What Are the ABSN Admission Requirements?
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jul 17, 2025
What Are the ABSN Admission Requirements?
The world is experiencing a serious nursing shortage. While an aging population and a rise in chronic diseases, such as diabetes, have contributed to this growing issue in the United States, the problem is global. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there will be a shortage of 4.5 million nurses by 2030. Now’s a perfect time to take on a rewarding role as a nursing professional and help fill the nursing gap. Earning a BSN through an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is an ideal way for someone who is interested in a career change to enter the nursing workforce.
What Is an ABSN?
An Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is a faster BSN program designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing to become nursing professionals. ABSN programs allow students to satisfy the education requirements more quickly than traditional BSN programs by building upon previous learning experience and knowledge.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) means going beyond nursing fundamentals, establishing a firm understanding of the technical skills needed to become a nursing professional. Students also learn soft skills, such as communication, leadership, and self-care, through coursework and hands-on clinical experiences.
Earning a BSN is important for nursing professionals — and essential for some positions. BSNs and ABSNs are the same type of nursing degrees , and graduates earn the same credentials when they graduate. The main distinctions between them are the admission requirements and the time it takes to complete the degree.
Completing a traditional BSN program typically takes about four years, while ABSN students can earn their degrees in under 2 years. BSN students are also typically high school graduates or associate degree holders, while ABSN programs are meant for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree outside of nursing.
What Are the Admission Requirements for an ABSN?
To enroll in an ABSN, students need to have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in their undergraduate studies. Additional ABSN admission requirements can include the following:
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Completing an admissions application, initial enrollment deposit, and criminal background check
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Providing a professional resume or curriculum vitae (CV) outlining academic and professional achievements
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Securing professional liability insurance and health insurance for clinical courses
ABSN programs generally require a total of 120 credit hours, with at least half of the hours completed in residence. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited school, with a grade of C or better in the course. Schools may also have specific prerequisite courses that must be taken before starting an ABSN program.
Why Enroll in an ABSN?
Anyone with a bachelor’s degree who is interested in nursing as a profession will likely find an ABSN compelling, as they’ve already achieved a major part of the ABSN admission requirements. Students save valuable time by avoiding a full four-year program, while still receiving all the expertise, knowledge, and training of a BSN to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
An ABSN also helps prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), required for nursing licensure.
Career Options for Nursing Professionals With an ABSN
After earning an ABSN and completing the NCLEX-RN, RNs work with physicians and other members of a patient’s care team to organize and implement patient care, administer treatments, run diagnostic tests, and teach patients how to manage their health. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600 as of 2024. The projected growth rate for this position is 6% between 2023 and 2033, far outpacing the national average.
However, nurses can follow many different career paths. For example, RNs can specialize in medical-surgical nursing, labor and delivery, or cardiac care. Some may be drawn to careers as travel nurses, filling temporary, in-demand positions around the country or the world, rather than working in a single facility for the long term.
Earning an ABSN can also set nursing professionals on the course toward leadership roles such as nurse manager. Nurse managers oversee teams of nurses to ensure the highest quality treatment for patients. They train and mentor new staff members, set departmental goals and objectives, coordinate and communicate with department heads, and consult on patient treatment plans.
Start a New Career in Nursing With an ABSN From The University of Tulsa
ABSNs are designed for ambitious individuals who are ready to make a career change that benefits not only themselves, but also the many people in need of care. Although the accelerated programs may be shorter than the average BSN program, they don’t sacrifice depth of knowledge.
The online ABSN from The University of Tulsa offers students an expedited path toward putting their skills to use and helping others. The program starts three times per year, delivering courses over eight-week periods. Students begin clinicals just before their third eight-week term. It includes a five-day skills bootcamp on the TU campus in Tulsa, followed by clinical rotations in their local region. While clinicals are in person, coursework is 100% online for maximum flexibility. TU is also proud to have one of the highest first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in the state of Oklahoma, far above the national average.
Take your first step into a rewarding new future at TU.
Recommended Readings
RN to BSN: Requirements for Prospective Students
Lifelong Learning in Nursing: What It Is and How a BSN Can Help
How Much Do RNs Make in Oklahoma?
Sources:
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Accelerated Nursing Programs
Indeed, Nurse Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers
