University of Kentucky®
Bachelors Degree (BSN) in
Nursing - Accelerated
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 54 - 55
CREDENTIALS BSN Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$624.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Bachelors Degrees
- Nursing - Accelerated (BSN)
About this Program
Move to the next level of nursing care with our accelerated BSN. In this online program, you will build upon your existing knowledge in interprofessional practice, leadership, and bedside expertise to contribute to positive health outcomes for your patients. This accelerated program can be completed in 16 months and features a combination of online didactic/lecture with face-to-face labs and clinicals in Lexington, Kentucky. Graduates will be eligible to take the RN licensure exam (NCLEX).
This program is ideal for those who:
- have a degree in another field; or
- served as a medic in the U.S. military; or
- hold your LPN license, which is currently active to practice, from a regionally accredited institution.
This program requires 54 credit hours for LPNs and 55 credit hours for all other applicants.
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Designed For
This program is appropriate for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to transition into a nursing career quickly. It is suitable for motivated and dedicated students who are prepared for an intensive, fast-paced curriculum to become registered nurses in a shorter timeframe than traditional BSN programs.
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Learn more about the Nursing - Accelerated online program.
Earn your degree on your schedule. Online makes it possible.
Fill out this form to be sent information on the Bachelors (BSN) in Nursing - Accelerated program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
Students are prepared to deliver leading-edge care to patients across the lifespan through our comprehensive curriculum and hands-on experiences taught by expert clinicians. To graduate from this program, you will complete a minimum of 54-55 credit hours in the program.
This program features online synchronous and asynchronous didactic courses/lectures.
Career Stats
Course Examples
- NUR 323 Health Assessment & Psychomotor Skills I
- NUR 326 Pathopharmacology I
- NUR 328 Research for Evidenced Based Nursing Practice
- NUR 334 Adult Medical Surgical Nursing I
- NUR 423 Leadership and Management in Nursing Care Delivery
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
Standard undergraduate admission requirements apply.
This program requires: Completion of a BS or BA degree OR completion of medical specialist military training OR completion of an LPN program with an active license.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all applicants
- Science GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all applicants. All applicants must have a minimum grade of “C” in each of the following natural science courses prior to applying:
- Human Anatomy (three credits)
- Human Physiology (three credits)
- General Biology (three credits)
- General Chemistry course equivalent to CHE 103 at UK or one year/two semesters of General Chemistry
- General Psychology (three credits) or Developmental Psychology equivalent to PSY 323 at UK
- Composition and Communication courses equivalent to CIS 110 and 111 or CIS 112 at UK
- The following courses are not required for admission to the program, but must be completed before an applicant's first semester of nursing:
- General Microbiology course equivalent to BIO 208 at UK with a minimum grade of “C”
- Nutrition course equivalent to DHN 212 at UK with a minimum grade of “C”
- Statistics course equivalent to STA 210, STA 296, or BST 230 at UK with minimum grade of “C”
Please note: Only the best grade for courses that have been repeated is used when determining admission GPAs for all applications received June 1, 2022 and later.
Application Requirements
Standard undergraduate application requirements apply.
Applicants meeting the admission criteria will be asked to participate in a video interview. Instructions will be emailed, and there is a $50 fee for the interview session.
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2026
Spring 2026
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Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Explore the many options available to help fund your education.
Frequently Asked Questions
About
Can I work full-time while in the ABSN program?
While some ABSN programs do not allow students to work full time, we will simply state, we do not recommend working while in our program. Having said that, we recognize many students simply do not have that option. Ultimately, whether you work, or how much you work, is your call. Before starting the program, we ask at the very least you give this some thought & talk to the people in your life to consider your options. Is there any way to cut back to part-time? Or plan to save vacation days so that you can take a day off a week during peak study times? Are there scholarship options in which to apply (ask your advisor)? Keep in mind that the cutback would be temporary – only 16 months. And it would be a small sacrifice compared to the outstanding potential you will have getting noticed by employers, having a BSN from a highly regarded accelerated nursing program.
What parts of the ABSN program are online and what is face-to-face (in person)?
All didactic (lecture-related) content will be online/distance learning. Some courses will have a weekly synchronous (all meet remotely at a certain time) lecture, while other courses will be entirely asynchronous (work completed independently on own time) in nature. In addition, there will be regular opportunities for synchronous exam reviews, office hours, one-on-one meetings, and other activities. The synchronous lecture times will be made available well ahead of each block, and students are expected to attend all lectures (remotely). If a student’s work schedule conflicts with synchronous lecture and is non- negotiable – the student will be required to provide a letter from their work manager, explaining the situation. Only then will a student absence be considered excused, and lecture recordings will be provided.
On the other hand, both lab and clinical are weekly “face-to-face” (in-person) experiences. The three-hour lab occurs weekly the first two blocks (16 weeks), while the eight-hour weekly clinicals occur all eight blocks (entire program). All weekly labs on the Lexington campus are in the College of Nursing and all weekly clinicals are in the Lexington area. All weekly labs and clinicals on the Ashland campus are in King’s Daughter’s hospital. Lexington-based LPNs have the option to take an LPN-only lab, which takes place once monthly on Sunday afternoon. Currently, there is no LPN-only option in Ashland. Lexington clinicals are scheduled both weekdays and weekends. In Ashland, clinicals are scheduled on weekdays only. In addition, students will be required to attend one-three simulations and deliberate practice every semester, all held face-to-face in the College of Nursing (or at King’s Daughter’s in Ashland).
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
Are scholarships or financial aid available for online students?
Yes! Online students enrolled in a degree-bearing program are eligible to receive financial aid and scholarships. Learn more at https://studentsuccess.uky.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships
Online Learning
This program denotes "In-person Requirements." What should I expect?
This program requires students to complete some portion of the program in-person. These are usually infrequent, and are pre-scheduled. This does not necessarily mean that students need to come to UK's campus. Some examples of in-person requirements are:
- Internships that need to be completed in person in your own community.
- Clinical skills instruction or assessment
- Required retreats or conferences
- Dissertation presentation/defense
Reach out to the program contact listed on this page to better understand the in-person requirements for this program.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Will this program lead to licensure in my state?
Students should consult with their licensure board to verify if this program will meet licensure requirements for the state in which they will practice. UK has assembled a database of licensure information for different states. However, the ultimate responsibility for verifying this information prior to enrollment lies with the student.
What technology and equipment do I need to have?
Most students are able to be successful in their classes with a basic computer and reliable high-speed internet access.
Review minimum recommendations and guidelines for computer and Internet connections at the University of Kentucky on the Student Hardware & Software Guidelines page.
Internship / Practicum
Am I allowed to arrange clinicals outside of the Lexington or Ashland areas?
No, this is not an option in our program. Clinicals for Lexington-based students will be held in Lexington. Clinicals for the Ashland-based students will be held in Ashland.
I work full-time Monday-Friday and plan to continue to do so. Can I be guaranteed a Saturday clinical (Lexington campus only), and what are my lab options for the first two blocks?
The number of Saturday clinical spots is limited and cannot be guaranteed prior to being accepted to our program. Once accepted, we will work with students very early in the process to determine individual needs for certain clinical days. While we will do our very best to accommodate requests, we cannot “guarantee” a particular lab or clinical date/time. Most labs are scheduled on weekdays from 8-11 am or 1-4 pm. There may be one 4-7 pm weekday lab. There are currently no weekend labs (except LPN-only lab).
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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