Accelerated Nursing Programs in Ohio

There are many accelerated nursing programs in Ohio for students wishing to further their education. Most of these degree programs allow students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Accelerated nursing degree programs in Ohio are available at both traditional and online universities, with both offering excellent programs for students.

Some of the colleges in Ohio offering accelerated nursing programs include Wright State University, Cleveland State University, Kent State University, the University of Akron and several others. The programs are very similar at all the schools. To qualify for the accelerated degree program, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing and several required prerequisite classes. These classes can include Human Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Medical Terminology and Statistics. Degrees can be earned after students complete 15-24 months of full-time classwork and clinical experiences. To be eligible for admission, students should start applying for early admission in January of the academic year they wish to begin.

Online accelerated nursing programs are available in Ohio through such schools as the University of Phoenix, Capella University, George Washington University and Indiana State University plus many others. Online programs are particularly suited for working professionals seeking to schedule education around work and family responsibilities. Schools offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Nursing, and most can be completed in 16-24 months.

All schools, traditional and online, are properly accredited and feature live video seminars along with clinical work that can be completed either at a student’s workplace or in a local health care facility. The cost of accelerated programs varies, but usually it’s cheaper to get an online degree due to less time being needed to earn the degree. Whatever option a student chooses, the path to a nursing career is made more accessible by the creation of these degree programs.

Accelerated Nursing Programs in MA

Massachusetts (MA) offers a wide range of accelerated nursing degree programs at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Accelerated nursing degree programs in MA enable students who already have an undergraduate degree to complete their nursing education at a faster pace. The majority of programs grant credit for previously completed degrees, prerequisites, and any related core courses.

Curry College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Regis College, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Elms College, and the University of Massachusetts Boston and Amherst locations offer accelerated second bachelor’s degree nursing programs in MA. Northeastern University, Boston College, Regis College, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Salem State University, Simmons College, and the University of Massachusetts Worcester location offers accelerated master’s in nursing degree programs.

In addition to the campus-based accelerated nursing programs in Massachusetts, students in the area can access online accelerated nursing programs. Examples of universities that offer online accelerated nursing programs include the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Lewis University, and Northeastern University. These schools are campus-based institutions that offer programs enable students to complete theory courses online, and clinical components are completed in the student’s local area. Additionally, there are institutions that operate entirely online that offer accelerated nursing programs, such as Kaplan University.

When students in Massachusetts are weighing the decision of whether to attend a campus-based institution or pursue an online option, they should consider a variety of factors to help make their choice. Many online programs have a lower overall cost because there are no commuting or housing expenses. Another important factor is flexibility, as a lot of online accelerated degree programs enable students to continue current employment and maintain other obligations. Students also have the ability to complete coursework on their own time, and participate in clinical components in close to their home.

Accelerated nursing degree programs are great options for entering the nursing profession and Massachusetts provide students with an array of options.

Accelerated Nursing Programs in Michigan

Several public universities offer accelerated nursing programs in Michigan. Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, and Northern Michigan University all offer programs for students who do not hold a nursing degree already. Eastern and Northern’s programs are accredited by CCNE, and Ferris State’s program is accredited by NLNAC.

For students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree and are looking for a career change, there is a wider selection of schools to choose from. All of the following schools offer accelerated nursing programs in Michigan for second-degree and career-change students: Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University, Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor and Flint), and Wayne State University. All are accredited by CCNE.

Because of the time commitments of an accelerated program, prospective students will want to choose a school that they live near, or that they are comfortable relocating to. While all of these accelerated nursing programs offer classes online, none of the programs are 100% online.

American Sentinel University offers 100% online accelerated nursing programs in Michigan that are accredited by the CCNE. Choosing to earn an accelerated nursing degree in a fully online environment makes the degree more flexible, but checking to see who has accredited the program of study is important. It may be helpful to choose a brick-and-mortar school that happens to also offer the accelerated nursing program online, like the University of Wisconsin.

Picking a program requires a bit of research. Prospective students want to choose a program that offers classes at a time/place that is convenient. Senior projects, thesis, and other major assignments may be worth considering as well.

Accelerated Nursing Programs in Maryland

An individual who works as a registered nurse may obtain a nursing degree from one of the many accelerated nursing programs in Maryland. Accelerated nursing programs are designed for individuals who already have obtain a registered nursing degree and want to receive their bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. Maryland has many campus-based programs as well as online programs that offer accelerated nursing classes for individuals who are looking to expand their career. Some accelerated nursing programs may require longer time frames then others schools. The specific requirements will vary among academic institutions.

Schools for Accelerated Nursing Degrees in Maryland

A registered nurse may attend campus-based classes to obtain a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree at John Hopkins University, Bowie State University, Towson University or Stevenson University. Attending a campus-based school could surround an individual with other students who may share similar interests. Some individuals may prefer the atmosphere of classroom instruction versus an online format. Individuals who prefer to earn an accelerated nursing degree online may enroll at University of Maryland, Walden University, University of Phoenix or Capella University. Online classes could be more convenient for most individuals with busy schedules. Obtaining an accelerated nursing degree online enables a individual to learn, ask questions and complete assignments at their own pace.

Benefits of an Accelerated Nursing Degree

Accelerated nursing degree programs in Maryland provide registered nurses with the opportunity to work toward their specialized field of interest. Individuals with an RN, BSN or a MSN degree may decide to seek opportunities in fields such as neonatal, nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, critical care nurse, Gynecology nurse. The benefits of an accelerated nursing program for an individual may be to received their degree and to begin working in their specialty field sooner. An increase in pay is also an incentive that motivates many nurses to acquire advanced training.

Accelerated Nursing Programs in Colorado

Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the country, but that doesn’t stop it from needing trained nurses. There are many online and in-person accelerated nursing programs in Colorado, ranging from two-year RN degrees to masters-level and doctoral programs.

Accelerated Nursing Degrees in Colorado

Colorado offers several accelerated nursing programs through its many excellent private and public universities. The University of Colorado has second-degree accelerated BSN programs at both Colorado Springs and Denver, and is very highly ranked. The Metropolitan State College of Denver, Regis University and the Denver School of Nursing offer other options in the state’s capital. In other cities, Colorado State University-Pueblo and the University of Northern Colorado offer accelerated and second-degree nursing programs. These programs take 16 to 24 months to complete. All of these universities help prospective nurses save money by getting them in the workforce more quickly than traditional programs, even if tuition costs are more than a standard four-year degree.

Online Accelerated Nursing Programs in Colorado

Registered Nurses can earn a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) online at three different schools. The University of Colorado at Denver, Colorado Mesa University and the University of Northern Colorado all offer accelerated online BSN programs allowing nurses to remain employed while working towards a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated online nursing programs in Colorado and elsewhere offer flexibility over brick-and-mortar programs but require discipline and some technological know-how.

Accelerated nursing programs require a lot of time because they cram several years’ of courses into a few months. Both online and in-person courses require clinical hours, but traditional students can find it hard to balance lecture time, labs and off-campus clinical time. With online nursing programs, nursing students have better control over their time and less stress.

Accelerated Nursing Scholarships and Financial Aid

Accelerated nursing degree programs are intended for aspiring registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline. They are offered at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, and they build on prior learning experiences to enable individuals to transition into the nursing field. While these programs can be expensive, there are a variety scholarships and other financial available.

Where to Find Nursing Scholarships

Students who are searching for scholarships often become overwhelmed due to the vast amount of information available. A helpful place to start searching for nursing scholarships is the financial aid office of the nursing institution. Often times, financial aid advisers can provide a wealth of information about nursing scholarships. Another good place to look is national nursing organizations, as many often a wide variety of nursing scholarships. Examples include the American Associate of Critical-Care Nurses, Oncology Nursing Society Foundation, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. There is also an array of scholarship search websites that provide results on nearly all types of scholarships.

Popular Scholarships for Accelerated Nursing

Here are some of the most popular scholarships for students pursuing an accelerated nursing degree.

After College/American Association of Colleges of Nursing Scholarship
This scholarship program was created for all nursing students, but special consideration for the reward is given to students enrolled in accelerated bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in nursing. Two scholarships of $2,500 are granted eight times per year.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program
A program developed to assist in decreasing the nursing shortage and promoting the diversity of professionals in the nursing field. It provides grants to schools of nursing to provide college graduates of non-nursing disciplines with financial assistance for accelerated nursing programs. It provides five to 30 scholarships per year to schools of nursing with a total of 400 scholarships available.

Accelerated BSN Scholarship from the Miller School of Medicine
The Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami created this program to provide full in-state tuition for students pursuing accelerated BSN programs at the University of Miami School of Nursing. Recipients also receive a stipend for books.

William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Accelerated Nursing
This scholarship program was founded at the University of Missouri specifically for students enrolled in accelerated nursing programs. The scholarship helps pay for tuition and fees for students attending the MU Sinclair School of Nursing. The award amount varies by student.

Minnesota State University Accelerated Nursing Program Nursing Faculty Scholarship
Faculty members, alumni, and administrative staff of Minnesota State University have contributed funds to create this scholarship for accelerated nursing students. The eligibility requirements include full-time enrollment in an accelerated nursing program at Minnesota State University and a GPA of at least 3.3.

Other Financial Aid

Since students in accelerated nursing programs already have a degree, other financial aid options are limited. However, many potential employers are partnering with schools and offering tuition repayment in agreement of employment for a certain amount of time following graduation. Some federal funding may be available to students demonstrating financial need, such as Federal Stafford Loans. Other financial aid options include alternative loans.

Why Become A Nurse?

Why become a nurse? There are many reasons. Some decide to go into nursing for the excellent compensation and flexibility. Others prefer the job security and variety nursing can offer. There are likely as many reasons as there are nurses themselves.

Compensation and Job Security

For starters, compensation for nurses is undeniably excellent. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) average $42,000 a year, while full-time registered nurses (RNs) are usually paid $62,000 annually. Demand for nurses is at an all-time high, and is only expected to go up, which means nursing salaries should also be rising in the near future.

Nursing jobs are also very secure. The U.S. is expected to experience a shortage of nurses well into 2016, and potentially longer. Increased demand means that hospitals will go to greater lengths to keep nurses employed. Additionally, nurses are required on-site all over the country. This means that nursing jobs cannot be outsourced overseas.

Variety of Experiences and Settings

Nursing also offers a wide range of experiences. Far from being relegated solely to hospital work, nurses are employed in a wide variety of positions. Some find work in schools, tending to sick children. Others are employed by the military. Some even work for medical technology companies, offering their services as consultants. Within hospitals, nurses can choose from a wide range of specialties, from the ER to pediatrics, and everything in between.

Flexibility

For those with families, or looking to start families, nursing offers a lot of flexibility. Since hospitals generally don’t close just because the sun is down, there are almost always opportunities for night nurses. Some hospitals even offer temporary employment contracts as short as eight weeks.

Travel Opportunities

Since nurses are in short supply around the globe, there are many opportunities for those looking to travel. Traveling nurse contracts typically range from eight weeks to one year. Most travel nursing agencies also provide compensation for travel expenses, as well as housing.

Meaningful Work

For some, nursing is more of a calling than a job. Many are drawn to it because it offers them a chance to help people on a day-to-day basis. To these people, doing meaningful work every day, and seeing how it makes a difference in the lives of others far outweighs the other benefits of nursing.

Relatively Quick Entry

Compared to those employed in other fields with similar compensation, the training for nurses is short. Most LPN programs take from twelve to eighteen months to complete. RN programs usually last two years. Many schools also offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs that take about a year to complete.

Ultimately, nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession that many have chosen for a wide variety of reasons, and no single list can them all. The decision to become a nurse is a personal one that everyone must make for their own reasons, whether they be financial, personal, or anything in between.