With an accelerated degree program, a working nurse can complete her education in less than four years. Nurses with an accelerated degree are able to complete the coursework at their own pace, allowing them to continue working while they complete the degree. These nurses interested in accelerated degrees are able to obtain their master’s, doctorate, and RNs easily through a number of accredited colleges and universities. Here are a brief description of the different programs offered and what the requirements are for each.
The first category of nursing programs available to nurses is accelerated nursing school. Unlike traditional programs, this accelerated program allows you to complete your course’s much faster by taking many courses in an accelerated fashion. Nurses with a master’s degree typically take four to six years to complete their coursework. For most nurses, the job of their dreams is not within these parameters because it would be impossible to finish all the required courses in that amount of time. For this reason, accelerated nursing schools are designed for those who want to advance in their nursing career as quickly as possible.
Students enrolled in this program have a choice of attending classes during the spring or the fall. Because the clinical portion of the degree requires that nurses work under the supervision of a registered nurse, students must be available to work in clinics for a minimum of three months before being permitted to graduate. For nurses already working in the field, this amount of time may seem excessive, but it is necessary to fulfill all the clinical requirements. By attending to them early, nurses can save themselves a lot of time and frustration when graduation time rolls around.
The second category of accelerated nursing programs are designed for nurses who already have a master’s degree in hand or are pursuing an RN degree. These programs have been created for nurses who wish to shorten the length of their nursing career by earning a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice). A DNP is typically required to be certified by the state in which one wishes to practice, and to obtain this certification a student must pass a specific number of clinicals and a written exam. Once a nurse is licensed to practice, he or she will not need to complete a DNP in order to move to the next level of nursing. Instead, they will be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply to accelerate their studies. This allows for an accelerated BSN or MSN program to take effect, which can often cut years off the timeline of a nursing career.
The third type of accelerated nursing programs are typically available at community colleges. Community colleges offer students the chance to learn more in a smaller setting without the added pressure of an accelerated program. While the coursework is often simpler than that of an accelerated BSN or MSN program, there is no need to attend four-year colleges in order to achieve a diploma. In fact, many community colleges offer the same courses as four-year universities at the same reduced cost. For those wishing to further their nursing career while avoiding the expense of an accelerated BSN or MSN degree, these options may be the best way to achieve goals.
All three types of nursing programs allow students to get the hands-on experience they need to prepare themselves for the nursing industry. They also offer the chance to get a foot in the door with employers once a student has completed their clinical and passed their licensing exams. These programs do not necessarily focus entirely on nursing practices, and therefore many nurses choose to continue their education with a technical or elective degree. For those who want to continue working in the nursing field while completing an advanced degree, they may choose to enroll in a master’s program. These programs are most common after students have become experienced in one area of nursing. All three types of accelerated nursing schools provide students with the opportunity to enter the nursing field sooner rather than later.