Accelerated Nursing Programs

The figures show that there is a current shortage of nurses in the United States and the administrators must plan for the future. Accelerated Nursing Programs are proving to be an effective solution to the problem. This scheme involves Baccalaureate and Master's Degree programs. Non-nursing college graduates can apply. However, the admission standards are high. The best candidates will be picked for their academic standards and the ability to learn at a brisk pace, as these programs are intense. The minimum entrance requirement is usually a 3.0 GPA. The faculties prefer the students not to have jobs, so that they can concentrate on their studies.

The Baccalaureate scheme is the fastest way to become a licensed Registered Nurse, following the completion of a Bachelor's or Graduate degree in another subject. The fast track Baccalaureate Accelerated Nursing Program takes between 11 - 18 months to complete, whilst the Master's Degree equivalent takes approximately 3 years. Programs of this type are offered in 43 states in the US and also in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The combination of classroom study and clinical experience will lead to a rewarding career. Employers are keen to recruit graduates from the Accelerated Nursing Programs, as they tend to be more mature and have shown academic excellence. Certain students will be eligible for financial assistance and some employers help with the financial responsibility by forming a partnership with a school through grant funding and scholarships. For some students, this educational path leads them to become nursing educators themselves.

A nursing qualification opens up a wealth of opportunity. Highly qualified nurses are highly prized and can gain employment in a hospital, doctor's practice, workplace or even a cruise ship. There are many different aspects of health care to learn about. An understanding of theory and an aptitude for practical skills is essential. The Accelerated Nursing Program equips the student in everything that's expected of them and more.

Different specialties are to be found when looking at the curriculum for Accelerated Nursing Programs at the various nursing colleges. The School of Nursing at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland has a program that includes Community Health Nursing, Disaster Response and Pediatrics. The College of Nursing at New York University includes Children with Special Needs, Nursing Education, and Palliative Care. The School of Nursing at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond includes Nursing in Faith Communities, Psychology/Mental Health, and Women's Health.

There is a useful guide on the market with regard to the delivery of medical qualifications. It is titled 2004's Definitive Guide to Combined Medical Programs: Everything You Need to Know About Combined and Accelerated Medical Programs. The book is by Neil Roy and Manosh Chakravorty.