An accelerated nursing program works by condensing all the curriculum offered by a traditional four-year BS in Nursing program into just 12, 16, or 24 months. By utilizing online coursework, skills and simulation labs, and clinical placements, you could become a nurse faster than you think.
There are multiple paths you could take to pursue a nursing career. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, attending an accelerated nursing program might be the most logical way to leverage your previous education into a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing degree.
Accelerated nursing programs empower you to earn your BS in Nursing sooner. In the case of the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you could earn your degree in as few as 16 months. But what is an ABSN, and how does it work?
What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?
Before exploring the question, “What is an ABSN?” it’s helpful to know what a traditional nursing program is like. A traditional BS in Nursing degree program typically takes four years of full-time study to complete. It’s an ideal option for students who have graduated from high school but who have no or little prior college education. A traditional program combines coursework with hands-on learning experiences.
In contrast, an ABSN program is designed for students who already have a completed non-nursing degree. Some programs allow transfer credits. Since college graduates have already completed general education requirements, those are eliminated from the ABSN curriculum. This allows students to graduate with a nursing degree in far less time than the traditional four years. Like the traditional program, however, an ABSN program also combines coursework with hands-on learning.
Because of the accelerated timeline, earning an ABSN requires dedication and commitment throughout the entirety of the program. It can be a great choice for people who want to expedite their nursing studies, such as those who are changing careers.
If you’re eager to earn a nursing degree, keep reading to learn the answers to questions like, “What is an ABSN program like?” and “How long are accelerated nursing programs?”
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How Long Are Accelerated Nursing Programs?
How long might it take to earn a nursing degree with an ABSN program? Different ABSN programs have different timelines. At the Mount, for example, it’s possible to graduate in as few as 16 months. You might need to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting that 16-month timeline. In addition, you won’t officially be a registered nurse when you graduate; you’ll still need to pass the licensure exam.
How Does an Accelerated Nursing Program Work?
It’s common for high-quality ABSN programs, like the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s, to employ a comprehensive learning model that combines three main components: nursing courses, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations. It’s an intensive curriculum, but at the Mount, you’ll have the support of highly dedicated nursing instructors. In addition to the school’s academic support, you’ll enjoy the support of your fellow nursing cohort members.
Coursework and Curriculum
At the Mount, we provide onsite nursing classes to give our students the benefit of in-person interactions. You’ll be able to ask questions in real time during the lectures and forge close connections with your cohort. You’ll work through a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop a solid nursing foundation. The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Pathophysiology
- Health assessment
- Pharmacology
- Health promotion
- Evidence-based practice
You’ll also explore various specialty areas, such as behavioral health, adult health and community health.
Hands-On Skills and Simulation Labs
You will be able to apply nursing fundamentals and theories to the real world through hands-on labs that use state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology. You’ll complete two types of labs: skills labs and simulation labs.
Skills labs teach fundamental nursing skills. You’ll practice performing head-to-toe assessments, providing wound care, placing IVs, and handling a variety of other common nursing tasks. Our labs are always open to students outside of scheduled lab hours, so you can practice your new skills as often as needed to feel confident with them.
In nursing simulation labs, you and your cohort members will practice navigating patient care scenarios while working on high-tech medical manikins. These manikins aren’t like the mannequins you might see in store windows. Medical manikins can simulate an array of complex patient responses, from heartbeats to allergic reactions. Nursing sim labs allow you to develop clinical judgment and problem-solving skills.
Clinical Rotations
As you progress through the curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to step into multiple real-world situations, as Mount Saint Vincent has clinical partnerships with diverse, top-tier healthcare facilities in the area.
For each clinical rotation, you’ll be placed with a unit at a nearby healthcare facility. You’ll practice delivering direct patient care with supervision. Our students could be placed in rotations designed to provide exposure to a range of nursing specialties, including adult health, intensive care, obstetrics, and others.
Now that you know the answer to the question, “What is an accelerated nursing program?” you might be wondering whether it may be the right choice for you. The first step is to determine your eligibility.
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Who Is Eligible for an Accelerated Nursing Program?
Each ABSN program establishes their own eligibility requirements. At Mount Saint Vincent, you’ll need a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 from an accredited institution.
You’ll also need to complete some prerequisite courses. Our admission counselors can review your transcripts to determine which prerequisites you might need to complete. These could include:
- General Chemistry
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
- Psychology Across the Lifespan
- A collegiate-level English language course
- A collegiate-level mathematics course
You’ll need at least a “B” in all science prerequisites and at least a “C” in non-science prerequisites.
Advantages of Choosing an Accelerated Nursing Program
The benefits an ABSN program offers include a shorter timeline than a regular BSN program, a streamlined admission process, convenient learning, and much more.
1. Accelerated Timeline
Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program not only enables you to earn a high-quality nursing degree; it also offers you the opportunity to earn that degree in as few as 16 months.
This would enable you to enter the workforce and start on your new future as a nurse sooner rather than spending years in school. You’d also be able to make an impact on those who really need it and help close the national nursing shortage by providing lifesaving care as soon as possible.
2. Flexibility
Choosing the ABSN program at Mount Saint Vincent offers greater flexibility compared to a traditional nursing degree program. Whereas a traditional program typically offers only two start dates per year, here, you can choose from three start dates. Start taking classes in January, May, or September instead of waiting months for the next available start date.
Plus, the Mount offers multiple ABSN locations throughout New York City. You can attend classes and labs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, or Yonkers.
3. Clinical Experience in Diverse Areas
Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN provides diverse clinical rotations in top area hospitals so you can gain firsthand experience in a variety of disciplines, including the following:
- Acute care
- Adult health
- Intensive care
- Obstetrics
- Mental and behavioral health
- Pediatrics
- Long-term care
4. Increased Career Options
When you earn your nursing degree through the ABSN program and become a registered nurse, you open the door to a wide variety of jobs, both inside and outside the hospital. A few of the interesting places you can work as a nurse include cruise ships, airplanes, military bases, summer camps, and school systems.
Earning your BS in Nursing is also the first step toward furthering your education, paving the way for you to earn a graduate degree and pursue a career as a nurse educator or nurse practitioner (NP).
In as few as 16 months, Mount Saint Vincent prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® and enter the field as a confident and capable nurse.
Get Ready for Your Future in Nursing in NYC
Where will your nursing career take you? There are so many possibilities you could explore with a BS in Nursing, and it can all begin at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Our accelerated nursing program can allow you to switch careers to nursing in far less time than you’d think. Plus, you can enjoy our clinical partnerships with nationally renowned hospitals in New York City like Memorial Sloan Kettering and NYU Langone Health.
Contact an admission counselor today to learn more and find out if our ABSN program could be right for you.