Accelerated B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

Why Earn an Accelerated BSN Degree at Rivier?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 194,500 registered nurse job openings are projected each year over the next decade. By 2027, nearly 900,000 nurses are expected to retire, further increasing the demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

Rivier’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a fast-track pathway designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to transition into a nursing career.

This rigorous yet efficient program provides an expedited route to RN licensure, addressing the critical need for qualified nurses while maintaining the same high standards, accreditation, and educational outcomes as Rivier’s traditional four-year BSN program. The program can be completed in as little as 16 months.

Select courses (with the exception of nursing simulation lab and clinical courses) are also offered online.

Rivier is recognized as the #1 nursing school in New Hampshire and among the top 50 private nursing schools nationally by Nursing Schools Almanac (2024). As a BSN-prepared nurse, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality patient care and pursue career advancement opportunities.

A leader in nursing education, Rivier graduates the largest number of nurses in New Hampshire. With expert faculty and immersive clinical experiences, Rivier’s nursing programs equip students with the hands-on training and expertise essential for success in today’s healthcare industry.

Learn in World-Class Facilities

Rivier’s nursing labs were transformed in 2022 with a $5 million total renovation. The Nursing Simulation and Clinical Education Center is open and fully operational for hands-on learning and high-tech simulation for nurses and nurse practitioners. State-of-the-art skills and simulation labs offer the newest technology for clinical assessment, community nursing, and telehealth simulation.

In the Accelerated B.S. in Nursing program at Rivier, you will:

• Learn how to provide patient-centered, priority-based nursing care to individuals, families, and groups through independent and collaborative application of nursing process
• Utilize technology that supports clinical decision-making, patient education, error prevention, and care coordination
• Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Become an effective communicator and collaborator

Get Ready for the World with a B.S. in Nursing from Rivier

With a nationwide nursing shortage and healthcare facilities urgently seeking qualified professionals, Rivier’s Accelerated BSN program prepares you to make an immediate impact. New Hampshire alone requires 1,000 new nurses annually to keep pace with retirements and healthcare demands.

Our partnerships with a variety of healthcare organizations throughout the region offer opportunities to experience a wide range of specialties. Rivier students work with practicing healthcare professionals in a variety of clinical placements, including:

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Elliot Health Systems/Elliot Hospital
• Lowell General Hospital
• Catholic Medical Center
• Home Health & Hospice Care, Inc.
• Lowell Community Health Center
• Nashua Public Health Department
• Saint Joseph Healthcare
• Southern NH Health System

Licensure and Accreditation

Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates of Rivier’s BSN program who sat for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) from 2020-23 achieved an average pass rate of 93.81% for first-time test takers. During that same period, the national BSN average pass rate was 84.38%, putting Rivier students well above graduates of other colleges and universities.

Rivier University is unable to accept students from some states due to the post-secondary higher-education requirements. There are also some restrictions for programs that lead to professional licensure due to the various requirements of individual state boards of nursing. For more information, visit our Licensing information page.

Commitment to Quality

Rivier’s ASN, BSN, MSN, Post Master’s Certificates, and DNP programs located in Nashua, NH are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program.

Where Will Your Bachelor of Nursing Degree Take You?

You will be workforce ready and well-positioned for success in a competitive job market.

Careers

• Hospital-based nursing
• Community health nursing
• Medical-surgical nurses
• Pediatric nurses
• Oncology and other specialty nurses
• Nursing supervision and leadership

Graduate Studies

Graduates of our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are well prepared to pursue advanced study in nursing, healthcare administration, and other related fields.