Are Accelerated Nursing Degree Programs a Good Fit for Working Nurses?

Being a nurse is already an exhausting career. Between working long hours, switching your schedules, caring for patients, and handling your own families, returning to school may seem impossible. Yet still, a growing number of registered nurses have the desire to advance their career, improve their quality of life, explore management opportunities, or just finish their degrees. For many of those people, fast track rn to bsn online programs are the perfect answer. These programs allow working nurses to further their education and earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing without having to leave their jobs. That doesn't make them easy, however. It helps to understand the nuances of fast track programs so you can determine if the schedule will still work for your life.

How an Accelerated RN to BSN Program Is Different

Traditional college-based degree programs can take years, depending on how much time you have completed toward your degree already, if you are a returning student, or if you are enrolled and attending full time or part time. The bottom line: Accelerated RN to BSN programs are designed with a different focus. They start with the assumption that you are a practicing RN with a few years under your belt and that you already have the basic education to be licensed to practice. They simply take what you know and know how to do and enhance it with more sophisticated content in areas like research, leadership, community health, healthcare policy, and evidence-based practice. So many programs offer online or hybrid courses, and they allow you to work your coursework around your schedule. Some may have 48-hour or weekly assignment deadlines; others allow you to work at your own pace. Keep that in mind.

The Best Ways Online Courses Allow Nurses To Work And Take Classes

To a working nurse, the most attractive part of online education is the ability to learn without making the trek to campus every day of the week. In fact, commuting can end up taking so much time that online learners find they need more time for a good nap than they would have had otherwise. Certainly, they can watch online lectures, read their textbooks, participate in online discussion boards, and turn in papers from the comfort of their own homes. To be sure, many programs have one or more asynchronous classes that allow the student to attend when it's most convenient (or most convenient for the good old sleep schedule). Others require a scheduled class meeting at a certain time. Neither is intrinsically better; it depends on what the nurse's schedule looks like, and how he or she is most comfortable. It also depends on work schedules. A nurse who works nights and nights only can probably make traditional classes in the middle of the day, but an insomniac nurse might want to schedule group work at certain times. Either way, though, time needs to be reserved for online studying, even when the lessons are available whenever one needs them.

Can Working Nurses Handle the Accelerated Coursework?

This is probably the greatest concern, and truthfully the one most people have as the first thought. Nursing is physically and emotionally wearing, and the addition of three papers, discussions every week, and assignments can even make that busy day seem even tighter. Accelerated programs speed through, and before students realize it, they can be struggling to stay on pace, so potential students should take a look at the current routine and responsibilities to determine what pace makes the most sense. For some students full time work will be appropriate with flexible hours in hospital setting and a great support system at home, but for others part time working will be more realistic. Take time to research how much independent time is needed for each class as well to determine how much you can work and study. For many people, an hour each night after work can be a realistic goal, so long as that schedule is feasible.

What Career Opportunities Can an RN to BSN Degree Provide?

A BSN (or RN to BSN degree) creates opportunities that are beyond the reach of an associate's level of education. Many hospitals and health care institutions have placed a higher value on the knowledge and skills of a nurse who possesses at least a bachelor's level of education when it comes to jobs that involve casework or management. Many nursing positions require added experience and education, but a bachelor's degree can give you an edge in the hiring process, leading you down the path to increased responsibilities, higher pay, and greater job satisfaction. It also provides students with a solid experience base should they wish to pursue graduate study at a later date.

Tuition, Transfer Credits, and Program Accreditation Are Important

Look at the costs carefully before committing to a fast-track nursing degree program. Classes are just part of the expenses. Additional costs include application charges, textbooks, technology fees, and other charges. Working nurses need to compare total program costs rather than just the advertised cost per credit hour. Transfer credits are also a consideration. Some schools accept transfer credits to help knock off certain classes, thus reducing the number of credits required. Other schools are more restrictive and may require in-state courses to be transferred in order to count. Transcripts need to be requested for official evaluation. Accreditation will make or break the degree in terms of future recognition. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by the proper body and that the certification offered is accepted by potential employers or future graduate schools. The speed of the program is irrelevant if the student ends up having problems due to inadequacies in the program itself. Ask questions before spending one dollar on an application fee. Better to waste a week now than go through several weeks or months of frustration during the program.

Signs an Accelerated Nursing Program May Not Be the Right Choice

You don't need the faster pace. Sometimes the timing just isn't right. For nurses who are already having trouble with overtime, family responsibilities, or unscheduled hours, having the additional course load of a 1-year degree might be just too much. It's okay to want to wait until life settles down a little bit. Think also about your educational style. If you need and thrive on instruction from a live instructor, then a 100% online program might be a little intimidating when courses run so quickly. This is where talking with your employer comes in. Many care centers and hospitals offer tuition reimbursement, time off, or schedule flexibility. Others have little to offer. It's worth talking to the human resources department and your supervisor if you are unsure. Having a person on your side makes the process easier. If your employer has a habit of changing hours at the last minute, then make sure the school provides enough time to accommodate.

How to Select a Program That Will Suit Your Nursing Career

When choosing a program, don't necessarily choose the one that takes the least time. Explore the curriculum, admission requirements, transfer policies, faculty support, graduation rates, and student services. Is there a set schedule of weekly deadlines, online classes on a fixed schedule, or a more flexible pace? How do students get assistance from faculty? Nurses should also ask about the need for clinicals, as most RN to BSN online degree completion programs rely on existing licenses and work experience instead of requiring an entry-level clinical. Reading a comparison of colleges in USA for nursing can give applicants an idea of where they will find the right combination of quality, flexibility, and cost. Don't settle on speed. Getting done in record time is nice, but an extra few months may be worth it for the right program that won't compromise your health and stability.

Conclusion: Is an Accelerated RN to BSN Program Worth It?

Accelerated nursing programs are a good choice for a majority of working nurses, especially when they have flexible online components and accelerated degree programs include credits earned in previous nursing education. Accelerated degree programs can be an excellent way to help registered nurses enhance their existing credentials, plan for future goals, and position themselves for new responsibilities without having to leave the position they already have. But there's a catch. An accelerated program will still be an undertaking in terms of time, budget, and energy. The ideal program is one that you can actually complete as opposed to one that simply gets you to the finish line faster. Make sure you consider all your options, and ask honest questions as you compare schools to make an informed decision. Moving forward with your education is a worthwhile pursuit, but at an unhurried pace.