The field of nursing is a lucrative and rewarding one that offers several opportunities for growth in the profession. If you have the desire to make a greater impact in the world by becoming a nurse, but you already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. There is a way out.
You have the option of switching careers, and there is an easy way to do that. You can earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) through any of the on-campus, hybrid, or online accelerated second degree BSN programs.
These online accelerated second-degree BSN programs are meant for students who are far away and already have a bachelor’s degree in a field that is not nursing. With this degree, you can become a registered nurse or even attend graduate school and become an advanced practice nurse.
The degrees in nursing are extremely versatile with a variety of specialties such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or nurse anesthetics. This means there is an ocean of possibilities for you to choose from.
What to Look for in Online Accelerated Second Degree BSN Programs
To find the right online accelerated second degree BSN programs for yourself, you would have to look at your educational background, professional experience, and career goals. After considering all of this, you should also consider these other variables as you check out your various options:
- Admission Requirements:
This provides insight into the academic background of a student. The institution will also suggest to you how likely you are to gain admission into an online second-degree nursing program.
- Program Curriculum:
A good online accelerated second degree BSN program that has a strong curriculum will prepare you for success in your desired specialty or workplace. Make sure you look out for an online BSN program with a strong curriculum.
- Clinical Experience:
Students pursuing an online second degree BSN must also fulfill clinical requirements. So ensure that any program you want to select has clinical components that fit into your schedule and budget.
- Accreditation:
If you earn a BSN from an online program that is accredited, it is an excellent investment. There are a plethora of career opportunities that are available only to nurses who graduate from accredited programs such as nursing licensure, certifications, and jobs.
- Program Length:
Many online accelerated second-degree BSN programs make it easy to graduate quickly, because of the length of their programs. But you should make sure you can keep up with the coursework as you maintain your graduation timeline.
- School NCLEX Pass Rate:
A program’s National Council Licensure Examination-RN (NCLEX-RN) pass rate tells you how well the curriculum of the program prepares students to become nurses, whether online or offline programs. A high pass rate and the high graduation rate are good signs for any program.
- School Graduation Rate:
Also, the overall graduation rate of the school can be an indicator of how successful and satisfied students are with the institution.
- Online Learning Format and Requirements:
You have to find out if the format of the program fits into your schedule and learning style. Some online second-degree nursing programs offer structured formats with set class meeting times and strong faculty support. Others offer self-paced coursework that allows you to choose your hours.
Online Accelerated BSN Programs for Non Nurses
Searching for schools that offer Online Accelerated Nursing Programs for Non-nurses can be overwhelming for those who have an interest in becoming registered nurses.
In addition, if you already have a degree in another field, it might seem even more impossible to pursue an online nursing degree without having to start over from the beginning. Or in some scenarios, spending more time and money on your education than you would prefer to.
The good news is that there are options available for people who would want to either get started with their career in nursing or continue their studies while they work full-time.
If you are interested in becoming a nurse but don’t have any idea what school to go to or don’t have the time to attend school, then online accelerated nursing programs may just be a great way for you to get your bachelor’s or advanced degree.
These online programs boast small class sizes that allow students have more one-on-one time with instructors and staff members. This goes a long way in providing the opportunity for extra help and tutoring when needed.
Most online courses were designed with non-nurses in mind. This makes them teach exactly what the students need to know about the subject matter with simple, easy-to-understand words.
Online Accelerated BSN Programs for Non-Nurses in Some U.S States
The United States of America offers several accredited online BSN programs in her states. We have put together a few of the best accelerated online nursing programs available in California, Florida, and Texas. Let us begin:
Online accelerated second degree BSN programs in California:
Brandman University:
Brandman University offers an accelerated BSN program that takes 3 years or less to finish. The program offers the necessary knowledge a nursing student needs to know to prepare for the NCLEX exam and get licensure as a registered nurse in California.
The curriculum in this program covers the core coursework and clinical training experiences that cover patient care. This accelerated online BSN program also delivers this coursework using interactive technologies that focus on maximizing flexibility and convenience.
After the coursework, the students have to complete clinical placements in person at approved sites across the state. The program is accredited by the CCNE and also offers additional preparation for the NCLEX exam ahead of licensure.
Holy Names University:
Holy Names University offers a hybrid degree completion program that results in a BSN in just 15 months. The accelerated BSN nursing program has an intensive pace. The coursework and clinical instruction in this program come in short sequences and it builds upon previous learning experiences.
The program prepares aspiring nurses to work in healthcare agencies, physicians’ offices, and community clinics. The accelerated online BSN programs offered in Holy Names provide hybrid options for students who are looking to take advantage of their remote learning opportunities.
These options apply to the coursework of the program, then the students are expected to complete in-person clinical rotations at an approved facility. The program is accredited by CCNE and it also offers a free NCLEX preparation course to all students immediately after they graduate.
Samuel Merritt University:
Samuel Merritt University is a private, non-profit university that is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The degree program they offer in nursing is accredited by the California Board of Registered Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at this university is the fastest route to a nursing career for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program has one of the shortest accelerated nursing programs in California.
It has a curriculum that is designed to be completed at an intense pace of 12 months. Students get to complete the program objectives in a short period by building on previous learning. The courses and clinical instructions are offered in short, intensive lessons with few breaks, unlike students who are in the traditional entry-level programs.
The hallmark of this ABSN program is clinical education with lecture and laboratory instruction. And at the end, the students can sit for the NCLEX and practice as an RN in any specialization of their choice. Several graduates might decide to continue their education so they can gain higher-level leadership positions.
California State University—Stanislaus:
It does not matter where you are on your path to earning your BSN, you will surely find a track that fits your needs at this university. The programs they offer range from a traditional on-campus BSN track to an online accelerated BSN and more.
They offer all these and more to help you earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, if you want to become a nurse but you already have a degree in a non-nursing field, be sure to check this school out.
Also, their nursing program has an accreditation from CCNE and they have a curriculum that ensures you pass the NCLEX. They have a pass rate of 98%.
Online accelerated second degree BSN programs in Florida:
Utica College:
Utica College’s online ABSN program allows students to earn BSNs and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. It is a 16-month, full-time program that contains a three-part hybrid curriculum.
The curriculum contains nursing courses, 225 hours of hands-on labs for students at the program sites in Syracuse, New York, and the Tampa and Miami, Florida areas, and 588 hours of clinical rotations inside hospitals near ABSN program sites.
Their admission requirements include an associate degree or non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or a total of 65 credits college-level credits from a regionally accredited college or university. The school is accredited by MSCHE while the program is accredited by CCNE.
University of Central Florida:
This university’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN features several required courses that can be accessed and completed online. They also require students to complete clinical hours at approved nursing practice facilities in the Orlando metro area. The program is full-time with four semesters in total.
The admissions requirements for this school include a previously earned, non-nursing bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university that is accredited and meets UCF transfer eligibility requirements.
Additionally, students must have also completed all the state-mandated prerequisite coursework before beginning their accelerated BSN curriculum at UCF.
Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University provides an accelerated bachelor of science for nursing and also registered nurses to bachelor in science for nursing programs. The RN to BSN program allows students who are currently licensed to further their nursing education in a program that has higher standards and accomplishments.
The ABSN program allows students who already possess a degree in a different field to switch to the field of nursing without a lot of hurdles.
These programs offered by FAU are all completely online. Students are educated so they can sit for the NCLEX exam. The school is accredited by CCNE and it has a reputation of 100% first-time pass rates in the NCLEX exam.
University of West Florida (UWF):
UWF is a public university in Pensacola, Florida. The school was established in 1963 and it sits on the third largest campus in the State University System.
As a student, you can quickly realize your dream of starting a career in nursing, even though you have a degree in another field. All you have to do is fulfill the degree requirements for an accelerated nursing program at the University of West Florida.
The accelerated BSN program the school offers is an online one. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and it prepares the students to sit for the NCLEX exam.
Online accelerated second degree BSN programs in Texas:
University of Texas – Arlington, TX:
If you are looking for accelerated online BSN programs in Texas, you can take a look at the ABSN program at the University of Texas. In the school, you get to complete the coursework online and then undergo in-person clinical training in the healthcare facilities that are located in Texas.
The program is designed for students with degrees in non-nursing fields. The program can be completed in 15 months and students can start their journey toward a career in nursing. The program offers a pay-by-the-course tuition payment option, this makes it possible for students to have a part-time job.
The college has a curriculum that is well-rounded and systematically delivered in sequential order. This adds to their impressive NCLEX-RN performance.
Baylor University:
The ABSN program at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing is an intense full-time program with a combination of teaching methodologies such as online courses, clinical and laboratory experiences, and hybrid interactive learning courses.
Students who have completed their bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field will have to complete 62 hours of nursing course work and become a nurse. The program can be completed in one year and gain clinical experience working in communities.
They have a strong curriculum that students can benefit from. The school has a well-earned reputation that can change the lives of its students as they in turn change the lives of others.
University Of Saint Thomas, Houston:
If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing or you have at least 60 college credits and want a new career caring for others, the accelerated nursing program in this school could be your shortest route to achieving your dreams of being a nurse.
Their accelerated BSN program for non-nurses offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in just one year. The program offers students flexibility as they get to complete the theoretical part of the coursework online, anywhere, at any time.
The program combines online coursework, onsite skills labs, and clinical rotations, integrating a rigorous curriculum and laying the groundwork for the students to enter the profession as practice-ready nurses.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centre:
TTUHSC School of Nursing offers students a Second Degree in BSN accelerated program. The program is for students that have a bachelor’s degree from a college.
The program provides students with a curriculum that makes them ready to meet the challenges of a complex and changing healthcare system.
The ABSN takes 12 months to complete and it includes online classes and clinical hours that are monitored by the clinical coaches and nurse-educators. The program also offers clinical instructions that are guided by clinical coaches that are assigned to the students.
Are There Any Online Accelerated BSN Programs?
Yes, there are. An accelerated BSN degree helps people who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field to begin meeting the requirements they need to become an RN.
An online accelerated BSN program helps students work their way toward becoming a nurse. They get to finish their second degree quickly and start working in their chosen specialty in the nursing field.
The degree program prepares students to perform tasks that are related to patient care and education. The degree program also teaches the students all they need to know to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.
How Long Does It Take To Complete A Second Degree BSN?
Full-time students can complete an online second-degree nursing program in 1-2 years. While part-time students can complete theirs in up to four years.
Can I Complete An Online Second Degree BSN While Working?
It is possible to earn a second degree BSN online while working. This, however, is fully dependent on how flexible your work schedule and the schedule of your BSN program are.
Are There Any In-person Requirements For the Online Second Degree BSN?
There are some second-degree BSN online programs that include on-campus requirements, such as orientation sessions or labs. Also, some online BSN programs require that you complete your clinical in person. The good news is that most programs help you find placements in your community.
What Is The Difference Between Online And Offline Programs?
The major difference between an online and offline program is that the online program takes place entirely on the Internet, as opposed to the offline program that takes place in person.
This means that with an online program, you can study from wherever you have access to high-speed internet including your home, office, or library, and you would still get credit for the class work you complete. What are your thoughts about these online accelerated second degree BSN programs? Are there others you know? Please share with us.