Fastest Nursing Programs

Get into nursing faster. Compare accelerated programs that can have you licensed and working in as little as 12 months — without compromising on quality or accreditation.

Accelerated Nursing Pathways: Get Licensed Faster

The nursing profession offers multiple accelerated pathways designed for students who want to enter the workforce quickly. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there are over 400 accelerated BSN programs available across the United States, with more being added each year to meet growing demand for nurses.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects approximately 193,100 nursing openings annually through 2032, creating strong demand for graduates from accelerated programs. Healthcare employers actively recruit from accelerated programs because graduates are highly motivated, often bring prior professional experience, and can fill critical staffing gaps more quickly than traditional program graduates.

Modern accelerated programs leverage online learning, simulation technology, and intensive clinical rotations to compress timelines without sacrificing educational quality. Accreditation bodies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) hold accelerated programs to the same standards as traditional programs, ensuring graduates are fully prepared for licensure and practice.

Fastest Nursing Paths by Starting Point

No Prior Degree → LPN Certificate (12–18 Months)

LPN/LVN certificate programs are the fastest entry into nursing practice. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam and can begin working immediately. The BLS reports that LPNs earned a median annual salary of $59,730 as of May 2023. Many LPNs later pursue bridge programs to become RNs.

Non-Nursing Bachelor's → Accelerated BSN (12–20 Months)

Accelerated BSN programs are designed for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. These intensive, full-time programs compress the traditional 4-year BSN curriculum into 12–20 months. NCLEX-RN pass rates for ABSN graduates are comparable to or higher than traditional BSN programs, according to AACN data.

RN (Associate) → BSN (12–18 Months)

RN-to-BSN programs build on existing RN knowledge and clinical experience. Most are available fully online and can be completed in 12–18 months, sometimes faster with credit for prior learning. This is one of the most popular accelerated pathways, as many employers now require or prefer BSN-prepared nurses for hospital positions.

LPN → RN (12–18 Months)

LPN-to-RN bridge programs recognize existing LPN education and clinical experience, allowing faster completion of ADN or BSN requirements. Most programs can be completed in 12–18 months. Graduates earn substantially higher salaries — the BLS median for RNs ($86,070) vs. LPNs ($59,730).

How to Evaluate Accelerated Programs

NCLEX Pass Rate: Look for programs with first-time pass rates above 85%. This is the most objective measure of program quality.
Accreditation: Ensure CCNE or ACEN accreditation. Unaccredited programs may not qualify you for licensure in all states.
Clinical Placement: How does the school arrange clinical rotations? Schools with established hospital partnerships provide more reliable placements.
Prerequisites: How long will prerequisites take? Factor this into your total timeline. Some programs accept online prerequisite courses.
Total Duration: Compare start-to-finish timelines, including prerequisite coursework and any waitlist periods.
Cost per Month: Shorter programs have higher monthly costs but may have lower total costs of attendance. Use our ROI calculator to compare value.

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Compare Fastest Nursing Programs

Sorted by program duration — shortest programs first.

Program	School	Degree	Format	Tuition	Duration	NCLEX Rate	Grad Rate	Clinical Hrs	Action
RN to BSN	Chamberlain University	RN-BSN	Online	$20,460	9 mo	—	62%	90	Request Info
Accelerated BSN	Vanderbilt University	BSN	On Campus	$55,000	12 mo	97%	91%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Vanderbilt University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Georgetown University	BSN	On Campus	$99,000	12 mo	100%	91%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Georgetown University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Grand Canyon University	RN-BSN	Online	$18,900	12 mo	—	68%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	University of Alabama at Birmingham	RN-BSN	Online	$9,600	12 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Alabama at Birmingham based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Florida State University	RN-BSN	Online	$9,000	12 mo	—	83%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Florida State University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	RN-BSN	Online	$10,200	12 mo	—	85%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Texas at Arlington	RN-BSN	Online	$11,940	12 mo	—	76%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Texas at Arlington based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Cincinnati	RN-BSN	Online	$10,800	12 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Cincinnati based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Michigan — Flint	RN-BSN	Online	$11,520	12 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Michigan — Flint based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Ohio State University	RN-BSN	Online	$9,900	12 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Ohio State University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Indiana State University	RN-BSN	Online	$12,600	12 mo	—	73%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Indiana State University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Johns Hopkins University	BSN	On Campus	$65,000	13 mo	—	92%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Johns Hopkins University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Emory University	BSN	On Campus	$72,000	14 mo	95%	91%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Emory University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	University of Cincinnati	BSN	On Campus	$28,000	15 mo	95.11%	80%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Cincinnati based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	University of Pittsburgh	BSN	On Campus	$45,000	15 mo	97.17%	87%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Pittsburgh based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus	BSN	On Campus	$45,000	15 mo	96.67%	85%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Illinois Chicago	RN-BSN	Online	$10,200	15 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Illinois Chicago based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Maryland — Baltimore	RN-BSN	Online	$11,400	15 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Maryland — Baltimore based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Florida	RN-BSN	Online	$12,480	15 mo	—	85%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Florida based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Arizona State University	RN-BSN	Online	$10,570	15 mo	—	65%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Michigan State University	RN-BSN	Online	$12,000	15 mo	—	79%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Michigan State University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Texas A&M University	RN-BSN	Online	$9,000	15 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Texas A&M University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Jacksonville University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,000	15 mo	—	74%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Jacksonville University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	American Public University System	RN-BSN	Online	$8,100	15 mo	—	58%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to American Public University System based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	University of Tennessee at Knoxville	RN-BSN	Online	$10,500	15 mo	—	79%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Tennessee at Knoxville based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Southern New Hampshire University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,120	15 mo	—	70%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	University of South Florida	RN-BSN	Online	$9,600	15 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of South Florida based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Arizona State University	BSN	On Campus	$26,000	16 mo	95%	65%	800	Request Info
Accelerated BSN	University of Texas at Arlington	BSN	On Campus	$22,000	16 mo	93.34%	76%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to University of Texas at Arlington based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Case Western Reserve University	BSN	On Campus	$55,000	16 mo	95%	88%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Case Western Reserve University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Rush University	BSN	On Campus	$58,000	16 mo	—	89%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Rush University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Duke University	BSN	On Campus	$78,000	16 mo	95%	93%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Duke University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Regis College	BSN	On Campus	$72,000	16 mo	100%	82%	800	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Regis College based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Aspen University	RN-BSN	Online	$11,700	16 mo	—	60%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Aspen University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
Accelerated BSN	Grand Canyon University	BSN	Hybrid	$49,000	18 mo	95.57%	68%	750	Request Info
MSN — Health Systems Administration	Arizona State University	MSN	Online	$18,480	18 mo	—	65%	135	Request Info
MSN — Nursing Education	Arizona State University	MSN	Online	$18,480	18 mo	—	65%	135	Request Info
MSN — Nursing Leadership	Arizona State University	MSN	Online	$18,480	18 mo	—	65%	135	Request Info
RN to BSN	Marquette University	RN-BSN	Online	$18,000	18 mo	—	84%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Marquette University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	George Washington University	RN-BSN	Online	$22,500	18 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to George Washington University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Liberty University	RN-BSN	Online	$14,820	18 mo	—	72%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Oregon Health & Science University	RN-BSN	Online	$16,200	18 mo	—	88%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Oregon Health & Science University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Sacred Heart University	RN-BSN	Online	$21,000	18 mo	—	78%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Sacred Heart University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Gonzaga University	RN-BSN	Online	$16,200	18 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Gonzaga University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Regis College	RN-BSN	Online	$22,500	18 mo	—	82%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Regis College based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	DePaul University	RN-BSN	Online	$21,000	18 mo	—	80%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to DePaul University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Purdue University Global	RN-BSN	Online	$13,500	18 mo	—	65%	90	Request Info
RN to BSN	Maryville University	RN-BSN	Online	$15,900	18 mo	—	74%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Maryville University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.
RN to BSN	Excelsior University	RN-BSN	Online	$12,900	18 mo	—	58%	90	Find Nursing Programs Get matched with programs similar to Excelsior University based on your location and goals. Zip Code Program Type When do you want to start? Email (optional) Free. No obligation. No spam.

Career Outcomes After Accelerated Programs

Graduates of accelerated nursing programs enter one of the strongest job markets in healthcare. The BLS projects 6 percent growth in registered nursing employment through 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Median salaries by credential level:

Credential	Fastest Path	Median Salary (BLS, May 2023)
LPN/LVN	12–18 months (certificate)	$59,730
RN (ADN)	12–18 months (LPN bridge)	$86,070
RN (BSN)	12–20 months (accelerated BSN)	$86,070
Nurse Practitioner	24–36 months (MSN)	$126,260

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023. Salary data represents national median figures; actual wages vary by employer, location, and experience.

Explore More

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to become a nurse?

The fastest path depends on your current education. For those with no prior degree, LPN certificate programs take 12–18 months. For people with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs take 12–20 months. For current RNs, RN-to-BSN programs take 12–18 months. LPN-to-RN bridge programs typically take 12–18 months. The fastest overall entry to nursing practice is through an LPN certificate program, which prepares you for the NCLEX-PN exam in as little as 12 months.

Are accelerated nursing programs harder than traditional ones?

Accelerated programs cover the same curriculum as traditional programs in less time, so the pace is more intense. Students typically attend full-time with heavy course loads and year-round scheduling. However, the content and rigor are equivalent — graduates earn the same degree and take the same NCLEX exam. Many students find that the compressed timeline actually aids retention, and NCLEX pass rates for accelerated BSN programs are comparable to or higher than traditional programs, according to the AACN.

How much do accelerated nursing programs cost?

Accelerated BSN programs typically cost $20,000–$60,000 total, depending on the institution type. Public universities tend to be on the lower end for in-state students, while private institutions are higher. RN-to-BSN programs are generally more affordable at $10,000–$25,000. LPN certificate programs range from $4,000–$15,000. Despite the higher per-year cost of accelerated programs, the shorter duration often results in lower total cost of attendance compared to traditional 4-year programs.

Can I work while in an accelerated nursing program?

Most accelerated BSN programs are full-time and do not recommend outside employment due to the intensive schedule. Students typically attend classes, labs, and clinicals 40+ hours per week. However, some programs offer evening/weekend options or slightly extended timelines (18–20 months) that are more compatible with part-time work. Online and hybrid accelerated programs offer more scheduling flexibility for the didactic portion, though clinical hours still require fixed scheduling.

What are the admission requirements for accelerated nursing programs?

Accelerated BSN programs typically require a bachelor's degree in any field (minimum GPA of 2.5–3.0), prerequisite courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry (can often be completed online), and a completed application with essays and references. Some programs require GRE scores, though many have dropped this requirement. Prerequisite courses can usually be completed in 1–2 semesters before starting the accelerated program. Admissions are competitive — acceptance rates range from 15% to 50% depending on the program.

What is the NCLEX pass rate for accelerated nursing programs?

NCLEX-RN pass rates for accelerated BSN programs are strong. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), first-time NCLEX pass rates for ABSN graduates consistently meet or exceed the national average, which was approximately 87% in 2023. Many top accelerated programs report first-time pass rates above 90%. The intensive, focused nature of accelerated curricula often produces well-prepared exam candidates.

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