Accelerated Nursing Programs: All You Need to Know
Nursing school can be an exhausting and demanding experience, especially if you’re taking the traditional route of four years. If you’re planning to become a nurse, you have the option of enrolling in an accelerated nursing program, which can shorten your time in school significantly while still providing the skills you need to succeed in the real world.
But what exactly are accelerated nursing programs? How are they different from traditional nursing programs? And are they right for you? Keep reading this guide to learn everything you need to know about accelerated nursing programs today!
Online Accelerated Nursing programs
A nursing career is often touted as one of America’s best jobs, and many people choose a career in nursing after being inspired by their own personal health challenges.
Fortunately, there are now many different ways to become a nurse—including online accelerated nursing programs that help you earn your degree faster than traditional methods. But what exactly are accelerated nursing programs? Here’s everything you need to know about these emerging options for healthcare workers.
How Do I Decide if an Accelerated Program is Right For Me?
Accelerated nursing programs allow you to receive training in a shorter period of time than is typical for a traditional RN program. The benefits are clear—you’ll finish your schooling sooner and graduate with significantly less student loan debt.
Accelerated programs are ideal for students who know they want to become nurses but don’t have an abundance of free time. Many accelerated programs require that you work at least 20 hours per week, which can be a challenge if you’re already working full-time or attending school full-time.
If you aren’t sure that nursing is your calling, but still want a career in healthcare, an accelerated program may not be right for you.
How Much Does it Cost to Attend an Accelerated Program?
There are a variety of factors that come into play in determining the cost of an accelerated nursing program. Students need to understand that tuition and other fees are just one piece of an accelerated program’s total cost.
While accelerated nursing programs are typically more expensive than their traditional counterparts, students who opt for one should look at them as an investment in their education and future career. An online, accelerated nursing program may be cheaper than a traditional campus-based program—especially if you choose a part-time option.
If you’re worried about finding a way to pay for your education, ask about scholarships or financial aid available through your institution or state board of the nursing agency.
Read Also: Best Online Nursing Programs That Are Completely Free
Are There Prerequisites for Applying?
If you’re applying for a professional degree program, you might have some general education requirements or prerequisites before you can apply. The accelerated nursing programs listed below are designed for students who do not have any prior nursing degrees or don’t have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college.
If that’s your situation, check with each school to see if there are prerequisites required before enrolling in an accelerated program. Remember, it’s never too early to start preparing for nursing school and how you spend your time now will affect how easily you transition into a professional nursing program.
What Type of Degree Will I Earn from an Accelerated Program?
Nurses who pursue an accelerated program should keep in mind that most programs award either a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, depending on the curriculum. The type of degree you earn from an accelerated program will depend on your previous education; for example, if you already have a bachelor’s in another field, then pursuing a master’s-level accelerated nursing program is likely your best bet.
If you’re looking for job security and more opportunities for advancement as opposed to further education opportunities, it might be better to work toward becoming a registered nurse (RN) first before entering into an accelerated program later.
Is It Easy to Transfer Credits From Another Institution Into An Accelerated Program?
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to attend an accelerated nursing program that’s based in their home state. For those who are, transferring credits from another institution can be a simple process. If you have questions about whether your credits will transfer into your accelerated program, contact an admissions representative for more information.
Just because you can’t physically enroll in one of these programs doesn’t mean you won’t be accepted—it just means there are a few more steps involved in becoming a nurse sooner rather than later. Many accelerated nursing programs will help make the application process easier by providing guidelines for what you need and directions on how to apply for your particular situation. And don’t forget about financial aid!
Am I Eligible for Financial Aid if I Enroll in an Accelerated Nursing Program?
Financial aid eligibility is a complicated thing, and there are many factors that go into whether or not you’ll receive assistance while attending an accelerated nursing program.
The first is scholarships, the second of which is grants. grants are free money, as are loans. unlike loans, there’s no repayment necessary with credit. The first step to figuring out if you can get financial aid for accelerated nursing programs is to find out what your income level is.
How Long Will it Take Me to Complete My Degree After Starting in an Accelerated Program?
There are accelerated nursing programs that start every month of every year. So if you begin in January, and classes run January through May, then you’ll finish your degree by December of that same year. Keep in mind, though, that you can only do so many credits per term.
The total credits required for a BSN program is around 70 credit hours with most students taking between 3 and 4 terms per academic year. This means it could take two years to complete a BSN when doing an accelerated program but you will end up graduating with your Bachelor’s Degree earlier than someone who doesn’t do an accelerated program. It’s all about timing.
How Do I Choose Between Two Schools with Similar Outcomes, Scholarships, etc.?
Whether you’re wondering whether you should choose a top-ranked private university with a great scholarship package or a second-tier school closer to home, it helps to have some facts at your disposal. Most rankings systems try and help—so long as you know how to interpret them.
The U.S. News & World Report guide ranks schools based on factors including undergraduate academic reputation, admission rate, student-to-faculty ratio, peer assessment, and more; numbers alone don’t tell all of your stories though, so read up on individual programs before settling on an accelerated nursing program that best fits your needs and ambitions.
How Do I Know Which School is Right For Me?
Today, there are more options than ever for accelerated nursing programs, which are designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. These programs can help you fast-track your journey toward becoming a nurse, offering shorter courses and smaller class sizes that allow students to move from beginning nursing classes to clinical experience more quickly.
To know which accelerated program is right for you, ask yourself what you want out of your education and career as a nurse. If job security is important, or if you don’t have time to attend school full-time but still want an RN license after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, then accelerated programs maybe your best option.
Conclusion
Accelerated nursing programs can help you get where you want to be. But they’re not for everyone. Talk with a few people who have participated in accelerated nursing programs and see what they had to say about their experience before deciding if it’s right for you. Read more here.