If your dream career in nursing involves being a leader, innovator, educator, change maker, problem solver, patient advocate, and more, the Drake Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing* degree is your perfect fit!

Now, more than ever, the demand for nurses is high. In Drake's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you can complete your nursing education in just 12 months, instead of the 4 years most traditional nursing programs take to complete. The ABSN program combines didactic coursework and over 600 hours of simulation, laboratories, and clinical hours in diverse settings with interprofessional education. This rigorous, competency-based curriculum will prepare you to be successful on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and as a future leader in the field of nursing.

Two Program Pathways

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

If you have fulfilled the required prerequisite coursework, with or without a bachelor's degree, you are ready to apply directly to the ABSN program and complete your education in just 12 months! Our competency-based education will help you will become a confident and competent nursing professional who is ready for practice in a wide range of health care settings.

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Pre-Nursing/ABSN 3+1

Our 3+1 Pre-Nursing/ABSN degree combination allows you to graduate in four years, plus one summer, with two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Clinical and Medical Sciences and an ABSN, making you better prepared for the healthcare field. In your first three years as a Health Sciences Pre-Nursing student, you will have exposure to a wide range of hands-on health care-related experiences while mastering the foundational skills of a liberal arts education.  You will continue on to complete the 12-month ABSN degree in your final year at Drake.

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Iowa Board of Nursing Approval and ACEN Accreditation

*The Iowa Board of Nursing has approved Drake University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) proposal, qualifying graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for practice as a registered nurse. The program is in the process of pursuing accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).