How Accelerated Healthcare Programs Have Contributed to the Health Sector

This content was produced in partnership with Archer Education.

The healthcare sector sees healthcare practitioners joining the workforce much faster due to accelerated degree programs. Many students are taking advantage of the demand in healthcare and accelerated programs by taking two to three-year programs within a much shorter time frame.

These programs have advantages for students as they earn their degrees. Those who take these programs can complete them in 18 months. An example of such a program is the online accelerated BSN for Indiana students. A massive healthcare demand is on the horizon. Business Insider states that by 2030, every baby boomer will be older than 65. This means that one in every five Americans will have retired and positions will need to be filled.

How Accelerated Programs Work

Students are presented with several pathways to pursue their careers as nursing healthcare professionals. Suppose you have completed a bachelor's degree or core prerequisite courses and would like to fast-track a more advanced degree. An accelerated program is the best way to do that. Most of the programs run within a short period, which is commonly half the time you would take in pursuing a full-time degree.

Students also receive the required clinical hours as their counterparts in a traditional and entry-level nursing program. Upon graduating, most students are ready for the licensing exam and can begin their new careers in nursing. Those possessing a bachelor's degree in any other discipline are frequently eligible for accelerated programs. In light of this, the program is appropriate for anyone interested in a career in nursing, regardless of their prior educational background.

The programs are also advantageous not requiring students to be in the classroom constantly. Many accelerated programs can be pursued through online schools. Although clinical hours have to be completed physically, students can always do the course work from the comfort of their homes. This makes it easier for those who are currently working or are not close to a physical campus.

ABSN Requirements and Prerequisites

Besides having a bachelor's degree, many accelerated programs also require core prerequisite courses. Some common subjects include statistics, microbiology, and, at times, physiology and anatomy. If you’re interested in an accelerated degree, always check if the school you’ll be studying at requires these courses to have been taken more recently. You might not be accepted in some colleges if you took these prerequisite courses a while back.

You may need to take an entrance exam to enter the nursing program. This is also the same with accelerated programs, as the entry exam covers the subjects you need to enter nursing school. Assessments, such as HESI and ATI TEAS, assist in reviewing and scoring students as an entrance exam for medical fields.

The grade point average (GPA) is also essential for accelerated programs. Most programs require a minimum GPA for an application. The GPA should be from 3.0 to 3.5 to be considered for the program.

You must meet all the criteria and prerequisites listed above to ensure a higher chance of being accepted into an ABSN program. Also, consider that you must develop a compelling reason why you want to obtain a second-degree nursing degree.

Changes in Healthcare Systems

As systems and procedures continue to revolutionize, the system that relies heavily on hospitals to provide healthcare will also likely transform. Health reforms emphasize lower-cost methods for community settings that allow greater access to primary care.

We also see new rules for nurses emerging as they try to meet the increasing demands. You will find nurses who practice care coordination, informatics specialists, health coaching, faculty team leadership, nurse and family cooperative facilitation, and primary care partnerships.

The revolving healthcare landscape also requires a more skilled and educated workforce. Entry-level master's programs are in the highest demand in all nursing programs, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Additionally, most nurses can be hired within six months of completing their degree program.

How Difficult are Accelerated Nursing Programs?

Accelerated nursing programs can be challenging because of the intense time and commitment needed to complete them. The students also learn the same material and complete their clinical hours in a shorter time than in a typical program. Some students find it hard to manage.

To succeed as a student in an accelerated program, you must be organized and remain motivated. Remember that most accelerated programs are designed to qualify you in a shorter time period.