Accelerated BS program puts students on
fast-track to careers in field of nursing
The U.S. Department of Labor is projecting the need for more than a million new registered nurses by 2012. To fill that need, nursing schools across the nation are exploring different ways to increase student capacity and to reach out to new student populations.
One approach underway at the UCD School of Nursing is the accelerated baccalaureate degree program for non-nursing graduates. The program builds on students' previous learning experiences and transitions students into nursing who come into the program with degrees in other disciplines.
The SON's fast-track BS degree program offers a quicker path to licensure as a registered nurse for individuals who have already completed a bachelor's or graduate degree in a non-nursing area.
"Individuals come into our program from another career because they have felt there's something missing in that career," said Dr. Gayle Preheim, associate professor and director of the program. "They want to have greater significance in their work, so they're looking for a career that's more fulfilling. These students are highly qualified and have ambitious goals."
Typical second-degree nursing students are highly motivated; able to learn in a fast-paced manner, know how to manage their time, and excel in class, said Preheim. Accelerated students are also eager to acquire clinical experiences, and request extra credit assignments.
Courses are offered in a compressed format with no breaks between sessions. Students must complete science prerequisites prior to entering the program.
Thirty-one nurses graduated in the SON's first class this past December, entering the workforce a full semester earlier than nursing students in the traditional program who graduated in May. Feedback from the recent graduates has been favorable and their evaluation of the program will be used to enhance the educational and clinical experiences for future classes.
