Accelerated bachelor's programs can help nursing students earn a bachelor's degree in anywhere from 11 to 18 months and a master's degree in 3 years, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. For students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another area, accelerated nursing programs are the shortest route to nursing licensure possible, the AACN asserts.

While would-be nursing students often savor the idea of graduating more quickly, they should be aware that accelerated nursing programs cram an awful lot of rigorous material into that short timeframe, and there's usually no breaks between sessions. When taking such an intensive course load, nursing students often have to kiss their social lives goodbye to stay on top of it all, and most programs recommend that a student attend school full time without working to stay on top of the massive amount of work required. However, those students who can manage the increased amount of work are rewarded by being able to fast-track their career as well.

Accelerated nursing programs aren't for everyone. Because these programs are so rigorous, the program often requires that students have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher in all previous coursework. Program administrators must be sure that students have what it takes to succeed in an intensive, accelerated nursing program.

Many accelerated nursing programs are offered fully or partially online by accredited nursing schools. This allows students the flexibility of logging in to their courses at a time that is most convenient to them, and allows them to avoid the daily commute to a campus. The only part of nursing education that is not conducted online is clinicals, hands-on nursing preparation that is arranged at a health care facility near the student.

If you are having trouble getting a job with the degree you have, you may want to return to school to get an accelerated nursing degree. It could be your ticket to better job opportunities and better pay than you're receiving now.

Now when you have worked hard enough to earn the eligibility to attend some of these accelerated nursing programs it is extremely important to be aware of the fundamentals of these programs, not just the educational qualifications. Almost all of these programs, no matter where you take them, are demanding. Completing an already challenging course in an ever shorter period of time is going to result in an intensity that not everyone can handle. The reality is that you are taking a three year program and completing it in just one. The upside of this is you are moving along a lot quicker than you normally would, you are able to start your life sooner than you originally anticipated. But the other side of the coin presents the reality that completing a challenging program that fast can be very stressful, demanding of a large majority of your time, and it may not leave a lot of extra room for other curriculars. The mental preparation before taking on such a challenge is just as important as the focus you need to have once you begin the actual program.

Another thing to consider with these accelerated nursing programs is that the curriculum is not identical in all of the programs. The same can be said for the course requirements. From GPA to references, before being accepted into any program your intentions and motivation should be displayed through your resume. Just as you will be judged, you as well should dig through all of the programs that are presented to you, and find the one that suits you. The whole function of these programs is to push you through the medical door in the fastest and most efficient manner possible. The sooner you are able to obtain the necessary education to then assist those in need, the sooner you will be able to address your own finical situation – the quicker the program, the quicker you will be able to secure a job.

To focus more on the online portion of this process, you will almost always have your nursing class on its own website. On the site you will find lecture notes and assignments posted in a discussion forum – giving the other students in the class the chance to post any comments or questions they may have regarding the presented material. Apart from any organized chat times, you are free to sign on whenever it is convenient for you and work on your designated assignments. However it is always important to send in your work before the due date your instructor with post along with the work itself. In the case of examinations, some schools will let you take them online, while others may require them to be proctored. If this is the case, you will be provided with a list of locations in your area where you can take any tests assigned. The amount of work you are able to do online really does depend upon the program you sign up for. Some schools may require you to occasionally attend a residency.

Many of the online nursing schools structure themselves like traditional schools, giving the students set start dates and a deadline for their work to be completed by. Conversely online courses leave you without an academic advisor, leaving you solely responsible for planning your curriculum. Now you will need more than just a checkbook and a desire to become a nurse to enroll in an online program as there are some entry requirements for certain degree program. Be sure to be aware of your previous academic achievements as well as the requirements for the degree you are interested in to see if there are any gaps. If there are no holes that need to be filled, online nursing programs can be a great venue for you to reach your goals.

The University of Texas at Austin, a 4 year public university in Austin, has nursing programs that are among the best in Texas, according to Education Portal. Being the largest school in Texas, UT offers all level degrees in nursing, which are all fully accredited. Nursing degree programs at UT include associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate degree programs. In addition, UT's nursing school ranks among the top 20 master programs in the country, by U.S. News and World Report.

The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, also known as the CCNE, offers bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in nursing. The schools also offers programs for nurses to work, while also allowing them to finish school to earn their degrees, catering to different types of nurses. Students in programs at this school had a pass rate of near 98 percent for the nurse licensing exam in 2009, according to the Texas Board of Nursing.

Texas Woman's University has campus locations in Denton and Houston, Texas, and offers bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in nursing. The school also offers transition programs for students that already work in the nursing field to earn a degree in nursing, which may provide better job opportunities and higher salaries. Texas Woman's University is also accredited by the CCNE. Additionally, this Texas university graduates more new nurses and professionals in the health care field than any other university in Texas.

The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston located in Galveston, offers bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in nursing. The school was ranked no. 63 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools. In addition, the student pass rate in 2009 for the nurse licensing exam at this school was 96 percent.

There is a vast variety of online schools available to students that are interested in pursuing a nursing career. There are also different types of nurses in the healthcare field, so it is important to explore all the options available before deciding on a specific school or program. Additionally, programs may vary in length as well, as the time they take to complete can take anywhere from 1 to 4 years. Online nursing schools are beneficial to students because they allow students that need to care for a family, work a full time job, or have other commitments that may keep them from continuing their education, the possibility to earn a degree and have better job opportunities. Online nursing schools offer students flexible schedules and the ability to work and take classes on their own time and at their own pace.

When deciding on attending an online nursing school, it is important to make sure that the school you choose to attend is accredited. Enrolling with a school that is not accredited could mean that you lose the money you pay for tuition, because it is likely that you will not receive a degree, or that the school does not even really exist. Even if you do complete a program and you do receive a degree, it could be likely that an employer will choose not to hire you if your degree is from an institution that is not accredited. Many employers require interested job candidates to have degrees or training certifications from accredited universities or institutions, so it is important to keep that in mind when choosing a school.

Some nursing programs allow individuals that are already certified and work in nursing to continue to work while also working towards a degree in nursing. For instance, a RN to BSN program, which is offered at numerous online schools in the U.S., allows individuals who are registered nurses to go back to school to complete a bachelor degree in nursing, or BSN. These types of programs are offered at both online schools and traditional campuses, with some programs offering both online courses and lab work and other requirements on campus. Earning a BSN may open more opportunities for a registered nurse such as advancements in their job, a higher salary, or to qualify for better nursing jobs.

Other programs such as RN to BSN program include the LVN, which is a licensed vocational nurse, or LPN, which is a licensed practical nurse, to RN program, which allows licensed vocational and practical nurses to receive more training to qualify as registered nurses. While LPNs and LVNs are trained nurses, they are limited on the extent of work they can perform and the duties they are assigned when it comes to patient care. Programs such as this one will help qualify participants for better job opportunities, higher salaries, more skills, and a better training and background in nursing.

Some schools solely offer traditional degrees in nursing to students interested in the profession. Such degrees include an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing, also known as an AS in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, also known as a BSN. These degrees can take anywhere from about 2 to 4 years to finish and are offered at online and on traditional campuses as well. Many schools base nursing curriculums on health and wellness, disease prevention, illness management and prevention, studies of the human body, and health technology, amongst others.

Many online schools offer entry-level nursing degrees such as degree programs to earn an associate degree in nursing. While degree requirements and credits will commonly vary between institutions, most associate degree nursing programs take about 2 years to complete, and are usually offered through community colleges. Courses in these programs generally involve basic education requirements, in addition to teaching technical nursing skills, and preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the field. Many students interested in nursing pursue the associate degree program due to it being more cost-effective, and that it generally requires a shorter time commitment when it comes to school credits.

Online nursing schools also offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing, also commonly known as a BSN. A BSN generally take about 4 to 5 years to complete, and is usually offered through colleges or universities. Typically the first 2 years of the program are general education requirements such as math, English, science, liberal arts, and social sciences. The 3rd and 4th year requirements usually consist of learning the science and principles of nursing, and teaching students the training and skills they will need to practice. BSNs prepare nurses for hospital positions as well as inpatient and community settings.

Other programs offered through online nursing schools include RN to BSN and LPN to RN programs. These programs are offered to individuals that already work as nurses, but would like to have the opportunity to continue to work and go to school so that they may earn a BSN. The RN to BSN program allows registered nurses with an associate degree to earn a bachelor degree with some of the skills they have already acquired through nursing. The LPN to RN program is designed for licensed practical nurses to earn their degree to qualify to work as a registered nurse. Enrolling in these programs and earning degree could open up job opportunities and give opportunities for advancement and/or higher salaries.

Students that have looked into online nursing schools know that there are plenty of schools to choose from. Because getting into and receiving a degree from a top nursing school is ideal, many students search for such schools. According to the Distance Learning College Guide Online, some of the top online nursing schools in the U.S. include the University of Phoenix, Chamberlain College of Nursing, and South University, which all have nursing programs within their schools.

The University of Phoenix is the largest private university that is accredited, and is well known for their academics on the online community. The nursing program at the University of Phoenix offers students a number of degree programs in nursing. They offer transition programs such as RN to BSN, which allows registered nurses to pursue a bachelor degree in nursing, and also offer bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in nursing. Their degree programs also have different concentrations such as Health Care Education, Integrative Health Care, and Health Administration.

Chamberlain College of Nursing is also a top online nursing school with many programs to offer students interested in nursing. The school is a member of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school offers a degree program for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

South University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges, the Southern Associations of College and Schools. This school offers nursing programs with bachelor and master degrees in nursing. Additionally, the bachelor degree program at South University, which also includes transition programs for RNs who wish to receive a bachelor degree while working, is nationally accredited by the Collegiate Nursing Education Program.

The great thing about online RN-to-BSN programs is that they are designed with busy nursing professionals in mind. In fact, many RN-to-BSN students work full time while taking classes online. If you are working shifts that vary from week to week, it can be extremely difficult to make it to class on a traditional campus on the same day and time each week. When you take classes online, you can log in to your classes at the time of day that is most convenient to you and complete school on your own schedule.

Many RNs have questions about how clinical training is conducted when you're taking classes online. Clinical training in an online program is arranged at a health care setting close to where you live. For example, in the online RN-to-BSN program offered through the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, only one course requires clinical training, a course called Community Health Nursing. Nursing students do their clinical in a local community health agency setting, according to program information on the UNC website.

Aside from the flexibility of logging in to your courses from your home at your own convenience, you are also not limited to nursing programs in your immediate area when you decide to do an online RN-to-BSN program. For instance, if you are really interested in the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay's online nursing program, you can take it from any state in the U.S., as long as you have a nursing license in that state, according to the program website.

Finally, the great thing about BSN completion programs is that they are built with experienced RNs in mind. The courses are tailored for nursing professionals who already have clinical training. Therefore, you don't necessarily have to "re-learn" the basics of nursing that you already know; instead, these programs build on the nursing foundation you already have.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of taking courses online in order to get a nursing degree is the amount of flexibility such an online course schedule can give you. This is why a majority of online nursing students are actually non-traditional students, which means they work full time or are in the midst of a career transition and need more education in order to reach their new goals. By taking courses online, nursing students do not have to worry about quitting their job, and thus losing their income, in their pursuit of a good education. This allows them to have a safety net should a nursing degree not be right for them.

Additionally, online nursing students do not have to transplant themselves in order to attend their dream nursing program. They can remain in whatever state they live. They don't have to worry about moving across the country and uprooting their life. Online programs give students who cannot move access to top of the line education, faculty, and course materials.

Taking courses online also means that nursing students don't have to worry about some of the traditional costs associated with going to classes on campus. They don't have to worry about gas money, or campus parking fees. Nor do they have to worry about the stress of living in a dormitory. They can focus on the standard expenses of their lives, and they'll only really have to pay the tuition and fee for course materials, which are usually very similar to those of traditional nursing programs.

Finally, taking classes online isn't as isolating as it sounds. Because everything is online, there are actually plenty of built in exercises that require you to interact closely with your fellow students and professors. As a result, it's possible to develop good working relationships with the other students in your classes, and these relationships will prepare you for the kinds of professional relationships you will develop with your co-workers once you're a certified nurse. So this is an added benefit that simply makes taking courses online even more worthwhile.