how do accelerated bachelors to BSN programs work

How Do Accelerated Bachelor's to BSN Programs Work?

Over the next 20 years, nursing studies show that a bachelor’s degree in nursing will be required more and more in the healthcare industry. Individuals who are already RNs, such as ADNs, have academic pathways to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. But what do you do if you want to enter the nursing field and you already have an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field? Going to school for another four years may not sound too appealing. If you are interested in nursing and already have a degree, then an accelerated bachelor’s to BSN program may be a great fit for you. 

What is an Accelerated Bachelor’s to BSN Program?

An accelerated bachelor’s to BSN program is a nursing program specifically designed for individuals who have already completed a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts program of study. The compact curriculum is designed to compress two years or more of traditional nursing academics and clinical work into one year of study. The benefit to students is that they can be fully-fledged bachelor-level nurses at the completion of the year of study. If you decide on to complete this type of program, you may be able to enter the workforce in a much quicker timeframe than with a two-year ADN or four-year BSN program.

How Does Accelerated Coursework Work?

If you have a Bachelor of Art or Bachelor of Science degree, you may be accepted into the program based on your GPA scores. You may also be required to successfully pass other assessments such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). In addition, depending on your undergraduate degree, you may be required to take up to eight pre-requisite courses such as Microbiology, Human Growth and Development or Statistics. The great thing is that these courses may be available online through virtual coursework.

The accelerated program is designed in such a way that you focus on nursing for a full 12 months of coursework and multiple clinical rotations. Coursework is compressed, meaning course sessions may be as little as four to six weeks in length, as opposed to the traditional quarter or semester systems used in four-year plans of study.

Your comprehensive, fast-track coursework is identical to a traditional program of study including nursing coursework such as:

  • History and Basics of Nursing
  • Medical Surgical Nursing
  • Pharmacology
  • Women and Health
  • Pediatrics

Since the program is designed to prepare you as a BSN, you may not only be taking basic nursing practice courses, but also more advanced classes such as Public Health and Research. These courses can also prepare you for future supervisory or leadership roles, as many require a BSN. 

Since an accelerated nursing program compresses a minimum of two years of traditional work into one, it may be difficult to attend nursing classes, laboratory simulations and clinical rotations, study, and work a full-time job. Some accelerated nursing programs may require you to make some schedule modifications while school is in session.

Most accelerated programs are designed as “ground programs,” meaning most or all class work is completed directly on a college campus. An on-campus ground program may allow you plenty of face to face access to your nursing professors and clinical instructors and ensure you have quick, available assistance in this fast-paced, accelerated program of study. Your clinical rotations are completed at area hospitals or other healthcare institutions.

What Can I Do To Be Successful in Nursing School?

Nursing schools offering accelerated programs generally assume students with prior undergraduate degrees already understand academic life, including study habits, the use of technology to assist with class assignments, and the ability to work with others on team study or research assignments. In addition, nursing reports and studies indicate your work experience may contribute to your success as you have acquired basic work skills that translate into a fast-paced academic setting such as time management, collaborating with others, and quickly learning new techniques and acquiring knowledge. 

If you are considering an accelerated Bachelor’s to BSN Program to enter the nursing field, consider the following:

  • How fast do I want to complete my BSN?
  • What are my resources, including financial resources?
  • What are my personal and professional strengths that will contribute to my success in this type of program of study?

If you are interested in completing your BSN through an Accelerated Bachelor of Science Nursing Program, contact ECPI University’s College of Nursing to find out more about how you could earn your BSN in as little as 12 months! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's College of Nursing TODAY!

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