Accelerated Nursing Program

While most Accelerated BSN programs are second-degree options, Pacific Lutheran University’s accelerated nursing program in Seattle, Washington, considers applicants with at least 60 college credits in another field of study. Plus, our ABSN program enrolls students every February, June and September.

students posing in front of Nursing Capstone project presentations
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How Our Accelerated BSN Program Works

Our Accelerated BSN program builds on your non-nursing college education to make the 16-month transition into nursing possible. The full-time program blends online nursing coursework with hands-on nursing labs and in-person clinical rotations. This rigorous learning path requires hard work and dedication to succeed. But do not worry — you will have access to resources to support you all the way through.

  • Online accelerated nursing coursework lays the foundation for your education by focusing on the fundamentals of professional practice.
  • Nursing skills and simulation labs at our ABSN program site allow you to develop your applied skills and clinical judgment alongside faculty.
  • Clinical rotations at local health care facilities provide real-world patient care experiences in diverse areas of nursing practice.

In summary, we teach you the fundamentals and theories of nursing practice online. You convert this knowledge into psychomotor skills during your nursing labs. From there, you learn how to pull everything together within the scope of diverse clinical practice via nursing simulation and clinical rotations.

After you earn your BSN from Pacific Lutheran University, you will be prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Over the past several years, our BSN graduates have achieved first-time NCLEX pass rates above 90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ABSN program?

An ABSN program is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. It is a learning path that allows individuals with a non-nursing college education to become a nurse quickly. Given the rigorous, fast-paced nature of these programs, students must commit to full-time study.

How long is the ABSN program?

The ABSN program at Pacific Lutheran University takes as few as 16 months to complete. Because the program has three start dates a year, eligible individuals can begin their nursing education as soon as possible.

When are the start dates?

The ABSN program at Pacific Lutheran University has three start dates a year, enrolling students every February, June and September. As a result, the program can accept many students annually.

Where is the program offered?

While the Pacific Lutheran University campus is in Tacoma, the university operates its ABSN program from a satellite facility in Seattle, Washington. The facility is just for accelerated nursing students and features state-of-the-art nursing skills and simulation labs.

What degree is an ABSN?

An ABSN program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Our students complete the same professional nursing curriculum as traditional four-year BSN students within a compressed time frame. An Accelerated BSN program does so by allowing students to build on their existing non-nursing college education.

What is an online ABSN program?

Much confusion surrounds online ABSN programs. They are BSN programs for non-nurses, not working registered nurses. And they are not 100% online. Online ABSN programs follow a hybrid learning model combining online accelerated BSN coursework with hands-on nursing labs and in-person clinical rotations. Nursing is a hands-on occupation, so it would be impossible for non-nurses to enter the profession with online learning alone.

nursing student working with lab equipment

For More Information

Contact us to learn more about our accelerated nursing program in Seattle, Washington.