What is an Accelerated Nursing Program? 

An accelerated nursing program is meticulously crafted to have a shorter duration compared to a conventional nursing program. It caters to students who possess a Bachelor’s degree in a different field but aspire to make a transition into the nursing realm. Essentially, if your goal is to shift careers and embark on the path to becoming a registered nurse, this program could be an impeccable choice.

The realm of fast track nursing programs addresses the escalating demand for registered nurses within the workforce. To the point where hospitals may establish partnerships with educational institutions in a bid to bolster their ranks of fresh RN recruits. It’s no surprise that more than 282 accelerated BSN programs exist in the United States, with even more in the pipeline!

These programs delve into an extensive array of subjects in a considerably compact timeframe. Consider rapid-paced BSN degree programs, attainable in a mere 11 to 18 months. You will be building upon your prior collegiate knowledge, with a concentrated emphasis on nursing-centric coursework and practical clinical exposure. Moreover, your study journey is likely to be full-time, bereft of semester breaks. Thus, it serves as an excellent avenue for individuals without prior nursing backgrounds to swiftly acquire expertise in an entirely new field.

Accelerated Nursing Program Types

There are accelerated nursing programs to suit many levels and goals. Let’s learn about a few of them. Later, we’ll go into detail about some common program types. 

• Accelerated BSN. Often referred to as ABSN, this program entails obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within a compressed time frame. It accommodates individuals with non-nursing Bachelor’s degrees. As a result, it encompasses essential nursing skills and theoretical knowledge. The advantageous aspect is that you won’t be required to redo your general education courses. Nonetheless, you might have to fulfill certain prerequisites if you missed any foundational science and health courses during your previous college tenure.
• Direct Entry BSN to MSN. Tailored for individuals holding non-nursing Bachelor’s degrees, this program offers the unique opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) within a single integrated curriculum. This is particularly relevant for career paths like Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwife that necessitate a Master’s degree. Instead of pursuing a separate BSN program followed by distinct MSN studies, this route allows you to accomplish both endeavors concurrently.
• Accelerated DNP. Crafted to expedite the attainment of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, this program capitalizes on online courses and continuous learning methodologies. While some programs might stipulate a prerequisite of earning an MSN before entry, certain options exist to merge your MSN studies with your pursuit of a DNP.
• MSN to PhD. This program seamlessly integrates your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) studies with the pursuit of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing. This strategic combination facilitates a streamlined transition from your MSN coursework to the advanced curriculum of your doctoral studies. It’s imperative to have obtained your BSN prior to enrolling in this program.

Accelerated BSN, MSN, and PHD in Nursing Programs  

Accelerated nursing programs are available across the spectrum of educational levels, encompassing Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral tiers. As you navigate your academic journey, here’s an overview of what to anticipate at each stage:

Fast track BSN Programs

The accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) is crafted to be pursued as a subsequent degree endeavor. Consequently, it typically demands a reduced number of credits (typically ranging from 49 to 60) compared to a conventional Bachelor’s program. Given your completion of general education courses in your prior degree, you’ll seamlessly transition into the realm of nursing studies.

The curriculum will lay the groundwork for your transition into the nursing profession. It will encompass critical health sciences, such as pharmacology and pathophysiology, while also immersing you in the intricacies of patient care. This entails mastering nursing practices for diverse scenarios, spanning from surgical contexts to psychiatric situations. Furthermore, you’ll delve into nursing methodologies tailored for various demographics, including children, women, and the elderly.

The culmination of your accelerated BSN program lies in the clinical hours you’ll undertake. Within the clinical setting, you’ll have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to authentic healthcare environments. Here, you’ll acquire practical skills like tending to wounds and conducting diagnostic tests.

It’s noteworthy that certain prerequisites might be stipulated for your fast-track BSN program. These prerequisites would involve courses that you should have already completed during your initial Bachelor’s program. Failure to have completed these prerequisites necessitates their fulfillment before commencing the accelerated nursing curriculum. These preparatory courses could encompass subjects such as biology, chemistry, statistics, and nutrition.

Admissions requirements for an accelerated BSN program may include: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a non nursing field, from a regionally accredited school
• Minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) 
• Post secondary transcripts 
• Personal statement 
• Letters of recommendation 
• Resume 

Common courses in an accelerated BSN program may include: 

• Foundation of Nursing Practice. Just like it sounds, this course covers the basics of nursing. You’ll learn skills like patient assessment, analysis, and intervention. And, you’ll learn how to keep patients safe, clean, and comfortable.
• Pharmacology. This course focuses on drug therapy. You’ll learn the chemistry behind medicine and how it treats diseases. You will learn how to calculate dosage. And, you’ll explore the toxic effects of misused drugs. 
• Nursing Care of Children and Their Families. Your patients will have different needs throughout the lifespan. This course covers children, from infancy through adolescence. You’ll also examine the role of the family in children’s health. 
• Community Health Nursing. This course introduces you to nursing for groups and communities. That include disease prevention in group settings. You’ll also look at environmental hazards that could impact large populations. And, you’ll study how to promote good health within communities. 
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. Psychiatric patients need nurses with knowledge of mental health. This course covers how to deliver a treatment plan to those with mental health needs. You’ll learn about the social and cultural factors at play, and how to provide sensitive care.  

Accelerated MSN Programs

For those embarking on a career change, an expedited Master’s in Nursing program presents a promising route. This program is alternately referred to as a “direct entry” or “entry-level” MSN, as it is tailored for individuals holding non-nursing Bachelor’s degrees, akin to fast-track BSN programs. This trajectory becomes particularly pertinent if your ambitions involve a profession demanding a Master’s degree, such as becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Since its target audience comprises non-nursing graduates, an accelerated MSN program typically integrates both Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and MSN coursework. The program’s structure might dictate an initial attainment of the BSN. This phase will cover the fundamental aspects of nursing, spanning from professionalism to pathophysiology. Subsequently, you will advance into more intricate subjects, culminating in the acquisition of your MSN.

Frequently, an MSN program grants you the liberty to select a concentration area. This empowers you to tailor your academic pursuits in alignment with a specific career path, be it Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, or even delving into nursing research. Notably, this program could also equip you with the competencies required to lead teams of nurses or spearhead community health initiatives.

Admissions requirements for an accelerated MSN program may include: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in a non nursing field, from a regionally accredited school 
• Minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale) 
• Post secondary transcripts 
• Letters of recommendation (academic and / or professional) 
• Personal statement or essay 
• Resume 
• GRE scores (may be optional) 

Some common courses in an accelerated MSN program include:

• Adult Health Nursing. A course like this may focus on both theory and clinical experience. You’ll learn important nursing concepts. And, you’ll practice them in person. That includes IV access and care, using a catheter, and keeping wound dressings sterile.
• Maternal / Newborn Nursing. Learn the skills to care for mothers and babies. This course covers pregnancy and birth. You’ll learn about neonatal care, nutrition, and issues that occur during pregnancy. You will also learn how to care for infants after they are born.   
• Nursing Leadership and Management. Running a nursing team or health organization calls for business knowledge. In this course, you’ll learn the theory and practice of leadership. That includes motivation, conflict management, and decision making. 
• Assessment Across the Lifespan. This course covers how to assess and understand patients. You could look beyond symptoms, to gain the full picture of a patient. That includes cultural, social, and even spiritual factors. 
• Becoming an APRN. Advanced practice registered nurses go beyond the basics. They specialize in areas of patient care, like midwifery or gerontology. This course covers what you could expect from this career path. It may be a good intro to further studies in a concentration area. 

Accelerated Doctorate in Nursing Programs 

Fast-track doctoral programs in nursing diverge slightly from accelerated BSN and MSN programs. This divergence arises because these programs typically require applicants to hold a Bachelor’s in Nursing as a prerequisite for entry. Despite this criterion, these programs can facilitate the expedited attainment of a PhD in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.

Certain accelerated nursing doctoral programs offer the opportunity to concurrently earn a Master’s degree. In essence, they amalgamate MSN studies with doctoral-level coursework, thereby expediting your academic progression. Other programs necessitate initiating your journey with an MSN and gain acceleration through features like online courses or continuous curriculum, which may forgo traditional semester breaks. This approach contributes to minimizing the temporal investment required to achieve a PhD or DNP.

Irrespective of the pathway, doctoral-level nursing courses delve into advanced subjects, encompassing realms like nursing research, evidence-based practice, and public policy. Furthermore, you can opt to specialize or delve into an advanced practice area. This is particularly relevant for many Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who pursue a DNP or PhD. Should you choose a clinical concentration, your focus would be directed towards mastering the nuances of practice within that specific domain. For instance, a pathway leading to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner could encompass comprehensive training in primary care and advanced health assessment.

The crux of your time and dedication will likely be invested in a scholarly project or dissertation. In this endeavor, you will acquire the skills to employ research methodologies in resolving practice-oriented predicaments. This might even involve venturing into uncharted territories within the nursing field. Anticipate amalgamating this newfound knowledge in your culminating project.

Admissions requirements for an accelerated nursing doctorate may include: 

• BSN and/or MSN from an accredited school
• Postsecondary transcripts 
• Resume 
• Letters of recommendation 
• Valid U.S. RN license 
• APRN license (if it applies to the program)   
• GRE scores
• Goal statement or essay
• Writing sample     

Some common courses in accelerated nursing doctoral programs are: 

• Statistical Analysis for Evidence Based Practice. In this course, you’ll learn skills to analyze research. These include qualitative and quantitative reasoning. You’ll use these methods to draw insights that will inform your nursing practice. 
• Leadership as an Advanced Practice Nurse. This course explores the leadership functions of APRNs. You’ll study skills for communicating with and guiding others. You will also learn how to improve patient outcomes, safety, and more. 
• Healthcare Informatics. This field uses information engineering in health care. You’ll bring skills from information and computer science to the health field. This can help you understand and gain insights from health data. 
• Epidemiology. This course covers population health and the spread of disease. You’ll study methods for intervention and control of disease. You will also learn how to conduct research in this field.  
• Clinical Research Design. Research is a big part of doctoral nursing programs. That includes original research. This course teaches how to design a research study using human subjects. You’ll learn about ethics, controls, and how to make sure your findings are valid. 

Accelerated Nursing Online Programs 

An online accelerated nursing program has a convenient format that could save time. It covers the same coursework as an in person program. But, you don’t have to stick to a rigid course schedule. You could study any time of the day or night. 

This flexibility can be great, but also challenging. That’s because you’ll need to keep yourself on track and manage your time well. Sure, you’ll have access to supportive faculty and classmates. But, you may have to be more proactive about reaching out for help and mentorship. 

That said, if you plan to earn a fast track nursing degree, you’ve already earned at least a Bachelor’s degree. Hopefully, that means you’ve mastered time management. In fact, employers have reported that accelerated nursing program grads tend to be more mature. They’re older than traditional students. And, they usually have work experience in another field. All this could be helpful for online learners. 

Even if your program is mostly online, some parts will likely be in person. Many programs require labs and simulations. Some of these could be done virtually. But, many of these experiences call for in-person guidance. And, your clinical hours will likely be done at a hospital or health care facility near you.

In the end, it comes down to your preferences and learning style. Either program format could help you transition to a nursing career path. 

How long does an Accelerated Nursing Program Take? 

A typical accelerated BSN degree takes 11 to 18 months to earn. That includes any prerequisite courses you may need to take, depending on your educational background.  

While the shortest program may be 11 months or less, many take somewhere in the range of 14 or 15 months. These programs are designed to be pursued full time. That means you may not be able to keep working while you earn your degree. 

That said, some schools offer accelerated BSN programs that are also part time. These take a few years to earn but may still take less time than a traditional BSN program. 

Accreditation for Accelerated Nursing Programs 

Opting for an accredited fast-track nursing program carries significant weight. Accreditation serves as an assurance that your chosen program adheres to specific benchmarks of quality. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is entrusted with accrediting programs based on their commitment to excellence and ongoing enhancement. The overarching objective is to ascertain that nursing programs effectively cater to both students and the broader public, while simultaneously equipping them for professional practice or advanced studies.

Parallel to this, it’s imperative to factor in the licensing requisites within your state. Across all states, prospective nurses are mandated to graduate from an approved nursing program. To gain clarity on which programs hold approval, consulting your state board of nursing is essential. It’s noteworthy that approval and accreditation are distinct concepts. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that a substantial number of state-approved nursing programs align with CCNE accreditation standards.

In order to obtain a nursing license, successful completion of the NCLEX exam is imperative. The National Council Licensure Examination evaluates your grasp of fundamental nursing knowledge and the tenets of patient care. Your proficiency in addressing questions in these realms will be evaluated:

Safe and Effective Care Environment 

• Management of Care 
• Safety and Infection Control 

Health Promotion and Maintenance 
Psychosocial Integrity 
Physiological Integrity 

• Basic Care and Comfort 
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 
• Reduction of Risk Potential 
• Physiological Adaptation 

Completing an accredited program doesn’t ensure you’ll pass the NCLEX. But, it should cover the materials you’ll need to know.