Home Academics Degrees & Programs Nursing, B.S.N. (Accelerated Second Degree)

Nursing, B.S.N. (Accelerated Second Degree)

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree can become a nurse in just 15 months.

Enroll in Immaculata University’s accelerated second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program.

Graduates with a B.S.N. degree have the potential for higher wages, better patient outcomes, and better job prospects than nurses without a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

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NCLEX-RN® pass rate for 2022-2023

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2023 nursing graduates have jobs

At A Glance

Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Accelerated)
Audience: Undergraduates who already have a bachelor’s degree
Format: Face-to-face, cohort-based, accelerated courses
Next Start Date: New cohorts begin every January. Prerequisite courses can be taken any time during the year.
Cost: $35,240, including tuition and fees
Time to Completion 15 months

"I chose Immaculata over other schools because of the relationship the nursing educators facilitated with their students. They invested their time and effort into making sure we had all the tools we needed to succeed in the program. Every professor was always just an email away, and they helped to keep me on track to becoming the nurse I wanted to be. I felt like I had a solid support system in my cohort. People came from many different backgrounds, and it was nice to collaborate with people about what kind of nursing I wanted to pursue."

Julia Goldsmith '22
Registered Nurse at Christiana Hospital Emergency Department

Immaculata has a 30-year history of educating nurses. Students in the accelerated second degree B.S.N. program gain proficiency in patient-centered, evidence-based practice.

Career Paths

As a nurse, you will have diverse employment opportunities in settings such as hospitals, physician’s offices, home health care, long-term care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, the military and many other areas.

Salaries

According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage for nurses is $77,600.

  • 15-month accelerated program with cohorts starting each January
  • High NCLEX first-time pass rates – in the 2022-23 school year, the NCLEX-RN® first-time pass rate of Immaculata University’s nursing students was 97.92%
  • students have a personal NCLEX success coach to support, provide feedback, and advise students who are ready to take the exam
  • Award-winning holistic nursing education, as recognized by the American Holistic Nurses Association
  • New nursing simulation labs to practice and enhance clinical skills
  • Strong foundation for graduate studies
  • Prerequisite courses at discounted rate of $250 per credit when taken at Immaculata

Program Delivery

This is an intense, full-time cohort-based program that prepares graduates for the nursing licensure exam.

Program Structure

You will complete 55 credits of theoretical and clinical coursework designed to be completed in an accelerated timeframe. Upon graduation, you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).

Students can seamlessly transition to Immaculata’s M.S.N. program.

Program Cost

Tuition for the accelerated second degree B.S.N. is $35,240, including tuition and fees. Students needing to complete prerequisite courses, can take advantage of the discounted rate of $250 per credit when taken at Immaculata.

The cost of the accelerated B.S.N. program at Immaculata is significantly less expensive than most other programs in the area.

Various types of financing options are available to assist students. For further information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 484-323-3028, or email finaid@immaculata.edu.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate nursing program at Immaculata University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

Course Sequence

This is an intense, full-time program that prepares graduates for the nursing licensure exam. Due to the rigorous nature of this full-time program, we strongly discourage you from working while you are in the program.

Spring 1st Year

  • NUR 200 Nursing Concepts (3)
  • NUR 202 Fundamentals of Holistic Nursing Practice (5)
  • NUR 307 Holistic Health Assessment (4)
  • NUR Elective (e.g, 333 Pathophysiology) (3)

Summer 1st Year

  • NUR 304 Pharmacology (3)
  • NUR 308 Holistic Nursing Care I (5)
  • NUR 311 Holistic Nursing Care II (5)

Fall 2nd Year

  • NUR 314 Holistic Nursing Care of Childbearing Families (5)
  • NUR 405 Holistic Nursing Care III (6)
  • NUR 410 Concepts in Nursing Leadership and Management (3)

Spring 2nd Year

  • NUR 404 Nursing Research (3)
  • NUR 408 Concepts of Public Health Nursing (5)
  • NUR 435 Preparation for Professional Practice (5)

All nursing requirements must be completed at Immaculata University.

 

Students are not required to complete the program prerequisites with Immaculata University; however, students are strongly encouraged to do so through our Pre-Nursing program.

  • All prerequisite courses are completed at a discounted rate of $250/credit. (Please note that this discounted tuition does not include lab fees for science courses.)
  • Personalized support and academic advising available to all Pre-Nursing students.
  • An excellent opportunity to strengthen your application for the ABSN cohort!

If you choose to complete your prerequisites outside of Immaculata, please note that not all outside courses will transfer. Before committing time and money towards completing your prerequisites elsewhere, make sure to verify that they will be accepted by Immaculata.

Prerequisite Coursework
(You must have completed these science courses within the past seven years with a C+ or higher. No more than two attempts permitted.)

  • Human Genetics (3)
  • Microbiology for Health Science (4)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I (4)
  • Anatomy & Physiology II (4)
  • Survey of Chemistry (4) – must include an organic component

Additional Required Coursework
(The majority of this coursework, with a grade of C or higher, will transfer in from your Bachelor’s Degree. Required science courses, Math for Nurses, and Normal Nutrition,  must be completed with a grade of C+ or higher.)

  • Math for Nurses (3)
  • Lifespan Development (3)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Medical Ethics (3)
  • Normal Nutrition (3) must be taught by a Registered Dietician
  • 30 credits from prior Bachelor Degree
Cohort Dates and Deadlines
Start Completion Application Period* Decision Notification
Jan. 2025 May 2026 Mar. 1 – Aug. 1, 2024 Rolling after April 1, 2024
Jan. 2026 May 2027 Mar. 1 – Aug. 1, 2025 Rolling after April 1, 2025
*Note: Students can apply to complete pre-requisite coursework through the Pre-Nursing program at any time during the year.

There are two ways to apply to the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program with Immaculata. Please see the above chart for important application deadlines and program start dates.

  • Apply to Pre-Nursing to complete any remaining pre-requisites at a discounted rate of $250 per credit.
  • Apply directly to ABSN if you have 12 or fewer pre-requisite credits left to complete and are applying within specified deadlines in chart above.

Pre-Nursing Rolling Admission

(Fall, Spring, or Summer start options)

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
    (you can apply to the Pre-Nursing option while still finishing your Bachelor’s degree, but your degree must be conferred before you can be accepted to the ABSN program*)
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred
  • If you are an international student, please review these additional admission requirements.

Admission Process

  1. Complete an online application to Immaculata’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
  2. Select Pre-Nursing as the program option. Select the entry term in which you would like to begin taking your prerequisite courses.
  3. Submit all prior transcripts – official transcripts are preferred but unofficial transcripts are acceptable at this stage.
  4. Your application and transcripts will then be reviewed for acceptance into Pre-Nursing. An admissions counselor will perform a preliminary transfer credit evaluation for you.
  5. You will have the opportunity to take any remaining prerequisites or required courses at Immaculata University for a discounted rate of $250 per credit.
  6. You will be emailed instructions to complete your application to the next available Accelerated BSN cohort once you are eligible. At this point, you will be required to submit all official transcripts, two recommendation letters from supervisors, faculty, or employers and a 750-word essay on why you want a career in nursing.
  7. Once your application is complete, your materials will be reviewed for acceptance into the next Accelerated BSN cohort.

Prior to beginning any nursing coursework in January, you must complete the following during the fall semester:

  1. Pass the TEAS with a minimum performance level of Proficient.
  2. Complete all clearances required by Immaculata’s Division of Nursing.
  3. Confirm health insurance plan (required for clinical coursework).
  4. Complete a physical, all immunizations, and other pre-clinical compliances required by the Division of Nursing.
  5. Successfully complete the remaining 12 credits of your prerequisite coursework, with a minimum of C+ in all prerequisite science courses within seven years of admission.

*Note: Admission at the Pre-Nursing phase does not guarantee eventual admission into the Accelerated BSN cohort.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Cohort Based

(option to begin January of each year)

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred
  • No more than 12 outstanding prerequisite credits by Fall term
  • Human Genetics, Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, and Chemistry completed within the past seven years with a grade of C+ or higher. A required science course may only be repeated once. At least 2 of these science courses must be successfully completed in conjunction with grades submitted by July 15.
  • If you are an international student, please review these additional admission requirements.

Admission Process

  1. Complete the Accelerated BSN online application.
  2. Select ABSN as your program option.
  3. Submit all prior transcripts.
  4. Submit two recommendation letters from faculty, employers, or supervisors.
  5. Submit a 750-word essay discussing why you want a career in nursing.
  6. Once your application is complete, your materials will be reviewed for acceptance into the next ABSN cohort.

Prior to beginning any nursing coursework in January, you must complete the following during the fall semester:

  1. Pass the TEAS with a minimum performance level of Proficient.
  2. Complete all clearances required by Immaculata’s Division of Nursing.
  3. Complete a physical, all immunizations, and other pre-clinical compliances required by the Division of Nursing.
  4. Confirm health insurance plan (required for clinical coursework).
  5. Successfully complete the remaining 12 credits of your prerequisite coursework, with a minimum of C+ in all prerequisite science courses within seven years of admission.
  6. Submit a $150 ABSN deposit.
Man in hallway, wearing blue scrubs.

Alumni Spotlight

Tony Pisciella returned to college for an accelerated second bachelor's degree in nursing in order to connect with patients experiencing challenges.

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Nursing Simulation Labs

Immaculata’s eight simulation labs help nursing students practice clinical and communication skills and master nursing interventions in a safe environment. You will learn to operate industry-standard equipment, administer medication, check vital signs and assess patients’ health. You will participate in realistic clinical scenarios with simulation mannequins, including a mother and baby for practicing obstetric and pediatric nursing. You will also interact with live actors serving as standardized patients.

In the non-judgmental, safe space of the labs, you will have opportunities to work one-on-one with your professors if you need additional assistance. You will hone your skills with hands-on learning and gain confidence in your abilities.

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