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Fast BSN - Experience Needed To Get Into 1 Year Accelerated Nursing Programs






by Aaron Taylor


You probably have thought that it would be a good idea for you to check out various accelerated nursing programs in pursuit of a nursing career. This is a good idea, but there are some things that you should be aware of before you simply sign up for what seems like a good idea.

The first thing that you should most certainly be aware of, is that you need to possess a degree in another field of study before you can even apply for an accelerated BSN. Accelerated nursing BSNs are considered "second-degree" programs. This means that you already have some sort of educational foundation before you get started. These programs are not for students just getting started with the college process.

Increasingly, accelerated BSNs also require minimum GPA standards. The baseline for this kind of requirement is a 3.0 for your previous degree. The reasoning behind this is not only to bring in qualified, intelligent and motivated students, but also because it means that the first degree you took actually provided you with knowledge you can continue to use in your second degree and in the upcoming career.

An accelerated BSN requires this because of the way it's set up. You can finish the entire program in less than a year, as little as 10 months. This is possible because you don't relearn everything you did the first time through. Instead, you take your core classes and just a few bridge classes building on the previous coursework that you've done.

Often times you will also need to have completed certain specifics types of courses before you begin an accelerated BSN degree. Some of these classes include the obvious ones you would think of such as biology and anatomy, but nursing is a broad field, and classes ranging from psychology to social sciences and communication are all important too.

The good news is that if you don't have one or a few of these required classes, you will generally still be accepted into the program of your choice. The difference will be that you then will need to take that course in the BSN program. This enables you to proceed, but adds extra classes and time onto the length of the full program itself, which is why some people end up taking closer to 18 months to complete their program.

Various accelerated nursing programs will differ slightly in their acceptance policies, and their requirements. This won't always mean that one is better than the next. This is simply the way that things are sometimes. It's up to you to determine which program would be a good fit for you.

Obviously the first and foremost factor for a second degree accelerated nursing program is the first degree itself. You may also need a minimum GPA level, as well as specific previous completed courses. Either way, just make sure to find out what to specifically look for so you don't end up with any unwelcome surprises at the last minute on your way to an accelerated BSN.




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