Accelerated Nursing Programs
Becoming a nurse via accelerated nursing programs requires a commitment to furthering your education quickly in order to provide the best possible care to your patients. However, that doesn’t mean you have to wait forever to have a career in nursing. The U.S. Department of Labor anticipated that more than 1 million additional nurses will be needed by 2018. To help meet the demand for both new and replacement nurses for those who are retiring from the field, many schools are now offering accelerated nursing programs.
Accelerated Nursing Programs Admission
By gaining entry into an accelerated nursing program you can obtain your degree sooner than by attending a traditional nursing school program and can fast-track your nursing career. In order to be accepted into accelerated nursing program, you must have already completed your undergraduate or graduate education in another discipline. Having your college degree in hand, allows you the opportunity to transition into the study of nursing, in which you can then earn a baccalaureate or master’s degree. The program standards are high, with many requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission.
Program Availability
Accelerated nursing programs are now available in most states and in the District of Columbia. As of 2010, 231 accelerated programs and 63 master’s programs were offered by nursing schools in the U.S., with dozens more being prepared. Earning your degree via an accelerated nursing program generally takes from 11 to 18 months, while completing the master’s program can take up to 3 years. Students in accelerated nursing programs are required to complete the same number of clinical hours of training as those who attend traditional nursing schools. The curriculum of accelerated nursing programs is designed to build on the education and skills gained by students during their undergraduate studies. The programs are offered full-time and students are discouraged from working while they participate in the accelerated nursing programs.
Graduate Accelerated Nursing Programs
While earning a baccalaureate degree in nursing is the fastest way to become a registered nurse, many students with an undergraduate degree opt instead to pursue their master’s degree into order to earn top nursing salaries. The master’s accelerate nursing programs often attract older students who want to change careers or get back into the workforce. Because those students have education and work backgrounds in a wide array of areas, they are frequently encouraged to join the educational system and help teach upcoming nursing students. Some nursing schools will offer tuition rebates to those students who agree to return and put their graduate degree to use as a nurse educator.
Accelerated Nursing Programs Online
In addition to programs offered at brick and mortar schools, you can find accelerate nursing programs online. Because of the growing popularity of nursing programs and limited space in which to teach, many schools now have admissions waiting lists and students can be on those lists for years before finally being accepted. In order to help accommodate the interest in nursing, numerous schools are offering accelerated nursing programs online. These accelerated nursing programs allow students to complete their written coursework online and to perform their clinical work in the community where they live. Students must meet the same rigorous criteria for online programs as they would for any other accelerated nursing programs.
Accelerated Nursing Programs
