12-Month ABSN Programs in Alabama: Accelerated Nursing Online
Multiple colleges and universities in Alabama offer accelerated pathways so students can earn their bachelor's degree and become a registered nurse quickly.
To earn a nursing license, you first need to complete an accredited nursing program. The most common of these are an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
Although ADN degrees are faster, earning a BSN prepares you for leadership roles and graduate school. To help students earn their BSN more quickly, some schools offer fast track nursing programs online, including some that take just a year. Keep reading to discover 12-month accelerated nursing programs in Alabama.
What Is a 12-Month ABSN Program?
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs are fast-track degrees that allow you to become a certified registered nurse (RN) faster than usual. Most pathways take one to two years to complete, and some schools offer these fast-track nursing programs online.
These degrees are often aimed at students who have already completed a non-nursing bachelor's degree or those with a significant amount of college credits. Depending on your previous college experience, this may or may not be the fastest way to become a nurse for you.
<h2 id="section---AreThereAnyOnlineABSNProgramsInAlabama">Are There Any Online ABSN Programs in Alabama?</h2><p>Because nursing degrees that lead to licensure require a certain amount of hands-on clinical experience, no ABSN is 100% online. However, some schools offer online coursework and only require students to appear in person for practicum.
</p><p>Most of the ABSN programs in Alabama are predominantly online. However, a few schools do offer these hybrid options to students.
</p><p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/can_i_get_bsn_without_rn.html">Can You Get A BSN Without An RN?</a>
</p><h2 id="section---TopAcceleratedBSNProgramsInAlabama">Top Accelerated BSN Programs in Alabama</h2><p>A handful of Alabama colleges and universities offer ABSN programs. We've highlighted these options below.
</p><h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfAlabamaInHuntsville">1. University of Alabama in Huntsville</h3><p>The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research institution in Huntsville, AL. It offers an ABSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree but want to become an RN.
</p><p>This program takes three consecutive semesters, or about 12 months, of full-time study. Courses are primarily in-person, and students are paid for their clinical hours.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,132 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Three semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> UAH accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
</li></ul><h3 id="section---2.UniversityOfSouthAlabama">2. University of South Alabama</h3><p>At the University of South Alabama, students who already have a bachelor's degree can complete a BSN in three consecutive semesters. Offered through the College of Nursing, the ABSN program includes coursework in health assessment, pharmacology, professional nursing, and additional topics.
</p><p>This public research university is located in Mobile, AL. Courses are primarily on campus, with a few that are hybrid or have online components.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $10,116 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Three semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> The university offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---3.UniversityOfNorthAlabama">3. University of North Alabama</h3><p>The University of North Alabama offers a hybrid ABSN for students who have already completed a baccalaureate degree. UNA is a public university in Florence, AL.
</p><p>The program takes four consecutive semesters, or about 15 months, to complete. Coursework is online with in-person clinical rotations in Northwest Alabama. An apprenticeship program, which includes paid clinical hours and paid tuition, is available to nursing students in this degree program.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,120 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Four semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> UNA offers institutional aid, including an apprenticeship program, and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfMobile">4. University of Mobile</h3><p>The accelerated BSN degree at the University of Mobile takes four consecutive semesters to complete. Nursing courses are on campus and topics include pathophysiology, patient care, clinical nursing practice, and community health.
</p><p>UMobile, located in Mobile, AL, is a private Christian school. It offers this nursing degree program to students who already hold a bachelor's degree or to those who are at least 23 years old and have at least 62 credit hours already completed.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $26,910 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Four semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> UMobile accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---5.SamfordUniversity">5. Samford University</h3><p>Samford University is a private Christian institution located in Homewood, AL. It offers a second BSN degree for students who already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree and want to pursue a nursing career.
</p><p>The program is five semesters of on-campus courses and clinical experiences. Coursework focuses on pathophysiology, pharmacology, professional nursing practice, and more.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $40,150 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Five semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Samford accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---6.AthensStateUniversity">6. Athens State University</h3><p>Students at Athens State University can earn their BSN online while earning their ADN at a local community college. This joint degree program allows students to earn both credentials in five semesters.
</p><p>ATSU, a public university, is located in Athens, AL. It offers all courses for this program online; however, students may need to complete their ADN requirements on campus at their local community college. Nursing courses cover topics such as healthcare informatics, nursing care, and evidence-based practice.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $7,680 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Five semesters
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> ATSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h3 id="section---7.AuburnUniversity">7. Auburn University</h3><p>Auburn University also offers a concurrent ADN/BSN program option. Auburn is a public research university in Auburn, AL.
</p><p>This program of study partners with several community colleges in the area. Classes offered through Auburn are asynchronous and online. The length of time required for this program depends on whether you have started your ADN courses or not.
</p><ul><li><b>Estimated tuition cost:</b> $12,890 per year
</li><li><b>Program length:</b> Varies
</li><li><b>Financial aid:</b> Auburn offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
</li><li><b>Accreditation:</b> SACSCOC and CCNE
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2><p>To choose the nursing schools listed above, we focused on:
</p><ul><li><b>Accreditation:</b> Every institution is regionally accredited, and each school of nursing is programmatically accredited. Additionally, all are approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.
</li><li><b>Program reputation:</b> In addition to choosing accredited schools, we focused on those that are public or private, nonprofit institutions to ensure high-quality nursing programs.
</li><li><b>Accelerated pace:</b> All programs listed above allow students to finish their program faster than usual.
</li></ul><h2 id="section---FAQsAboutAcceleratedOnlineABSNPrograms">FAQs About Accelerated Online ABSN Programs</h2><p>Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about 1-year accelerated nursing programs and the <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_education_do_i_need_to_become_nurse.html">educational requirements for nurses</a> in Alabama.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAnOnlineABSNProgramCostInAlabama">How Much Does an Online ABSN Program Cost in Alabama?</h3><p>The cost of an ABSN in Alabama varies between schools. Some allow you to earn your ABSN for less than $20,000.
</p><p>Other things will also influence your costs. These include whether or not you've already completed all general education and prerequisite courses and what financial aid you qualify for.
</p><p>All students should fill out the FAFSA, as this determines eligibility for need-based financial aid, like the Pell Grant. There are several <a href="https://learn.org/articles/online_colleges_accept_fafsa_alabama.html">accredited online colleges that accept financial aid</a> in Alabama.
</p><p>Learn More: <a href="https://learn.org/articles/cheapest_absn_programs.html">Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Programs</a>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsForAcceleratedBSNPrograms">What Are The Requirements For Accelerated BSN Programs?</h3><p>The admission requirements for ABSN programs can vary by school. Most require you to have prerequisite courses, like microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, and Human Anatomy and Physiology II, completed before you begin. Some require you to have already completed a bachelor's degree.
</p><p>Other requirements may include:
</p><ul><li>a minimum GPA
</li><li>passing a background check
</li><li>a minimum score on an entrance exam, like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
</li><li>letters of recommendation
</li></ul><p>You can usually find full admission requirements, as well as other important information, including application deadlines, on the program website.
</p><h3 id="section---CanIBecomeAnRNIn12Months">Can I Become an RN in 12 Months?</h3><p>It is possible to become an RN in 12 months, but it isn't easy. First, you'll need to find a 12-month program. Keep in mind that some may offer start dates in the fall and spring semesters, while others only start once a year.
</p><p>You'll need to study full-time and take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) as soon as you're eligible. Once you pass that, you can apply for your license through the Alabama Board of Nursing.
</p><h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineNursingDegree">Find an Online Nursing Degree</h2><p>Find the perfect nursing program by exploring various options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.</p>