School | Level | Program | Admissions |
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Campbellsville University | Bachelor | RN to BSN | Website |
Sacred Heart University | Bachelor | RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Website |
Utica University | Bachelor | RN to Bachelor of Science | Website |
Benedictine University | Bachelor | RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN) | Website |
Notre Dame of Maryland | Bachelor | RN-BSN | Website |
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Accelerated BSN programs are designed for people who already have a bachelor's degree in another discipline and want to change careers. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the number of accelerated BSN programs is on the rise. In 1990, there were only 31 programs nationwide. Today there are over 200.
We have 217 Accelerated BSN Programs in our database.
Online Accelerated Second Degree BSN Programs
Programs are available in the course room, providing flexible scheduling for busy working professionals. Learning through traditional in-person classes is the most standard and appreciated way to get an education.
With the rise in technology and growing acceptance of employers, online degree programs are also highly desired by students. Online accelerated nursing degree programs are just as effective and in-depth as traditional programs. Most people interested in this degree are already working in the field, likely under their current degree, so online programs provide ease of access and flexible scheduling that would be fitting.
The availability of convenience is the main factor that encourages people to become involved with this path.
School | Level | Program | Admissions |
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Methodist University | Associate and Bachelor | Online Associates and Bachelors Programs | Website |
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Typical Courses for Second Degree BSN
While in the accelerated nursing degree program, students will take courses that are relative to nursing specifically. Since the programs requirements include prerequisite courses such as anatomy and physiology, nutrition, microbiology, and statistics, students should have already taken these courses, or enroll in them as soon as possible.
The very basics of health and wellness are taught within these courses, making them vital to the curriculum that surrounds the field of nursing. The accelerated nursing degree program jumps straight into nursing concepts that help students understand how to treat patients in a clinical setting, as well as the different guidelines and restrictions that are set forth to aid nurses in performing their duties effectively. The accelerated nursing degree programs have carefully selected courses that complement the knowledge that students already have while setting them on a path to extended learning in the medical field.
Students will take courses in specialized patient care, principles of pharmacology, and nursing care of the elderly – just naming a few – while in this program. The entire accelerated program takes around 13 months on average, providing a quick path to a wonderful career. Upon completion of the accelerated nursing degree program, graduates are expected to pass a national board exam in order to become licensed. Clinical requirements are similar, but vary slightly by state. Individuals should research their respective state requirements in order to properly plan for their future licensure.
The Stature of an Online Second Degree BSN
Some prospective students are skeptical of the reliability of these programs. A bachelor’s degree program that can be completed in 13 months can seem unreliable to some. However, these programs are some of the most preferred for employers. A graduate that has completed prior educational requirements for a bachelor’s degree portrays excellence.
A graduate that moves forward into a nursing program portrays even further educational excellence – as well as maturity. These programs are accredited and provide for knowledgeable professionals. They are just as focused as traditional nursing programs, providing the same course work and clinical training. There is no difference in the quality of traditional nursing degrees and accelerated nursing degrees. Having a bachelor’s degree in any subject does not immediately provide a successful future.
Some students are learning this the hard way. The availability of these programs changes the way that people interested in the medical field view their future. These programs provide future promise of happiness and satisfaction as well as job security for those that choose to join them.
Why Decide on Nursing as a Second Degree?
As a graduate, new professionals should enter the field with a sense of accomplishment. Having a degree should promote a great sense of ambition, causing individuals to truly look forward to the field in which they having worked so hard to be in.
However, this is not always the case. Sometimes a degree can seem more providing than it actually is. A lot of graduate are finding that their degrees do not give them enough prestige to work at the level they desire – or even the field in which they desire.
The Desire for a New Career Path as a Nurse
For individuals that are not satisfied with the degree they hold, these feelings of ambition and accomplishment can be replaced by feelings of regret or failure. Since the medical field is such a popular source of employment for individuals, more and more people are feeling the urge to gear their future towards the field of nursing. This field is famous for its huge opportunity.
Nursing is a Rewarding Field
Nursing provides jobs for millions of people through the United States. The versatility of this degree draws in more and more prospects each year. Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in subjects other than nursing can transition to the field of nursing through in-depth accelerated nursing degree programs. The end result of these programs is a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.
Steps to Getting an Accelerated Second Degree BSN Degree
An individual with a bachelor’s degree in any subject has already taken a wide array of different prerequisites throughout their educational career. The accelerated nursing degree programs are based on the assumption that individuals do not want to take the same courses all over again.
Using the information already learned, students will engage in health and science-oriented studies that will provide for a successful career in nursing. In order to take part in these programs, prospective students should decide on a school and instruction-type for their program. There are a variety of different institutions that provide these programs for interested individuals.
Typical programs take approximately 12 to 18 months to complete. Your length of study may be contingent upon which prerequisites you have already completed in your original bachelor’s program. For instance, while you may have already taken many required liberal arts classes, you may not have sufficient credits in classes such as nutrition, microbiology, or anatomy and physiology to move onto nursing classes such as pharmacology, ethics, and practice specialty classes in medical, surgical, or psychiatric nursing.
These programs require a serious commitment from students. The subject matter in your nursing classes is complex and class and clinical schedules are significantly time consuming. Family and work obligations may need to be modified while you are in school.
These programs have stringent admissions criteria, in part because of the number of candidates who want to attend. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and many programs have a higher minimum requirement. Candidates are thoroughly pre-screened because only students who can commit to a program and complete it are desired.
The Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree
The benefits of changing paths can be monumental. For an individual that is unhappy in their current career, this decision could change the way they approach careers, leading to a happier life. Some degrees do not provide for the lifestyle that some people require to feel satisfied with their careers.
With the constant increase in cost-of-living, people are looking for careers that will last a lifetime and provide greatly for their families. Nursing is a field that provides generously for those involved. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that nurses earn $66,640 per year on average. The ability to earn as a bachelor’s level nurse is high in comparison to jobs under different bachelor’s degrees.
Accelerated nursing degree programs are the answer for those interested in helping people, having a career they can trust, and providing a stable lifestyle for their family. Depending on an individual’s drive and determination, the effort that goes into this accelerated program is small in comparison to what will come out of it in the end.
Once you receive your BSN, you are prepared to take your RN licensing exam and begin your career in multiple professional roles and healthcare settings. Nurses who complete an accelerated program are highly competitive in the job market. Employers value their maturity, experience, professionalism, and commitment to the profession.