Program Overview
A fast, affordable route into nursing from a top-ranked school — the University of Pittsburgh’s Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN delivers 810 clinical hours across UPMC and Pittsburgh’s six major teaching hospitals, a 93% first-time NCLEX rate, and affordable Pennsylvania-resident tuition plus a guaranteed scholarship, all in one year.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing offers an Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN for students with a prior bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field, finishing in one year across three consecutive full-time terms. The curriculum uses 54 nursing credits inside a 122-credit degree structure (31 credits from a prior degree, 36-38 prerequisite credits, and 54 nursing curriculum credits), delivered on-site full-time with no part-time track.
Students benefit from the same faculty, nursing courses, and clinical settings as Pitt’s well-regarded traditional 4-year BSN program, completing 810 clinical hours across Pittsburgh’s six major teaching hospitals and more than 50 health care facilities, including the UPMC system.
NCLEX preparation in the final term includes practice exams, remediation, and a 3-day review course, and the school lists a guaranteed total scholarship of $8,333 split across the three terms.
Accreditation & Outcomes
The baccalaureate nursing program at the University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The University of Pittsburgh is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Pitt’s undergraduate first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.11% for 2022-2023, above the Pennsylvania state and national BSN averages. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ABSN Admission Summary
This ABSN targets second-degree students who want a fast path to RN licensure, using a rolling review (so early submission can help), with new classes beginning in the Fall and Spring terms.
Who can apply
- Students with a baccalaureate (BA/BS) or graduate degree in a non-nursing field
- Fourth-year non-nursing bachelor’s students (with provisional options)
Application items
- Completed School of Nursing application
- Official transcripts from all colleges
- Two professional recommendation letters
- Résumé
- Personal essay on professional goals
Provisional admission notes
- Provisional admission can apply after 6 science prerequisite credits if other items are complete
- Applicants within 12-18 credits of first-degree completion can be considered provisionally
- All prerequisites must be complete, and official transcripts must arrive by the first term start
A non-refundable $250 deposit is required after acceptance and applies toward first-term tuition. Target cohort size is about 30 students per admission term.
Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisites total 36 credits and must match University of Pittsburgh course equivalents. Science prerequisites should be within the past 10 years, with a minimum grade of B- in the marked science courses.
- General Chemistry with lab (4)
- English Composition, scientific/technical (3)
- General elective credits (6)
- Psychology (3)
- Statistics, descriptive/probability/inferential (3)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology with lab (6-8)
- Human Genetics (3)
- Microbiology with lab (4)
- Pathophysiology (4)
Curriculum
The full-time plan runs across three terms and totals 54 nursing credits, with clinical courses each term through paired “C” clinical sections.
Term 1
NUR 1281 – Foundations of Nursing Practice 1
This course teaches core nursing concepts and basic clinical skills. Students practice communication, assessment, clinical reasoning, and care planning for physical and psychosocial needs. The course also covers safety, hygiene, comfort, health promotion, and culture and age factors that shape expected findings.
NUR 0082 – Nursing Management of Adult With Acute/Chronic Health Problems
This course teaches nursing care for adults and older adults with acute and chronic conditions. Students use the nursing process to guide decisions and apply research to patient management. The course also addresses cultural and societal factors that affect care.
NUR 1282C – Nursing Management of Adult With Acute/Chronic Health Problems Clinical
This clinical course gives students supervised practice with adult and older adult patients who have acute or chronic illness. Students apply assessment, interventions, and decision making while they build psychomotor skills. Students also connect clinical care to cultural and social factors.
NUR 2000 – Research for Evidence-Based Practice 1
This course explains how theory, research, and clinical expertise support evidence-based nursing. Students learn how to find research and evaluate study quality and fit for practice. The course also introduces research designs and the research process.
NUR 0066 – Nutrition for Clinical Practice
This course covers nutrition concepts that support health promotion and clinical care. Students study nutrients, energy needs, and nutrition therapy for selected health disruptions. Students also learn nutrition assessment and nursing interventions based on national guidelines.
NUR 0087 – Pharmacology and Therapeutics Across the Lifespan
This course teaches the basics of drug therapy across body systems and age groups. Students learn pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosage calculations, adverse effects, and safety risks. Students also practice patient education and nursing implications for major drug classes.
Term 2
NUR 1120 – Advanced Nursing Management Adult Acute/Complex Health Problems
This course teaches patient-centered care for adults with acute and complex illness. Students practice prioritization, clinical decisions, outcome evaluation, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The course also addresses how culture, identity, and socioeconomics affect health and care.
NUR 1020C – Advanced Nursing Management of the Adult With Acute/Complex Health Problems Clinical
This hospital-based clinical course builds advanced adult care skills for acute and complex conditions. Students complete assessments, interpret diagnostics, support medical-surgical plans, teach patients, and plan discharges. Students also practice team-based care in units such as acute care, progressive care, and cardiac monitored settings.
NUR 1060 – Nursing Care of Clients With Psychiatric Mental Health Problems
This course introduces psychiatric-mental health nursing concepts and clinical application. Students study developmental, psychological, and biological theories linked to mental illness. The course also covers major psychiatric disorders, treatments, and social and cultural influences on mental health.
NUR 1260C – Nursing Care of Clients With Psychiatric Mental Health Problems Clinical
This clinical course applies mental health theory to nursing interventions across settings. Students practice health promotion and restoration for clients with mental health problems in acute, chronic, and community sites. Students also use social and cultural factors to shape treatment plans.
NUR 1050 – Nursing Care of Mothers, Newborns and Families
This course introduces childbirth and the needs of childbearing families. Students study pregnancy changes, fetal and newborn development, and high-risk conditions. Students also apply critical thinking and family-focused care with attention to culture and ethics.
NUR 1250C – Nursing Care of Mothers, Newborns and Families Clinical
This clinical course gives students real-world experience with maternity and newborn care. Students observe and support care in outpatient, inpatient, and community programs. Students also practice family-centered care and communication during childbearing transitions.
NUR 1052 – Nursing Care of Children and Their Families
This course focuses on pediatric health and development from infancy through adolescence. Students learn family-centered assessment and nursing interventions for wellness, restoration, and complex problems. The course also emphasizes evidence use, development, culture, and clinical thinking.
NUR 1252C – Nursing Care of Children and Their Families Clinical
This clinical course applies pediatric nursing skills in settings that serve children and families. Students use the nursing process to reduce stressors and support recovery and development. Students also practice evidence-based and culturally aware care while they strengthen clinical judgment.
NUR 1054 – Nursing Care of Older Adults
This course builds skills for evidence-based care of older adults across care settings. Students study co-morbid conditions, risk recognition, valid assessment, and interdisciplinary care planning. The course also examines how culture, attitudes, policy, and technology affect aging and health.
NUR 1212 – Introduction to Healthcare Finance and Policy
This course introduces how the U.S. healthcare system pays for and delivers care. Students learn basics of health insurance, policy theory, and how government creates and implements policy. Students also review key ideas from economics, political science, nursing, and health services research.
Term 3
NUR 1121 – Advanced Clinical Problem Solving
This course strengthens nursing management for adults with acute or complex illness affecting multiple body systems. Students use case studies to expand critical thinking and nursing process skills. Students also build competence through high-fidelity simulation activities.
NUR 1221C – Advanced Clinical Problem Solving Clinical
This clinical course applies advanced problem solving to adult acute and complex care. Students use clinical reasoning and the nursing process during direct patient care. Students also practice collaboration with other health professionals to support health promotion and restoration.
NUR 1134 – Transition Into Professional Nursing Practice
This course prepares students for entry-level professional nursing roles and accountability. Students study leadership, patient care management, and role responsibilities. The course also examines healthcare policy issues that affect nursing practice.
NUR 1234C – Transition Into Professional Nursing Practice Clinical
This precepted clinical course supports the move from student to practicing nurse. Students work with registered nurse preceptors in varied settings and assume increasing responsibility. Students also integrate knowledge of roles, care management, and professional accountability.
NUR 1128 – Community Health Nursing
This course introduces community health and nursing roles in population-focused care. Students study epidemiology, prevention, community assessment, and case management. The course also addresses environmental hazards, access barriers, and needs of at-risk groups.
NUR 1228C – Community Health Nursing Clinical
This clinical course places students in community settings with community-based clinicians. Students apply epidemiology and prevention strategies at the individual, family, and group level. Students also practice assessment and intervention related to hazards, access, and community resources.
NUR 1085 – Ethics in Nursing and Health Care
This course introduces clinical ethics for nursing practice. Students analyze ethical issues tied to law, culture, religion, politics, and limited resources. Students also use ethical reasoning to work through patient and system dilemmas.
NUR 0086 – Nursing Informatics
This course teaches how information systems support nursing and patient care. Students learn how healthcare data becomes nursing knowledge and how nursing language supports system design. The course also covers ethical and social issues and new technology impacts on care.
NUR 1990 – Senior Seminar
This course supports readiness for entry-level practice and licensure. Students complete learning activities that align with professional benchmarks and continuous self-evaluation. The course also reinforces habits for lifelong learning in nursing.
More detail is available in the University of Pittsburgh nursing catalog.
Clinicals
Students complete 810 clinical hours in diverse settings across the region, including Pittsburgh’s six major teaching hospitals and more than 50 health care facilities (some in the Pittsburgh suburbs, so transportation to clinicals is required). Each term includes clinical courses tied to major content areas such as adult health, mental health, maternal-child, and community health, with the final term covering transition and community clinical experiences.
NCLEX preparation occurs during the final term and includes proctored comprehensive exams, remediation, and a 3-day review course.
Tuition
School of Nursing tuition for Pennsylvania residents is listed at $13,198 per full-time term. Across three terms, estimated tuition totals approximately $39,594. The program also lists a guaranteed scholarship of $8,333 for admitted students who commit to start, bringing the estimated net tuition to about $31,261:
- $13,198 × 3 terms = $39,594 estimated tuition (PA resident)
- $39,594 − $8,333 scholarship = $31,261 estimated net tuition
Note: These figures reflect the Pennsylvania-resident rate; out-of-state tuition is higher. Confirm current figures via the official tuition page.