Accelerated Nursing Programs (Length, Classes & FAQ)

An accelerated nursing program lets someone who already holds a bachelor's degree in another field earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) without starting over. You apply your existing credits to the non-nursing requirements and go straight into nursing coursework, which means a full career change in under two years instead of four. The programs are intensive, but they are fast.

How They Work

You complete the same nursing courses and the same clinical hours as a traditional BSN student. The difference is that your previous credits cover the general requirements, so you focus on nursing from the start and reach the clinical portion sooner.

You will need to clear some prerequisites first, and what you need depends on your prior degree.

"Before students begin, we review their college transcripts to confirm all prerequisites are met," says Maureen C. Creegan, EdD, RN, nursing program director at Dominican College in Orangeburg, New York. "Almost all students meet the arts and social sciences requirements. Most do not meet the natural sciences, including anatomy and microbiology, so we offer back-to-back prerequisite courses just before the program starts."

Typical science prerequisites: Biology I, Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Inorganic Chemistry, and Statistics.

How Long It Takes

Most accelerated programs run 11 to 18 months, including the 700 to 800 hours of clinical time most require. They are full-time and intensive, with no breaks between sessions. Because you already hold a bachelor's degree, you only take nursing courses.

What the Classes Look Like

Your time goes entirely to nursing courses, no general education or electives. Common classes include pharmacology, pathophysiology, health assessment, nursing ethics, care planning and management, geriatrics, pediatrics, cardiac and critical care, community health, and mental and behavioral health.

You will also complete supervised clinical hours at a local facility, working under an experienced nurse who teaches as you go. That is where you build the real-world skills the job demands.

Are Online Programs Available?

Many schools let you take the coursework entirely online, though clinical hours still happen in person. Online formats suit students with families and other obligations, since you can work on your own schedule. It is still intensive. You might do the work late at night or on weekends, but the workload doesn't shrink.

Accelerated Program vs. Bridge Program

Both shorten the path to a degree, but they serve different people. Accelerated programs are for students with a bachelor's degree in another field and no nursing background. Bridge programs are for current nurses moving up: an LPN earning a BSN, or an RN with an ADN pursuing an MSN through an RN-to-MSN track. What they share is that both save time and money over the traditional route.

Is It Right for You?

Accelerated programs work best for people who are sure they want the change. The pace is demanding, and you need to be ready for it. Students come from everywhere. Many move into nursing from other people-oriented careers like teaching or human services, drawn by the chance to advance, lead, and earn more. Your background matters less than your commitment. Students who started in business, English, political science, or anything else succeed in these programs when the motivation is there.

Real Nurses Who Took This Path

People who switch to nursing later are often driven by a need for change and by the field itself, sometimes after a personal experience with a nurse.

Amanda Criner, a Chicago RN with a journalism degree, was teaching preschool and unhappy with it. After her father spent time in the hospital, she saw a path. "The nurses were amazing. They were smart, and they cared about my dad and us. I said, 'I think I can do this.'"

Jessica Mooney, a Boston-area RN who first earned a communications degree, changed course after working alongside RNs. "My first job was as an administrative assistant in a large teaching hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit. Working alongside the clinicians, especially the neonatal nurses, made me want to enter the field."

FAQ

Is an accelerated BSN as good as a regular one?

Yes. It is the same BSN, and it qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN. You may even have an edge: the AACN reports some employers favor accelerated graduates for their prior work experience and maturity. As Criner puts it, "You had a life before. As someone with more experience, I'm more apt to say, 'Let's find a solution.'"

Will I have to take a lot of math and science?

Yes, though how much depends on your program and how much you already took. If your prior degree was light on math and science, you may need prerequisites first. You can knock those out at a community college to refresh your skills. As Criner advises, "Dive in and take a class to see how it is."

What GPA do I need?

These programs are competitive. Most schools require at least a 3.0 GPA and a bachelor's degree from an accredited school. Some add an interview or admissions exam. "Due to the intensity of the program, an interview was added to better screen students," says Maryann Forbes, PhD, RN, Accelerated Baccalaureate Program Director at SUNY Stony Brook. "The interview and ongoing mentoring are key to student success."

Will I automatically become an RN?

No. You will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN once you finish. A passing score plus your degree lets you apply for licensure. You send proof of education and your test results to your state board, and each state sets its own renewal requirements.

Are they good for career changers?

They are built for career changers. Students with BA and BS degrees alike complete them and switch fields, and many employers view these graduates favorably. You use your existing degree to earn the BSN faster and carry your prior work experience into nursing.

Are they worth it?

That depends on your circumstances. If you want a BSN and want to start working as an RN quickly, an accelerated program can be the fastest way there. "The program was the most challenging thing I've ever completed," Mooney says, "but I still smile when I see my diploma."