The demand for qualified nurses is higher today than ever before. If you are an aspiring nurse ready for a career pivot, enrolling in an intensive, fast-track nursing program is the perfect way to become a skilled registered nurse without compromising quality education. Read on for what to look for in an accelerated nursing school program.
Approval and Accreditation
You need to find out if you are dealing with an accredited nursing program for some good reasons. Accreditation provides a guarantee that the quality of education you receive aligns with the standards set by the accrediting body experts. The criteria ensure you gain access to the curriculum, resources, teachers, and field experience needed to excel upon graduation.
A nursing program’s accreditation status can directly impact your eligibility for taking licensing exams and qualifying for future jobs. Your accelerated nursing program should be accredited by CCNE (Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education) or NLNAC ( National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission).
Curriculum Standards
If you plan to pursue the ABSN program in Iowa, ensure the program has the comprehensive coursework and curriculum needed to prepare you for the specialized job of nursing. It should employ a hybrid learning model that combines on-site skills, simulation labs, online-based theory courses, and clinical rotations at notable hospitals.
Take into account a nursing school that integrates NCLEX-RN preparation into its curriculum. This will give you access to an NCLEX review course that will help you master the strategies needed to interpret NCLEX-style questions.
Prerequisites and Requirements
Go through the requirements listed on the institution’s website to determine if you are a perfect fit for a nursing program. It is also essential to look at the prerequisites, especially if you are taking an accelerated nursing program.
This will help you know if there are any ABSN prerequisite courses you must complete before starting the main program. There is no harm in reaching out to your prospective school’s admissions officer to determine if you are eligible and meet all the admission requirements.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Passing the NCLEX-RN examination is a notable requirement for earning licensure as a nurse in all states. You can tell the quality of a nursing program by checking how your prospective school’s first-time examination pass rate compares against a national benchmark.
As you evaluate the first-time NCLEX pass rate of a nursing school, don’t overlook your role as a student in passing the NCLEX-RN exam on the first try. You might need to devise new study habits or consult your instructors and professors extensively.
Proper preparation before the exam can make all the difference in boosting your confidence and performance. Future medical professionals should take a NCLEX PN practice exam before test day to identify areas of strength and topics that may need further review. This simulated experience also helps reduce test anxiety by familiarising students with the format and pacing of the real exam. With consistent practice and the right resources, passing the NCLEX becomes a much more achievable goal.
Financial Considerations
It is essential to be aware of the program’s overall cost and the cost per credit hour. While some institutions may feature a lower cost per credit hour with more credits to complete, others have a higher cost per credit hour but require you to complete fewer credits, which lowers the overall cost.
Some accelerated nursing programs offer financial assistance through grants, loans, and scholarships. You also receive guidance to help you easily navigate the financial aid process. Give priority to such nursing programs when making your choices.
Clinical Partnerships
The whole point of pursuing an accelerated nursing school program is to gain clinical experience and networking opportunities that will prepare you for a nursing career and overall professional life. You need a tight-knit nursing program with robust connections to stellar faculty and local hospitals to ease your job-searching process. Prioritize a nursing school with a solid clinical outreach or partnership program.
This is the right time to make that career change you have longed for by pursuing an accelerated nursing program. Before you know it, you will be sitting for your NCLEX-RN licensing exam and start to explore professional options.