2-Year Nursing Programs in USA for International Students

If you are looking for top nursing schools in USA that offer 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students, that means schools that have seats available for international students, then you have come to the right place. These short-term graduate nursing programs in the US are perfect for a career change.

Due to the shortage of nurses in USA, numerous schools offer 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students. These schools prepare nurses after high school graduation and or have programs focused on preparing practical nurses. These short-term programs can be completed within 2 years. Nurses who have graduated from these programs are eligible to take the NCLEX examination which will allow them to work in hospitals and clinics.

As a way to provide you with more information about these 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students to consider, here is a list of some of the courses that may be offered:

  • Nursing: Adults, Children, Learning Disabilities, and Mental Health Fields

  • Diagnostic and therapeutic radiography

  • Dietetics

  • occupational therapy

  • Orthoptics

  • paramedicine

  • Physiotherapy

  • Chiropody

  • Speech and Language Therapy

The List of 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students

If you want to study an accelerated Nursing program in the USA, if it has always been your lifelong dream to grow professionally and become a nurse, then read on. 

Loyola University Chicago

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $15,230 per semester.
  • Program Curriculum: Pathophysiology, Nursing Practice, Family Health Patterns, Leadership for Nursing Practice. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.6 percent.

Loyola University Chicago’s accelerated nursing program is a great option for those who want to become a nurse quickly. Students can complete their bachelor’s degree and their nursing degree in two years, which is a shorter time frame than most other programs offer. However, like most other accelerated medical programs, students must take the same number of classes as they would in any other BSN program in a relatively shorter time.

While it doesn’t require an application fee or an entrance exam like some other accelerated programs, there are still some requirements to be eligible: students must have at least a 3.68 GPA in high school or college.

The program also requires two years of college courses before applying. Students who go through this program will have access to many resources during their time at Loyola; one example is that they have access to a mentor who can help them with academic or personal issues.

They also get help finding employment after graduation—both from the university and from alumni who work at hospitals around Chicago

Pros:

  • You get to do a lot of the same things you would in a traditional nursing program, but you move through the material at a faster rate. That means you’ll graduate sooner, and with less debt.

  • You learn how to think critically about health care issues, which is crucial for any healthcare professional.

  • You’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned in this program to your future job as a nurse.

Cons:

  • It’s fast-paced, so it can be hard to keep up with all the material if you aren’t used to being on top of things. If you’re not organized about your time management skills, this program could cause some problems for you.

  • It is quite expensive.

View program.

Grand Canyon University

  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $8,250 per semester.

  • Program Curriculum: Foundation of Nursing, Introduction to Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing, Behavioral Health Nursing, Transition to Practice. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.2 percent.

The Accelerated Nursing program at Grand Canyon University is a great way to get your degree in nursing. This program is designed for working adults who want to be nurses, and it allows you to complete your degree in just two years.

The accelerated program includes classroom and clinical experiences, so you’ll graduate with the skills you need to start your career as a nurse.

The best part of this program is that it’s offered online, so you can study from home or wherever else works for you. You can even take online courses on the weekends if that fits into your schedule better.

Grand Canyon University’s Accelerated Nursing program is one of the fastest ways to become a nurse. 

The pros are:

  • You can complete your degree in as little as 16 months, which means you’ll have your RN (registered nurse) license before you know it.

  • You don’t have to take any general education classes because you’ll already have those under your belt from your bachelor’s degree.

  • The program features small class sizes and individualized attention.

  • You’ll get hands-on experience through clinical rotations at hospitals and health centers throughout Phoenix and Tucson during the last year of your studies.

  • You’ll graduate with an accelerated degree that will let you work as an RN right away.

The cons are:

Felician University

  • Location: Rutherford, New Jersey.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $35,700 annually.

  • Program Curriculum: Nursing Theory, Role Development, and Innovation, Fundamentals of Nursing, Geriatrics and Health Care, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health, and Disaster Management. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.83 percent.

Felician University’s Accelerated Nursing program is a fast-track option for students who are already certified as registered nurses and looking to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Pros:

  • The program is designed for students who already have a master’s degree or higher in another field and want to get a bachelor’s in nursing. You can complete the program in just 20 months.

Cons:

  • You’ll need to take some prerequisite courses at other institutions, and the cost of tuition is higher than in other accelerated bachelor’s programs.

View the program.

California State University – Stanislaus

  • Location: Turlock and Stockton campuses, California.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $40,000 (excluding living and study expenses) split into three installments – at the beginning of the program, mid-way, and at the end of the program.

  • Program Curriculum: Not Available.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.21 percent.

The Accelerated Nursing program at California State University – Stanislaus is one of the best 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students to consider. The program is designed such that students can choose to specialize in either critical care or family practice.

CSU-Stanislaus’ ASBSN program is offered at its Stockton campus in California, arguably the heart of the state, and one of the finest locations.

This accelerated nursing program has many pros, viz:

  • Students who complete the program will be prepared to take their NCLEX-RN exam at the end of their junior year.

    This means that you only have to spend one year as an RN before going through the next steps of your career path.

  • Students have access to a wide variety of clinical experiences, including both hospital and community-based settings.

    This gives you a chance to see what it’s like to work with patients in different environments, which will help you decide where you want to practice once you graduate from nursing school.

The only con is that this program is very rigorous (which is expected); if you’re not sure that you can handle it, then maybe another option would be better for you.

View the program.

Truman State University

  • Location: Kirksville, Missouri.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $16,712 annually.

  • Program Curriculum: Introductory Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Human Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology, Adult Health Nursing, Child/Family Nursing.

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.4 percent.

Truman State University is a great place to study nursing. The accelerated nursing program at Truman State University is a fast-paced, intensive course of study that can lead to a nursing degree in as little as ten months.

The program offers a variety of different classes and clinical opportunities to help you get the education you need to succeed in the field. This 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students is perfect for those who have already begun their careers or are looking for a career change.

The pros of this program include:

  • Fast-paced curriculum that allows you to graduate quickly.
  • Laidback atmosphere with lots of support from faculty and staff.
  • Opportunities for hands-on training in clinical settings while still in school.

Cons:

  • You will be required to live on campus during your first year, which may be inconvenient for some students.

View the program.

Augustana University

  • Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $549 per credit hour.

  • Program Curriculum: Foundations of Nursing Practice, Pharmacology, Pediatric Nursing, Adult Health Nursing, Behavioral Health Nursing, Nursing Leadership. See full curriculum

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98 percent.

The Accelerated Nursing program at Augustana University is designed to help you graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in just two years. It’s a great option for students who already have an associate’s degree, or who have taken prerequisite courses at another institution.

Pros:

  • You’ll be able to start working on your bachelor’s degree sooner—saving time and money!
  • You’ll be part of a supportive community of nursing students and faculty.

  • You’ll get the chance to focus on clinical education, which means you’ll have more opportunities to practice your skills and improve your confidence level. 

Cons:

  • You won’t get as much classroom experience with theory and concepts as some other programs offer, so you might need to supplement with additional study after graduation.

View the program.

West Virginia University

  • Location: Monongalia County, West Virginia.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $13,680 annually.

  • Program Curriculum: Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Alterations in Adult Health, Alterations in Mental Health, Leadership in Complex Systems. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.7 percent.

West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land-grant university in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has been participating in the Accelerated Nursing program since 2009.

The accelerated nursing program at WVU consists of two years of full-time study. The program has proven to be a popular choice for students who want to earn their baccalaureate degrees and become registered nurses at the same time.

The coursework covers a wide range of topics including nursing theory, research methods, community health issues, and leadership skills. Students are also required to complete an externship in a clinical setting as well as an internship at a hospital or clinic before graduating from the program.

View the program.

Clemson University

  • Location: Clemson, South Carolina.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $38,550 [estimated total].

  • Program Curriculum: Pathophysiology for Health Professionals, Pharmacotherapeutic Nursing Interventions, Professionalism in Nursing, Medical-Surgical I and II, Leadership Management.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.23 percent.

Clemson University offers an accelerated nursing program for students who want to graduate quickly. The program is designed for students who have already completed their bachelor’s degree, intending to help them get into the nursing field more quickly. The program lasts just two years, compared to four years in a traditional nursing program.

The coursework includes classes on various topics, such as anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical practice skills.

Students also take classes focused on leadership skills and communication skills that are required for effective nursing care.

One major advantage of this program is that it can be completed entirely online if you live far away from Clemson University or don’t want to commute there every day.

This means you can complete the entire program at home or wherever else you have access to a computer and internet connection.

However, there are some downsides to this approach as well. Because you aren’t spending time in classrooms regularly with other students from your cohort (and instructors), it can sometimes be difficult to make friends.

Plus, it may be hard to get feedback from professors on your assignments because they aren’t able to meet with each student face-to-face during office hours as they would typically do during in-person sessions.

View the program.

University Of Southern Alabama

  • Location: Mobile, Alabama.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $9,290 per semester.

  • Program Curriculum: Pathophysiological Basis Nursing, Clinical Nursing Skills, Clinical Nursing Immersion, Pediatric Nursing Care, Decision-making, and Patient Management.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 96 percent.

The University of Southern Alabama’s Accelerated Nursing program is a fast-track program that allows students to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then go on to get their RN license after just two years.

The program offers a curriculum that includes online courses, which allows students to work full-time while still getting the education they need for their careers.

Pros:

  • The accelerated nature of this program means that you’ll be able to enter the workforce faster than you would through other programs.

  • You can take all your classes online, which means no time wasted commuting or dealing with crowded classrooms.

Cons:

  • This program is only available at this school, so if you’re interested in attending another school, you might not be able to transfer your credits over.

View the program.

Auburn University

  • Location: Auburn, Alabama.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $32,220 annually.

  • Program Curriculum: Not available.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.8 percent.

Auburn University offers an accelerated nursing program that can get you into the field in as little as 18 months. This is an excellent option for those who are looking to enter the workforce quickly, but it’s not right for everyone. Here are some pros and cons of this program.

Pros:

  • Quick entry into the workforce.

  • Strong clinical training.

  • Auburn University graduates have an average starting salary of $58,000

Cons:

  • Limited availability — there are only a few spots available each year.
  • Costs more than traditional programs.

View the program.

University Of New Hampshire

  • Location: Manchester, New Hampshire.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $13,905 per semester.

  • Program Curriculum: Health Policy and Nursing Practice, Chronic Disease Management, Advanced Physical Assessment, Physiology and Anatomy, Clinical Nursing Leadership.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.9 percent.

The University of New Hampshire’s Accelerated Nursing program is a great option if you’re looking to become a nurse as soon as possible. You’ll be able to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in just three years, and you’ll be able to do so on the beautiful campus at UNH.

The university offers two different tracks for accelerated nursing students: 

  • one that focuses on pediatrics, and 
  • one that focuses on adult care. 

Students who take the adult track will complete their first two years of coursework at UNH, then transfer to Concord Hospital for their clinical rotations.

The biggest downside is that there is no guarantee that you’ll get into the accelerated program; all students are guaranteed admission into the traditional four-year program, but only those who are accepted into the accelerated program will be able to complete it in two years. If you don’t make it into the accelerated program, then you’ll have to wait an additional year before completing your degree requirements.

View the program.

Drexel University

  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $27,608 per year (NACT).

  • Program Curriculum: Nursing Practice, Pharmaphysiology, Behavioral Health Nursing, Nursing Leadership.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 98 percent.

Drexel University’s accelerated nursing program offers an 11-month degree program (called NACE) that allows students to graduate with their BSN.  The program is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and want to become nurses. This can be an attractive option for those who are already working full-time and need to finish their education quickly.

Also, Drexel University offers a NACT program, which is a 24-month version of their 11-month accelerated program (NACE). The tuition fee for NACT is $27,608 paid annually for two years. And since we are talking about 2-year accelerated nursing programs on this list, we will assume that you prefer the NACT program to the NACE.

However, it’s important to note that the accelerated program does not allow students to earn a master’s degree after completing the BSN.  Another con of this program is that it is not offered at all campuses; only students living near Philadelphia can enroll in this option.

View the NACE program.

Northeastern University

  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $1,186 per credit hour (67 total credits).

  • Program Curriculum: Adult Health, Obstetrics and Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Mental and Behavioral Health, Acute and Critical Care, Public Health, Health Management Leadership. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 91 percent.

Northeastern University’s Accelerated Nursing Program is another great choice for students looking to save time on their degree. The program, which can be completed in just 16 months, allows students to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nursing.

The pros of this program include:

  • The convenience of being able to graduate in half the time as most other accelerated nursing programs.

  • The opportunity to earn a master’s degree without having to pay extra tuition fees.

  • The fact that you will be able to take advantage of the many resources and facilities that Northeastern has to offer (such as libraries, research centers, etc.)

Cons:

  • This program does not come with any financial aid options for undergraduates.
  • It is one of the most expensive 2-year accelerated nursing programs in USA.

Learn how to apply.

Oklahoma City University

  • Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $32,744 per year.

  • Program Curriculum: Foundations in Nursing, Family Health Nursing, Anatomy, Physiology, Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Leadership. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.5 percent.

Oklahoma City University’s Accelerated Nursing program has a lot to offer. The accelerated program is designed to help you complete your bachelor’s degree and enter the nursing field in just two years. It is therefore considered as one of the 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students to look out for.

The program includes many of the same classes as traditional undergraduate programs, but you’ll be able to complete them in half the time—and get on with your career!

You can choose from two different tracks: the traditional track or a more accelerated track that allows you to take more classes at once and graduate sooner than students who choose the traditional route.

The downside is that this program is only available for students who have already graduated from high school.

If you’re still in high school or are currently enrolled as a freshman at OCU, this program isn’t for you yet! But keep your eye on it—we’d love to show you more accelerated programs available for high school students who may be interested in pursuing higher education later on down the line.

View the program.

Madonna University

  • Location: Livonia, Michigan.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $979 per credit hour (53 total credits).

  • Program Curriculum: Pharmacology, Holistic Nursing Care and Immersion, Nursing Leadership. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 85.48 percent.

Madonna University is a private liberal arts university in Livonia, Michigan. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and nearly 20 graduate programs, including business, communication and media studies, education, humanities, and social sciences, nursing and health professions, and science and engineering.

Pros:

  • The campus is beautiful, and the buildings are very well maintained.

  • The college has a reputation for being one of the best in the state.

  • Students have opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and volunteer work.

  • This ABSN program lasts for 16 months, and is offered online; which means that you can join the program from anywhere in the world.

Cons:

  • It’s difficult to get into Madonna University, especially if you don’t meet their academic requirements or if you don’t have a good GPA.

    Students applying to Madonna University with a GPA of 3.8 are rewarded with the “Pathfinder” status and will qualify for a $6,000 merit scholarship. However, students with a minimal GPA of 2.8 will struggle to get into Madonna University.

  • There aren’t many on-campus jobs available for students.

View ABSN program for international students.

Adelphi University

  • Location: Garden City, New York.

  • Tuition Fee for International Students: $21,045 per semester.

  • Program Curriculum: Informatics in Health Care, Pharmacology I and II, Nursing Care for Adults, Nursing Care for Older Adults. See full curriculum.

  • NCLEX Pass Rate: 80 percent.

Adelphi University’s Accelerated Nursing program is another great way to get into the field of nursing.

The program is designed to help you complete your degree in two years or less, so it can be completed while you’re working full-time. It’s also a great option if you’re looking for a less expensive way to get your degree in nursing.

One thing that makes this program stand out is its dedication to helping students find jobs after graduation. The school has several career services centers that offer resources and support for students as they look for jobs, including:

  • Interviewing workshops with mock interviews and feedback from faculty members.

  • Employer networking events and job fairs with employers who are specifically interested in hiring Adelphi graduates.

  • Career counseling sessions with faculty members who specialize in helping students find jobs after graduation.

View the program.

Wrapping It Up

Overall, there are brilliant 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students to consider. If you are looking to become a nurse in 2 years (or less), these are the best-accelerated nursing programs for you.

Some of these nursing schools offer their programs online, so it is convenient for working students to learn from anywhere in the world. You can do more research and find out about the 2-year nursing programs in USA for international students can apply for.

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