Accelerated nursing programs, which can help you get your degree in sometimes half the time as a regular program, is becoming an increasingly popular option. With summer drawing to a close and the school year, or semester approaching, many people are having to finalize their plans.
Accelerated programs have the distinct benefit of helping those who's responsibilities mean they often cannot accommodate a campus program with "regular" course hours. Rather than taking the two years, like a regular schedule, these programs usually take only about one and a half years to complete.
An accelerated nursing degree is just as good one that takes more time, it's just compacted into a quicker timeframe.
Nursing prerequisites and requirements will vary, and they may not actually be the same as they would for a regular degree curriculum, but they shouldn't be any more difficult to cover.
As with any of your decisions regarding courses choices, you should talk with the admissions counselor at the nursing school you are considering. If it's an online program, see if there's an admission office or staff that you can reach by telephone. If not, you can always send an email.
Some matriculating courses are now specially designed with the "modern" student in mind. That is, students who must juggle school with traditional life responsibilities. It's no longer unusual to see students who are also holding down a full time job or position, and in some cases having to care for children as single parents. This "modern" lifestyle imposes a whole different set of concerns and considerations, not just financially, but in terms of scheduling time to study, attend class, take tests, etc.
For someone who already has an undergraduate degree in nursing, these 'fast track' programs can mean the difference between being stuck in their current job position and title, and having the opportunity and ability to move up, not just in position, but in pay scale and earnings potential as well.
Regardless of a person's current situation though, it seems as if time is more fleeting and precious these days as compared to what it was like many years ago. People are beset on all sides by others moving ahead quickly, changing schedules and life choices, and the like. Even the decision making process seems to have taken on a sense of increased urgency, particularly in areas affecting job and career paths.
In any event, the time is now, so-to-speak. With fall almost here, summer is over, and many programs will be beginning very shortly. Waiting too much longer to make a choice will in effect be making the choice for you. That being said, it's never too late if you're willing to "lay it on the line". Go ahead and call the admissions office directly, drop in and visit in person, or start sending emails, along with follow up.
Showing posts with label accelerated nursing program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accelerated nursing program. Show all posts
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Choosing A Two-Year Nursing Program
If you're interested in the health care field, you can be on a fast track quickly with a two year nursing degree.
There are very few career fields as hot or as secure as nursing. If you look in the classified section of any newspaper, browse through any Internet job site or visit the human resources department at any medical facility, the things you’ll find in common are the high number of nursing vacancies available.
Trained nurses are in high demand, which means they can command great salaries and desirable shifts, especially in the specialized fields. So if you’ve dreamed of becoming a nurse, this is the time to make it happen.
You can find nursing schools, both public and private, almost everywhere in the country today, all of them offering various levels of training to get you started in the field. One of the great things about nursing field is that it includes both men and women of all age groups, as many individuals decide to switch careers later in life. Some of the best nurses are those who have been in the workforce for several years and have other experiences under their belt.
Checking out your local community college is one of the most affordable ways to get into nursing school. There is probably an Associate Degree Nursing program at a two-year institution near you, which will give you the academic, hands-on and clinical training you need to graduate.
Upon successful completion of the program, you would be eligible to take the licensing examination for your particular state to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Getting into the nursing program of your choice is fairly simple, but because it’s a popular field right now, there may be a waiting list.
When you find a nursing school that you’d like to attend, make an appointment with one of their admissions counselors to discuss any special coursework you may need to pick up in order to gain entry into the program. It’s best to get that out of the way quickly, so you can concentrate on the specialty nursing classes once you become a student.
Going into a four-year degree program is also an option, but if you have your heart set on nursing and want to get right into patient care, finding a community college nursing school curriculum and pursuing a two year nursing degree is the way to go. Plus, it’s also more affordable, and who doesn’t like that? Good luck!
There are very few career fields as hot or as secure as nursing. If you look in the classified section of any newspaper, browse through any Internet job site or visit the human resources department at any medical facility, the things you’ll find in common are the high number of nursing vacancies available.
Trained nurses are in high demand, which means they can command great salaries and desirable shifts, especially in the specialized fields. So if you’ve dreamed of becoming a nurse, this is the time to make it happen.
You can find nursing schools, both public and private, almost everywhere in the country today, all of them offering various levels of training to get you started in the field. One of the great things about nursing field is that it includes both men and women of all age groups, as many individuals decide to switch careers later in life. Some of the best nurses are those who have been in the workforce for several years and have other experiences under their belt.
Checking out your local community college is one of the most affordable ways to get into nursing school. There is probably an Associate Degree Nursing program at a two-year institution near you, which will give you the academic, hands-on and clinical training you need to graduate.
Upon successful completion of the program, you would be eligible to take the licensing examination for your particular state to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Getting into the nursing program of your choice is fairly simple, but because it’s a popular field right now, there may be a waiting list.
When you find a nursing school that you’d like to attend, make an appointment with one of their admissions counselors to discuss any special coursework you may need to pick up in order to gain entry into the program. It’s best to get that out of the way quickly, so you can concentrate on the specialty nursing classes once you become a student.
Going into a four-year degree program is also an option, but if you have your heart set on nursing and want to get right into patient care, finding a community college nursing school curriculum and pursuing a two year nursing degree is the way to go. Plus, it’s also more affordable, and who doesn’t like that? Good luck!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Is an Accelerated Nursing Program the Right Choice for You
If you would like to become a nurse and care for others in a health care setting without investing years of medical training, an accelerated nursing program may be the choice for you. By building on prior learning experiences, accelerated programs offer undergraduates in a non-nursing discipline the opportunity to transition into the field of nursing. The United States Department of Labor estimates the demand for nurses to soar in coming years, with a projected need for over one million registered nurses by 2015. For adults with a bachelor’s degree outside of the health care field accelerated nursing programs are the fastest route to obtaining a license as a registered nurse, providing a speedy entrance into one of the most rapidly growing and highly demanded careers in health care.
Students are subject to intense instruction and must attend full time courses without the traditional breaks between semesters in order to ensure the same amount of clinical hours as if they had enrolled in a traditional, entry-level nursing program. Because of the rigorous curriculum and extensive coursework, accelerated programs have high admission standards that generally require a GPA minimum of 3.0. Prospective students are subject to a meticulous prescreening process in an attempt to recognize individuals who will thrive in such a vigorous training environment. In order to keep up with the heavy workload and successfully complete the requirements of the program, administrators encourage accelerated program students to refrain from working.
Accelerated nursing programs and all prerequisites are generally completed in 11-18 months for baccalaureate degrees and 3 years for master’s degrees. There are 43 states nationwide that offer accelerated nursing programs, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Colombia. Programs provide classroom and laboratory instruction as well as training in a clinical setting, providing valuable skills and preparing the student to become a beneficial member of a healthcare team. As a graduate of an accelerated nursing program with state licensure, nurses frequently pursue careers in settings that include nursing homes and hospitals, physician’s offices, public school systems and corporate occupational health.
Students are subject to intense instruction and must attend full time courses without the traditional breaks between semesters in order to ensure the same amount of clinical hours as if they had enrolled in a traditional, entry-level nursing program. Because of the rigorous curriculum and extensive coursework, accelerated programs have high admission standards that generally require a GPA minimum of 3.0. Prospective students are subject to a meticulous prescreening process in an attempt to recognize individuals who will thrive in such a vigorous training environment. In order to keep up with the heavy workload and successfully complete the requirements of the program, administrators encourage accelerated program students to refrain from working.
Accelerated nursing programs and all prerequisites are generally completed in 11-18 months for baccalaureate degrees and 3 years for master’s degrees. There are 43 states nationwide that offer accelerated nursing programs, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Colombia. Programs provide classroom and laboratory instruction as well as training in a clinical setting, providing valuable skills and preparing the student to become a beneficial member of a healthcare team. As a graduate of an accelerated nursing program with state licensure, nurses frequently pursue careers in settings that include nursing homes and hospitals, physician’s offices, public school systems and corporate occupational health.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)