Accelerated Nursing Programs - Who Are They For?


by Debbie North - Date: 2007-03-12 - Word Count: 413 Share This!

So what exactly is an accelerated nursing program?

Accelerated nursing programs offer the student the quickest route to gain a license as a Registered Nurse for those who have completed a Bachelor's degree in a non nursing discipline. Such programs take between 11 to 18 months to complete and include a few prerequisites. A fast track master's degree program will generally take around 3 years to complete.

By the year 2012 the U.S. Department of Labor estimates the county will need more than 1,000,000 new and replacement Registered Nurses in the US. As a result, many nursing schools are exploring ways in which they can increase capacity and reach new students. One answer is fast track nursing programs which provide nursing degrees for non-nursing graduates. These nursing schools offer a Baccalaureate and Master's Degree programs which build on previous learning experiences. Thus they provide a means for those individuals who have training in other fields to transfer into nursing programs.

At present such accelerated nursing programs are available in 43 states and the District of Columbia. By the middle of 2006 there were already 173 accelerated bachelor degree programs and 46 accelerated master's programs at nursing schools across the US. As of the last report (July 2006) there were another 40 accelerated baccalaureate programs being developed along with 17 new accelerated master's programs.

Admission standards for these programs are high and usually require at least a 3.0 GPA. Plus the student will usually have to go through a screening process before they are accepted. Those who are accepted are encouraged NOT to also try and hold down a job, as the rigors that are associated with this intense training will make it hard for them to be able to complete the all degree requirements.

These programs accomplish the required training in a short time since they build on your previous learning experiences. The instruction provided on these programs is often intense as the courses are offered to students full time with no breaks between sessions. But the students on these programs will receive the same number of credit hours as those who are using traditional nursing programs.

The nursing schools which provide accelerated nursing programs are specifically geared to those individuals who have already shown their ability to succeed in college. Students who have already completed a bachelor's degree they tend to be attracted to these fast track programs. They are the natural next step in their higher education training and a great means to a successful nursing career.


Related Tags: nursing schools, bsn, rn, nursing degree, rn to bsn, accelerated nursing programs

To locate both traditional and online accelerated nursing programs please visit us at http://www-Nursing-Careers.com

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