Accelerated nursing programs continue to grow in popularity as graduates and current students take note of the tough job market and seek to move into the nursing field, which offers more job opportunities and long-term security than many other fields.

According to a story this week in the State Journal Register in Springfield, Illinois nursing is getting a second-look by students worried about their prospects in a still recovering job market.

Speaking of the advantages of accelerated nursing programs, Gloria Brummer, an associate professor at St. John’s College of Nursing, “The benefit is you get to begin your practice earlier,” Brummer said. “That is very attractive to students who already have a degree, because they can get started on a new career sooner.”

At St. John’s, twice as many people applied for the accelerated nursing program than there were spots available, indicating significant demand for accelerated nursing programs.

Dr. Cynthia Maskey, dean of health professions at Lincoln Land Community College, said she notices the demand for nurses is on the rise.

“The demand is always steady,” she said. “But it does tend to go up and down with the market forces, so sometimes there is a shortage.”

This is good news for accelerated nursing students, assuming they can get into a program.

“We always have more students wanting to get in than we can accommodate,” Maskey said.

There are twelve accelerated nursing programs in Florida, located throughout the state and designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in other fields who are looking to change careers. These programs each offer a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing by providing credit for general education classes previously taken and then providing specific nursing theory and clinical studies coursework within a timeframe varying from 12 to 18 months. When completed, the student is prepared to take the national exam for becoming an RN.

Top universities offering accelerated nursing programs in Florida include the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of North Florida. Others include Barry University, Florida State University, and the Universities of Florida, South Florida, and Central Florida. There are a few online options available as well, including those offered by Marian University and Roseman University. Marian University offers career-changers the opportunity to earn a BSN in as little as 16 months. Roseman University’s program can be completed in 15 months.

One of the top rated online programs in Florida is offered through Chamberlain University in Jacksonville. This program offers a RN to BSN program in as little as three semesters but is generally restricted to individuals who are already working in the nursing field and wish to expand their educational credentials and/or possibly prepare for an MSN or doctorate degree.

Because any accelerated nursing program basically compresses four years of nursing school information into less than two years, it requires a large commitment in both time and dedication. Prospective students should consider whether online or on-campus options would suit their needs best. If choosing an on campus program, it would be best to choose one near the student’s home location, as the program will likely involve a significant amount of time spent on campus.

Connecticut (CT) offers many options for those students seeking a career change into nursing. Accelerated nursing programs in CT enable students who have previously received a bachelor’s degree in another field to become nurses by completing accelerated programs. Class credit is given for those general education classes previously completed, and the student then needs to only take classes specifically for nursing. Most programs require students to complete certain classes as prerequisites for acceptance into the program. These can include Human Anatomy, Nutrition and Medical Terminology. Both traditional schools and online schools offer accelerated nursing degree programs.

Accelerated nursing programs in CT are available at Fairfield University, the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University and Southern Connecticut State University, among others. Programs can be completed in 15-18 months of full-time classwork and clinical studies. Students interested in these programs often have to apply many months ahead of time to be assured admission. Because of the many applicants vying for so few spots, it’s recommended that students apply in January for early admission slots. All these schools offer Bachelor of Nursing degrees, with the University of Connecticut offering a Master’s degree in Nursing for those eligible students.

Online colleges also offer accelerated nursing degree programs. These schools offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Nursing, and are very popular with working professionals as well as those in the military or living overseas. Like traditional schools, these also require students have an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing. Transfer credits are given for general education classes, and students should have completed various science classes as prerequisites for admission. Some of the best online programs include the University of Phoenix, Capella University and Kaplan University. Financial aid is available to students in the form of grants and loans, so this combined with flexible schedules make online schools very attractive options.

Georgia, known for its beautiful scenery and southern hospitality, is also well-known for its great educational resources. Many colleges and universities offer accelerated nursing programs in Georgia. These programs are geared for those who possess an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing, and are seeking a career change. Accelerated degree programs can be completed in 12-24 months depending upon how much transfer credit is granted. To be accepted into a program, students are usually expected to complete several science classes that are prerequisites to nursing classes. These can include Medical Terminology, Human Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology and Microbiology.

Accelerated nursing programs in Georgia can be found at Emory University, Georgia State University and Valdosta State University, among others. All of these programs allow students to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing in a much shorter period of time. If enough transfer credit is granted, some students can finish the program in as little as 15 months of full-time classwork and clinical work. Students seeking admission are encouraged to apply by December or January for the upcoming academic year.

Georgia students can also earn accelerated nursing degrees through online colleges and universities. These schools offer flexible class schedules, low tuition rates and quicker completion times for some students. Some of the best-known online schools offering accelerated programs include the University of Phoenix, Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University. Like traditional schools, students must have an undergraduate degree in a major other than nursing. Prerequisite classes in science must also be completed before being granted admission to programs. Financial aid is offered at both online and traditional schools, with loans and grants the most popular options. Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level degrees are offered at these online schools, giving students many choices for rewarding careers.

Illinois is one of the best states in America to obtain a college education. Some of the best degrees that can be earned are nursing, and many schools offer accelerated nursing programs in Illinois for students seeking a career change. Accelerated nursing degree programs let students earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in a much shorter period of time than traditional degrees. Students in these programs must possess an undergraduate degree in a field of study other than nursing, and must complete several prerequisite classes prior to acceptance. These can be science classes such as Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology and Nutrition.

Both traditional and online universities offer accelerated nursing programs in Illinois. Illinois schools offering these degrees include Bradley University, Illinois State University, Lewis University and Loyola University of Chicago. All of these schools offer accelerated programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The degrees can be completed in 15-20 months of full-time study both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Students must possess not only a bachelor’s degree, but also complete up to 37 hours of prerequisite classes prior to acceptance.

Many students in Illinois need flexible schedules when returning to school and look to online colleges and universities to complete their education. Some of the best online schools that offer accelerated nursing degree programs include the University of Phoenix, Capella University and Arizona State University. These schools also require degrees in fields other than nursing, and have certain prerequisites that must be met prior to acceptance. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered at these schools, and financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans and tuition reimbursements from employers. Degrees at these schools can be earned in 12-18 months depending upon how much transfer credit is granted.

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the United States, and is known for its culture as well as its fine educational institutions. Students in Chicago who are seeking a career change into nursing have many great options from which to choose. Colleges and universities throughout Chicago offer working professionals and those seeking a return to school the chance to become nurses by completing accelerated degree programs. Accelerated nursing programs in Chicago allow students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in another field of study to become nurses in as little as 15-24 months. The amount of time it will take to complete a degree will depend upon a number of factors, such as how much transfer credit is granted and how many prerequisite classes have already been completed.

Accelerated nursing programs in Chicago are offered by Loyola University, Concordia University and DePaul University, among others. All of these schools allow students to earn Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing within two years by completing a combination of classroom and clinical work. Transfer credit is granted for general education classes previously completed and for science classes recently taken. These can include Anatomy and Physiology, Human Nutrition and Medical Terminology.

Online colleges also offer accelerated programs of study in nursing. These are popular with students who are working full-time and need a flexible class schedule. They are also popular with mothers returning to school and needing to schedule classes around caring for families. Some of the best online schools offering nursing degrees include Kaplan University, University of Phoenix and Capella University. All of these schools offer Bachelor’s degrees, with some offering Master’s and Doctoral degrees as well. Degrees can be completed in 12-18 months depending upon transfer credit, and financial aid is available in the form of federal grants, loans and scholarships.

Students in Canada have many career opportunities available to them. One of the most in-demand professions is that of nursing, with more and more openings available all the time. While many nurses originally received a degree in nursing, many other people who wish to become nurses later in life are no longer on the outside looking in. Instead, they can choose to return to school and enroll in an accelerated degree program and study either in person or online. There are many fine colleges and universities that offer accelerated nursing programs in Canada.

Those students wishing to study in person should consider such schools as the University of British Columbia, McGill University and the University of Toronto. Each of these schools let students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with the University of Toronto offering a Master’s degree. To be eligible for these programs, students must have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in another field and be wishing to change careers. Transfer credit is given for completion of general education classes, and students must satisfy prerequisites for nursing classes by taking some basic science classes. These can include Medical Terminology, Human Anatomy, Physiology and Nutrition. These degrees can be earned in 16-24 months of study including both classroom work and clinical events in local health care facilities.

Students looking for online accelerated nursing programs in Canada can choose from many top-quality schools. Among these are Western Governors University, Chamberlain College of Nursing and Asuza Pacific University. All of these schools offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing that can be completed in less than two years. These schools are very good for working professionals who need to schedule their classes around jobs or family responsibilities. After completing these degrees, students are eligible to become licensed nurses in Canada.

California is a state with many great colleges and universities. Those students seeking a degree in nursing have many options from which to choose. Accelerated nursing programs in California are abundant, with both traditional and online degree programs available.

Some of the more traditional brick-and-mortar schools offering accelerated nursing degrees in California include California State University, San Francisco State University and Mount Saint Mary’s College. These schools offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in their accelerated programs. These degrees take anywhere from 12 to 18 months to complete, and are for students who originally received an undergraduate degree in a field other than nursing. Credit is given for general education classes already completed, and the student is usually required to complete several prerequisite classes before being accepted into the program. These are typically courses on Human Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Human Nutrition, Medical Terminology and others.

Many schools offer online accelerated degree programs for students. These are particularly good for those working professionals who need to schedule school around work and family responsibilities. Some of the best online accelerated nursing programs in California are offered through Marian University, Grand Canyon University and Roseman University. All three offer a path to an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with students able to complete the programs in 12-24 months depending upon how much previous credit is granted. Like the traditional schools, these programs are for students with previous degrees in fields other than nursing.

Different forms of financial aid are available for students in these programs. Scholarships, federal grants, student loans and tuition reimbursement are just a few examples. Both traditional and online schools have financial aid officers ready to help students needing financial assistance. No matter what program is chosen, students will receive a quality education that prepares them for exciting and rewarding careers as nurses.

People who already have a nursing degree, or those who are looking to start a new career without spending four years in school, have the option to attend an accelerated nursing program.

Accelerated nursing programs in Pennsylvania (PA) are typically bachelor degree programs for non-nurses, RN to bachelor in nursing (BSN) or master in nursing (MSN) programs, direct-entry master in nursing programs (for non-nurses) and doctorate in nursing programs, such as the ones offered at DeSales University, Duquesne University, West Chester University, University of Pennsylvania and Jefferson School of Nursing. These programs are all traditional and require students to be on campus to take courses, typically on a full-time basis because the programs are accelerated and require year-round studies. Programs such as the ones at La Salle University and Drexel University allow students with their RN to complete their advanced studies towards a master or doctorate degree online at home while completing clinicals at assigned hospitals or other health care settings.

With an accelerated nursing degree, you can get into the work force quickly. This saves you money on tuition and housing since you won’t require extra time in school to complete your degree. Online accelerated nursing programs in PA are excellent for working students who would like to obtain a degree quickly without leaving their current jobs or moving to a new school in order to further their careers.

It may be difficult for some students to complete an online nursing degree, especially if you have never taken online classes before. To determine if an online program is right for you, look at what your schedule allows, as well as meet with program directors to discuss if the possibility of an online nursing program will work for you.

Accelerated nursing programs in Texas offer nursing degrees to students with undergraduate degrees in non-nursing fields. Texas offers accelerated nursing degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral levels. Fast track programs in the Lone Star State require full-time study. Some take place in traditional classroom and clinical settings, some take place online and some combine online with on-campus instruction.

Accelerated BSN programs in Texas take 12 to 18 months to complete. Baylor University and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock offer 12-month programs combining online didactic coursework with clinical courses. Texas Woman’s University, the Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas Christian University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio offer 15-month accelerated programs. Texas A&M University and the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing provide 18-month accelerated nursing programs. For fast track graduate nursing degrees, the University of Texas at Austin offers accelerated MSN and doctoral programs. In addition, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi offers an accelerated MSN for registered nurses with diplomas or associate degrees as well as an accelerated MSN for nurses with baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing fields. UT Tyler provides an RN to MSN program and an online BSN to PhD program.

Accelerated programs offer cost savings because they take less time to complete than traditional programs. Online accelerated nursing programs in Texas offer convenience and self-paced study, but may cost more than on-campus degrees. Texas nurses have many fast track educational options, and increased education online or on-campus will bring additional employment opportunities.