Choosing An Accelerated Degree Program
With so many online educational degree choices out there, it can be overwhelming to sit down and research programs before deciding which ones to choose. These categories or considerations are going to be the most important to you right now and in the future.
They are not the only ones, and if youve identified other considerations that are make or break for you, dont leave them off your research list.
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How Long Are Online Adn Programs
When calculating the length of an online associates degree nursing program, there are several factors to keep in mind. For example, how a school accepts transfer credits from other schools can make it easier to obtain advanced standing before enrollment. But one of the biggest variables is the academic path you choose. As you might imagine, a full-time path will take less time to complete than a part-time program. But exactly how different are these two options?
Full-time
A full-time course load will take two years to complete, with each semester comprised of about 15 credits . Before students dive into core nursing courses, they will need to complete the prerequisites. Some of these are general education classes that are often completed before enrollment into the nursing program others are nursing-related prerequisites that are taken during the first academic period. By the second academic period, students may begin taking core nursing courses and might even be gaining in-person training from laboratory courses and clinicals. For the rest of their time in the nursing program, students will usually take a mixture of courses that can be completed online and in-person.
Part-time
The length of the part-time track will vary based on the course load, but will usually add about another year to the associate degree pursuit. However, an extension of as many as 18 months is possible.
Transfer credits
Military training
Frequently Asked Questions People Ask About Nursing
An ADN trains students for the NCLEX-RN exam and nursing careers. An RN, or registered nurse, holds a state license to practice nursing.
Earning an associate in nursing typically takes two years for full-time students.
An ADN meets the requirements for entry-level roles including pediatric nurse, acute care nurse, and emergency nurse. It also qualifies graduates for RN licensure.
Many hospitals and healthcare organizations hire RNs with an associate degree. Nurses with an RN can also enroll in an RN-to-BSN program to complete a bachelor’s degree.
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Notre Dame Of Maryland University
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Graduation Rate: 54%
Notre Dame of Maryland University is a womens college with a strong nursing program. Male students can enroll in the accelerated BSN program, but not the traditional BSN program. The school is affiliated with the Catholic Church. though students can come from any religious background. Students who already have a bachelors degree in another field can complete an accelerated BSN at the school. The institutions traditional BSN program is a four-year on-campus degree. NDMU even offers an online BSN option for students who cannot attend class on-campus. The online program is an RN-to-BSN degree that is only open to registered nurses.
School Overview
- Pikesville, Maryland
- Graduation Rate: 54%
Stevenson University is a private institution that is well-known for its excellent health science programs, including its nursing programs. Stevenson used to be known as Villa Julie College before being re-named in 2008. The school offers an accelerated BSN option. This program is designed for students who have completed a bachelors degree in another field and students who are transferring from another university. This program can be completed in two years. Stevenson also offers a traditional four-year BSN and an MSN program.
School Overview
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Graduation Rate: 92%
School Overview
From Adn To Passing The Nclex
Any prospective nursing student interested in enrolling in a nursing program should make sure it will effectively prepare them to pass the NCLEX-RN. Without passing this exam, graduates cannot become registered nurses and all that time and effort into schooling will be wasted.
Besides tailoring the curriculum to cover subjects that will be on the NCLEX-RN exam, nursing schools will take additional steps to ensure their graduates have the best possible chance of passing. Some schools require students to take periodic assessments to not only identify deficiencies in the training, but also to encourage the students to further study what theyve been taught. Other schools might provide a special NCLEX-RN review course for students near the end of the program or immediately upon completion.
A good way for future nursing students to find a reputable online associate degree nursing program is to look at the schools NCLEX-RN passage rates. As a general rule, the better the program, the higher rate at which its graduate pass the NCLEX-RN.
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Career Growth & Salaries For Adns
The career outlook for graduates with an ADN is extremely bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median income for registered nurses is $70,000 and it projects a 15 percent growth rate from 2016 to 2026. Most graduates of an associate degree nursing program will go on to become registered nurses, but that doesnt mean thats all they can do.
One interesting job possibility is working as an expert witness for criminal or civil litigation. Many personal injury and criminal court cases need special witnesses with expertise in medicine to explain to jurors how a biological process works or how a health facility is supposed to operate. One thing to keep in mind is that the best expert witnesses will have at least a few years of experience working as a nurse in a medical setting. The more experience an expert witness has, the more powerful their testimony will be in court. Compensation for an expert witness can vary greatly based on the level of experience, popularity among lawyers, and whether they practice medicine on the side. However, PayScale calculates that legal specialists have a median salary of $60,272.
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Licensure For Adn Students
ADN graduates can qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed nurses. Nursing license requirements vary by state. Approved programs meet board-established curriculum and clinical experience requirements. Some state boards require candidates to submit official transcripts.
States such as Colorado only license graduates of nursing programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Nurses pay for their initial licensure. Costs vary by state. Nurses also pay to renew their licenses periodically. License renewal requires about 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Specific requirements vary by state.
Some nurses obtain licenses in other states through licensure reciprocity agreements. State boards that participate in agreements such as the Nurse Licensure Compact can help nurses transfer their license.
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Texas Online Adn Program Spotlights
To help you find the best online ADN programs in Texas, weve identified some of the top hybrid options in the Lone Star State for 2020. The options highlighted below provide the affordability, flexibility, accreditation, and support you need to thrive in school and beyond. Both programs highlighted below hold approval from the Texas Board of Nursing and maintain high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Learn more about the 2020 standout nursing programs in Texas.
Blinn College District
Designed to prepare students to work as registered nurses, Blinn College Districts two-year ADN program offers the academic rigor, hands-on training, and clinical experience needed to excel as a registered nurse. BCDs program holds approval from the Texas Board of Nursing and is accredited by the ACEN. Blinn College maintains a 98% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
From general education courses in humanities and the arts to advanced nursing courses focused on leadership and management, Blinns ADN program is 60 credits in length and typically takes two years to complete. While the majority of coursework is completed in person, some general education and nursing theory classes are available as hybrid or online options. Starting in the programs second semester, some weekend clinicals are available to help accommodate student schedules.
South Texas College
Accelerated Nursing Programs By State
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How Much Does A Nursing Degree Cost
Typical public colleges and universities with accelerated nursing programs charge in-state students the most affordable tuition rate. Out-of-state degree-seekers may pay as much for a degree as if they enrolled in a private school. Private colleges and universities charge more per credit but may help accelerated learners save money if they offer a per-semester tuition rate.
Many public and private schools provide tuition discounts to specific groups, such as active-duty military personnel, alumni, and learners working for a partner company or organization. Colleges and universities with this policy may offset this discount by charging international students more for a degree.
In addition to researching schools with an affordable tuition rate, prospective degree-seekers should determine their institutional and departmental financial aid eligibility. Students who transfer to an accelerated nursing RN-to-BSN program may qualify for a transfer or academic merit scholarship, depending on their undergraduate GPA. Other financial assistance may include need-based grants.
What Are The Advantages Of An Accelerated Adn Program
Someone who has already earned their LPN and wants to earn their ADN can benefit from accelerated associates degree in nursing program. Most of the time, an accelerated associates degree nursing program is designed to enable LPNs to earn their ADN and become licensed as an RN while theyre employed. In the event an LPN can quit working altogether to focus on getting their ADN, the accelerated program enables them to earn their degree in less time and return to the workforce more quickly. The increased earning potential for an RN can quickly make up for the financial gap in employment as well.
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Are There Accelerated Rn Programs
Most accelerated programs will qualify students to sit for the required examination to become a registered nurse .
To become an RN, individuals must pass a national licensing exam. In the United States this exam is the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses . To register for the NCLEX-RN, individuals must graduate from a nursing program with a BSN or an ADN, including accelerated programs.
Salary Boost And Career Possibilities With An Associate Degree
In todays job market, people are wondering if its really worth it to get a degree. The simple answer is yes.
The U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics found that for workers between the ages of 25 and 34, the average annual salary for someone without a high school diploma was $29,300.
If a worker has a high school diploma, the average annual salary gets bumped up to $35,000. If a worker holds an associate degree, however, the average annual salary is $40,000.
In other words, if you earn an associate degreewhich, in an accelerated format can take you less than two yearsthen you may earn, on average, almost 30% more than someone who only has a high school diploma.
It may not even cost you the difference in pay to earn your associate degree, which means you may start benefiting from that pay increase the first year youre in the workforce with an associate degree.
All of the research points to the fact that people who hold degrees are more likely to make a higher salary than people who dont. The financial advantages are easy to see. What might not be as obvious to some people is that by simply holding an associate degree, your career and job opportunities might increase as well.
Since a high school diploma only indicates general knowledge and little to no relevant training for the job market, you often wont be as appealing an applicant as someone with an associate degree.
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Is An Accelerated Nursing Program The Best Choice For Me
Individuals who are considering a career shift to nursing might wonder if an accelerated nursing program is the right choice for them. There are several important factors to consider when deciding whether this type of program is best for you.
Accelerated programs condense a large amount of education into a short time frameusually in fewer than 18 months for bachelor programs and less than three years for masters level programs1. For someone who is interested in this type of program, it is important to consider whether or not you can handle the time constraints and academic demands of accelerated courses.
Students with strong time management skills who thrive in a fast-paced learning environment may find an accelerated program better suits their needs. In addition, accelerated programs are a good option for students who are looking to advance their education or shift into a nursing career, but want to do so in less time than whats required of a traditional program.
It is important to weigh the pros and cons of an accelerated program and carefully consider if this type of program will fit your needs.
What Is A Bsc Nursing
The BSc in Nursing imparts knowledge on recent research, practices, and policies related to the field of Nursing. The study covers a variety of specializations like Adult Nursing, Children Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Midwifery. Besides, you will develop clinical skills throughout the course.
You will receive training in clinical ward areas, theatre and recovery, and infection control. Apart from that theoretical knowledge, you will get exposure through hands-on internship experiences in the same field. The course is top-rated among women and men internationally, as it is a respectable and noble profession.
| 12,010 GBP per year |
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Online Associates In Legal Studies
Are you interested in the legal system but arent sure that a career as an attorney is for you?
Perhaps youd prefer to become a legal assistant or a paralegal. Earning an associates in the field of legal studies can help you prepare for those positions. Associates degree holders may also find work as legal secretaries, and they are sometimes responsible for finding information and data in titles and other legal documents.
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Classes for this degree program may cover contracts, wills, litigation, torts, research and ethics. After graduation from some programs, you may be eligible to take the Certified Paralegal Examination.
Can I Really Earn My Adn Degree Online In Texas
While most ADN programs in Texas are campus-based, some offer general education courses that can be completed online. As colleges confront the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19, hybrid and online coursework options for healthcare degrees will continue to expand. This increase in online education has the potential to become a more permanent option as health and safety concerns persist.
ADN coursework covers a wide range of topics from the prerequisite general education courses to specialized nursing classes and clinical work. In many programs, at least some foundational classes can be completed online, but in-person classes and hands-on clinical hours are required and essential to your nursing education. Supervised clinical hours take place at medical sites approved by your school and are often located nearby campus. Learn more about the intricacies of online and hybrid nursing degrees on EduMeds main page covering online ADN programs.
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Paying For Accelerated Bsn Degree Programs
Are you wondering how to pay for your accelerated BSN program? Potential costs include tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses. You may not be able to work while studying, or you may be working fewer hours.
Fortunately, there are many for nursing students. Professional associations, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and government agencies offer many grants and scholarships. Some government programs cover full tuition and other costs, or offer loan forgiveness for candidates who agree to work in underserved areas after graduation.
Lpn To Adn Online Programs
Recognizing the desire for many LPNs to become registered nurses, several schools have special bridge programs. These allow practicing nurses to earn an associate degree and become registered nurses. Because LPNs already have significant training and classroom instruction within the nursing field, these programs allow students to save time when earning an ADN.
LPN to ADN programs take roughly 15 to 18 months to complete. The exact length will depend on whether the student attends full-time or part-time, if prerequisite courses are included in the curriculum, and the students educational background. Most LPN to ADN bridge programs will give credit for LPN-related coursework. They often have generous transfer guidelines for giving credit for general education courses taken at other institutions.
Another advantage of LPN to ADN bridge programs is that students can begin their hands-on clinical training earlier in the program. As an added bonus, some schools will have a seamless transition for ADN graduates to go on and earn their bachelors degree in nursing if they wish.
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Adn Nursing Classes You Can Take Online
While the clinical portion of your ADN program will have to be completed in-person, along with any required orientation and class meetings that some programs mandate, there are many classes from your nursing program that you can complete online.
In general, you can expect that many of the general education requirements that you need for your Associates can be completed online, as well as any introduction to nursing classes, and the majority of nursing theory and classes outside of clinicals, such as pharmacology and biology.
As an example of what an online ADN program might look like, heres an overview of the types of courses in an ADN curriculum that can be completed online:
- English