Do you have questions like, “what is an accelerated nursing program” and “how does an accelerated program work?” Learn how a BSN can help you and how, at Felician University, you can graduate in as few as 16 months fully equipped for a career in nursing.
There are many different pathways to earning your nursing degree, but which nursing program is the right one for you? If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, an accelerated path may be your best choice. So, what is an accelerated nursing program? Well, we’re glad you asked.
An accelerated nursing education like Felician University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows you to leverage your previous education and/or non-nursing degree to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree sooner. Our Hybrid ABSN program based in Parsippany, New Jersey, or 18 months, while our On-Ground program based in Rutherford, New Jersey.
How Does an Accelerated Nursing Program Work?
An ABSN, or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a program offering a faster path to nursing that compresses a traditional four-year nursing program into 12, 16 or 24 months without compromising quality. ABSN programs require a lot of dedication and commitment since they are on a much tighter schedule.
While previous education is the first step in determining whether this program is a fit, there are other factors that you will need to consider in order to enroll and be successful.
Below, we will explore how an accelerated program works, the benefits it can provide to students with previous non-nursing college experience, and what is needed to thrive as an accelerated BSN student.
We will look at Felician University’s hybrid Accelerated BSN program in New Jersey as an example. By the end of this blog post, you will have the tools to determine if an accelerated nursing program is the right choice for you.
Who Can Apply
An ABSN program is a great choice for people who want to fast-track their path toward nursing, such as:
- Second-degree students
- Those looking to switch careers
- People who have already completed at least 60 non-nursing college credits
- Students who want an online or hybrid nursing experience
Make sure that you meet all eligibility requirements before applying. This includes having completed at least 60 non-nursing college credits with a 3.0 GPA. You will also need to fulfill certain prerequisite requirements before enrolling. Your admissions counselor can help you determine your eligibility and what prerequisite classes you will need to take beforehand.
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How Does an Accelerated BSN Program Work?
Many accelerated nursing programs, like Felician University’s 16-month online-based ABSN program in Parsippany and 18-month on-ground ABSN program in Rutherford, use a comprehensive learning model that combines three major components.
In as few as 16 months, this comprehensive learning model provides you with the experience you need to graduate and prepares you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Because Felician University’s ABSN program includes online and on-site learning, you must live in or near Parsippany, New Jersey or Rutherford, New Jersey, in order to enroll.
When you enroll in a ABSN program, you can expect to complete coursework, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations. Let’s look at what each of those can encompass.
Online and Onsite Courses
The online portion of Felician University’s hybrid Accelerated BSN program features an interactive e-Learning platform to deliver the core nursing coursework and fast-track your path to a BSN.
You can also take courses on campus in Rutherford with the 18-month On-Ground ABSN program Felician offers.
Hands-On Labs
Following the core coursework, you will then turn the nursing fundamentals and theories learned online into psychomotor skills through hands-on labs at one of Felician University’s state-of-the-art ABSN sites.
Clinical Rotations
Once you complete your online nursing theory and practice it in person during lab, you will put what you learn into real-life practice through diverse clinicals at top healthcare facilities in the New Jersey area.
Now that you know how an ABSN program works, you may be wondering why it’s a good option and what the benefits may be.
Why a BSN in Nursing is Important
The world of healthcare is changing, and the field of nursing must adapt with it. There are many reasons why a BSN in nursing is becoming increasingly vital in comparison to an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN).
During a BSN program, you gain more knowledge of nursing practice and how to apply it in real-life scenarios. This opens a world of opportunities in your career. In 2022, registered nurses with BSN degrees made an average of $89,010 nationally. If you choose to continue your education, a BSN will prepare you to pursue a higher degree and become a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and much more.
You should also know that an increasing number of hospitals are requiring their nurses to have a BSN. As healthcare demands have increased, healthcare employers want their nurses to be as qualified as possible. Some states are even starting to require all their nurses to obtain a BSN such as New York’s “BSN in 10” program. Overall, a BSN provides a strong advantage and with Felician’s ABSN program, you can achieve a BSN in the same time it usually takes for an ADN.
ABSN vs Traditional BSN
A BSN provides significant benefits to your nursing career, but why should you choose an ABSN over other programs?
The first thing to consider when weighing ABSN vs. BSN is that an ABSN program provides you with the same quality of education as a traditional program on an accelerated timeline. If you are looking forward to beginning work as a nurse as soon as possible, an ABSN might be the right fit for you. Rather than spending four years in a bachelor’s program, you can complete the same degree in only 16 months.
Keep in mind that since this you are learning everything you need to become a nurse on a shorter timeline, you can expect the program to be quite rigorous. You can certainly achieve it with hard work and dedication, but you should be sure to consider your lifestyle patterns and personal capacity before applying.
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Find Your Fit with the Felician ABSN Program
If you have enjoyed learning about “what is an accelerated nursing program?” and want to hear more about leveraging your previous education to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months, contact our admissions team at Felician University’s ABSN program today.