Explore Best ABSN Programs Near Dayton, Ohio
- 2026 Best ABSN Programs Near Dayton, Ohio
- Why the ABSN Route Appeals to Dayton Career Changers
- Curriculum Snapshot
- Admission Essentials
- Where an ABSN Can Lead
- Salary Expectations for Dayton RNs
- Paying for Your Degree
- Balancing Study With Dayton Life
- Accreditation Safeguards Your License
- Networking Opportunities
- Major Employers Hiring New BSNs
- Program Comparison Checklist
- Begin Your Nursing Journey Today
- Latest Articles & Guides
- Related Articles
Dayton's reputation for innovation began with the Wright brothers and continues today in its hospitals, research labs, and medical‐device firms. Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Health Main Campus sit just minutes from the Air Force Research Laboratory, giving nursing students exposure to civilian and military health systems in one compact metro area. Residents also enjoy a cost of living well below the national average, so tuition dollars stretch further. For bachelor’s degree holders eager to pivot their careers, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program near Dayton offers a fast and affordable route to licensure, tapping into a metro region known for engineering precision and patient-centered care, an ideal match for hands-on learners who thrive when science meets service.
2026 Best ABSN Programs Near Dayton, Ohio
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Cincinnati, OH - Private 4-year - thechristcollege.edu
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences delivers an accelerated nursing pathway uniquely designed for career changers with existing bachelor's degrees. Prospective students can transform their professional trajectory through an intensive 15-month program featuring cutting-edge patient simulators and extensive clinical experiences across premier regional hospitals. The curriculum strategically balances rigorous academic preparation with hands-on training, ensuring graduates are comprehensively equipped for nursing roles. Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA and complete specific prerequisite courses. The program's Career Pathways Program offers additional employment opportunities, making it an attractive option for motivated individuals seeking rapid entry into healthcare professions.
- 15-Month Accelerated Program
- Hands-on Patient Simulators
- Clinical Rotations Top Hospitals
- Career Pathways Opportunities
- 2.75 GPA Admission Requirement
- Non-Nursing Degree Accepted
- Guaranteed Clinical Seat
- Multiple Hospital Partnerships
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH - Private 4-year - xavier.edu
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Xavier University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is an intensive 16-month pathway for career changers with existing bachelor's degrees. Leveraging a dynamic hybrid learning model, students engage in comprehensive online coursework complemented by immersive hands-on clinical experiences. The program strategically partners with prestigious healthcare institutions like Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth, providing robust practical training opportunities. Prospective students must maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA and successfully complete four prerequisite courses. Designed for full-time commitment, the curriculum emphasizes comprehensive nursing preparation, ensuring graduates are well-positioned to pass the NCLEX and launch successful nursing careers. With multiple start dates and no waitlist, Xavier offers a streamlined, supportive route into professional nursing.
- 16-month program duration
- Hybrid online and in-person
- Clinical rotations at top facilities
- Requires non-nursing bachelor's degree
- Minimum 2.7 GPA required
- Four prerequisites needed
- Prepares for NCLEX exam
- Locations in Cleveland and Columbus
- No health sciences background needed
- Full-time study commitment
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH - Private 4-year - wittenberg.edu
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online Learning - Visit Website
Wittenberg University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) provides a dynamic pathway for career changers seeking nursing credentials. This fully-online, 16-month program demands a non-nursing bachelor's degree and strategic prerequisite completions in sciences like Anatomy, Microbiology, and Chemistry. With 63 comprehensive credits, students engage in interactive digital coursework complemented by immersive clinical experiences. CCNE-accredited and designed for maximum flexibility, the program enables students to transition seamlessly into professional nursing while maintaining existing personal and professional commitments. Competitive at $675 per credit hour, the curriculum emphasizes real-world expertise through experienced faculty, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for contemporary healthcare challenges.
- Fully-online program.
- 16-month completion.
- 63 credit curriculum.
- Flexible asynchronous learning.
- Hands-on clinical experiences.
- Accredited by CCNE.
- Experienced faculty.
- Non-nursing bachelor's required.
- Prerequisite courses needed.
- $675 per credit hour.
Mount St. Joseph University
Cincinnati, OH - Private 4-year - msj.edu
Bachelor's - Accelerated 3-Year BSN Pathway
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mount St. Joseph University offers an innovative Accelerated 3-Year BSN Pathway targeting academically exceptional high school students with substantial college credits. This distinctive program strategically addresses regional healthcare workforce gaps while providing students an accelerated route to nursing licensure. Prospective students must demonstrate academic excellence with a minimum 3.5 GPA and competitive ACT/SAT scores. The curriculum blends comprehensive nursing education with a faith-based liberal arts foundation, emphasizing personalized mentorship and academic support. Students benefit from reduced tuition costs, dedicated academic coaching, and a rigorous educational framework designed to prepare compassionate, competent healthcare professionals prepared to meet contemporary medical challenges.
- 3-year undergraduate nursing pathway.
- Reduces tuition costs significantly.
- Requires 3.5 GPA for admission.
- ACT score of 21 or higher recommended.
- Personalized advising and mentorship.
- Faith-based liberal arts education.
- Targets high school students with college credits.
- Addresses healthcare workforce shortages.
- Rigorous curriculum standards.
- Dedicated Academic Success Coach.
Why the ABSN Route Appeals to Dayton Career Changers
Accelerated programs transform prior general-education credits into a springboard, enabling students to focus solely on nursing science and clinical practice. In Dayton, most cohorts span three or four consecutive semesters, trimming two years off the traditional BSN timeline. Shortened calendars lower tuition outlays and enable graduates to earn RN wages sooner. Local hospitals often sweeten the deal with tuition-repayment incentives tied to post-graduation employment, adding even more value for budget-minded students.
Research other Dayton, OH nursing programs.
Curriculum Snapshot
Typical ABSN plans in the Dayton region require about 60 upper-division credits and more than 600 supervised clinical hours across diverse specialties.
| Program Component | Examples of Coursework and Experiences |
| Biological Foundations | Pathophysiology, pharmacology, and advanced health assessment |
| Adult Health Nursing | Medical–surgical rotations at Miami Valley Hospital |
| Maternal and Pediatric Care | Clinical days at Dayton Children's Hospital |
| Mental Health Nursing | Inpatient psychiatry or community behavioral health placements |
| Community and Leadership | Population-health projects plus seminars in nursing leadership |
| Senior Capstone Practicum | One-to-one preceptorship in a self-selected specialty unit |
Applicants holding LPN or CNA credentials can compare credit-transfer rules in the detailed Nursing Bridge Programs guide.
Admission Essentials
Most Dayton ABSN programs ask for:
- Regionally accredited bachelor's degree, any major
- Minimum 3.0 GPA overall or in prerequisite science courses
- Completed prerequisites in anatomy, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and statistics
- Recent TEAS score; preparation strategies appear in the comprehensive TEAS overview
- Personal statement, professional references, background check, and immunizations
Submitting applications to multiple schools boosts scholarship odds and lets you compare service-payback options at area hospitals.
Where an ABSN Can Lead
A Dayton BSN unlocks bedside and non-bedside roles across southwest Ohio:
- Medical-surgical nurse assignments at Miami Valley or Kettering Health
- Community health initiatives through Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County
- Level I trauma experience in emergency departments is valuable for future Travel Nurse contracts.
- Academic simulation-lab teaching as a Nurse Educator
- Long-term career growth into advanced practice; explore pathways in the broad Nurse Practitioner section
Salary Expectations for Dayton RNs
Ohio pays competitive wages relative to its low housing costs. Dayton numbers place new nurses comfortably above the state median for individual income.
| Experience Level | Average Annual Wage* |
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | $57,000 |
| Mid-Career (3–5 years) | $73,000 |
| Experienced (5+ years) | $89,000 |
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Additional wage breakdowns by specialty appear in the statewide RN Salary report.
Paying for Your Degree
Dayton students combine several funding streams:
- Federal aid via the FAFSA
- Merit scholarships for second-degree enrollees
- Hospital tuition-repayment programs that exchange service years for loan forgiveness
- Employer tuition discounts through corporate-to-college partnerships
- National Health Service Corps obligations for those interested in primary-care shortages
Balancing Study With Dayton Life
Success in an intensive program hinges on planning:
- Map fixed clinical shifts first, then schedule study blocks around them
- Use college tutoring centers before falling behind in pathophysiology.
- Meet classmates for group drills at Carillon Historical Park's picnic tables to mix fresh air with flashcards.
- Reserve one evening each week for recreation on the Great Miami River Trail to reduce stress and improve focus.
- Prioritize sleep to safeguard patient safety during early-morning clinicals
Accreditation Safeguards Your License
Only programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) qualify graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Verify each school's status through its accreditor’s website and review preparation resources in the NCLEX section.
Networking Opportunities
Dayton's healthcare ecosystem offers rich professional connections:
- Greater Dayton Nurses Association monthly forums
- Student Nurse Association résumé clinics on campus
- Hospital mentorship pairings with veteran RNs
- Community flu-shot drives coordinated by Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County
- LinkedIn groups focused on nursing employment in southwest Ohio.
Major Employers Hiring New BSNs
- Miami Valley Hospital – Level I trauma, part of Premier Health
- Kettering Health Main Campus – not-for-profit Magnet facility
- Dayton Children's Hospital – regional pediatric referral center
- Wright-Patterson Medical Center – Department of Defense hospital
- Kindred Hospital Dayton – long-term acute-care services
Program Comparison Checklist
Use this list when deciding among Dayton ABSN options:
- Length in months
- Total tuition and mandatory fees
- CCNE or ACEN accreditation
- NCLEX first-time pass rate
- Clinical-rotation partners
- Scholarship or service-payback offers
- Delivery format (on-campus, hybrid)
- Student support services
Creating a simple spreadsheet with these points helps visualize differences quickly.
Begin Your Nursing Journey Today
Review entry criteria and application deadlines for regional Accelerated BSN Programs while exploring statewide opportunities through Nursing Programs in Ohio. With affordable tuition, steady demand, and a collaborative healthcare community, Dayton offers an ideal setting for a rapid transition into a professional nursing career. You can also find research an entire guide to Ohio ABSN programs.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
- Ohio Board of Nursing, 2024 NCLEX Pass Rates
- Premier Health, Clinical Education Partnerships, 2025
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