How To Become An Rn Fast: 3 Potential Paths To Pursue
By Kirsten Slyter on 06/21/2021
The best things in life are worth waiting for.
Youve likely heard it a million times, and while you get the sentiment, this old adage just doesnt sit right with you. You know what you want, and youre not one to wait around for it. You prefer life in the fast lane, plus you have bills to pay and professional goals to reach. You simply dont have the luxury of waiting.
Youre motivated to launch your registered nursing career and want to find a nursing program that will help you earn your scrubs as soon as possible.
Youll be happy to hear that nursing is a field with a variety of entrance options to suit your preferences. So if you want to become a nurse fast, you can find a path to fit your needs. Once youre working, you can always go on to advance your education further in the future.
Keep reading to learn more about your options for how to become an RN fast and see which path sounds like the best route for you.
North Central Texas College
- Gainesville, Texas
The North Central Texas College prepares students for entry-level nursing positions in the state that refers to practical nurses as vocational nurses. The curriculum is generally the same as schools that offer practical nursing programs rather than programs such as the Vocational Nursing program at this school. Students still gain the skills and knowledge to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination after successfully completing the program.
The online accelerated program focuses on developing and utilizing scientific principles and technical skills as they apply to vocational nursing across a variety of settings.
Tuition:
Top Accelerated Bsn Programs 2022
Medically reviewed by Chaunie Brusie, BSN, RN on September 12, 2021
For those who are considering a career change into nursing and already have a bachelors degree in another subject finance, restaurant management, even music an accelerated BSN as a second degree may be an excellent option for you.
However, if the thought of embarking on a four-year degree journey especially if you already have a Bachelors under your belt isnt appealing to you, you might want to consider an accelerated BSN program. This guide will highlight the information you need to know about going back to school for an accelerated BSN degree, from how much the program can cost to what advantages your advanced degree could hold.
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Thomas Edison State University
Admissions: Rolling admissions
Program Length: 27-Credit Hours. Can be completed in as little as 15 months. BSN courses are offered during 8-week sessions and there are 4 one-week breaks every 12 months.
Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
Program Cost: $14,850
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
College of Nursing – Contact Phone Number: 609-777-5680
College of Nursing – Email Address:
Admissions: Applications are accepted in April, August, and December
Program Length: 24-Credit Hours.
Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
Program Cost: $5,491.44
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
College of Nursing – Contact Phone Number: 855.780.7466
Admissions: Applications are accepted in spring, fall, and summer on a rolling admission.
Program Length: 30-Credit Hours.
Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
Program Cost: $12,300
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
College of Nursing – Contact Phone Number: 717-796-1800 or 717.796.5061
College of Nursing – Contact Email Address:
Admissions: Applications are accepted in March and September
Program Length: 31-Credit Hours. Students could choose to enroll full-time or part-time .
Location: 100% online, with the ability to take classes on a full-time or part-time basis.
Requirements And Prerequisites For Accelerated Bsn Programs
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Associate Degree In Nursing
Associate degree nursing programs are typically 2 years in length. You will graduate with an RN license and you will have a full scope of practice of a registered nurse, in comparison to an LPN. Your pay will begin on the scale of a registered nurse. However, in many places, the salary ceiling is lower than for a bachelors prepared nurse.
The restrictions to an ADN are typically career growth positions like management, leadership, or clinical nurse specialists are reserved for bachelors prepared nurses. Just like the LVN to RN bridge, there are many ADN to BSN programs that can help you advance your career when the time is right for you.
Become A Registered Nurse And Launch Your New Career In 14 Months
Georgian Court University is the smart choice for those serious about transitioning to nursing. Our decade-long partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jerseys largest health provider, offers a tremendous advantage for our nursing students.
Our 14-month, accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is an intensive, hands-on experience that prepares students to achieve RN licensure and launch their careers soon after completion. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, we train our nurses to have successful and purposeful careers.
We will be opening our application for our June 2022 start date later this Summer. The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program enrolls students for starts in June and November of every year. Seats are limited, so those interested are encouraged to complete their applications as soon as possible.
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Explore Our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Bs Weekend Program
The weekend ASDBS program is an intensive weekend program. It is a pre-licensure program for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study. The program consists of 5 semesters that you will complete over 18 months. Coursework and clinical will be completed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The first cohort will begin in the Fall of 2021.
What Is A Fast
A fast-track nursing program is also known as an accelerated nursing program, or direct entry nursing program.
A fast-track nursing program is designed for students who want to become a licensed Registered Nurse, but already have their bachelors degree in another field. Fast-track nursing programs can be offered at both bachelors and masters degree levels.
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Can I Schedule An Individual Meeting With Someone At Nyu Meyers To Discuss My Application
Interviews are not a part of the admissions process for applicants to NYU Meyer’s baccalaureate program. Due to the volume of applications received, staff and faculty are not able to meet individually with potential applicants to answer questions about the program. Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the admissions process.
Have More Than A Year Consider An Advanced Degree
RNs who are looking to take on more advanced responsibilities can consider earning a masters or doctoral degree. Nurses who earn these degrees are referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses . Theyre able to take on leadership roles, work independently, and provide primary care.
Youll generally need at least a Master of Science of Nursing for any APRN role. Most MSN programs take between one and three years to complete. Some APRN roles, notably nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, are moving toward doctoral nursing degrees as a standard.
With professional insight from:
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What Is The Cheapest Lpn To Rn Program
LPN-to-RN online programs at community colleges likely rank as the most affordable option. Online learning saves commuting costs and provides working students with flexibility. Many community colleges offer one- to two-year ADN programs, including LPN-to-RN bridge programs that fast-track the process to becoming an RN.
Who Are The Ideal Students For Accelerated Nursing Programs
Accelerated nursing programs are academically rigorous. Successful students in accelerated nursing programs need to be organized, motivated, and academically inclined.
Accelerated nursing programs require students to spend a lot of time together. Students who are comfortable around different kinds of people and who can tolerate healthy interpersonal tensions are best suited for these programs .
The upside of accelerated nursing programs is that the sole focus is on learning to become a nurse. Theres no adjustment to having a roommate or learning to do laundry for the first time. Theres no pledging a sorority or a fraternity and theres no worry about what to wear every day, because you will be wearing your nursing uniform.
People come to accelerated nursing programs because they are inspired by the competence, courage, and kindness of a nurse in their lives. Or they are seeking opportunities that their first choice of career did not afford. But everyone who succeeds in an accelerated nursing program is smart, dedicated, and concentrated on becoming a nurse.
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Criminal Background Check Policy
All nursing students will be required to complete a series of clinical learning experiences in order to successfully meet the learning outcomes for a given program of study. Prior to participating in clinical learning experiences at any off-campus healthcare facility, students are required to complete a criminal background check and a drug test. Each clinical facility has policies regarding possible convictions and potential drug use that may bar students from being accepted at the facility for clinical placement. If a student is not accepted to an assigned placement because of the findings of a background check or drug screen, NYU Meyers does not guarantee an alternate clinical placement. College policy dictates that students who are unable to complete clinical requirements for any reason will be subject to dismissal from the program.
The process of obtaining a nursing license in New York and many other states may involve consideration of an applicants criminal history or other conduct in which they intend to practice.
Complaints That Fall Outside The Realm Of Due Process
The Department of Nursing is committed to meeting its mission as it relates to serving our students, potential students, staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, clinical faculty and the public consumer of physical therapy. To that end, we are committed to ensuring that exceptional complaints for which there is no established College, School or program policy or procedure are considered and resolved in a timely, fair, consistent and equitable manner. Additional information may be found in the College undergraduate catalog.
Procedure: Complaints should be addressed to the Program Director through the online form. If the program director is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be addressed to the Dean, School of Health and Natural Science.
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Accelerated Master Of Science In Nursing
A Master of Science in Nursing is a graduate degree for people who want to pursue advanced practice registered nurse careers. There are different types of MSN programs, including accelerated or direct-entry MSN programs.
Titles of accelerated MSN programs vary, but most programs offer the following:
- Pathway to nursing for non-nursing bachelors or masters degree holders
- Coursework that may lead to licensure as an RN in the first year of your program
An accelerated MSN degree may help nurses change careers and take on nursing roles as educators, clinical nurse leaders , health policy experts and nurse administrators.
Possible Careers with an MSN
Earning an MSN can lead to many new career opportunities. Some nurses who earn their MSN will provide advanced patient care in a number of settings. Other nurses with masters degrees work in education, administration or health policy. Examples of careers available to graduates include:
- Science course prerequisites
- Goal statement
Each university has different requirements depending on the state it is located in for licensure reasons or for accreditation purposes. Be sure to check with your preferred university for more information.
State Eligibility And State Licensure Requirements
Nursing licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. Prospective students should be aware of the licensing requirements in the state or states in which they expect to be licensed, typically governed by a board of nursing, health department or similar regulatory body. * The Nurse Licensure Compact enables nurses to be licensed in multiple states.
Applicants to the program should contact the licensing authority or Department of Education in the state or states in which they intend to practice for specific rules and regulations pertaining to completion of clinical learning experiences in that state when enrolled in a distance-accessible program.
*Graduates of the program meet the requirements to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination , but passing the examination and licensing are not guaranteed.
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Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Overview
Explore our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing B.S. See how you can redirect your career and make a difference.
You’ve studied hard and earned a degree, but are thinking about making a change in your career path.
The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing is designed for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study and will help you earn a Nursing degree quickly.
The Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing is a pre-licensure nursing program for college graduates who want to become registered nurses . Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. All prerequisites must be completed before applications are reviewed for this program.
How Long Do Accelerated Msn Programs Take To Complete
The Accelerated MSN program may take up to 3 years to complete and clinical hours or a preceptorship are required. Usually, these programs are structured as an accelerated BSN followed immediately by two years of graduate school.
Admission criteria for the Accelerated MSN program generally include:
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university
- GPA of at least 3.0
- Letters of reference, usually 2 academic and 1 professional
- Graduate Record Examination within 5 years of application
- Test of English as a Foreign Language if English is not the student’s primary language
The AACN has developed The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing which outlines 9 areas of core curriculum which must be covered in Master’s level education. These core curricula are:
- Nursing Ethics
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Accelerated Bsn Survival Tips
Its no secret that accelerated BSN programs are fast-paced and intense, but for the nurses we talked to, it was the best decision they ever made.
The program was the most challenging thing I have ever completed in my life, Mooney says. But still to this day, I smile when I see my diploma. Mooney offers these accelerated BSN program survival tips to get the most out of your experience:
Have a dedicated place to study.
Be comfortable in the space as you will spend every Friday and Saturday night here for 18 months!
Get to know your professors well. Email them frequently and visit during office hours.
They are nurses too. They want you to succeed. They can offer guidance if youre struggling. Stay visible.
Stay ahead of your work.
Know your to-do list a week ahead so that you can anticipate how much time youll need to study.
Make time to meet with your friends and support system, but dont take a day off.
Even if you have an R& R day, read for 20 minutes at some point in the day to stay focused.
Talk to your professor if you do poorly on a test/simulation.
Find out where you made your mistakes.
Find a small study group with no more than four people.
If you find yourself in a group that is not focused, get out ASAP.
Get to know the staff nurses you meet in clinical.
They may be able to help you get a clinical nursing assistant job and or even a staff nurse job in the future. Get their email, ask them informed questions and keep in touch with them.
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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.
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