Accelerated BSN Program FAQs

You probably have a lot of questions regarding our 16-month Accelerated BSN program in Ohio. While a conversation with an admission counselor is the best way to make sure all your questions get answered, we thought we’d list some of the most common questions we get from prospective students.

What Are the Basic Admission Requirements for Our ABSN Program?

Whether you’re interested in our Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Columbus ABSN program, you need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and a cumulative GPA of 2.70 to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Additionally, before you can begin nursing school, you must satisfy our four prerequisite requirements.

How can online coursework prepare me to become a practice-ready nurse?

Our Accelerated BSN program is not 100% online. While you complete a significant amount of the ABSN curriculum online, there’s also a lot of experiential learning involved—expect to clock more than 850 hours of clinical practice, which constitutes both lab and practicum time. After graduating from the program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam with confidence and enter the profession as a practice-ready nurse.

What is the benefit of having a nursing education grounded in Jesuit values?

We teach you how to safely and effectively apply nursing skills as well as understand how illness can impact patients from a physical, psychological, social, cultural, and religious perspective.

It’s an educational philosophy that not only focuses on your academic mastery and personal growth, but also contributes to the greater good of society. And, because of this approach, our nursing graduates are eligible to sit for the Holistic Certification Exam after passing the NCLEX-RN® exam.

Can I work while pursuing my nursing degree?

Our ABSN program is a rigorous, fast-paced education path that requires serious commitment. It could easily be considered a full-time job in and of itself. If you’re in a situation where you must work while in the program, it’s important to have a job that gives you the flexibility you need to attend labs and clinicals.

How many program starts are available each year?

Our Accelerated BSN program locations in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus all have three start dates a year—January, May, and August. As a result, Xavier has more spots available to qualified applicants than any other nursing program in the state. It’s also worth mentioning that we follow a rolling admission process. This means we review applications as they come in, rather than waiting for the submission deadline to pass. So, the sooner you submit your application, the sooner you’ll receive a decision, and the better your chances of getting a spot for your preferred start date.