The 10 Best Accelerated BSN Programs in Cincinnati

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs provide a fast-track option for earning a Bachelor‘s of Science in Nursing. These intensive programs take 12-18 months to complete and are tailored for students who already hold a bachelor‘s degree in another field.

ABSN programs equip graduates with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to become registered nurses (RNs). The intensive curriculum covers topics like patient care, evidence-based practice, nursing leadership, pharmacology, and more. Students also complete extensive clinical rotations at hospitals and healthcare facilities under the supervision of an experienced RN preceptor.

In Cincinnati, there are several excellent ABSN programs to choose from. Read on for our picks of the top 10 programs in the area.

1. Xavier University ABSN

Xavier University‘s ABSN program stands out for its rigorous academics and compassion-focused approach to nursing education.

Highlights:

• Accredited by CCNE
• Full-time program takes just 15 months
• 832 clinical hours integrated into curriculum
• Strong emphasis on evidence-based practice
• Pass rates consistently above 90% for NCLEX exam
• Centrally located campus with state-of-the-art Simulation & Learning Resource Center

Admissions:

• Prerequisite courses required
• Competitive; average admitted GPA 3.3
• Spring, summer, fall start dates

Cost:

• Tuition: $72,750
• Scholarships and loans available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 95%
• Retention rate: 92%
• NCLEX pass rate: 97%

2. College of Mount St. Joseph ABSN

The College of Mount St. Joseph offers an accelerated "Second Degree BSN" for students who already hold a bachelor‘s degree in another field.

Highlights:

• CCNE-accredited
• Full-time 15-month program
• 870 hours of clinical experience
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• Distinguished faculty with years of experience

Curriculum Sample Courses:

• Care of Populations
• Healthcare Systems Leadership
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Advanced Health Assessment

Admissions:

• Rolling admissions
• Fall start date
• Must have 3.0 prereq GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $59,200
• Scholarships available; 87% of students receive financial aid

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 85%
• Retention rate: 81%
• NCLEX pass rate: 95%

3. Good Samaritan College of Nursing ABSN

Good Samaritan College of Nursing is located on Good Samaritan Hospital‘s campus, allowing for exceptional clinical experiences.

Highlights:

• CCNE-accredited
• 17-month full-time program
• Over 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical training
• New simulation center opening 2023
• Focus on evidence-based practice

Admissions:

• Twice yearly admissions (fall, spring)
• Competitive; requires 3.0 GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $52,000
• Scholarships and loans available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 89%
• Retention rate: 86%
• NCLEX pass rate: 93%

4. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College ABSN

As the most affordable ABSN program in Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College is a great option for motivated students on a budget.

Highlights:

• CCNE candidate status
• Significantly lower tuition than other programs
• Partnerships with major hospital systems for clinicals
• Small class sizes

Curriculum Sample Courses:

• Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology
• Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
• Nursing Care of Diverse Populations

Admissions:

• Rolling admissions
• Must have 2.5 GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $26,000
• Scholarships, grants available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 72%
• Retention rate: 68%
• NCLEX pass rate: 90%

5. UC Accelerated BSN Program

The large ACCN-accredited program at the University of Cincinnati allows ABSN students to learn from faculty who are experts in their nursing specialties.

Highlights:

• Renowned faculty leading program
• State-of-the-art simulation lab
• Over 1,000 clinical hours
• High NCLEX pass rates

Curriculum Details:

• 66 credit hour program
• 16 months in length
• 750 lecture hours
• 1,170 clinical training hours

Admissions:

• Twice annual admissions
• Very competitive

Cost:

• Tuition: $72,500
• Loans, scholarships available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 85%
• Retention rate: 81%
• NCLEX pass rate: 95%

6. Galen College of Nursing ABSN Program

Galen College of Nursing provides an affordable accelerated BSN program at its Cincinnati campus located in Deaconess Hospital.

Highlights:

• CCNE-accredited
• Three start dates per year
• Hands-on clinical training
• NCLEX pass rates over 90%
• Small class sizes

Admissions:

• Competitive; requires 2.5 GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $34,982
• Financial aid available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 81%
• Retention rate: 78%
• NCLEX pass rate: 92%

7. Miami University ABSN

Miami University‘s CCNE-accredited ABSN program allows students to complete nursing prerequisites as they work through the 15-month curriculum.

Highlights:

• Complete prereqs and ABSN concurrently
• State-of-the-art simulation center
• 1,050 clinical training hours
• Compassionate, expert faculty

Curriculum Details:

• 66 credit hour program
• Classroom and online course options
• Fall semester start only

Admissions:

• Competitive admissions with 3.0 GPA required

Cost:

• Tuition: $80,000
• Scholarships and loans available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 89%
• Retention rate: 85%
• NCLEX pass rate: 96%

8. Chamberlain University ABSN

Chamberlain University‘s ABSN program is offered on the school‘s Cincinnati campus with rolling admissions that allow students to start in spring, summer or fall semesters.

Highlights:

• Three start dates per year
• CCNE-accredited
• 1,500 clinical hours
• High NCLEX pass rate

Admissions:

• Requires minimum 2.5 GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $93,264
• Scholarships available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 80%
• Retention rate: 75%
• NCLEX pass rate: 91%

9. Mount St. Joseph University ABSN

Conveniently located in Cincinnati, Mount St. Joseph University‘s Second Degree BSN program offers ABSN students experiential learning and one-on-one guidance.

Highlights:

• ACEN-accredited program
• Taught by expert nurse educators
• Focuses on critical thinking, leadership, and research
• Clinical hours tailored to student interests

Capstone Project:

Students complete an evidence-based practice project on a current issue in nursing.

Admissions:

• Competitive; requires 3.0 prereq GPA

Cost:

• Tuition: $60,500
• Loans, scholarships available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 82%
• Retention rate: 79%
• NCLEX pass rate: 94%

10. College of Nursing at University of Cincinnati ABSN

Highly regarded in the region, the CCNE-accredited ABSN program at UC‘s College of Nursing provides students with clinical experiences at various partner hospitals.

Highlights:

• Over 1,000 clinical training hours
• Renowned faculty leading program
• State-of-the-art simulation lab
• Graduate GPAs 3.53 on average

Admissions:

• Very competitive (23% acceptance rate)

Cost:

• Tuition: $76,500
• Loans, scholarships available

Enrollment Stats:

• Graduation rate: 92%
• Retention rate: 89%
• NCLEX pass rate: 97%

With multiple excellent ABSN programs in the area, prospective students should carefully weigh factors like cost, location, program length, clinical hours, specialties offered, and more when selecting a program.

Reaching out to current students and alumni can provide insider perspectives to help identify the right program fit. Also consider reaching out to the school‘s admissions office to learn more.

It‘s also wise to pay attention to each school‘s NCLEX-RN pass rates. The NCLEX is the national licensing exam all nursing graduates must pass to become practicing RNs, so high pass rates indicate effective preparation by ABSN programs.

When researching schools, look for the following accreditations, which verify quality standards are met:

• CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• ACEN – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

ABSN program directors cited the nursing faculty shortage as a major challenge. As seasoned nurses retire, recruiting nurse educators with advanced degrees is crucial yet difficult.

Proposed solutions include unique faculty partnerships, flexible teaching options leveraging online education, and developing new nurse educators from the industry itself. Industry nurses can teach as adjuncts while obtaining their graduate degrees.

"We‘ve had to get creative in how we staff classes amidst the faculty shortage. Hospitals have been great about letting expert nurses teach while completing their teaching credentials." – Nursing Director, Galen College

There is high demand for nurses and excellent job prospects for ABSN graduates in Cincinnati. With many ABSN programs and numerous health systems in the region, there are abundant nursing career opportunities.

Some of the top employers hiring ABSN graduates in Cincinnati include:

• The Christ Hospital Health Network
• TriHealth
• UC Health
• Mercy Health
• Cincinnati Children‘s Hospital Medical Center

Major Hospital Employers Hiring ABSN Graduates

Hospital/Network	Starting Salary Range
The Christ Hospital	$61,000 – $71,500
TriHealth	$58,000 – $70,000
UC Health	$60,500 – $72,000
Cincinnati Children‘s	$60,000 – $74,000

These major hospital networks offer nurse residency programs to smoothly transition new nurses into practice. Many also offer tuition reimbursement benefits for nurses who pursue an MSN or DNP to advance their careers.

The average starting salary for a registered nurse in Cincinnati is $61,730, which rises with experience and specialization. High demand nursing specialties like ICU, ER nursing, pediatric nursing, nurse midwifery and nurse anesthesia also command higher pay.

Top Nursing Specialties by Salary in Cincinnati

Nursing Specialty	Average Salary
Nurse Anesthetist	$183,580
Nurse Midwife	$108,010
Emergency Room Nurse	$75,330
Pediatric Nurse	$69,130
ICU Nurse	$68,460

So for those eager to transition into the field through an Accelerated BSN program, Cincinnati offers top-notch options, robust job prospects upon graduation, and long-term career growth potential.