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Aspen University’s nursing school offers two pathways to help students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and start practicing as a registered nurse. Students with an RN can earn a BSN in as little as 12 months and those without a nursing background or bachelor’s degree can earn their BSN in as little as 36 months. Read on to learn more about Aspen University’s nursing program and if it’s right for you.
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)
RN to BSN Completion Program
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN – Forensic Nursing
MSN – Informatics
MSN – Nursing Administration and Management
MSN – Nursing Education
MSN – Public Health
RN to MSN – Forensic Nursing
RN to MSN Informatics
RN to MSN – Nursing Administration and Management
RN to MSN – Nursing Education
RN to MSN – Public Health
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP*
Aspen University’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for all bachelor’s and MSN degree programs, which means that it adheres to the highest educational standards for nursing programs in the US.
It is worth noting that Aspen University’s 58% NCLEX pass rate is below the national average for first-time U.S. educated nurses, which was 82% in 2022 according to NCSBN.
The BSN pre-licensure nursing program is currently approved by state boards of nursing in Arizona, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.
Students must be able to attend Nursing Core classes at one of the two Aspen University locations in Phoenix, Arizona, or at an Aspen location in Austin, TX, Tampa, FL, Nashville, TN, or Atlanta, GA.
Aspen University’s Nursing program has a 100% acceptance rate for students who complete the required application and education requirements. There are no waitlists or pre-requisite courses at most locations.
Students must complete the following for acceptance into the program:
Like every accredited nursing program, Aspen University’s nursing program is challenging and requires significant dedication to succeed.
According to GradReports.com, 78% of students recommend the nursing program at Aspen and say that their degree improved their career prospects.
Aspen University boasts an impressive student portal with a self-service resource center. It provides an all-encompassing location for students to access their program curriculum plan, payment history, register for courses, and connect with their academic advisor. Additionally, the student portal allows students to do the following:
Aspen University’s nursing school fees and total costs may vary depending on the campus as well as the program. The university recommends that prospective students speak with an admissions advisor or use the tuition estimator tool to calculate their costs.
Their online tuition page is quite impressive and is very clear on the costs of each of the programs.
For example, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-licensure) would cost the following:
A Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education costs:
Many students want to know if the cost of Aspen University’s nursing program is worth the expected salary. Some of the factors that students must consider before choosing a nursing program include:
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses earn a median annual salary of $77,600 per hour or $37.31 per hour. However, the range varies widely depending on many of the factors mentioned above.
According to ZipRecruiter, nurse salaries range from $35,500 to $123,500, with an annual mean salary of $76,289. Keep in mind that nurses who live in cities and states with a higher cost of living typically earn much higher salaries than nurses who work in more rural areas.
Another feature that may make Aspen University an excellent choice for some is that the university offers online courses that are available to students anytime and from practically anywhere to help them better balance their schedules. Students, especially adult learners, can work during their program.
The Aspen University website recognizes degrees and credits students have earned at a previous institution or have experiential learning.
Aspen University measures courses in semester credit hours. Converting clock hours to credit hours for the purpose of transfer credit is calculated as follows; one semester credit hour is equal to 45 clock hours.
Example: 100 clock hours is equivalent to 2 semester credit hours.
“I began my journey at Aspen University in May 2021 striving to obtain my BSN in Nursing. The entire program is very doable, and the professors are knowledgeable and very responsive. The program definitely encourages self-learning and makes sure proper time management is utilized. I continued working full-time in a busy acute care hospital while juggling my personal responsibilities of caring for my wife and daughter all while attending the program. I learned a great deal about nursing theory, nursing research, and informatics that I did learn in my ASN program. I have gained so much knowledge and a much better understanding of the history as well as the future of nursing. The out-of-pocket payment plan is fair, and it is difficult to get so much bang for your buck at any other online program! Obtaining my BSN is a stepping stone for my future dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. Thanks to Aspen I will be starting my FNP program this fall (August 2022)! So thankful to the university and the great staff that made this possible!”
– Marlon Charles
“I learned a great deal completing my BSN. Although able to work in critical care for the past 25+years, the BSN program provided more extensive nursing education in leadership, community health and informatics. If I decide to change positions away from bedside nursing, I’ll have more options available. The best part was doing it at my own pace and paying as I go. Thank you Aspen. Also, the instructors were very helpful and supportive.”
– Toni Stockman
“This program kept me from having to add to my student loan debt and allowed me to keep up with my grades while working a full time job. I will be using this degree to advance my career and will consider this college for future degrees. Aspen is affordable and adequate in academics. I learned a lot!!”
– Melissa Ford
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