Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing Program (BS)
Why Earn a Second Degree in Nursing?
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but want to become an RN, Iona University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is perfect for you. Complete the degree in just 16 months and embark on a rewarding career serving diverse populations across the continuum of care.
Through our accredited nursing program, you receive comprehensive instruction and hands-on clinical practicums that give you the theoretical and practical experience needed to apply for your national RN license.
Why Enroll in Iona’s Accelerated Nursing Program?
Expedite Your Education and Career Advancement
Created for career changers who want to break into the nursing field, the second degree in nursing program expedites the learning process without sacrificing the quality of instruction or clinical experiences. Within six months of graduation, 100 percent of our graduates secure employment and begin building their careers. This intensive ABSN fosters skills acquisition and practical experience, empowering students to enter the workforce as soon as possible.
"Best Value" and "Top Performer on Social Mobility"
U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of the nation's best institutions for both its undergraduate business and nursing programs. In addition to eligibility for other scholarships and financial aid, students in the ABSN program receive Iona’s Health Professions Scholarship which amounts to $3,000 each academic year.
Collaborate in a Cohort-Based Learning Format
At Iona, we believe the most impactful education happens with your peers. The accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program utilizes a cohort-based model to emphasize collaboration, teamwork and service-learning.
Our cohort sizes are 24:1 or less and offer personalized attention from our distinguished faculty composed of experienced nursing educators and practitioners committed to your success. Additionally, we intentionally keep clinical groups small, 4:1 to 7:1, depending on clinical partnership and specialty, to provide more direct oversight and mentorship.
Launching Successful Nursing Careers: A Proven Program
Our accelerated nursing class of December 2023 first time pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is 90%! Our employment rate is 100% within 6 months of completion.
Clinicals and Internships at NewYork-Presbyterian
Iona’s accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program fully prepares you to become a nurse in top medical facilities, including the world-renowned NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system.
By week six, you begin your first clinical practicums, ensuring you gain plenty of hands-on experience and build your confidence in your skills and working as part of an interprofessional team caring for diverse populations. With NYC just 30 minutes from Iona University, you have a wealth of opportunities for clinical rotations and internships in prestigious hospitals and health facilities.
One of the Best Accredited ABSN Programs in NY
Our nursing program ensures you gain the knowledge, experience and a deep appreciation of compassionate patient-centered care.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Iona University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Iona’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing is also accredited by the New York Department of Education.
Because of the high-quality instruction and trusted accreditation of Iona’s accelerated nursing program, students know they receive training that equips them for the future.
Apply today and make Iona Nursing your educational home!
Contact Us
Kylie Etwaroo
Nursing Admissions Specialist
Virtual Information Session
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Join us on Zoom to learn more about Iona's Second-Degree Nursing Program. This event is for students who have earned a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment in Iona University's Nursing Program. Register today!
Careers & Outcomes
As the health care field expands and grows, hospitals and other medical facilities look to well-educated nurses to serve a wide range of patients and provide exceptional care.
Because of the high demand for registered nurses and their specialized skills, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the employment of RNs to increase by six percent over the next 10 years, resulting in over 190,000 positions each year.
After earning your BS in Nursing degree at Iona University and obtaining your RN license, you unlock an altruistic yet rewarding career. Registered nurses’ median annual wage is $77,600 but can range from $59,450 to $120,250, depending on professional experience, the type of facility, state of employment and other factors. For instance, in New York, RNs earn an average annual salary of $100,130.
Iona’s accelerated BS in nursing program prepares students to apply for licensure and embark on a variety of nursing career paths in the following settings:
- Home-Based Health Services
- Hospice Centers
- Hospitals
- Mental Health Centers
- Nursing Homes
- Private Practices
- Public and Community Health
- Schools and Camps
Graduates of Iona’s ABSN program are employed by a variety of healthcare providers in New York and throughout the country including:
BronxCare Health and Wellness Center
Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center
Good Samaritan Hospital
Jacobi Medical Center
Lenox Hill- Northwell Health
Lincoln Hospital
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Manhattan Dermatology
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Mercy Medical Center
Montefiore Medical Center
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital
NewYork Presbyterian Hospital System
North Shore University Hospital
Northwell Health System
NYU Langone Health
Portchester Middle School (Portchester Public Schools)
Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Westchester Medical Center
White Plains Hospital
My experience in Iona’s nursing program has been extremely transformative and enriching. The clinical rotations allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-life patient care interactions and situations.
Teena Thomas '23, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
What You’ll Learn
Iona’s ABSN program fosters an interdisciplinary approach to nursing. In addition to a rigorous core curriculum that covers the humanities, social sciences, business and STEM, a broad range of major-specific nursing courses makes up your education.
As a nursing major, you master the following skills and become equipped to deliver the best possible care to your patients:
- Clinical skills that allow you to treat patients, administer medication, perform tests and procedures, complete nursing interventions and more;
- Technical skills to prepare you to use medical and lab equipment;
- Organizational skills to help you coordinate and manage care for patients and work collaboratively with other members of the health care team;
- Interpersonal skills that enable you to develop relationships with your patients and health care team members and advocate for best practices and safe care;
- Clinical judgment and ethical decision-making skills, which empower you to assess situations and determine a course of action accurately;
- Leadership skills as you become a professional nurse and accept opportunities to take on more responsibility.
ABSN Program Highlights
Interprofessional Education (IPE) Field Opportunities
As a nursing student, you participate in Iona’s Interprofessional Education initiatives that focus on learning to collaborate with other health care professional students to achieve better health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
Office of Interprofessional Education
Learn in Leading-Edge Health Care Facilities
Through Iona University’s partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, you gain access to transformative learning opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities like the Kelly Center for Health Sciences. In the lab, you have the opportunity to work with simulation and technology equipment to foster the acquisition of knowledge, skills and judgment needed to succeed in your clinical experience and the real world.
Immersive Study Abroad Nursing Opportunities
Experience a nursing educational study abroad opportunity that takes you out of your comfort zone and supports global community engagement, intellectual inquiry and an appreciation for diversity. During your time in the ABSN program, you have the opportunity to participate in either a global clinical immersion or a short-term credit-bearing program, depending on your personal needs and goals.
Through these immersive learning experiences, you dive into the rich local culture of your host country, study global health and social justice issues and work with health care and nursing professionals.
Experience Iona’s State-of-the-Art Kelly Center For Health Sciences
Our clinical partners have welcomed us, empowered us as future nurses, and facilitated the bridging of information between the classroom and clinical setting. Every week I looked forward to going to clinical and gaining hands-on experience with patients!
Sara Mandel '23, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements
Find your educational home at Iona University. To gain entrance into the ABSN program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree
- Maintained a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completed the following courses with a "B" or better within five years of application:
- Chemistry*
- Microbiology*
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II*
- Developmental Psychology
- College-level algebra or higher
- College-level statistics
- Ethics (preferably bio or medical ethics)
*All sciences must include an in-person laboratory.
For more information about the Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing program, contact Kylie Etwaroo at ketwaroo@iona.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid Opportunities
The accelerated second degree in nursing tuition charges are $14,995 per term.
At Iona, we know that pursuing a second degree is a major investment, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our Student Financial Services (SFS) stands ready to answer your questions and guide you through financing your degree, applying for financial aid and finding additional funding opportunities.
Connect with our SFS staff to learn more or set up an appointment.
I love the path that I have chosen, and I love what Iona has given me: classmates that have become friends, mentors invested in my success who I can rely on, and memories that I’ll cherish forever.
Ariana Dos Santos '23, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
Student Nurses' Association
The Student Nurses' Association (SNA)-Iona chapter provides an opportunity for nursing students to become actively involved in the nursing profession outside of the classroom. Our SNA chapter provides an ideal platform for nursing students to develop the leadership skills that future nurses will need as responsible and accountable members of the nursing profession.
Community service is a key component of the association. SNA members have sponsored campus-wide community events such as Narcan Training and participate in the annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive and the School of Health Sciences Health Fair.
SNA members work closely together to support and mentor each other throughout the nursing program. Junior and senior classmates provide guidance and support to first- and second-year students as they transition through the didactic and clinical curriculum.
Iona University is an official constituent of the National Student Nurses' Association, Inc (NSNA).® Many of our members have received national recognition in the NSNA Leadership Honor Society.
For more information, follow us on Instagram @iona_sna.
Mission Statement
To provide high quality, accessible educational experiences that challenge and empower students to become nurse leaders working at the forefront of health care. We are committed to preparing students who are liberally educated, clinically competent, and will be compassionate, empathetic and ethical professionals. Iona’s nursing program, consistent with Iona University’s mission, will provide an educational environment that embraces intellectual inquiry, commitment to excellence, service to others, and an appreciation for inclusion and diversity.
Take the Next Step: Earn Your Accelerated Nursing Degree at Iona
Join our collaborative academic community and begin your journey to becoming an integral member of the health care industry and making a positive impact on individuals and community health and well-being.
Visit Campus
Our scenic campuses, located just 20 miles from midtown Manhattan, truly do offer the best of both worlds.
Let us show you around, answer your questions and give you a feel of our tight-knit community.
Apply Today
If you're considering applying to Iona, you're not alone! Since 2019, our new-student enrollment is up nearly 40%. Additionally, 99% of our first-year students receive institutional scholarships or grant aid.
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