How Hard Is Accelerated Nursing School

Be Proactive Not Reactive

As an accelerated nursing student, your schedule and workload will seem insane. If you dont manage your time wisely, youll feel like youre drowning in tasks. So be sure to invest in a comprehensive planner.

While some consider it an old-school time management tool, youll find that a student planner that lets you plot out your to-dos on a daily, weekly and monthly basis will be worth its weight in gold. Essentially, its a good visual aid that helps you avoid the pitfalls of procrastination by bringing more structure and routine into your life.

Ask For Help When Needed

Your instructors and success coaches are here for you throughout the Misericordia ABSN program and want you to succeed. Its important to take initiative and reach out to them if you ever feel like youre struggling with a tough concept or need some help with crafting a study strategy that works best for you.

Is The Application Process The Same For An Accelerated Nursing Program

The application processes for traditional and accelerated nursing programs share similarities, although accelerated programs are generally stricter. Many accelerated programs require prospective students to submit previous academic transcripts, include a goal statement, complete prerequisite coursework, and go through a thorough application process.

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Are You Ready To Begin An Accelerated Program

The last question you have to answer is, are you ready? If you have answered yes to all of the questions above, then it is time to start your journey toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The easiest part of getting into an accelerated nursing program is making the first move. Contact an admissions counselor today and he or she will help you make a plan to start the Misericordia ABSN program.

Conquer Nursing School With Confidence

Its only natural to be a little unsure of yourself before taking on a new challenge. Is nursing school hard? Sure, it will definitely be a challenge. But succeeding in nursing school is possible if you put in the work, get organized and are willing to sacrifice some of your free time in the short term. Before you know it, you could be on your way to a rewarding career.

If youre considering nursing school, you may be wondering about the TEAS exam, an admissions requirement for many nursing schools. Check out our article Dont Fear the TEAS Test: 5 Common Questions Answered.

Microsoft Outlook is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in 2014. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2019.

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Getting Over The Learning Curve Of Accelerated Studies

Another aspect in determining how hard accelerated nursing school will be is understanding the learning curve. There are a number of struggles you may encounter when adjusting to your new program since the nursing school can consume a large amount of your time. Students may face the following problems when starting out:

• Managing priorities and time spent on studies versus personal and family time.
• Developing critical thinking and analytical skills that are helpful in nursing.
• Developing new study habits to replace old practices that no longer work.

To help you get over those hurdles, here are tips for a successful start in the program:

• Connect with your instructors early and often to build rapport and understand expectations.
• Learn when your instructors have scheduled office hours and prepare accordingly.
• Find out how quickly you can expect an email response from your instructors.
• Dedicate routine time blocks to your online coursework so you will stay on track.
• Leverage your online calendar to manage assignment deadlines, test dates and clinical hours.

While it may be possible to work while youre enrolled in the ABSN at Concordia University, we typically recommend students focus on their education full time.

How Hard Is An Accelerated Nursing Program

Due to their structure and faster pace, accelerated programs may be challenging for students. To succeed in an accelerated program, it is important for students to set aside enough time to study and to stay ahead of their coursework.

1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing . Accelerated Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees in Nursing, April 2019. Accessed July 16, 2021.

Information on this page was last retrieved in July 2021.

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Preparing And Participating In Skills And Simulation Labs

As a Utica ABSN student, you can expect to put in approximately 225 hours of lab time between skills practice and simulations that mimic real-world clinical scenarios in a controlled, risk-free environment. This nursing school experience requires you to apply nursing theory coursework and skills under pressure in front of your instructors and peers, then debrief with them on your performance. While youll hone key nursing skills without putting patients at risk, many students say the scenarios often feel as high-stakes as real-life clinical situations.

Accelerated Master’s Degree In Nursing

An accelerated MSN program is geared toward those who have earned either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field other than nursing and ADN nurses. The program also works well for nurses who want to take on various roles in the fields of education, advanced practice nursing, and health policy.

• How long to complete: 36 months
• Admission requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-nursing field 3.0 GPA science prerequisites letters of recommendation
• Career outlook: Focus areas include midwifery, education, leadership and organization, and clinical specialists. The average yearly salary is $96,290 as of June 2021, according to PayScale.

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Metropolitan State University Of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver offers students multiple options to achieving a BSN including a fully accredited accelerated BSN program. With an exceptionally high acceptance rate, MSU allows students to get the hands-on experience needed as well as the didactic coursework in ethics, leadership, and research. They also require all graduates of the program to complete a multicultural course, so youll get a well-rounded education.

• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Tuition: $44,500
• Length of Program: 17 months
• Acceptance Rate: 61.3%NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.6%

How Do Accelerated Nursing Programs Work

Accelerated nursing programs are similar to traditional programs with regard to application guidelines, content, and career outlook.

Students who are applying to an accelerated nursing program must have earned a minimum GPA, usually a 3.0, submit transcripts, and provide a personal statement. Even though the application process is similar to other programs, accelerated programs also require applicants to hold a degree from a non-nursing program. Applicants must show that they will commit the time needed to successfully complete an accelerated program.

ADN students typically focus on human anatomy, clinical experiences, and other foundational courses. BSN enrollees focus on advanced content, such as research and evidence-based practices, health assessments, and nursing leadership.

MSN graduates are prepared to work in education, administration, health policy, among other advanced fields. Regardless of the program, all students must participate in clinicals, which is hands-on practical experience in various medical settings.

Upon completion of the program, students are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination to be eligible to become a licensed RN. State boards of nursing determine whether to issue a nursing license while considering the NCLEX results.

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How Does An Accelerated Bsn Program Work

Every accelerated nursing program can differ in its structure, course formats, and curriculum. In general, however, accelerated BSN programs work to get non-nurses fully up-to-speed, and prepared to be clinicians, in a matter of two years or less. With this comes intensive and full-time coursework.

When students pursue an associate degree in Nursing, they learn the fundamentals of nursing practice and patient care. They gain experience through hands-on, on-the-job clinicals, combined with classroom learning and laboratory coursework. Traditionally, BSN degree programs will delve into advanced theories, policies, and topics in nursing, preparing students for expanded and/or leadership roles. An accelerated BSN program is designed to provide students with both: the fundamentals of nursing and the wellness continuum, as well as the advanced knowledge that comes with a Bachelors in Nursing, such as pharmacology and nursing leadership.

In an accelerated nursing program, you can expect comprehensive and rigorous courses. Most ABSN programs will require a combination of classes, labs, and clinical experiences. The clinical portion of the accelerated nursing curriculum allows students to put their skills to practice in a real nursing setting. Courses in an accelerated nursing program may include, but are not limited to:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Pathophysiology
• The Wellness Continuum, across the age spectrum

Youll Strengthen Your Critical Thinking Skills

It takes brains to pass the TEAS test and become a nursing student. But the academic challenge doesnt stop there.

On our tests, there are multiple correct answers, but only one is the most correct, Megan L. says. You always have to know the best answer.

Tricky questions like this might seem frustrating, but is there a good reason for nurses to know the most correct answer? Their patients very lives are at stake! Megan L. describes a question on her last exam that presented the symptoms of four very sick patients. It asked which patient the nurse should treat first? In reality, theres likely other nurses in the hospital to help, but in this scenario she had to ask herself a tough question, Which one is going to die the fastest if I dont do anything? Though this a grim question, its also a lifesaving one nurses may face in emergency triage situations.

In that example, it is very possible that more than one of those answers could be right. All of those patients need care, but students should fight the temptation to select the first seemingly correct answer they read, says Natalia D., Rasmussen University BSN student and tutor. She reminds students to make sure theyve gathered all the necessary information and established priorities before selecting an answer.

Nursing school is not always black and white, just like real life, says Samantha S.

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Is An Accelerated Program Difficult To Get Into

The short answer is yes, accelerated nursing programs can be difficult to get into. It is important to understand each school is a bit different and comes with different standards and requirements. However, as spots are limited and there often are more applicants than spots, the program must be selective and pick out the best candidates for the program. You need to do what you can to make yourself as attractive to the school as possible in order to fit into one of the available spots.

Get Started Sooner With Concordia University

At Concordia University, you have the added benefit of starting your education sooner. There are three start dates a year, which means more qualified students can get started on their nursing education with us each year. In fact, were enrolling now, and there is no wait list.

Nursing school can be a highly competitive landscape, which is why many schools have waiting lists and capacity restriction requirements. Those burdens can become roadblocks for qualified prospective students who have made the decision to change careers. Consider avoiding the wait lists by looking into the ABSN at Concordia University.

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How Hard Are Accelerated Nursing Programs

If you were to ask a group of accelerated nursing school grads to describe the learning experience, you can bet your bottom dollar theyll say it was difficult, challenging or stressful but totally worth it. So just how hard are accelerated nursing programs, anyway?

Not to scare you but accelerated nursing programs are indeed hard and extremely rigorous. But they have to be because patient lives are at stake. If nursing school was easy, everyone would be applying. After all, nursing is one of the most rewarding, diverse and in-demand occupations today.

But before we give you a detailed explanation of what makes accelerated nursing programs so hard, it helps to know if you would qualify for and/or succeed in a fast-track BSN program.

Getting Into An Accelerated Nursing Program

Once we determine that our ABSN program is a good fit for you, an assigned admission counselor will guide you through the entire enrollment process.

From my first admissions call, I knew I wanted to go to Xavier. My counselor called me often to make sure I was keeping up with the application process. She helped me through it all. It wasnt intimidating. She made it easy for me, said Erin, a 2018 ABSN program graduate.

While our admission team works hard to make the enrollment process as straightforward as possible, there are things you can do to increase your chances of getting into our accelerated nursing program.

We review student applications as they come in , so the earlier you submit your application, the better your chances of getting a spot in your preferred term .

As part of your application, you must submit a letter of intent, current resume, recommendation letters, and official academic transcripts.

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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.

What Accelerated Nursing Program Prerequisites Do I Need To Complete

Due to the accelerated nature of Misericordias ABSN program, students need to have a firm academic foundation in order to take on the 16-month curriculum and succeed. If you want to be accepted into the Misericordia ABSN program as a nursing student, you must have first completed a series of accelerated nursing program prerequisites. Our required prerequisites are split into two categories: science prerequisites, totaling 15 credits, and general prerequisites, totaling 12 credits. Several prerequisites must have been completed within 7 years of your enrollment date to still be valid, and all must be completed with a C grade or higher. Visit our prerequisites page for more information as you prepare to apply.

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More Flexibility With Online Learning

As an Averett ABSN student, youll complete your nursing coursework online through our intuitive e-Learning platform. This component of our program adds another level of accessibility to our ABSN program, as it provides the option of completing your nursing assignments when and where its best for you.

Online learning allows you to absorb key nursing theory courseworkprovided you meet deadlines set forth by your instructors, of course.

However, even though youll have some autonomy over your study schedule and location, youll still have deadlines and in-person proctored exams. Youll be responsible for taking these at the Averett University Norfolk ABSN Site.

Is Nursing School Hard To Get Into

If youve done any research into getting into nursing school, you may have learned that nursing is a competitive field. This is true for the most part and for good reason. Once you become a nurse you will be responsible for the lives and wellbeing of your patients, so it makes sense that nursing school is a difficult endeavor. That starts with the application process of getting into a quality nursing program.

Just how hard any particular nursing school is to get into of course depends on where you apply and what the schools academic requirements are. But generally, from meeting a minimum GPA threshold or having to complete prerequisite courses within a minimum grade requirement, nursing schools often set the bar high for aspiring nurses. Some schools also require prospective students to take entrance exams and write a personal statement, adding yet another step to the process of getting into nursing school.

To give you a frame of reference of what to expect when it comes to getting into nursing school, lets discuss what youll need to do and what you wont have to do to get into the Misericordia ABSN program.

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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.

Why It’s All Worth It

Is it hard to become a registered nurse or get into practical nursing? For some people, maybe it is. But that doesn’t mean it will be for you. After all, when your heart is truly set on achieving something, then challenges just become rewarding parts of the journey.

Plus, nurses know that they make an important difference in all of the lives they touch. Few other lines of work are so noble. That’s why graduating from nursing school might be one of the most fulfilling moments of your whole life. It’s a monumental accomplishment and the beginning of a satisfying and worthwhile path, along which you may discover more about yourself and the human spirit than you ever thought possible. Most of today’s nurses, if given the chance to go back in time, would choose nursing school again in a heartbeat.

And if those reasons aren’t enough to convince you not to be deterred, then remember these benefits:

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