Become a Nurse Quickly with a Second-Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing - ABSN
*The Marymount Online Second-Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is currently designed for students who can come in person to Virginia to complete their clinicals.
Change careers with an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
The demand for skilled, caring health care professionals continues to grow. In just 16 months, Marymount University’s online Accelerated BSN empowers you with clinical nursing skills and didactic coursework to meet the rising need for nurses, make a rewarding career change and enter the contemporary health care environment. You will build on your previous bachelor’s degree—gaining knowledge, experience and confidence to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and become a Registered Nurse (RN).
Our online ABSN is an accelerated nursing program that is full-time and requires students to be in Virginia for clinicals and one residency.
Why Marymount?
Program Features At a Glance
65 Credit Hours/17 courses
640 Clinical Hours
Four semesters/16 months to complete
17 courses/7 and 14-week semesters
Values-based education located in Virginia
Clinical Placement Services at no additional cost
NCLEX-RN prep course included at no cost and occurs at the end of the program
Transfer Credits
Marymount University generally accepts credits for courses taken at a regionally-accredited institution within the last ten years and completed with a grade of C or higher.
Want to know how your credit will transfer? Search our equivalency database to find out.
Please note that just because a course is not listed in the equivalency database, that does not mean it will not be accepted. Credit acceptance is at the discretion of Marymount University.
"Prior to enrolling in the ABSN program at Marymount, I graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and served for 8 years on active duty in the US Coast Guard. It was an experience with a family member that really influenced my decision to separate from the Coast Guard and become a nurse."
- Tara Peterson
Is This Accelerated Nursing Program Right for Me?
The online ABSN from Marymount’s Malek School of Nursing Professions is rigorous, requiring full-time work and total dedication – between 8 to 12 hours of study per day. You will use an online learning platform to complete your coursework, with direct access to your professors and cohort. The ABSN is specifically for residents of the DC metro area. It is geared toward second-career professionals who currently possess a bachelor’s in any field and are open to enrolling in a challenging and fast-paced program.
The ABSN program is not meant to be juggled with any job – full or part-time. Students find success by dedicating their time solely to this fast track program. As such, it’s strongly advised that you take a year off to dedicate all your energy to this rigorous program. Students will engage in learning through a combination of online learning activities as well as live synchronous video conferencing sessions with faculty and fellow students. All work is done online except for clinicals and one skills residency that will take place on Marymount’s main campus.
The ABSN program is for individuals who can complete their clinical experience and residency in Virginia. This program is not for employed nurses. It is specifically tailored to individuals seeking to transition to a career in nursing from another unrelated field.
Are You Eligible?
Our online ABSN program is full-time and requires students to be in Virginia for clinicals and one residency. By studying near our campus in the D.C. area, you’ll have exposure to health care policy and start your nursing career in an advantageous location. D.C. is one of the top-paying areas for registered nurses, with an annual mean salary of $98,5401. Overall, jobs for registered nurses are projected to grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031, opening up an estimated 195,400 jobs over the decade2.
All applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited U.S. college or university. Prerequisite courses are required. For a complete list of prerequisite courses, please see the FAQ section below.
To apply, you must complete an online interview and submit:
"Throughout the program, I was impressed with the professors' attention and devotion to students with genuine concern for our success. Through mentorship and guidance of professors, I successfully navigated and passed classes with flying colors."
- Phyo Myo
Clinical Placement Services
Marymount works with you to offer a high-quality placement experience in Virginia that meets the University’s clinical requirements and prepares you for success in your future practice.
High Placement Success Rate
Clinical Placement Made Easy
How Does It Work?
Some schools put the burden of identifying preceptors and sites for clinicals on the student. At Marymount, we fully support you by providing Clinical Placement Services so you can concentrate on studying. Our talented team of Clinical Placement Specialists are highly successful at securing clinical site placements for our online nursing students.
Clinical Placement Services are provided to all Marymount online nursing students free of charge. We won’t charge you anything beyond your regular tuition and fees.
Our Clinical Placement Team coordinates all aspects of the clinical placement process to secure you a placement site and preceptor within a reasonable distance of your home. Our Clinical Placement Coordinators serve as facilitators, making the process as seamless as possible.
You’ll collaborate with a Marymount Placement Coordinator, who will walk you through the process and be your primary point of contact right through to graduation.
Based on your goals and location, the Placement Specialist will identify an appropriate site and preceptor for you.
Our goal is to place you within a reasonable driving distance of your residence.
You will meet all deadlines and requirements for placement through close communication and collaboration with your Placement Coordinator.
Your Placement Coordinator will guide and support you through your clinical clearance and onboarding.
The on-campus residency is an immersive experience and will engage ABSN students in hands-on learning experiences, skills training and practice including but not limited to:
Health assessment
Activities of daily living
Oxygenation related interventions
Medication administration
Wound care
Competency check-offs
High fidelity patient simulation (patient simulators that talk, breathe and have changing hemodynamics based on students' response to the situation)
Time to connect with faculty, students and the community
NU 230 – Introduction to Professional Nursing & Scholarship
This nursing course serves as an introduction to the professionalism and values of nursing. A historical perspective is used to provide background for subsequent study of contemporary nursing practice and research. Prerequisites: BIO 161, BIO 161L, BIO 162, and BIO 162L. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: WI, DSINQ. (3 credits)
NU 302 – Health Assessment
This course prepares students to perform a comprehensive health assessment of the adult client. Some topics explored in this course include communication and documentation, as well as ethical, spiritual and cultural considerations. Additionally, students will evaluate risk related to environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors. Course includes a laboratory component. Corequisite: NU 231. (3 credits)
NU 334 – Mental Health Promotion and Illness Management
This course focuses on mental health promotion and the care of clients with acute and chronic mental illness. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention are addressed. The curriculum components of the health care system, research, education and society are addressed as these relate to mental health and mental illness. The nursing process is applied as students assess, diagnose, plan, intervene and evaluate the care of clients experiencing mental illness. Knowledge of the nurse-patient relationship is expanded as students provide client care. Course includes lecture and clinical components. Prerequisites: NU 230, NU 231, NU 302, NU 306, and NU 307. Corequisite or prerequisite: NU 308. (4 credits)
An introduction to the process of systematic investigation necessary for the continued development of the body of knowledge that forms the basis of nursing practice. The purpose of this course is to provide learners with the opportunity to systematically examine the research process, characteristics of practice-based research leading to the development of evidence-based nursing practice, and methodologies appropriate to the investigation of researchable nursing-practice problems. Emphasis is placed on guiding learners through the research process, facilitating the critical reading of nursing and related research, developing skill in identifying researchable problems encountered in the practice of nursing, and stimulating the intelligent application of research findings to nursing practice. Focus is given to the interrelatedness and interdependence of the parts of the research process and evidence-based practice issues. Prerequisites: MA 132 and NU 308. Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements Designation: DSINQ. (3 credits)
The ABSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), www.ccneaccreditation.org.
Student Testimonials
Hear directly from some of our Online ABSN students and learn more about their experience in the program.
Meet Our Faculty and Students
Marymount's ABSN is comprised of an inclusive community of learners with nursing faculty committed to educational excellence and student success.
An online ABSN or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an expedited degree that allows a faster transition into a nursing career than traditional, on-campus programs. It’s great for those who are transitioning to a nursing career and already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. Students will study topics like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and social and behavioral sciences - in addition to completing residencies and clinical placements. This is an online nursing program for non-nurses, and it is not for currently employed nurses.
What does a registered nurse do?
A registered nurse (RN) is a licensed medical professional that provides care to patients across their lifespan. Responsibilities vary by medical setting, specialty and patient but may include:
Using and monitoring medical equipment
Observe patients and record observations
Administering medicines and treatments
Educating patients and giving post-treatment care
Collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
Can I enroll in the online nursing program if I live outside of Virginia?
Marymount’s online ABSN program requires you to complete your clinical experience and on-campus residency in Virginia.
If you plan to enroll from out of state, please reference our list of program offerings by state or contact us to determine whether our program fulfills your state requirements.
How do I become a licensed RN?
The first step in becoming an RN is completing an accredited BSN program. Recent graduates must pass a standardized exam called the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure and legally practice nursing. Requirements are defined by the Board of Nursing and vary by state.
Marymount University offers a free NCLEX-RN prep course at the end of the ABSN program.
Is the ABSN program 100% online?
All work is completed online with the exception of hands-on residency and clinical experiences that develop competence and confidence in providing patient care. Marymount’s online ABSN program is designed for students who can attend a two-week residency on-campus and complete their clinicals in the state of Virginia.
Can I work full-time during the ABSN program?
The online ABSN from Marymount’s Malek School of Nursing Professions is rigorous, requiring full-time work and total dedication – between 8 to 12 hours of study per day.
What are the prerequisite courses for the online ABSN program?
Prerequisite courses must have been completed within the past 10 years with a grade of C or better:
Anatomy & Physiology with Lab I (4 credits)
Anatomy & Physiology with Lab II (4 credits)
General Chemistry for Health Science Majors or higher-level Chemistry with Lab (4 credits)
Developmental Psychology (3 credits)*
Microbiology with Lab (4 credits)
Nutrition (3 credits)
Sociology or Anthropology (3 credits)
Statistical Analysis (3 credits)
* Applicants must have completed a Developmental Psychology course or courses overseeing childhood to death. This can be completed in one or multiple courses depending on the institutions an applicant has attended.
How much does the online ABSN program cost?
For the 2023-24 academic year, the Online ABSN Program tuition is $18,700 per semester. Additional fees do apply. For more information, please visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page.
Are Marymount University's online programs accredited?
It takes four consecutive semesters or 16 months to complete the program.
Is financial aid available to online students?
Visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page for more details on funding that may be available. If you’d like to discuss financial aid, eligibility and next steps, please contact Student Accounts.
Connect With Us
Complete the form to access our comprehensive program guide with more details about our:
Curriculum
World-class faculty
Application process
Unique student support
An admissions advisor will be in touch to answer your questions and help determine if Marymount is right for you.
Clinical placement requirements are unique for each state. Please see our list of program offerings by state or contact us to determine whether our programs fulfill your state requirements.
CCNE Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Marymount University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
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Requirements Not Met
To proceed with either the BSN to MSN FNP or the BSN to DNP FNP or the BSN to DNP PMHNP or the MSN PMHNP, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree and hold your RN license.
To proceed with either the PMC-FNP or the PMC-DNP or the PMC-PMHNP, you are required to have a master's degree and hold your RN license.
To proceed with the ABSN, you are required to have a bachelor's degree.
If you don’t meet these requirements but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with the EdD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.
If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us.
To proceed with the Doctor of Business Administration - Business Intelligence degree, you are required to have a master’s degree.
If you don’t meet this requirement but would still like further information, please contact us.
