Industry experts are projecting the need for more than a million new and replacement nurses in the next 10 years. As a result of this, a new approach to nursing education is rapidly gaining popularity. They are called the accelerated programs in nursing for non-nursing college graduates.

These programs require previous college level training and provide a way for individuals with undergraduate degrees in non-nursing fields to transition into nursing. The accelerated BSN programs are the quickest route for adults who have already completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline.

These programs are extremely demanding as they are designed to be very short and intensive (usually less than 2 years). They also cost quite a bit so you want to look at your finances before you make such a committment.

The accelerated training helps to bring more trained nurses into the health care system and this has be described by some as a very good move. But skeptics are quick to add that accelerated programs provide very little bedside training and wonder about the caliber of the nurses that are trained.

Such feelings continue to exist inspite of considerable efforts by nursing colleges to ensure that their training programs meet the requirements for accreditation. I think it is time for health care professionals to spend more time enlightening the public about these programs before misconceptions are spread too wide.

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