Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
If you have a non-nursing college education, our accelerated nursing program in Arizona makes it possible to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months*.
We also get you started on your degree as soon as you’re ready, with ABSN program locations in Sun City (near Phoenix) and Tucson that enroll students three times a year.
As an ABSN student, you can expect a rigorous curriculum that requires your full-time commitment over four semesters. But don’t worry, our faculty and staff will guide and support you every step of the way.
How Our ABSN Program Works
No matter your previous field of undergraduate study, our Accelerated BSN program builds on this education so you can quickly transition into the nursing profession.
Our fast-paced ABSN curriculum follows a logical, effective sequence of coursework, labs and clinical practice over a 16-month* time span. The program is rigorous, requiring dedication, commitment and strong time management skills.
- Online accelerated nursing courses give you the flexibility to learn the basics of the profession when it best fits into your daily schedule. Instructor deadlines still apply.
- Nursing skills labs at our facility provide a contextual environment for you to learn and practice the safe, effective application of core clinical skills.
- Our Immersive Simulation experiences develop your critical thinking and clinical judgment via realistic patient care scenarios that require you to think on your feet and count towards your total clinical hours.
- Clinical rotations in top health care facilities provide real-world patient care experience in diverse areas of practice.
Upon your completion of the Accelerated BSN program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) with confidence and enter the profession as a practice-ready nurse.
Accelerated BSN Program Goals
Our Accelerated BSN program takes an interdisciplinary approach to nursing education, with the goal of graduating competent, compassionate leaders who live with purpose and serve with integrity.
As a graduate of our ABSN program, you’ll enter the workforce as a/an:
- Global citizen who embraces the differences of others and bears personal responsibility for the welfare of society as a whole.
- Critical thinker who asks questions and pursues knowledge to quickly solve problems.
- Effective communicator who understands how verbal and written communication impacts others intellectually and emotionally.
- Responsible leader who is committed to living and leading in ways that bear a transformative influence on individuals, families and entire communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ABSN program?
It’s an accelerated nursing program for individuals who have a non-nursing college education and want to transition into the nursing profession as soon as possible.
How long is the ABSN program?
Our accelerated nursing program makes it possible for eligible students to earn a quality BSN in as few as 16 months*.
When do classes start?
Our ABSN program has three start dates a year per learning site. Classes begin every May, August and January.
Where is the program offered?
Our ABSN program has enrollment locations in Sun City and Tucson, Arizona. These satellite facilities are separate from the main Grand Canyon University campus in Phoenix.
What degree is an ABSN?
Students who graduate from an ABSN program earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing—the same degree granted by a traditional BSN program. Essentially, an ABSN program is an accelerated education path for students who have completed undergraduate study in a field other than nursing.
Ready to set your nursing education in motion? Contact us today about our accelerated nursing program in Arizona. For more information on Grand Canyon University visit our website and discover what it means to be part of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions.
- Scientific Underpinnings for Practice – Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program are prepared to apply knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences, nursing concepts, theories, and evidence-based practice to provide safe, effective care across the health-illness continuum and the life span to diverse individuals, families, communities, and populations.
- Synthesize knowledge from liberal arts education as a foundation for reflective practice and decision making.
- Apply evidence-based research to nursing practice to make clinical judgments that optimize health outcomes.
- Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy – Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program will recognize the complexities, including policy and regulation, of the broader context of the health care system and the profession in which they operate. Graduates are able to participate in shared decision making and effectively communicate with and mentor other team members with the goal of optimizing client outcomes in a complex and evolving health care environment. Graduate will be prepared to advocate for just improvements in health care access and advocate for and educate clients.
- Examine health care policy development and the influence of policy on nursing practice and the equitable delivery of cost-effective, quality care.
- Advocate for and educate clients and support their right to safe, compassionate, and holistic nursing care.
- Demonstrate leadership and effective communication skills in effectively coordinating and facilitating safe, effective care on interprofessional teams.
- Systems, Safety, and Quality – Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program will be able to utilize client care and communication technologies to provide safe, effective, cost-effective care to diverse client populations across the life span. They will also be prepared to participate in quality improvement initiatives to optimize health care delivery processes.
- Use informatics, technology, and data to aid in decision making and improve client outcomes of individuals, families, communities, and populations.
- Compare legislative, regulatory, and financial factors impacting the equitable delivery of effective care and nursing practice within complex health care systems.
- Use quality improvement measures to optimize processes related to delivering safe, cost-effective care.
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program are prepared to provide culturally relevant health promotion and diseases prevention interventions to promote wellness in diverse populations to advance the common good.
- Integrate knowledge of population health and health assessment to develop and implement interventions to promote health and prevent disease in diverse populations.
- Examine the professional and moral obligation of baccalaureate generalist nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective.
- Analytic Foundations for Practice, Ethics, and Professional Role – Graduates of Grand Canyon University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure program are prepared to effectively apply the nursing process and skills to deliver evidence-based, client-centered, holistic, and safe care in a variety of situations and settings. They will recognize core nursing values and ethics and the importance of personal commitment to continued education and professional development to advance their own practice and the profession.
- Apply the nursing process to provide safe effective client-centered care across the life span and health-illness continuum.
- Apply appropriate ethical standards to resolve moral and ethical dilemmas in the provision of health care.
- Communicate with clients, building therapeutic relationships to improve health outcomes.
- Manage holistic plans of care that take into account individuals’ preferences and physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
- Engage in personal and professional development to improve individual practice and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.
The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBON) defines On-Time Graduation (OTG) as the percent of students who were admitted to the first clinical nursing course who graduated according to the published curriculum. Completion statistics are updated every April and are based on the cohort of students who graduated the preceding calendar year (Jan to Dec). The “First Clinical Nursing Course” is the initial required nursing course with clinical hours allotted (e.g. Fundamental of Nursing) regardless of the clinical setting. The On-Time Graduation rate is determined by the total number of graduates who graduated within 100% of the allotted program time. This represents Arizona only.
GCU’s NCLEX Exam Pass Rate for 1st Time Candidates
- 2018 First-Time Pass Rate – 91.5%.
- 2019 Q1 First-Time Pass Rate – 98.2%.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.