People are living longer, well past the age of 65, thus requiring additional health needs from local healthcare systems. Health professionals are in great demand to meet this response. Accompanied by this fact, are the statistics of the median nursing age, which is 46 and who are retiring at a progressive rate. The fast track to an advanced nursing career is to enroll in an accelerated bachelor of science nursing (“BSN”) program, otherwise known as accelerated BSN programs.
Each U.S. State requires different requirements for admission into an accelerated BSN program. Propulsion through an accelerated program is achieved in as little as 1 year to 18 months, versus 3-4 years in a conventional college or nursing institution.
Nurses who achieve a BSN are often Registered Nurses who are seeking to go higher in their career paths, as well as having the degreed credentials to request higher salaries. A bachelor of science nursing degree is not a necessity to be certified as an RN, but it does give leverage to a resume.
A BSN degree is a beginning step to a nurse in obtaining their master’s degree or other advanced degrees which leads to better nursing management opportunities. This atmosphere introduces a challenge to quickly produce competent nurses who retain high quality in their nursing education and their work ethics.
Benefits of Accelerated BSN Programs
The healthcare system is presently experiencing an increased demand for primary care professionals and is the leading employer in the prevention of illnesses and managed care in all medical related fields. With today’s current economic climate, cost-efficiency is the driving force in hiring nurses or persons with a BSN who can work and quickly assimilate into varying community settings and environments.
Through rigorous medical courses, a person going through accelerated BSN programs, will have a wider knowledge of medical risk management, disease anthology and its prevention, as well as advanced studies in clinical and patient care.
A great benefit of a student going through accelerated BSN programs means that they do not have to come from a medical background. A person with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution can enroll in a progressive accelerated BSN programs. The main requirements for enrollment generally consists of a minimum GPA range of anywhere between 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Nursing students normally have completed undergraduate studies in liberal arts, anatomy, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, human anatomy, and other basic sciences. An intense basic accelerated BSN programs course of study further introduces qualified students to sociology principles, cultural anthropology, gerontology, health assessment data, leadership development, intensive research and evidence curriculum, as well as advanced nursing topics. Non nursing Bachelor degree students who enroll in accelerated BSN programs can achieve their RN licenses quickly through these programs.
Major responsibilities of a nurse achieving a BSN through accelerated BSN programs consists of:
- Conducting medical exams.
- Maintaining proper records of their patient’s medical conditions, monitoring their symptoms and progress in order to keep the physician briefed and family members informed.
- Supervising a team of registered nurses and defining their responsibilities to obtain a successful medical outcome.
- Serve as the focal point for patients who are ill or who are going through their medical treatments.
Accelerated BSN Programs With Educational Aides
Enrolling in accelerated BSN programs is a full-time feat, which means that working and studying do not go hand in hand. It is suggested that students look at their financial situation and if needed, to apply for financial aid to help cover their school requirements and their living expenses. Colleges and universities greatly support accelerated degree program and thus provide loan programs, scholarships and other financial incentives to potential students.
Also, if accelerate BSN programs are too intensive to be completed within 12 months, students can opt to transfer to a traditional two-year BSN program, where they can continue to work and take care of their family responsibilities while going after a nursing degree or an advanced degree.
To further encourage persons to enroll in accelerated bachelor of science nursing programs, community health care facilities are forming partnerships with educational facilities to support students when they are going through their advanced studies with providing field work opportunities and the possibility of full time employment in their medical facilities and centers.
Nurses are required to take on additional responsibilities in their role as a healthcare professional, which means that the more skills they achieve, in a short amount of time, the more they can be dispersed within clinical settings to care for the millions of patients that are aging around the world.
Achieving success in accelerated BSN programs is as easy as sitting at home in your pajamas. Online accelerated courses are a popular option for nursing students and non-nursing students to receive their BSN degree.
Current internet technology with virtual streaming features, video and downloadable lectures, also offer a great accredited educational experience which is comparable to a brick and mortal classroom. Taking initiative and keeping a “stick to it” attitude will have students earning their online BSN with a year.