Accelerated Nursing Programs

There is a lot of talk right now about the nursing shortage and the effect it is going to have on health care services in this country. A large group of nurses that are currently practicing will be retiring in the next decade, leaving a huge gap in the number of nurses available to fill open positions. Many colleges and universities are attempting to address this issue by offering accelerated nursing programs to students who want to pursue a career in nursing. Eligible candidates must have a bachelor�s degree already in hand at the time of application, not related to nursing, and meet the minimum academic requirements for admission. Some accelerated nursing programs require students to complete a certain number of arts and sciences credits before they will be allowed to enter. Many programs are seeing a large number of students interested in the accelerated nursing programs so long waiting lists are not uncommon. This is why admission requirements are so stringent, to make sure that only the most qualified applicants are allowed into the program.

Most colleges and universities that offer accelerated nursing programs require that students be proficient, with a passing grade of C or a grade point average of no lower than 2.0, to graduate and apply for licensure. Accelerated nursing program curriculums provide the nursing student with the a solid foundation in general nursing subjects, like health assessment, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, biology, and caring for patients with various health issues in all age groups. Accelerated nursing programs also require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours in different health care settings, which complements classroom instruction and allows the nursing student to become comfortable and proficient in providing care to patients. Accelerated nursing programs differ from others because the students granted entrance to these programs have already completed a degree and they are familiar with academic processes. This is a great advantage, which is why accelerated nursing programs were created. These students know what is expected of them, they are usually older, and have great personal and professional experience as well. Academic institutions recognize this and develop their curriculum to attract these types of students.

Accelerated nursing programs are perfect for some one who is looking for a different career, and has always been interested in health care. After completion of the programs, graduate nurses are qualified to apply to sit for licensure in their state, and when they pass boards, they are granted a Registered Nurse (RN) license. Many credits will also transfer to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, for which there are also accelerated programs available for students who are working full-time and family obligations too. Just like anything else, not all accelerated nursing programs are created equal; some are better than others, and cost as well as curriculum varies. People interested in applying for an accelerated nursing program should research each one and make the best possible choice based on cost, length of curriculum, learning experiences offered, pass rate for licensure exams, accreditation, and overall reputation.

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