Accelerated Nursing DegreeAre you looking for a change of career into something that is more rewarding? Are you tired of your current job and wish to try something new? Why not become a nurse and take an accelerated nursing degree? Nurses are currently in demand because of the projected shortage of RN professionals within the next 10 years. What is an accelerated nursing degree? Like its name suggests, it is a program that earns a graduate of any bachelor's degree a degree in nursing in a shorter span of time. Most programs are completed in just a year or so. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Because it is accelerated, there are very strict curriculums and schedules involved. You should brace yourself for a rough road ahead if you want to become a nurse and earn a remarkable salary for yourself and your family. Who can enroll in the programs? Anyone who has completed any undergraduate degree can enroll for an accelerated nursing degree program. It is intended for those that intend to pursue nursing as a second degree. So, whether you have a degree in accounting, in computer science or business, it's fine. As long as you have the commitment and the interest to pursue nursing, you are qualified for the program. What are the prerequisites? As a curriculum, an accelerated degree in nursing will require prerequisites. Since it is a medical subject, it requires certain science subjects in order to qualify for enrolment. These prerequisites include subjects such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry and microbiology. These subjects must first be taken and completed before an applicant can matriculate into the program. However, if you have already completed this when you were working on your first undergraduate degree, then you should be fine. How one should view accelerated nursing? Like mentioned earlier, enrolling in an accelerated nursing program is not easy. It requires determination and commitment on your part in order to earn the degree after 11 to 12 months. You can expect to spend long hours studying and preparing for your classes, and attending them for 8 solid hours a day. Descriptions from people who have taken an accelerated program typically depict an overload of assignments and projects related to your curriculum. That is because four years of undergraduate study is accelerated and packed into a curriculum that takes a mere year to be completed. An accelerated nursing is also a bachelor/master course merged into one, so you'll be learning quite a lot of things in just a year. These accelerated programs can also be financially challenging. What should one expect after the program? After you complete the program and earn an accelerated nursing degree, you are on your way to becoming a licensed nurse and practice your chosen field. There are many job opportunities that come with your new degree. You can become either a home care nurse. You can also work in advanced nursing professions including becoming a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist. They can also work in related fields such as a school nursing, occupational health or case management. |