Second Degree Accelerated BSN Track

Make the move to a nursing career

If you have earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and would like to pursue a nursing career, our second degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track is designed for you.

The program moves at a fast pace—16 months of full-time study (including a summer session)—with a concept-based, cutting-edge curriculum that prepares you for a career as a professional nurse. You will work with nursing faculty in the school and expert nurse preceptors in the community to gain clinical and practical experience, as well as exposure to hospital and community-based nursing. You will also participate in simulation exercises and interprofessional education experiences with students in other healthcare fields.

Eligibility to apply

First, you must be admitted to at least one of our Core Campus locations offering this program, which includes IU Columbus, IU Fort Wayne, and IU Indianapolis as a degree-seeking student and have graduated from a 120 credit hour accredited baccalaureate degree program in a non-nursing field, with at least a 2.7 undergraduate GPA. You must complete all prerequisite courses required for admission to the IU School of Nursing with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA nursing prerequisite academic performance.

Admission to the ABSN program is competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee that you will be admitted to the program.

Apply for the ABSN track on your campus

Your path to becoming an IU Nurse begins with your application to the Indiana University campus of your choice.

Learn how to get started

Program learning outcomes

As a graduate of the Accelerated BSN track you will be:

A critical thinker who demonstrates intellectual engagement and uses evidence as a basis for clinical reasoning and decision making
A culturally sensitive individual who provides holistic, individual, family, community, and population-centered nursing care
A knowledgeable care coordinator who facilitates access to resources across the continuum of healthcare environments in order to meet the evolving healthcare needs of individuals, families, communities, and populations
An individual who understands and considers the impact of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments on care delivery
An individual who embodies the professional identity of the nurse and who translates the inherent values of the nursing profession into the ethical and legal practice of nursing
An effective communicator who collaborates with interprofessional team members, patients, and their support systems for improved health outcomes
A competent care provider who is prepared to practice to the full capacity of the professional nurse role in diverse healthcare environments
An accountable leader and manager who applies principles of systems and organizational processes and balances resources to promote quality care and patient safety
An individual who embraces and employs innovations in information management and technology in the delivery of quality patient care

Have a question? Talk to an nursing admissions team member on your campus

IU Columbus

IU Fort Wayne

IU Indianapolis