Accelerated BSN
Change Careers, Save Lives
We know that each person’s journey to a nursing career is unique. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree or higher in another field of study who desire to pursue this impactful career.
Our 16-month ABSN program takes all the exceptional qualities of the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and condenses it, providing an expedited degree completion option. This option allows qualifying students to earn their degree through a hybrid format (online and in-person learning components), while maintaining the same rigor and high-quality of a standard nursing program. There are also fewer prerequisites required compared to other programs, so you can spend less time catching up and more time focused on gaining relevant experience.
graduates working in health care
Program Highlights
Set up for Success
100% of graduates from our nursing program are working in health care careers. Research shows 79.6 percent of employers want BSN-prepared nurses as lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors and positive outcomes are expected of them (AACN, Oct. 2017).
Expert faculty, small class sizes
Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who care deeply about you as an individual. Our small class sizes allow meaningful connections to form among students and faculty. As we strive to create approachable environments that foster community, you gain invaluable knowledge from nursing content experts.
Nashville, TN
With online and in-person learning components, you can take advantage of learning in the health care capital of the nation. Nashville, Tennessee is home to countless health care facilities which our nursing students utilize, as an extension of the classroom. You'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in patient care and learn from industry leaders.
Our Faculty
Chelsia Harris
Executive Director, Nursing
Harris’ clinical experience includes practice in medical-surgical acute care, outpatient cardiology, preventive health, primary family practice, and occupational and home health. Prior to joining Lipscomb University as an associate professor and the Associate Director of Nursing for Degree Development in 2017, she taught for eight years as an associate professor of nursing in a baccalaureate program at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri.
Ashley Jackson
Assistant Program Director, ABSN Program
Ashley first joined Lipscomb in 2020 working in Nursing Admissions. She has since worked as nursing faculty, teaching in obstetrics and healthcare simulation across the nursing curriculum at Belmont University. In 2023, Ashley was appointed as the Assistant Director of the Accelerated BSN Program at Lipscomb.
Christine Deere
Professor of Practice Nursing
Christine Deere grew up in a Chicago and moved to Nashville, TN to attend Lipscomb University in 2012. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Lipscomb University in 2016, her masters of science in nursing degree with an emphasis on family nurse practitioner from Middle Tennessee State University in 2020 and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice with an emphasis in executive leadership from Union University.
Sarah Brewer
Assistant Professor
Sarah Brewer is originally from Topeka, Kansas. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Washburn University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Belmont University. She is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and has presented her research both locally and nationally.
Mary Hesselrode
Assistant Exec Director for Academics
Mary Hesselrode grew up in a military family and lived in several locations nationally and internationally. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas in 2002, her master of science with an emphasis on family nurse practitioner from Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, Texas in 2007; and her Doctor of Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Organizational Leadership and Management from Lipscomb University in 2015.
Jennifer Hicks
Instructor
Jennifer Hicks is originally from New Jersey. She earned her bachelor of science degree from Harding University in 1981, and her master of science in nursing degree from Vanderbilt University in 2004; and she is currently enrolled in a Philosophy Doctoral degree at the University of Kentucky.
Lori Kelly
Assistant Professor
Lori Kelly received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan, a Master's degree in Nursing at Bowie State University, and a Master in Business Administration at Thomas More University. She received her Doctorate in Education from The University of Alabama. Lori comes to Lipscomb most recently from Middle Tennessee State University where she was on faculty in their School of Nursing.
Roletha Pillow
Associate Professor
Roletha Pillow is a native of Nashville. After her academia appointment, Pillow earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Union University. She holds several nursing licensures, certifications and professional nursing memberships.
Jenna Sissom
Assistant Professor
Jenna Sissom is originally from Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her Master Science of Nursing in Nursing Education from Austin Peay State University.
Jill Stafford
Assistant Professor
Clinically, Jill has worked in many different healthcare settings but found the greatest passion in oncology nursing where she worked as a certified oncology and chemotherapy Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for many years. Jill started teaching at Lipscomb University in 2010; prior to this, she taught undergraduate nursing at two other institutions.
Beth Twomey
Assistant Professor
Beth Twomey is originally from Smyrna, Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Belmont University and her Master Science of Nursing in Nursing Education from Middle Tennessee State University. Twomey's teaching responsibilities include the Health Assessment and Pediatrics courses. She is passionate about nursing education and bringing an interactive approach to the classroom setting.
Kathy Williams
Assistant Professor
Kathy Williams brings to Lipscomb University her passion for missions. She leads the Destin, Florida mission trip every spring that includes nursing, pharmacy and dietician students. Presently, Williams teaches Community Health in the spring semester and leads the Foundations labs in the fall along with a Foundation clinical.
Carlie Woodroof
Non-Teaching Instructor in Nursing
Prior to transitioning to this role at Lipscomb University, Carlie Woodroof spent the last five years in bedside nursing. Woodroof started her nursing journey at the University of Washington in adult oncology, and eventually moved to Nashville to be closer to family and spent the last several years caring for the pediatric hematology and oncology population at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is a certified pediatric hematology and oncology nurse through the ONCC.
Learn More about our ABSN Program
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