| There is a big shortage in nurses in the US (and not | | | | what they have been doing with themselves in |
| only in the US). The nurses have a very important | | | | previous years. Some programs also require as a |
| and critical position in the health care system, and the | | | | prerequisite a few courses in biology or science, |
| shortage is a big problem for the system. In order to | | | | which will have to be completed before applying if |
| face this high demand for nurses, many universities | | | | the applicant did not follow them during the first |
| and colleges in the USA have developed accelerated | | | | degree. |
| nursing programs, so that they can train many nurses | | | | As a result, the accelerated nursing programs |
| in a short period of time. | | | | students are usually excellent students, very |
| The accelerated nursing programs are designed for | | | | motivated and not afraid of challenges. Due to their |
| adults with previous college degrees, offering them a | | | | high performance, and the growing shortage of |
| fast track to get a nursing degree in a much shorter | | | | faculty members in the various programs of nursing |
| time frame than regular programs. The programs will | | | | education, many graduates of the second degree |
| usually give them a first or second degree in nursing | | | | accelerated nursing programs are encouraged to |
| (BSN or MSN), which is the fastest route to become | | | | become nurse educators. |
| a registered nurse. To complete the RN degree a | | | | Accelerated nursing programs for the baccalaureate |
| student will have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Many | | | | level usually run for 11-18 months (as opposed to the |
| of the candidates to these programs have already | | | | 3-4 years for the regular programs). They are usually |
| had their first career and are looking for a change, | | | | held with no break between the sessions of classes, |
| and do not want to spend too much time in their | | | | so as to manage cover all required curriculum. The |
| preparations for their second career; many of them | | | | students are supposed to have the same amount of |
| already have families to support. | | | | clinical hours as the regular degree students, which of |
| The candidates for the accelerated nursing programs | | | | course makes for a very tight work load. |
| much show a proven ability to succeed at a senior | | | | On the graduate level, accelerated nursing programs |
| college or university setting. The admission is usually | | | | offering an MSN degree will require about 3 very |
| difficult. They often must have a minimum grade | | | | dedicated years. After that, the student can take |
| point average of 3 in their first degree, and pass a | | | | the NCLEX-NP exam to become a nurse practitioner. |
| pre-screening test, in which they will be asked about | | | | |