Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing FAQs

The Accelerated BSN program is a hybrid direct-entry program designed for people who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field but want to enter the clinical nursing profession. All lab and clinical rotations will be in person. Synchronous didactic courses will be blended with this very rigorous and streamlined schedule. This program builds on the highly successful in-person BSN Program at Georgetown University. After completing the program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN).

Georgetown University offers an exceptional nursing program that stands out for several core distinctions. With small class sizes, students benefit from close relationships with faculty members, creating a supportive and personalized learning environment. The program provides extensive networking opportunities, giving students exposure to nationally renowned industry leaders and subject-matter experts. Through over 700 clinical, lab and experiential hours in a variety of settings, students gain hands-on experience that is crucial to their professional growth. The lock-step curriculum and cohort model emphasize collaborative learning, ensuring students are well-prepared for their careers. Georgetown also boasts high first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN (licensure exam). Students also have access to cutting-edge resources like the O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center. Additionally, the university’s location in Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled opportunities to leverage the richness of the nation’s capital, enhancing both academic and professional experiences in health policy and advocacy.

Georgetown’s nursing programs have been recognized as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, reflecting the high standards and success of our graduates.

The program begins in mid-October, approximately halfway through the traditional fall semester. This program spans 3.5 semesters, allowing students to complete their degree in an accelerated time frame.

This is a hybrid program, with a combination of on-campus labs, clinical learning and synchronous online classes. Students will experience a mix of in-person and virtual instruction.

Yes. While the online synchronous classes can be completed remotely, students will be required to complete lab and simulation learning on the campus of Georgetown University, as well as clinical rotations at clinical sites around the region.

The program consists of 56 credits.

The program takes 15 months to complete. It is accelerated, requiring a minimum of 45+ hours per week for studying, attending synchronous online classes, and participating in labs and clinical rotations.

Due to its intensity, full-time or part-time employment is discouraged while enrolled.

Students will engage in hands-on lab work, clinical rotations and high-fidelity simulation experiences. The program also emphasizes experiential learning in real-world health care settings.

The program includes over 700 hours of clinical, lab, simulation and experiential learning.

Students will have clinical placements in a variety of settings, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and other facilities in the Washington region.

Yes, embedded NCLEX-RN preparation is provided throughout the program to help students achieve a high first-time pass rate. Historically, our BSN graduates have achieved a 96-100% first-time pass rate.

Students are generally in class, lab or clinical rotation up to five days per week. Classes are usually held during the day or early evening. There may be points in the program — particularly during clinical rotations — where your clinical hours may fall outside of normal business hours, including early mornings (6:30 a.m.), evenings or weekends, depending on the clinical site. That said, night classes and weekend classes are not typically scheduled. However, clinical schedules can vary based on site availability and the specific requirements of the clinical experience. Flexibility is important, as clinical hours may be assigned to accommodate a variety of health care settings.

No, the Accelerated BSN program is designed to be a full-time, intensive program.

The curriculum emphasizes wellness and well-being; acute, chronic and critical illness experiences; clinical judgment; values-based care; evidence-based practice; safety and quality; and diversity, ethics, equity, inclusion and belonging.

The O’Neill Family Foundation Clinical Simulation Center, located in St. Mary’s Hall, provides state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation experiences.

Students are supported by academic advising, peer advisors, and expert faculty committed to cura personalis — the care and development of the whole person. The program provides mentoring, tutoring, guidance, and individualized support to ensure student success.

Georgetown University is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodations, we encourage you to reach out to the Academic Resource Center (ARC). The ARC works closely with students to coordinate appropriate accommodations and ensure equal access to academic resources and support services. For more information or to begin the process of requesting accommodations, you can visit the Academic Resource Center. The ARC staff are available to assist with any questions you may have.

Yes, students will complete a mentored evidence-based project, along with a paper and professional poster presentation as part of their learning experience.

Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and can pursue entry-level careers in clinical practice.

Yes. You may schedule a tour of St. Mary’s Hall — home of the School of Nursing. Additionally, graduate students may attend Georgetown University campus tours arranged through the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

There are 10 prerequisites for the Accelerated BSN program. Five of these courses must have been completed within the last five years (before your matriculation). These are Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Pathophysiology and Chemistry. All of these courses must have a final grade of B or better. Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II must have a lab component. The other five prerequisites, Probability & Statistics, Human Nutrition, Human Growth and Development, Psychology, Sociology (or Anthropology) require a final grade of C or better.

The Accelerated BSN program prefers a minimum 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate degree. However, we take a holistic approach to admissions, considering various factors beyond academic performance, such as relevant experience, personal statements and letters of recommendation. While a strong academic background is essential, we evaluate the overall strength of each applicant to assess their potential for success in the program.

Other than the required prerequisites, only a limited number of courses may be accepted as transfer credits, and these are assessed on an individual basis. For specific questions regarding transfer credits, please contact us at absn@georgetown.edu.

Prerequisite courses may be completed at any accredited degree-granting university, college or community college. Courses may be completed through third-party organizations such as Portage as long as the course receives college-level course credit from an accredited institution. Prerequisite coursework will be evaluated by our admissions team on an individual basis to ensure that it provides adequate preparation for success in the ABSN program.

TOEFL is required for all applicants for whom English is a non-native language. The minimum TOEFL score is 100.

Yes. All foreign transcripts must be submitted. These transcripts need to be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Applicants must request the WES ICAP evaluation and upload it along with the foreign transcript to the application site.

Applications for the Accelerated BSN program are continuously reviewed throughout the application process. Applicants who meet the Priority Application deadline can expect to receive a decision by March, while those meeting the Final Application deadline will be notified by mid-June. For the latest updates, please refer to the program website.

The final tuition cost will be approved in November 2024.

Throughout the year, partners send offers of scholarships, which we share with students in our communication. The examples below include a news story about one of those opportunities:

• AACN scholarships
• Washington Home Foundation Scholarship (offered when accepted)
• HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship
• VA Scholarship program

The Office of Student Financial Services provides information on external scholarships; employer and VA benefits; merit-based aid and fellowships; and federal student loans and other resources as options for you to fully cover the cost of attending Georgetown University School of Nursing. Explore some of the ways you can meet your program’s full cost through a variety of options.

The Metro does not run directly to campus, however, Georgetown has free campus shuttles that circulate from campus to each of the Dupont Circle and Rosslyn Metro stops, as well as along Wisconsin Avenue. Additionally, the campus is served by Metrobus lines. Visit the Office of Transportation Management website.

It is necessary to have a car or other transportation plan to travel to campus and clinical rotations. Explore student campus parking options.