All About the new accelerated nursing programs?

By 2012 the US Department of Labor estimates the medical system will need more than one million new and replacement Registered Nurses in the US. As a result many nursing schools across the country are exploring ways in which to increase school capacity and reach new student populations. One such way is accelerated nursing programs which provide accelerated nursing programs for non-nursing graduates. These schools offer both a Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree programs which build on you prior learning experiences. They provide a means for those individuals who have undergraduate degrees in other fields to transfer into accelerated nursing programs.

Such accelerated programs offer the student the quickest route to a license as a Registered Nurse for those who have already completed a Bachelor’s or Graduate’s degree in a non nursing discipline. Such programs take between 11 to 18 months to complete and include some prerequisites, While a fast track master’s degree program will usually take the students 3 years to complete.

At present such accelerated nursing programs are available in most states and also in the District of Columbia and Guam. By the middle of 2006 there were 173 accelerated bachelor degree programs and just under 50 accelerated master’s programs at nursing schools across the country. And as of July 2006 there around 40 accelerated bachelor degree programs in the planning stage along with 17 new accelerated master’s programs.

What will accelerated nursing program do for me?

These unique programs accomplish the training required in a short time as they build on previous learning experiences. The instruction provided on these programs is 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.

Admission standards are high and they will typically require the student to have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and the student will usually also have to go through a screening process. But those who are accepted for these programs are encouraged NOT to also try and hold down a full time job, as the rigors that are associated with this intense training will make it hard for them to be able to complete the degree requirements.

The nursing schools which provide these accelerated programs are specifically geared to those individuals who have already shown their ability to succeed at a college or university. Many students who have already finished either a bachelor’s degree, or are graduate degree students tend to be attracted to these fast track programs as they are the natural next step in their education and a successful nursing career.

- Debbie North

The Ultimate Money Management Software »« Effective Ways to Start Blogging