As the US population grows older, the national association for disease control warns that the health of many American will decline, but the health care system may not be prepared for the overwhelming number of people who will need care. The demand for nurses will be especially acute because the current nursing work force is approaching retirement age, the number of new nurses entering the field will not make up the expected demand through 2020 and beyond. Ethe Exacerbating the situation is both a shortage of nurse educators and long waiting lists for students entering into nursing school. According to the US Bureau of Labor, employment opportunities for registered nurses will increase at a faster rate in 2012 than any other occupation in America. Because there are many way to enter into this rewarding profession, we encourage nurses to find their right careerpath into nursing.
With the U.S. Department of Labor projecting the need for more than a million new and replacement registered nurses by 2018, nursing schools around the country are exploring creative ways to increase capacity and reach new student populations. One innovative approach to nursing education that is gaining momentum is the accelerated degree program for non-nursing graduates. Offered at the baccalaureate and master's degree levels, these programs build on previous learning experiences and provide a way for individuals with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines to transition into nursing.
A special section for accelerated nursing programs along with suggested
Nurse Educator
The United States is in the midst of an unprecedented shortage of registered nurses. This shortage is expected to persist because of the increasing demand for health care as baby boomers approach retirement; the aging nursing workforce; and the decline of interest in nursing as a career because of expanding opportunities for women in previously male-dominant professions (Staiger, Auerbach, & Buerhaus, 2000).
Registered Nurse
There are more registered nursed in the united. And this is the area where the most accelerated nursing programs are offered. For LPN's who already have a nursing degree and expeirence, they can optian a RN degree online in as little as 18 month. The accelerated nursing programs offered by the College College Network alos have bridge programs into the BSN thr itsp partnershop with universities such as Indiana State University.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree
Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses work as assistants to registered nurses and physicians. Their duties comprise mainly of carrying out basic healthcare procedures, such as keeping track of vital signs that are experienced by patients and recording the progression of symptoms and treatments. Licensed practical nurses need to complete high school and a one-year training program at a hospital, community college, or vocational school. The median annual salary for licensed practical nurses is $34,000.
Perioperative Nurse
Perioperative nurses provide assistance for surgeons in the operating room. Their responsibilities include preparing the operating room for surgeries, monitoring patients’ vital signs, caring for patients during surgeries, assisting surgeons, controlling bleeding during surgeries, and cleaning the room after surgeries are completed. Perioperative nurses have to qualify as registered nurses first by earning a diploma, associate degree, or degree in nursing. Many registered nurse courses offer perioperative nursing certification. The average salary for perioperative nurses is $56,000 per year, but salaries vary greatly from one state to another.
Geriatric Nurse
Geriatric nurses provide care for elderly people, helping them overcome age-related health problems and disabilities. The basic education requirement for geriatric nurses is an Associate or Bachelor’s degree, but those who wish to advance their careers further can opt to pursue a Master’s or Doctorate degree in geriatric nursing. On average, geriatric nurses earn about $54,000 per year.
Ambulatory Nurse
Ambulatory nurses provide care for patients in physician offices. They work under physicians, and they assist in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses and injuries. Ambulatory nurses have to become registered nurses first and then gain at least two years of nursing experience. The average annual salary for these nurses is about $44,000.
Gynecology Nurse
As an increasing number of women are realizing the importance of visiting gynecologists regularly, there is presently a greater demand for gynecology nurses. These nurses specialize in caring for women patients, and they provide reproductive health care as well as care for common illnesses and injuries. Gynecology nurses are mostly registered nurses who possess an Associate or Bachelor’s degree. They earn an average salary of about $70,000 a year.
Cardiovascular Nurse
According to reports from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the main cause of death among Americans. As such, cardiovascular nurses are in high demand. The responsibility of cardiovascular nurses is to assist cardiologists in providing treatment and care for patients who are suffering from heart conditions. Most cardiovascular nurses have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, and their average salary is $55,000 a year.
Other types of nurses that are becoming increasingly in demand include pediatric nurses, nurse practitioners, long-term care nurses, and nurse educators.
Want to start career in nursing? Find detail information about top nursing careers and best nursing schools along with nursing courses and programs at NursingSchoolsU.com. Choose best nursing college in your preferred location and start your path to a rewarding career.
Accelerated baccalaureate programs offer the quickest route to licensure as a registered nurse (RN) for adults who have already completed a bachelor's or graduate degree in a non-nursing discipline.
Fast-track baccalaureate programs take between 11 and 18 months to complete, including prerequisites. Fast-track master's degree programs generally take about 3 years to complete.
Accelerated nursing programs are available in 43 states plus the District of Columbia and Guam. In 2011, there were 235 accelerated baccalaureate programs and 63 accelerated master’s programs available at nursing schools nationwide. In addition, 33 new accelerated baccalaureate programs are in the planning stages, and 10 new accelerated master's programs are also taking shape. For a list of accelerated nursing programs, see
Accelerated baccalaureate programs accomplish programmatic objectives in a short time by building on previous learning experiences. Instruction is intense with courses offered full-time with no breaks between sessions. Students receive the same number of clinical hours as their counterparts in traditional entry-level nursing programs.
Admission standards for accelerated programs are high with programs typically requiring a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and a thorough prescreening process. Identifying students who will flourish in this environment is a priority for administrators. Students enrolled in accelerated programs are encouraged NOT to work given the rigor associated with completing degree requirements.
Accelerated baccalaureate and master's programs in nursing are appropriately geared to individuals who have already proven their ability to succeed at a senior college or university. Having already completed a bachelor's degree, many second-degree students are attracted to the fast-track master's program as the natural next step in their higher education.