Ohio State College of Nursing launches accelerated bachelor’s degree

The Ohio State University College of Nursing is enrolling students in a new program to help graduates who already have their bachelor’s degree but now feel drawn to a career in health care.

The college launched the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (aBSN) program for students who have finished college in a non-nursing field, but desire to have a career in nursing. It’s a full-time program that can be completed in as few as 18 months.

“We see such a growing need in the community for more nurses. … This program creates another avenue for students to enter nursing with a previous bachelor’s degree, and expand their education based on prior knowledge and experiences,” said Wendy Bowles, assistant dean for baccalaureate programs in the College of Nursing. “It will increase the number of nurses we can get into the profession, and provides a faster pathway to complete a BSN and become a registered nurse.”

Students will have both coursework and real-world clinical experience with health care professionals in Ohio, including at the Wexner Medical Center, to prepare them for a nursing career. Program graduates will be eligible to take the State Board, National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing.

The prerequisites for admission include classes that provide foundational knowledge to nursing practice, such as anatomy. Once admitted into the program, students will take coursework over five consecutive semesters to complete their degree.

Kelly Johnson, a third-year nurse practitioner graduate student with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry, was on a similar path to the students who will benefit from the aBSN. He started his career in clinical research and felt something was missing.

“I was a research specialist in gynecologic oncology, cardiothoracic surgery and emergency medicine, and I loved it. It was so fun. But what I was lacking was the patient experience and patient interaction,” he said. “I had previously been a nurse assistant in the ER while going through undergrad, and I loved that patient interaction so much, and I wasn’t quite fulfilling that need for myself.”

Johnson said he had several peers in college from different backgrounds who he believes would benefit from the accelerated program. They will also make contributions to nursing from their broad educational experience.

“Once you finish a degree, you have more knowledge on how to study, on how to be successful, on how to time manage. And I think for most people, it is manageable to be able to do this program,” he said.

Applications for the aBSN are open now, with the first cohort starting this summer. Bowles expects the program will be in high demand.

“It’s something that’s really needed in the community right now. There is a shortage in nursing, and how can we at Ohio State respond to that need? That’s where we can help,” she said. “We know we can help the community through supporting more students becoming nurses and our practice partners are ready to provide great opportunities to grow these nurses to their highest potential. This is going to be a highly sought-after program, I’m sure.”

Those interested in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can learn more at the program website.