Transfer Nursing Information Sessions
Meet virtually with an admissions counselor to discuss transfer pathways and admissions requirements to reach your goal of becoming a nurse. Sessions are offered every other Monday at 12 pm.
Accelerated BSN Overview
Accelerated BSN Program Overview
Looking to transition into a nursing career?
The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program allows students with a previous bachelor’s degree outside of nursing to develop the foundation for a career in this high-demand field.
Students will learn the latest knowledge and skills in providing healthcare across the lifespan, the role of nursing, pharmacology, and more.
ABSN faculty are real-world practitioners dedicated to training the next generation of nurses. Successful ABSN students are motivated, organized, and ready to commit to an accelerated timeline.
ABSN Program Timeline
Salem State’s rigorous, 15-month, full-time cohort program begins in May and concludes in August of the following year. Courses and clinical sites will be offered during the day, evenings, and/or weekends.
Because this program is accelerated, students are encouraged not to work while completing their ABSN degree.
Nursing Practicum
ABSN students receive hands-on training in a variety of healthcare settings across the North Shore and the Boston area. Early on, students learn in group clinical settings that align with their current coursework. During their last semester, students learn one-on-one with a nurse preceptor.
Completing your Nursing License
After successfully completing the ABSN program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Upon passing the exam, they will be licensed to practice as a registered nurse.
ABSN Admissions
Admission to the ABSN program is competitive. Applicants must fulfill prerequisite coursework before beginning the ABSN program.
Visit the ABSN admissions page for more information on prerequisites and application requirements. You can also contact undergraduate admissions with any questions.
Financial Aid Information
Students enrolled in a second bachelor's degree program can receive only Federal Direct Loans. Federal and state grants are not available. The ABSN program is not a graduate-level degree program.
To receive federal financial aid, students must have a valid and completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with Salem State each year they are enrolled.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, made significant changes to federal student aid programs, including federal student loans.
Students will be offered federal loans in the third year and beyond the undergraduate annual loan limit and/or up to their remaining aggregate lifetime loan eligibility based on their dependency status on their FAFSA.
The annual loan limit must be divided among the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms, as Summer is a required term for the ABSN program. One third of the annual loan limit will be allocated to each term.
For more information on loan amounts and dependency status, please visit the following pages:
Students can find information on their federal loans, including their loan borrowing history and aggregate loan borrowing totals, by logging in to their studentaid.gov account and visiting the “My Aid" section.
Financial aid awards will likely not cover all program costs. Therefore, reviewing the program's tuition and fees is crucial so students can plan to cover costs beyond the awarded financial aid.
For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Terms and Conditions page.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning more about Salem State's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program?
- Visit the ABSN admission page to find out about prerequisites and application requirements.
- Contact undergraduate admissions with questions.