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Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing - ABSN
Gain the skills to become a registered nurse — fast. Pace University’s accelerated BSN prepares you through coursework, simulation, and hands-on clinical training. Build the competencies needed to sit for the NCLEX-RN and step into entry-level nursing roles with confidence.
Location
New York City
Westchester
Duration
51 Credits
11 Months, Full-time
Modality
In-person
Start Date
Fall, Spring, Summer
F1 Visa
No
STEM Designated Program
No
Accelerated BSN Program | Earn Your Nursing Degree Fast
Pace’s accelerated BSN is an intensive accelerated nursing degree for career changers and second-degree students. Complete this accelerated BSN program in just 11 months, combining fast-paced coursework, simulation, and in-person clinical training.
Ranked in the top 3% of U.S. nursing bachelor’s programs and #8 in New York by College Factual, Pace’s Lienhard School of Nursing has been a leader for licensure and practice. Graduates achieve an average of 90% NCLEX-RN pass rates vs. the national average of 80% and benefit from employer connections that support job placement after graduation.
Get the details you need to move forward at Pace. Explore this accelerated program, including class structure, clinical experience, timelines, and admissions requirements to decide the right fit for your goals.
90% NCLEX Pass Rate
Outperforming the ~80% national average
$117,000
Median salary for BSN-prepared registered nurses in NYC (Source: Glassdoor)
Nationally Ranked
Ranked among the nation’s top BS in Nursing programs (Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
Accelerated Nursing Program Curriculum | ABSN Overview
This accelerated BSN program is designed for career changers and second-degree students ready to enter nursing quickly. In just 11 months of full-time study, you’ll move through an intensive curriculum that builds the academic foundation, clinical judgment, and hands-on skills needed for entry-level nursing practice and NCLEX-RN readiness.
Foundational Nursing Courses
You’ll complete coursework focused on core nursing concepts, from patient assessment to evidence-based practice. These courses are designed to build the knowledge base needed to care for patients across acute and community settings while preparing you for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Clinical Training and Simulation Experience
Apply what you learn through hands-on clinical placements and simulation lab training. You’ll gain direct patient care experience in real healthcare settings while practicing clinical decision-making in state-of-the-art simulation labs. These experiences build confidence in patient assessment, care planning, and safe nursing practice.
Program Format and Structure
This accelerated nursing program is delivered in a fast-paced, full-time format that combines classroom instruction, simulation, and clinical rotations. The structure is intentionally intensive to help you complete your BSN in as little as one year, supported by experienced faculty and coordinated clinical placements that align with real-world nursing environments.
Take Courses Like…
- NURS 402: Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
- NURS 412: Clinical Management in Adult Medical Surgical Nursing
- NURS 426: Organizational and Systems Leadership in Nursing
A Degree with Real-Life Learning
Over the course of attendance in the program, you will complete over 500 hours of clinical experiences in areas including behavioral health, maternal and women’s health, pediatrics, acute, and chronic and critical care. In the final semester, you will complete a capstone experience in a one-to-one preceptorship with a working nurse. This final preceptorship may occur in one of many specialties, including emergency department, ICU, oncology, operating room, NICU, and many more.
Nursing Careers
Where BSN Graduates Work
Pace’s accelerated BSN prepares you to enter the nursing workforce as a licensed RN in high-demand healthcare settings. Graduates step into roles across acute care hospitals, specialty units, outpatient clinics, community health centers, and private practices — supporting patients in medical-surgical care, emergency services, oncology, critical care, pediatrics, and more. Demand for BSN-prepared nurses continues to grow across the New York metropolitan area and beyond.
Career Support and Planning
From your first semester, you’ll work with Pace’s dedicated career services team to build a personalized nursing career plan. Support includes resume development, interview preparation, job search strategy, and guidance on aligning clinical interests with RN employment opportunities. The goal is simple: help you transition from student to practicing nurse with clarity and confidence.
International Career Success Program
The INSPIRE Program (International Student Professional Readiness Program) is a required badged internship and career success program for all international students for employment eligibility, exclusive to Pace. Year after year, this one-of-a-kind program empowers international students to achieve results in obtaining internships, jobs, and salary outcomes. Domestic students, there is an equivalent program for you called ASPIRE.
Where Pace Graduates are Employed
Graduates pursue RN roles across a wide range of healthcare environments, including:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- New York-Presbyterian
- Montefiore Medical Center
- Westchester Medical Center
- Community health centers
- Private medical practices.
Your Learning Pathway
After earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you’ll begin your career as a registered nurse in clinical settings such as hospitals, specialty units, and community care environments. From there, many nurses choose to advance their education and move into leadership, specialization, or advanced practice roles.
Pace’s Lienhard School of Nursing supports that progression with flexible graduate pathways designed for working nurses.
Advance Your Nursing Career
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Build advanced clinical expertise and move into nurse practitioner roles or nursing leadership positions with specialized tracks in advanced practice nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Develop the highest level of clinical nursing practice focused on systems leadership, evidence-based care, and improving patient outcomes in complex healthcare environments.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing)
Prepare for research, academic roles, and healthcare innovation by advancing nursing science and contributing to evidence-based practice.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)
Gain focused, post-master’s preparation in advanced clinical specialties and expand your scope of practice in targeted areas of nursing.
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Pursue careers such as nurse scientist, researcher, faculty, and as a leader in the profession.
Featured Faculty
Associate Professor
Assistant Professor
Clinical Assistant Professor
Admission and Financial Aid
You're ready for a new level of success—whether it's advancing in your current field or launching a new career. Pace is with you every step of the way, providing a world-class education and the skills your industry will be looking for far into the future.
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- A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue the program of graduate study you have chosen. Additional information regarding your academic performance, as well as professional experience, may also be included in the supplement.
- A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
- Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
- All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Pace University, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.
- Completion of all prerequisite requirements
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Cost per semester: $25,330 | Total cost of program: $75,900
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- Fall - February 1
- Spring - September 15
- Summer - January 15
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Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.
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Pace has many internal scholarships and awards to help its students meet their college expenses. Some Pace assistance is meant specifically for College of Health Professions undergraduate and graduate students.
Learn more about CHP-specific scholarships and how to apply.
FAQ
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Yes, an accelerated BSN is worth it if you're ready for an intensive, fast-track path into nursing. An accelerated BSN compresses core nursing education, simulation training, and clinical experience into about 12 months, allowing career changers and second-degree students to become eligible for the NCLEX-RN and enter the workforce sooner.
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Yes, many hospitals, especially large health systems and teaching hospitals, prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses. A BSN indicates stronger preparation in clinical judgment, patient care, and evidence-based practice, which aligns with current healthcare hiring standards and Magnet hospital expectations.
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The fastest pathway to becoming a registered nurse is an accelerated BSN program. These programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and can be completed in about one year of full-time study.
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Yes, you can become an RN in 12 months depending on your current education level. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, an accelerated BSN program can prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN in about one year. The timeline includes accelerated coursework, simulation training, and required clinical hours in healthcare settings.
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“RN” and “BSN” are not competing roles. BSN refers to education, while RN is licensure. However, BSN-prepared RNs often have better access to higher-paying roles, hospital positions, and advancement opportunities compared to RNs without a BSN. Pay ultimately depends on experience, location, and clinical setting, but a BSN typically expands earning potential o In 2025 nurses remained the most trusted profession, with 76% of U.S. adults currently believing nurses have high honesty and ethical standards over time.
76%
Did You Know?
In 2025 nurses remained the most trusted profession, with 76% of U.S. adults currently believing nurses have high honesty and ethical standards.
Contact Us
Admission Contact
Office of Graduate Admission
Phone: (212) 346-1531
Email: graduateadmission@pace.edu