If a career in nursing is calling to you, but you have no previous experience or degrees in nursing, an accelerated master’s in nursing may be the right choice for you. These programs are intended for those who haven’t obtained a nursing bachelor’s degree, either because their undergraduate degree was in another field or they only have an associate degree in nursing.
An accelerated master’s nursing program isn’t for everyone, but if you are willing to work hard, you can earn your degree in 36 months and be ready to take on leadership roles with six-figure salaries in the healthcare world.
Sound appealing? Read on to find out more.
Is a Career in Nursing Right for You?
Students in an accelerated master’s in nursing, also called a direct-entry master’s, generally have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. It may be in a related field, such as psychology or sociology, or in an area that has nothing to do with nursing, such as accounting or history. In many cases, even those with non-nursing backgrounds will have a solid foundation of knowledge that will help them in their career, such as communications or leadership skills.
Accelerated programs are a good option if you are motivated and willing to devote long hours to your schoolwork. Since they are accelerated, you’ll attend school for longer hours than you might in a regular master’s program and may attend classes during the summer as well. An accelerated program can be intense, and you should carefully weigh your other commitments before undertaking it. Participating in an accelerated program can be challenging if you have a full-time job or family commitments that take a lot of time.
Another good reason nursing might be the right career for you is that it is a growing field with the possibility for consistent professional advancement, especially with a master’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is a rapidly growing field. The need for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners, all of whom need a master’s degree in their field, is expected to grow by an astounding 40 percent over the next decade. Nurses holding these jobs can expect to make a median salary of $123,780 annually. If you’re looking to maximize your chances of landing a high-paying job, enrolling in an accelerated master’s program in nursing is a smart move.
How Do Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Programs Work?
If you are starting your program with no nursing experience, it will take you roughly three years to earn your degree in an accelerated nursing master’s program. Some programs have an online option, where you can attend classes from the comfort of your home, and this can expand your potential schools to those outside of your immediate area.
Applying to an accelerated program is similar to other types of master’s level applications. You will need to submit a transcript showing that you have earned a GPA of a certain level, usually 3.0, although this depends on the school. You will probably need to submit references and provide a personal essay or statement. You may meet, in person or virtually, with an admissions counselor, who can help you determine if the program is a good fit for your needs.
You’ll also want to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which can help determine your eligibility for financial assistance through grants, loans, or scholarships. You may also look for financial aid from organizations other than the government or your schools, such as local organizations, charities, or even your place of employment.
Your program will feature classes that may meet for longer than traditional classes and may meet more frequently. You will likely continue your education during the summer and possibly even post-semester breaks. For every hour you spend in the classroom, expect to spend another three to four hours reading, researching, and studying.
To receive your nursing license, you will also be required to undertake clinical hours, although the amount of clinical time you have is determined by your state’s regulations. Clinical hours in an accelerated program can be long and taxing.
How To Succeed in an Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Program
Because of the increased time commitment of an accelerated program, you will be expected to learn new concepts quickly and efficiently. Your classes may have a shorter, more condensed format that has you working harder and for longer hours than you might otherwise. Keeping up with your coursework is vital since the program moves fast enough that it’s easy to be left behind.
Here are a few tips to consider when you are planning how to succeed in your accelerated master’s in nursing program:
- Find a scheduling system that works for you and stick with it faithfully. It can be old school, such as a Moleskin notebook with your schedule written each day, or something online that can be accessed from your laptop and smartphone. Whatever works for you, resolve to use it daily to stay on top of your classes and other commitments.
- Make friends with your professors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your teachers, either in class or privately during their office hours. If you are taking classes online, you should still be able to connect to them virtually. Once they know you are serious about your education, they will generally be more than willing to help you when needed.
- Connect with your peers. Your fellow students are another avenue of support who can make your educational journey both more enjoyable and easier. Taking a challenging subject? Ask a few of your peers to form a study group with you to better master the material.
- Explore your school’s support services. Whether you are attending school online or in person, there should be a range of resources available to you, from one-on-one tutoring to mental health counseling. Get to know your school’s reference librarians, too, to make life easier when it comes time to write papers or study for exams.
Our Research
This list features some of the best accelerated Master’s in Nursing programs in the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution, either public or private, with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of the best accelerated Master’s in Nursing programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications, such as U.S. News & World Report, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The 50 Best Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Programs
