Accelerated Nursing Programs
As the name indicates, accelerated nursing programs provide a path for interested candidates who wish to enter the nursing field and finish quicker than the usual time frame. Online nursing programs should never be misinterpreted as accelerated nor are all the accelerated nursing programs available online; thus it requires you to clearly verify the authenticity and pattern of the program before enrolling.
Time savings is one of the biggest benefits of the accelerated nursing programs. The accelerated BSN program lasts approximately 12 to 18 months compared to 3 to 4 years for the standard RN to BSN program. If you choose to continue towards an accelerated MSN, this coursework generally takes three years to complete which is included with the BSN (AACN). From there you can become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, or a nurse midwife.
In order to qualify for the accelerated nursing program, an individual must complete a bachelor’s degree in any subject with or without having acquired an RN prior to entering the accelerated program. Many registered nurses looking to advance their career without having to return to school fulltime have found the accelerated BSN degree program beneficial. Other RN’s who already have a bachelor’s degree in another area of study choose the accelerated program to earn their BSN without repeating the basic requirements that typical bachelor degree programs require. The advanced accelerated nursing programs are also suitable for nurses who have an Associate’s Degree and there are options to earn both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree simultaneously. The candidates with impressively high number of credit hours can also apply for these accelerated programs.
If you are eligible to attend the accelerated nursing program offered in many registered nursing schools and universities, be sure you understand the requisites of these programs apart from the educational qualifications. Most of these accelerated programs are very rigorous with an intense curriculum that is quite high in order to complete the course in a shorter time frame. The normal 3 years nursing program is completed within 11-18 months in most of the accelerated nursing programs. With such a high work load students seldom have a chance for any break between different class sessions. So it is essential that you are mentally prepared to handle this short-term fully-packed life style.
We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments, and financial aid options needed to be successful with an accelerated online nursing degree program.