highlights

Industry Connections

With a longstanding history and strong reputation in nursing education, Wilkes has established relationships with a variety of clinical hosts and healthcare organizations in the region, including Geisinger, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Commonwealth Health and St. Luke’s Health Network.

One-on-One Attention

Learn and gain personalized guidance from professional nursing faculty and clinical supervisors who get to know you both in the classroom and in clinical settings. You’ll be supported by our team at every step of the way.

Clinical Simul­ation Center

Our center includes surgical, critical care and pediatric/obstetrics suites, giving you experience in different health care settings when you visit campus for residency. High-fidelity “manikins” simulate bleeding, breathing and other real-life situations for training in a variety of high-stakes scenarios.

I don't ever feel like I'm being judged or have to pretend that I understand something even though I don't. It's just a really welcoming, amazing environment, both from the faculty and the students.

Payton Bell, ABSN Student

As a professional, I've learned that if you're unsure of something or you need help, just ask for it. I think Wilkes stands by that same motto. When I have questions, I reach out to my professors. They always reply promptly.

Kelly Samuels, ABSN Student

I'm amazed at the amount of knowledge I've gained in only 6 months of this program and the lifelong relationships I've formed with my classmates.

Celia Rossini, ABSN Student
THE ONLY

university in northeastern Pennsylvania with a freestanding school of nursing

15

months to earn your BSN in our accelerated program

+96%

pass rate of the NCLEX by Wilkes nursing graduates

 

Careers & Outcomes

Healthcare providers throughout Pennsylvania need nurses to fill a variety of job roles and Wilkes has supported Pennsylvania nurses with nursing educational opportunities for more than 40 years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 9% increase in roles for registered nurses over the next 10 years with registered nurses earning a median salary of $86,070 per year.

After completing your BSN, you can pursue a career as a registered nurse or advance your education by completing graduate programs in pursuit of becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator or administrator. New graduates find roles in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, psychiatric/mental health centers or community-based healthcare organizations.

Employers

  • Geisinger Health System
  • Commonwealth Health System
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network
  • St. Luke's University Health Network
  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Jefferson Health
  • Evangelical Community Hospital
  • Penn State Hershey
  • UPMC
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Job Titles

  • Critical Care Nurse
  • Emergency Room Nurse
  • Medical-Surgical Nurse
  • Intensive Care Nurse
  • Pediatric Nurse
  • Patient Educator
  • Nurse Manager
  • Community Health Nurse
  • Flight Nurse
  • Travel Nurse