Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing Program (BS)
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Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4 p.m.
Join us on our Bronxville campus to explore the state-of-the-art Kelly Center for Health Sciences!
Launch Your Nursing Career at Iona
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but want to become a registered nurse, Iona University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree helps you reach your goal in just 16 months.
Through our accredited nursing program, you’ll receive the rigorous instruction and hands-on clinical experience needed to secure your national RN licensure. And with New York City just 30 minutes away, you’ll have access to exceptional clinical rotations and internship opportunities at top hospitals and health care facilities.
Why Choose Iona’s Accelerated Nursing Program?
Expedite Your Journey to Becoming an RN
Created for career changers like you who want to break into the nursing field, the second degree in nursing program fast-tracks your education. Within six months of graduation, 100 percent of our graduates secure employment and begin building their careers.
Hands-On Clinical Experience
Through our partnership with the renowned NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital system, our accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program prioritizes real-world experience to build your nursing skills. By week six, you begin your first clinical practicums, ensuring you gain plenty of hands-on experience, working as part of an interprofessional health care team.
90% NCLEX Pass Rate
Our accelerated nursing class of December 2023 achieved a first-time pass rate of 90% on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Our employment rate is 100% within 6 months of completion.
"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.
A Leading CCNE-Accredited ABSN Program in New York
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at Iona University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Gain Interprofessional Collaboration Skills
As a nursing student, you participate in Iona’s Interprofessional Education initiatives, which foster collaboration between you as a nursing student and other health care professional students. You’ll learn how nursing overlaps with occupational therapy, mental health counseling, social work and many other fields, equipping you to deliver better health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
Contact Us
Victoria Porter
Nursing Admissions Specialist
NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences
As part of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, students will develop the skills and experience needed for their careers as professionals in the field of health care.
Students may have opportunities for field placements/internships at NewYork-Presbyterian, ranked one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S. News & World Report 2025-26. Iona students may also be considered for full-time positions within the NewYork-Presbyterian network upon graduation.
Align your career goals at the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences and earn a degree of tremendous value for your future.
What You’ll Learn
Iona’s accelerated nursing program brings an interdisciplinary approach to your education. Along with courses in the humanities, social sciences and other disciplines, our 61-credit curriculum helps you build foundational knowledge through courses in health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology and patient-centered care.
You also gain extensive clinical experience in adult, gerontology, pediatric, behavioral health, maternal, and community nursing. Lastly, your nursing education concludes with more advanced coursework in leadership and clinical judgment to ease your transition into professional nursing.
Skills You’ll Gain
Throughout the accelerated second-degree nursing program, you’ll develop the essential competencies needed to provide exceptional patient care, including:
- Clinical skills to assess patients, administer medications, perform tests and procedures, and carry out nursing interventions
- Technical skills to confidently use medical and laboratory equipment
- Organizational skills to coordinate patient care and collaborate effectively within healthcare teams
- Communication skills to build trust with patients, advocate for safe care, and work seamlessly with providers
- Clinical judgment and ethical decision-making to accurately evaluate situations and determine appropriate actions
- Leadership skills that prepare you to take on greater responsibility as a professional nurse
Careers & Salary Outcomes for Nurses
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 five percent over the next 10 years, generating 189,000 positions each year.
Registered nurses’ median annual wage is $93,600, but can range from $66,030 to $135,320, 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 $105,600.
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
Where Our Nursing Alumni Work
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
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Admission Requirements
Due to the rigorous curriculum and pace, applicants with a strong foundation in science—such as biology, chemistry, psychology, or health sciences—may find the transition to our fast-paced curriculum more seamless. However, students from all majors can excel in our program by completing the required prerequisites.
Before enrolling in 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 Victoria Porter at vporter@iona.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid Opportunities
The accelerated second degree in nursing tuition charges are $14,995 per term.
At Iona, we understand that earning a second degree is a significant investment, and our Student Financial Services (SFS) team is here to support you every step of the way. SFS can help you explore financing options, apply for financial aid, and identify additional funding resources.
You may also be eligible for Iona’s Health Professions Scholarship, which provides $3,000 per academic year.
Connect with our SFS staff to learn more or set up an appointment.
Experience Iona’s State-of-the-Art Kelly Center For Health Sciences
Find Community in the Student Nurses' Association
Iona is an official constituent of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA®) and when you join Iona’s chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association (SNA), you become a part of a nursing community dedicated to student support, refining leadership skills and regional impact. Our culture of peer mentorship helps you excel in both your academic and professional growth, so you can prepare for a thriving nursing career.
For more information, follow us on Instagram @iona_sna.
What Our ABSN Students Have to Say
"I decided to attend Iona because of its strong partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, one of the most respected healthcare systems in New York. I knew that choosing Iona would provide a strong academic foundation and practical clinical experience."
-Antonio D. Cipollone, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
"The clinical opportunities, especially with NewYork-Presbyterian, [have been] invaluable. The early exposure to clinical rotations, state-of-the-art simulation labs, and supportive preceptors gave me the skills to step into patient care with confidence."
-Carly Neubert, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
"I chose Iona for its small student-to-faculty ratio and partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian. This allowed me to do clinicals at one of the country’s top hospital systems and provided me with the exposure and learning experiences needed for success."
-Sascha Newman, Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
Earn Your Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing at Iona
Embark on your journey to becoming a registered nurse at Iona University. Our ABSN program empowers you with diverse clinical skills so you can make a positive impact on your community.
Mission Statement & Goals
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 respect for the unique perspectives and experiences of the individual.
The Department of Nursing's Goals are to:
- Prepare competent nurses who are morally reflective and critical thinking professionals who are contributing, collaborative members of the healthcare team.
- Promote excellence, innovation, and creativity in teaching, scholarship, and practice.
- Engage in service to the community and profession of nursing.
- Generate and disseminate knowledge through scholarly inquiry and research that advances nursing science.
