Individuals who love nursing must consider the multitude of aspects of the field. To be a nurse, you require comprehensive training and a long period of education both in school and clinical practice. The knowledge of the wide range of available paths to gain the right qualification for a nursing career ensures you know if a nursing career is your best choice.
What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?
This is a course series qualifying individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in usually less than two years. This is usually the fastest method of earning the preferred BSN credential. Let’s explore the distinction between ABSN vs BSN degrees.
It usually takes four years to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, but an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN), though intensive, is an abbreviated alternative if you already have a bachelor’s degree. The program is usually concentrated, full-time, and demanding.
This is why students are advised to have enough time for their studies or work while they complete the program. These programs are usually specially designed for individuals currently working but need a career advancement with a degree.
When Is the Right Time to Opt for an Accelerated Nursing Program?
Before choosing an accelerated nursing program, you must consider if it is the right choice for you. Some factors to consider include:
- Education: It would be best that your first degree provides a strong foundation in math and natural sciences. If you have a degree that doesn’t cover these areas, you might need to take additional courses first.
- Career advancement: After completing the ABSN, you can advance your career by pursuing a nursing specialization, such as nurse midwife, certified nurse anesthetist, or nurse practitioner.
- Commitment: The ABSN requires plenty of time to study and prepare for exams. You must decide to create time for studying, especially as certain programs don’t take breaks during summer and spring. The ABSN program requires a great deal of commitment from you.
- Funding: Ideally, it would be best if you could fund your studies without the need for additional work. Doing this ensures that you can remain focused while studying this concentrated and intensive course.
How Does the ABSN Program Work?
The major criterion for enrolling in an ABSN is a previously completed bachelor’s degree. Students require at least 54 college credits alongside a 3.0 GPA or higher to enroll in most accelerated programs. For many schools, they require students to have completed certain specialized classes, that includes, microbiology, genetics, biology, pathophysiology, nutrition, psychology, chemistry, physiology, and human anatomy. Numerous ABSN programs provide courses that refresh students on previously completed coursework and are essential to the nursing degree.
Endnote
Nurses are an important aspect of the healthcare industry, and as hospitals continue to fall short of nurses, the demand for qualified nurses keeps increasing. While this puts a strain on the healthcare sectors, there is a bright side to this. Nursing ranks among the top growing careers and there are numerous openings. A career advancement via accelerated proms would be a good move for professionals seeking stability, a good salary, and an excellent job.
