An accelerated nursing program works by condensing all of the curriculum offered by a traditional four-year BSN program into just 12, 16, or 24 months. By utilizing online coursework, skills and simulation labs, and clinical placements, you could be on your way to becoming a nurse faster than you think.
There are multiple paths you could take to earn your nursing degree. However, if you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, attending an accelerated program may be the best way to leverage your previous education into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Accelerated nursing programs empower you to earn your BSN sooner—in the case of the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you could earn your BSN in as few as 16 months.
What Is an ABSN Program?
An ABSN program condenses all the material taught in a traditional four-year nursing program into 12, 16, or 24 months without compromising quality. As such, earning an ABSN requires dedication and commitment throughout the entirety of the program.
An ABSN program is a great choice for people who want to expedite their nursing studies, such as those who are:
- earning a second-degree
- changing careers
If you fit into one of these groups, keep reading to learn about how an accelerated program works and how it can benefit students with previous non-nursing college experience.
How Does an Accelerated BSN Program Work?
It’s common for high-quality ABSN programs, like the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s, to employ a comprehensive learning model that combines three main components: nursing courses, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations.
Hands-On Skills and Simulation Labs
Of course, you’ll need to be able to apply nursing fundamentals and theories to the real world. You’ll be able to do just that through hands-on labs utilizing state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology.
Clinical Rotations
Once you complete your nursing coursework and practice in-person skills during labs, you’ll have the opportunity to step into a real-world situation, as Mount Saint Vincent has clinical partnerships with diverse, top-tier healthcare facilities in the area.
Now that you know how an ABSN program works, you may be wondering why it may be the right choice for you.
The Benefits of an ABSN 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. Let’s take a look at some other benefits of becoming an ABSN student at Mount Saint Vincent.
1. Accelerated Timeline
Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program not only enables you a high-quality BSN; 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
When you become a nurse, you’ll be entering a field where your work hours and schedule are likewise flexible. Hospitals generally offer different shift options, so you can choose whether you want to work longer shifts for fewer days or shorter shifts more frequently.
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
- Maternity care
- Mental health
- Pediatrics
- Long-term care
- Public health and disaster management
4. Increased Career Options
When you earn your BSN though 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 BSN is also the first step toward furthering your education, paving the way for you to pursue an advanced degree as a nursing educator or nurse practitioner.
In as few as 16 months, Mount Saint Vincent prepares you to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and enter the field as a confident and capable nurse.
Start Today
If you like what you have read so far and want to learn more about leveraging your previous education to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months, contact our admission team at the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program today.