Accelerated BSN
Join the Most Trusted Profession
Our students come from all walks of life, and your prior experiences allow us to offer an accelerated path to a new career in nursing if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Veterans of the armed forces can receive academic credit for service to get more of a head start. If you’re looking to switch to a career in the health professions, look no further than a bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree.
Located at our Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, this in-person program is a second-degree option and only takes 15 months from orientation to graduation.
As the curriculum advances, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience during your clinical rotations in top-rated facilities in the greater Washington, D.C., area which will expose you to various specialties including medical and surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing and community health. You can even gain residency as through our Washington Squared and GW Hospital Nursing Scholars programs. Our dedicated clinical placement team supports every student to ensure compliance and proper documentation.
Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and earn your licensure as a registered nurse.
Highlights
- Learn your way - Our state-of-the-art facilities and technologies enable you to learn core concepts through a variety of formats including high-fidelity simulators, standardized patients and interactive online modules.
- Travel internationally – Immersive yourself into another culture through one of our international clinical opportunities in countries such as Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti and Uganda.
- Earn graduate credit – Get a head start on your next degree by taking up to nine graduate credits eligible to be applied toward our master of science in nursing within five years.
- Take unique courses – Enroll in unique electives on topics such as perioperative care, health information and technology, global health, pediatric adversity and early childhood development.
- Prep for NCLEX-RN – We don’t believe you should have to cram. We provide an integrated review process throughout the program with a live review before graduation to ensure you are ready when it counts.
Deadlines
Summer 2019 Applications
Priority:
Final: 2/15/2019
Fall 2019 Applications
Priority:
Final: 3/15/2019
Spring 2020 Applications
Priority: 8/1/2019
Final: 9/1/2019
Requirements
Overview
This program consists of 60 credit hours and 500 clinical hours. Given the academic rigor of this accelerated program, employment while pursuing this degree is not recommended. Questions about program requirements should be directed to the program director, Malinda Whitlow.
Programs of Study
- Accelerated B.S.N., full-time program of study (after Fall 2017 start)
- Accelerated B.S.N., full-time program of study (after Fall 2018 start)
Courses
For a full listing of courses and descriptions, please visit the University Bulletin.
On-Campus Requirements
This is a full-time on-campus degree program spanning 15 months. You should expect to live nearby to attend classes in Ashburn, Virginia, for the duration of the program.
Technology Requirements
Admitted students are expected to own and have ready access to a laptop or tablet with basic productivity software for classroom use. View laptop policy for additional information.
Complete applications that are submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications do not have to be verified by the priority deadline, only completed and submitted. Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected]
A completed application includes the following components:
- Bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
- Preferred scholastic GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a regionally accredited college or university
- Unofficial transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)*
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Personal statement
*Military and veteran candidates, outside of the Air Force, will submit Joint Service transcripts; while Air Force candidates will provide Community College of the Air Force transcripts. More information is available on the Veterans BSN page.
You must have completed the following prerequisite coursework with grades of C or better and a minimum course GPA of 3.0. If you are still missing courses you can take your health prerequisites online with GW Nursing.
- Ethics (3 semester hours)
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (6-8 semester hours)
- Microbiology (3-4 semester hours)
- Nutrition (3 semester hours)
- Statistics (3 semester hours)
You must also have completed certain courses in your previous bachelor’s degree program.
- English (6 semester hours)
- Humanities/Social Sciences (12 semester hours)
- Math (3 semester hours)
- Natural Sciences - usually fulfilled by Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology (12 semester hours)
- It is recommended that you also have coursework in Developmental Psychology and General Chemistry.
At the conclusion of this program, you will be able to:
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Utilize the nursing process to support and promote health in diverse individuals, families, groups and communities.
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Synthesize knowledge derived from natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and the humanities with nursing theory as a basis for professional nursing practice.
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Apply theories to analyze clients’ responses to health and illness and intervene appropriately.
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Demonstrate nursing practice that is based on ethical, legal and professional values and standards of practice.
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Participate in identifying societal health needs and critiquing and improving the delivery and quality of health care and nursing practice.
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Demonstrate accountability for decisions, actions and outcomes related to nursing practice.
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Collaborate with clients and health care team to provide, facilitate and coordinate optimal health care.
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Utilize leadership and management skills to identify and meet health care needs of individual, families, groups and communities.
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Utilize communication theories and techniques in developing effective relationships with clients and health care team members.
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Evaluate research findings to determine their relevance and apply findings to professional nursing practice.
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Demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of health care information management and application of patient care technology.
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Demonstrate continued commitment to lifelong learning to promote personal and professional growth.
Required Documentation
- Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate
- Immunization records including vaccination or immunity to hepatitis B; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); varicella; diphtheria; polio and tetanus
- Documentation of negative test results for tuberculosis (purified protein derivative (PPD) and/or chest x-ray)
Questions about clinical placement requirements should be directed to [email protected].
3 Great Reasons to Choose GW Nursing
Accelerate Your Career
Begin a career in nursing sooner with our 15-month program taking only four semesters.
Gain Licensure
Sit for your NLCEX exam with confidence knowing that GW boasts a 93% pass rate.
Simulation
Practice with sophisticated, innovative learning tools before you set foot in a clinical facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are my classes located?
It depends on your program of study. Students enrolled in our Accelerated or Veteran Bachelor of Science in Nursing program take courses on the Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC). Students enrolled in our RN-BSN program and all graduate programs take courses online that may require on-campus visits to our state-of-the-art simulation facilities at VSTC for skills assessment depending on their specialty area. We are also located in Foggy Bottom in Washington, D.C., where students can visit using the free VSTC shuttle to take part in special events and other GW opportunities. Learn more about our locations.
Can I take a campus tour or meet in person?
If you would like to meet with a member of our admissions staff in person, please make an appointment with us at https://calendly.com/gw-nursing-admissions to set up a one-on-one-tour or phone call.
Are you military-friendly?
Yes! We are consistently ranked among the best online graduate nursing schools for veterans by U.S. News & World Report and by Military Times, and we are certified by the Virginia Department of Veteran Affairs Training and Education Alliance. We also offer a veterans’ option for our accelerated BSN that offers credit for service and student support tailored for members of the armed forces. Learn more about GW’s military and veteran services at military.gwu.edu.
Do you offer a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program?
No. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a second-degree pathway for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Students eligible for our BSN veterans option do not need to have a prior degree, but must have a minimum of 60 college-level credits, which can be drawn from military and academic experience. RN-prepared applicants should consider applying to one of our RN-BSN/MSN pathways.
How are my references notified?
Within the application, you will be asked to enter the names and email addresses of your two required references. Once saved, they will be emailed immediately with instructions on how to upload their letters. If they do not receive an email, ask them to check their spam folder. If you recommenders are having issues uploading their letters, they can also email their letters to [email protected].
Does GW Nursing accept international students?
At this time, the only program available to students needing an F-1 visa (student) is our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program taught in person in Ashburn, Virginia. International students who have permanent residence or are currently on a visa that allows them to study, in addition to holding a valid U.S. RN license, are eligible for any graduate program.
Do all of my prerequisites need to be complete before I apply?
No. You can have prerequisite courses still in progress at the time your application submission. However, having more prerequisites complete will increase the competitiveness of your application during the admissions committee’s review. All prerequisites must be complete before beginning the program.
What counts toward satisfying your ethics requirement?
Any three-credit course that explores ethical reasoning and thought can count toward the ethics prerequisite requirement. Ethics courses do not have to be specific to nursing or health care. Courses taught in religious studies and philosophy departments may also be accepted. If you are unsure if a course you have taken or plan to take may count, feel free to email [email protected] with the course description. You may also opt to take your ethics prerequisite online with GW Nursing.