Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by II Editor
With the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, accelerated nursing programs have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their numerous advantages and also among individuals looking to swiftly enter the nursing profession. These programs, typically spanning 12 months, offer an intensive curriculum tailored to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for a successful nursing career. If you’re considering pursuing a career in nursing, here’s a detailed overview of some of the top 12-month accelerated nursing programs in the United States.
Advantages of 12-Month Accelerated Nursing Programs:
Before we dive into the details of the schools offering accelerated nursing programs, let’s discuss the benefits of choosing this route:
1. Faster Entry Into the Nursing Profession:
One of the primary advantages of accelerated nursing programs is the expedited pathway they offer to individuals seeking to transition into the nursing profession. By compressing the traditional nursing curriculum into a shorter timeframe, these programs enable students to earn their nursing degree in a significantly reduced period, typically ranging from 12 to 18 months. This accelerated timeline allows aspiring nurses to quickly enter the workforce and contribute to the healthcare industry, meeting the rising demand for skilled nursing professionals.
2. Utilization of Previous Education:
Accelerated nursing programs often cater to individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. These programs leverage the students’ previous educational background and experience, allowing them to build upon their existing knowledge and skills. By incorporating transferable credits and recognizing prior learning, accelerated nursing programs enable students to focus specifically on nursing-related coursework and clinical practice, expediting obtaining a nursing degree.
3. Intensive and Immersive Learning Experience:
Unlike traditional nursing programs, accelerated nursing programs are characterized by immersive and intensive learning experiences. These programs typically feature a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes hands-on clinical training, simulation exercises, and real-world practice in various healthcare settings. This comprehensive approach equips students with the necessary practical skills, critical thinking abilities, and clinical competence to excel in the fast-paced and dynamic healthcare environment.
4. Enhanced Career Opportunities and Job Market Demand:
The healthcare industry continues to experience a growing demand for qualified nursing professionals, creating a favorable job market for graduates of accelerated nursing programs. As healthcare facilities seek to fill critical nursing positions, graduates of these programs are well-positioned to secure employment opportunities in diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations. The accelerated nature of these programs allows graduates to quickly enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact in addressing the ongoing healthcare needs of their communities.
5. Competitive Edge and Professional Development:
Accelerated nursing programs foster the development of essential competencies and skills highly valued in the nursing profession. These programs prioritize cultivating effective communication, critical thinking, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates to navigate complex healthcare challenges and deliver comprehensive patient-centered care.
By equipping students with a strong foundation in evidence-based practice and clinical expertise, accelerated nursing programs provide graduates with a competitive edge in the job market and support their long-term professional growth and advancement within the nursing field.
6. Flexibility and Versatility:
Many accelerated nursing programs offer flexible scheduling options, including full-time and part-time study tracks, to accommodate the diverse needs of students. This flexibility allows individuals with various personal and professional commitments to pursue a nursing degree without compromising their other obligations. Additionally, some programs may offer online or hybrid learning formats, providing students with the convenience of accessing coursework and lectures remotely facilitating a more accessible and adaptable learning experience.
In summary, accelerated nursing programs offer a fast-track route for individuals with a non-nursing background to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in the healthcare sector. By leveraging the advantages of these programs, aspiring nurses can capitalize on their previous education, gain valuable practical experience, and contribute to addressing the growing demand for skilled nursing professionals in the nation.
12-month Accelerated Nursing Programs
Now, let’s look at some of the top schools offering 12-month accelerated nursing programs.
#1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
At the forefront of healthcare education, TTUHSC School of Nursing offers a second-degree BSN accelerated program designed to be completed within 12 months. This program caters to individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree who aspire to enter the nursing profession. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in clinical leadership, evidence-based practice, and healthcare management, equipping graduates with the necessary skills to excel in advanced nursing roles.
With a focus on inter-professional collaboration and cutting-edge research, TTUHSC School of Nursing provides students with a holistic approach to nursing education, preparing them to address complex healthcare challenges confidently and competently. The program also has online classes with clinical instruction guided by assigned clinical coaches and nursing clinical faculty.
#2. Jacksonville University
Are you a holder of a bachelor’s degree and considering a transition to a nursing career? Look no further; Jacksonville University, in collaboration with Baptist Health, offers a 12-month second-degree BSN Program designed to equip you for a successful start in the nursing profession within a year.
With a focus on evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration, the program equips students with the necessary skills to excel in diverse healthcare environments. The program’s strong emphasis on research and innovation ensures that graduates are equipped with the essential expertise and abilities required to excel in the nursing field, enabling them to efficiently and swiftly transition to a new career path and contribute meaningfully to the ever-evolving healthcare system.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Jacksonville University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
#3. Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University is taking proactive steps to address the nationwide shortage of nurses by introducing the state’s inaugural and exclusive in-person 12-month accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
This program features a comprehensive curriculum that places a strong emphasis on a holistic approach to nursing education, with a focus on the seamless integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. OCU’s dynamic learning environment is dedicated to cultivating critical thinking leadership qualities and promoting evidence-based practice, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to provide exceptional care across various healthcare settings. The university’s unwavering commitment to excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration empowers students with the essential resources and expertise required to navigate the intricacies of modern healthcare and emerge as influential leaders within the nursing profession.
In addition to the 12-month accelerated BSN program, OCU extends a range of nursing programs, both on-campus and online. These encompass master’s and doctoral degrees, a Registered Nurse-BSN program, a Licensed Practical Nurse-BSN program, and a conventional two-year BSN track.
Furthermore, Oklahoma City University is committed to making substantial scholarship opportunities available to nearly all accepted students in the program. This initiative aims to facilitate the pursuit of a nursing degree and support those who aspire to become nurses, thereby ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their educational and career goals.
#4. The University of St. Thomas Houston
The University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program has been meticulously crafted to offer individuals without prior nursing experience an exceptional educational pathway that can be accomplished within 12 months. This intensive, full-time program is ideally suited for students who have acquired a minimum of 60 non-nursing credits from an accredited educational institution or hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. It is designed to cater to the aspirations of those looking to transition into a new career in nursing.
This program features a dynamic curriculum that seamlessly integrates rigorous academic coursework with hands-on clinical training. Such an approach equips students with a robust foundation in both nursing theory and practical application. An emphasis on nurturing critical thinking, honing effective communication, and fostering ethical decision-making is central to the program’s mission. Graduates emerge well-prepared to meet the ever-evolving demands of the healthcare industry.
Furthermore, the ABSN program places considerable importance on inter-professional collaboration and experiential learning. These components ensure that students gain the essential skills and knowledge required to provide exceptional, patient-centered care, thus enabling them to make a meaningful impact in nursing.
It is worth mentioning that to gain admission into the accelerated nursing program, specific prerequisites must be fulfilled. These prerequisites can be completed either through the University of St. Thomas Houston or any other accredited college, university, or community college.
#5. Jefferson College of Nursing
The Full-time Accelerated Coursework Track (FACT)-1 Year program at Thomas Jefferson University College of Nursing caters to students who have previously obtained a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
Jefferson Nursing’s ABSN program imparts clinical skills within a controlled, simulated patient environment, recognized as one of the nation’s premier facilities for such training. Complemented by clinical practice at Jefferson Health Hospitals, BSN students graduate with a high level of clinical competence.
To qualify for this program, prospective applicants are required to possess a bachelor’s degree and meet the prerequisite credit requirements. Upon successful completion of the program, students earn a BSN degree within an intensive, consecutive 12-month period of full-time study.
Throughout the academic year, students earn a BSN degree along with nine (9) graduate credits. The scheduling of course content and clinical experiences allows for integrating theoretical concepts and constructs into real-world clinical practice.
Admission to the FACT-1 program not only secures a spot in the program but also guarantees admission to any MSN or DNP specialty* (with the exception of Nurse Anesthesia), valid for up to two years after attaining the BSN, provided a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 is maintained.
#6. University of New England
UNE’s 12-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a dynamic blend of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical practice. With a curriculum grounded in evidence-based practice and nursing research, students develop a deep understanding of complex healthcare issues and acquire the skills necessary to provide holistic patient care. The program’s focus on fostering critical thinking and promoting cultural competence equips graduates to excel in a multicultural and ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Other institutions with a 12-month accelerated nursing program include;
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
- University of Rochester School of Nursing.
- Samuel Merritt University.
- Creighton University.
- Saint Louis University.
- Nebraska Methodist College.
- University of Houston.
- Stony Brook School of Nursing.
- University of Massachusetts Boston.
- Duquesne University.
- University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- East Carolina University.
- University of Miami.
- George Mason University.
- University of Saint Mary.
- Linfield University.
Conclusion
Enrolling in a 12-month accelerated nursing program can be a transformative step toward a fulfilling career in nursing. Each of the institutions, as mentioned above, provides a unique educational experience tailored to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the healthcare industry.
When choosing a program, consider curriculum structure, clinical opportunities, and faculty expertise to ensure a rewarding educational journey that lays the foundation for a successful nursing career.Â
