Accelerated BSN Programs in Washington (2026)

1 accelerated BSN program for Washington career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Washington ABSN students

  • 1 accelerated BSN program in our Washington directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Washington: 16 months.
  • Registered nurses in Washington earn $115,740/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Washington is not an NLC compact state; graduates need Washington licensure (or endorsement) to practice there.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

Limited ABSN listings in Washington

Our directory currently shows fewer than 5 accelerated BSN programs based in Washington. Many career changers also enroll in online ABSN programs authorized for Washington students, with clinical placement coordinated locally. Browse the Washington nursing program hub for related pathways.

1

ABSN Programs

16 mo

Fastest Option

$116K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Washington

1 accelerated BSN program — 1 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

Sponsored · Disclosure

1 accelerated BSN program in our Washington directory (9 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Washington BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 9 Washington BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 16 months (Pacific Lutheran University – School of Nursing, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 9 of 9 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Washington programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
Pacific Lutheran University – School of NursingBSNOn Campus16—
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
University of WashingtonBSNOn Campus48$60,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Washington

Washington lists 1 accelerated track against 9 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 16 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Washington hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Washington earning an average of $115,740 per year and 8.5% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Washington does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). ABSN graduates who plan to work outside Washington will need to apply for licensure by endorsement in each additional state.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Washington

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Washington hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Washington, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Ask Washington hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Washington ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Washington?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Washington students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Washington, the fastest option is 16 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Washington schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 9 Washington BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 16 months (Pacific Lutheran University – School of Nursing). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Washington?
The shortest listed Washington BSN pathway in our directory is 16 months (1.3 years) at Pacific Lutheran University – School of Nursing. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Washington?
Pacific Lutheran University – School of Nursing — 1 institution, 1 accelerated track listed for Washington, the quickest 16 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Washington board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with 8 CE contact hours required.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Washington?
Accelerated BSN tuition nationally ranges from $30,000 to $80,000 for the full program. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower than private; Washington residents at in-state institutions often see meaningful tuition discounts. Many Washington hospital systems offer tuition reimbursement contingent on a post-graduation employment commitment.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Washington?
No. All 1 track listed for Washington — at Pacific Lutheran University – School of Nursing — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Washington?
For career changers in Washington, the math is favorable. RNs in Washington earn an average of $115,740 per year (BLS May 2024), with 8.5% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Washington hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, but the licence does not travel: Washington is outside the Nurse Licensure Compact, so working anywhere else means licensure by endorsement — start it before you move, not after.

Washington Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

8 hours

NLC Compact

No — single-state license

Source: Washington Board of Nursing

Compare nursing programs in Washington

Washington nursing reference

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