What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?

There is more than one way to earn a nursing degree. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, attending an accelerated program might be the best way to apply your previous education to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing.

Accelerated nursing programs allow you to earn your BS in Nursing sooner. For example, at the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you could earn your BS in Nursing in as few as 16 months. But what is an accelerated nursing program, and how does an accelerated nursing program work?

What Is an Accelerated Nursing Program?

Before taking a look at accelerated nursing programs, it’s helpful to understand how they differ from traditional programs. Students who have not completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree will need to enroll in a traditional nursing degree program, in which it generally takes four years of full-time study to earn a BS in Nursing. This is because these degree programs also include general education classes, such as courses in language arts and math, as well as electives.

On the other hand, if you have a bachelor’s degree, there’s no need to go back to school for another four years to earn a second one. Instead, an ABSN program condenses all the material taught in a traditional four-year nursing program into far less time without compromising quality. You’ll learn all the nursing concepts and skills as a traditional four-year student but with intensive coursework on a condensed timeline. Because of the rapid pace, earning an ABSN requires dedication and commitment throughout the entirety of the program.

Just like a traditional four-year nursing degree program, an ABSN program combines rigorous coursework on nursing theory with hands-on experiential learning. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:

• Coursework
• Nursing skills labs
• Nursing simulation labs
• Clinical rotations

How Long Are Most Accelerated Nursing Programs?

Every ABSN program is a little different. Some programs allow for the possibility of graduating in as few as 12 months, but most, like the Mount’s ABSN program, can allow you to graduate in as few as 16 months. Certain factors can affect this timeline. For instance, if you need to repeat any courses, it will likely take longer to graduate. All students can expect to enroll on a full-time basis.

Note that this timeline does not include prerequisite courses. It’s common for students to need to take at least a few prerequisites to ensure they are academically prepared to tackle the intensive nursing curriculum. For example, you might need to take general chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and psychology. You might also need to take college-level English and mathematics.

When you talk to an admission counselor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, they will review your unofficial transcripts to determine which prerequisites you may need to take prior to enrollment.

How Does an Accelerated Nursing Program Work?

It’s common for ABSN programs like the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s to combine three main components: nursing courses, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations.

Curriculum and Coursework

You’ll explore nursing concepts and theories in your courses. The curriculum covers a broad range of nursing competencies and concepts, including:

• Pathophysiology
• Health assessments
• Fundamentals of nursing practice
• Nursing research and evidence-based practice
• Pharmacology
• Health promotion

You’ll also examine nursing care across the lifespan, as well as community health nursing and behavioral health.

Hands-On Skills and Simulation Labs

You’ll learn to apply nursing fundamentals and theories through hands-on labs utilizing state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology.

In nursing skills labs, you’ll learn how to perform fundamental nursing care skills. These include placing intravenous (IV) lines, doing head-to-toe assessments, administering medications, and performing wound care. At the Mount, our faculty members understand how important practice is for refining nursing skills. If you attend our ABSN program, you’ll be able to practice your nursing skills as often as needed to feel confident with them. You’ll have access to the facilities outside regularly scheduled labs to get in more practice if desired.

In nursing simulation labs, you’ll work in groups to practice handling various patient care scenarios. Using high-fidelity medical manikins, which can simulate real patient responses and bodily functions, you’ll assess the problem and develop appropriate nursing responses. This is a risk-free learning environment in which mistakes are opportunities for learning.

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 New York City area.

During your clinicals, you’ll be placed at healthcare facilities to practice working in a real nursing unit, providing direct patient care under the watchful eye of your nursing instructors and preceptors. You’ll also gain experience in a variety of nursing specialties, such as pediatrics, acute care, and intensive care.

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How does an accelerated nursing program work?” you may be wondering why it might be the right choice for you.

The Benefits of an ABSN Program

There are so many benefits of an ABSN program, including a shorter timeline, a streamlined admissions process, convenient learning, and much more. Consider the benefits of becoming an ABSN student at Mount Saint Vincent.

1. Faster Path to Becoming an RN

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 your future as a nurse sooner, rather than spending four more 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. You’ll also be able to choose from a broad range of nursing specialties and workplace settings.

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
• Long-term care
• Maternity care
• Mental health
• Pediatrics
• Public health and disaster management

4. Increased Career Opportunities

When you earn your nursing degree through the ABSN program and become a registered nurse (RN), you open the door to a 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 schools.

Earning your degree is also the first step toward furthering your education, paving the way for you to pursue a graduate degree and pursue a career as a nursing educator, nurse practitioner, nurse manager, or other advanced careers.

5. Intense Focus on Clinical Skills Development

Another benefit of choosing the ABSN program at the Mount is the laser focus on clinical skills development. You’ll have highly dedicated nursing instructors who will walk you through every detail of each nursing skill, carefully explaining the hows and whys. You’ll be able to practice your new nursing skills as often as needed until you master them. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to put your new skills into practice in the real world during your clinical rotations.

Who Should Apply to an Accelerated Nursing Program?

An ABSN program is a great choice for people who want to expedite their nursing studies, such as those who want to earn a second degree and/or change careers.

With an ABSN program, you can earn your degree in as few as 16 months and make a career change to nursing sooner. Do note that because of the accelerated timeline, the pace can be intense. It’s important to ensure that you are strongly motivated to become a nurse and can keep up with the work.

You’ll also need to ensure you’re eligible for the program. Some of the eligibility requirements for the Mount’s ABSN program include:

• A completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA of at least 3.0
• Completion of all necessary prerequisite courses
• Consent for a criminal background check
• Proof of CPR certification
• Proof of First Aid Certification
• Updated immunizations and a complete immunization form

It isn’t necessary to have prior healthcare experience, but you might find it helpful. Consider looking for entry-level or volunteer positions in the healthcare field to gain exposure to the industry. Doing so may also help you determine whether nursing is really the right career move for you.

Start Today

The University of Mount Saint Vincent welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about helping others through a career in nursing. With the Mount’s ABSN program, you can graduate in as few as 16 months and be ready to confidently sit for the NCLEX®.

Here, you’ll benefit from exceptional faculty support, a rigorous curriculum, and our values-based education. Work toward your nursing degree in the heart of NYC and complete clinical rotations with some of the top healthcare facilities in the area, from NYU Langone Health to Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Ready to get started? Contact an admission counselor who will help you navigate the admissions process step by step.