Accelerated BSN
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 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. If you are a Veteran of the armed forces you may qualify for additional academic credit for your service. If you’re looking to switch to a career in the health professions, consider earning your accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree today!
Located at our Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, this in-person program is a degree-completion option that only takes four consecutive semesters to complete.
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 through our Washington Squared and GW Hospital Nursing Scholars programs. Our dedicated clinical placement team supports every student to ensure compliance and proper documentation.
After earning the B.S. in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses.
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.
- 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.
Application Deadlines
Spring 2026
Application Open: 08/01/25
–
Priority: 10/01/25
Final: 12/01/25
Summer 2025
Application Open: 09/01/24
–
Priority: 12/01/24
Final: 04/01/24
Fall 2025
Application Open: 09/01/24
–
Priority: 12/01/24
Final: 07/01/25
Requirements
Overview
This program consists of 60 credit hours and 540 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 nursing
gwu [dot] edu (nursing[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Programs of Study
For optimal viewing results, please open the file using a PDF reader, like Adobe Acrobat Reader
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 four consecutive semesters. 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 nursinggwu [dot] edu (nursing[at]gwu[dot]edu).
A completed application includes the following components:
- Students must have 60+ college credits or a 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
- Official transcripts (from all post-secondary schools)*
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
*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.
Current GW undergraduate students must be granted a waiver to enroll in GW online prerequisite course offerings. Please see your academic advisor or school official.
You must have completed the following prerequisite coursework with grades of C or better and a minimum course GPA of 3.0 before the start of the program. 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, labs required)
- Microbiology (3-4 semester hours, labs required)
- Nutrition (3 semester hours)
- Statistics (3 semester hours)
You must have completed certain courses in your previous college coursework:
- English Composition (6 semester hours)
- Humanities/Social Sciences (9 semester hours)
- Social Sciences (6 semester hours)
- Humanities (3 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:
- Utilize the nursing process to support and promote health in diverse individuals, families, groups and communities.
- Synthesize knowledge derived from natural sciences, behavioral sciences, and the humanities with nursing theory as a basis for professional nursing practice.
- Apply theories to analyze clients’ responses to health and illness and intervene appropriately.
- Demonstrate nursing practice that is based on ethical, legal and professional values and standards of practice.
- Participate in identifying societal health needs and critiquing and improving the delivery and quality of health care and nursing practice.
- Demonstrate accountability for decisions, actions and outcomes related to nursing practice.
- Collaborate with clients and health care team to provide, facilitate and coordinate optimal health care.
- Utilize leadership and management skills to identify and meet health care needs of individual, families, groups and communities.
- Utilize communication theories and techniques in developing effective relationships with clients and health care team members.
- Evaluate research findings to determine their relevance and apply findings to professional nursing practice.
- Demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of health care information management and application of patient care technology.
- Demonstrate continued commitment to lifelong learning to promote personal and professional growth.
Required Documentation
Students must complete 540 clinical hours. GW Nursing partners with many different healthcare agencies for the clinical education of its students. Students receive a diverse clinical experience in a variety of settings.
Questions about clinical placement requirements should be directed to bsnclinicalgwu [dot] edu (bsnclinical[at]gwu[dot]edu).
GW Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87.9% | 87.4% | 81.9% | 94.31% | 96.05% |
3 Great Reasons To Choose GW Nursing
Accelerate Your Career
Begin a career in nursing sooner with our accelerated program taking only four consecutive semesters.
Gain Licensure
Sit for your NLCEX exam with confidence knowing that GW boasts a 94.2% pass rate.
Simulation
Practice with sophisticated, innovative learning tools before you set foot in a clinical facility.