Accelerated BSN programs in Virginia can be an accessible way to earn your nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Offering three start dates per year, the ABSN program incorporates online classes, skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations. You’ll graduate ready to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Nursing programs are resource-intensive, and most schools don’t have enough of what they need to increase enrollment. That makes the process of getting into nursing school competitive, and it’s why relocating to Virginia for nursing school can be a smart move. Averett University’s Accelerated BSN program in Virginia can make a quality nursing education more accessible.
What makes our ABSN program unique from other accelerated nursing programs in Virginia? When compared to other nursing schools, it’s clear that ours is more accessible, thanks to our three yearly start dates that allow us to enroll more qualified students.
You can also earn your degree in as few as 16 months because of our innovative approach to nursing education. In short, you’ll earn a quality Bachelor of Science in Nursing in less time and be ready to take the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse.
Before applying to nursing school, it’s a good idea to explore how ABSN programs in Virginia work. Then, get the answers to some common questions, such as “What’s the curriculum like in an ABSN program?” and “Is an ABSN program hard to get into?”
How Do ABSN Programs in Virginia Work?
Our accredited ABSN program in Norfolk, Virginia, makes it possible to earn a quality BSN in as few as 16 months by building on your non-nursing college education. The full-time program follows a blended learning model that consists of:
- Online courses that teach you the fundamentals and theories of nursing.
- Nursing skills and simulation labs at our Norfolk learning center develop your practical skills and clinical judgment.
- Clinical rotations give you real-world experience in diverse practice settings.
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Online ABSN Coursework
Online ABSN coursework sets the foundation for your nursing education. Completing the fundamental coursework online offers flexibility and allows you to learn at your own pace. Keep in mind, however, that instructor deadlines still apply. You’ll need more self-discipline than a traditional classroom experience would require.
Hands-on Nursing Labs
As an Averett ABSN student, you’ll regularly attend nursing skills and simulation labs with faculty and other members of your cohort at our program site in Norfolk. These labs serve as the bridge between your online coursework and in-person clinicals.
Featuring cutting-edge technology, our nursing labs provide a realistic backdrop for you to develop your clinical skills and judgment without the fear of harming an actual patient. It’s a setting where you can make and learn from your mistakes.
Diverse Clinical Rotations
At Averett, you’ll begin clinical rotations during the first semester. By the time you graduate, you’ll have logged nearly 500 direct patient care hours in diverse areas of nursing practice.
Your clinicals will take place at top hospitals in Norfolk and Hampton Roads, covering practice areas such as acute care, adult health, community health, mental health, women’s health, and pediatrics.
Clinical rotations are active learning environments where you and your classmates perform the same tasks as nurses. While there are some clinical tasks you can’t perform as a student, the expectation is for you to approach every clinical as if you were a nurse on duty.
Is an Accelerated BSN Worth It?
Our ABSN program in Virginia can be worth it if you’re interested in switching careers to nursing and want to start as soon as possible. It’s also a good option for individuals concerned about financing their education. Because the ABSN is a shorter program that allows you to join the nursing workforce sooner, you won’t have to wait as long before earning a paycheck compared to a traditional BSN program.
In addition, nurses enjoy a strong job growth rate and high salary potential. Plus, there are opportunities to pursue career advancement. Only you can make the decision, but if you’re interested in a rewarding career in a growth industry, an ABSN program can help you achieve it.
Is It Hard to Get Into an Accelerated BSN Program?
Nursing programs are competitive, as it’s essential to ensure that applicants can succeed in nursing school and as nurses. Since Averett’s accelerated nursing program in Virginia offers three start dates per year and, consequently, can enroll more students, it offers a more accessible path toward nursing education.
Admission Requirements for ABSN Programs in Virginia
While most accelerated nursing programs require you to have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to begin the admissions process, Averett also considers applicants who have at least 60 non-nursing college credits. Regardless, you need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 to be eligible for the ABSN program.
Once you’ve verified your eligibility with an admissions advisor, they will walk you through the other requirements you must satisfy before applying to the program, including a series of ABSN prerequisites.
If you decide to move forward with the admissions process, your admissions advisor will support you every step of the way as you target a program start date in January, May, or August.
What Is the Curriculum of an ABSN Like?
Each nursing school establishes its own curriculum, but there are commonalities. At Averett’s Accelerated BSN program in Virginia, you can expect to study:
- Adult health
- Clinical management of disease
- Complex health problems
- Health science ethics
- Maternal and child health
- Patient health assessments
Why Averett University?
Founded in 1859, Averett is a private, fully accredited higher learning institution. Averett educates students within the context of the following core values:
- Discovery by incorporating liberal arts with professional preparation
- Engagement by promoting global awareness, service, and leadership
- Innovation by teaching inside and outside of the classroom
- Integrity by practicing the highest ethical standards
- Tradition by upholding a heritage that honors the search for truth and spiritual formation
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School of Nursing Mission
The Averett University School of Nursing aims to graduate nurses who provide compassionate, evidence-based care and serve as catalysts for change in a complex healthcare system. We educate students in a collegial and interdisciplinary environment that prepares them to become responsive leaders who have a passion for excellence, social responsibility, and lifelong learning.
Averett created our ABSN program in Virginia so students with prior college experience could earn a quality nursing education in less time than a traditional nursing program.
Why Become a Nurse in Virginia?
The entire country is facing a nursing shortage, but ABSN programs are working to bridge the gap. Programs in Virginia can be particularly enticing. One reason is that nurses in the state are compensated well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses in Virginia made a median annual wage of $88,820 as of May 2024.
Virginia also has a high employment rate of RNs. According to the Virginia Department of Health Professions, among all RNs in Virginia, 91% were employed in the profession in 2024. That’s good news for you because it means you shouldn’t have difficulty finding a job after graduation.
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What Can You Do With Your Degree?
As a registered nurse, you’ll be able to practice the profession anywhere there’s a need for patient care, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, private practices, military bases, school systems, and summer camps.
You can also choose to work in a specialty area of nursing practice such as ambulatory care, cardiac care, critical care, geriatrics, hospice, pulmonary care, trauma care, or urology.
Enroll in the Averett ABSN Program in Virginia
Averett’s ABSN program offers an accessible and supported pathway to a nursing career. With small class sizes, Academic Success Coaches, and attentive instructors, our program is designed to help students thrive. You could graduate in as few as 16 months and be ready to take the NCLEX. Contact our admissions advisors today to get started.