The Accelerated Nursing Program is an intensive 12-month program that prepares people who already have bachelor's degree and certain prerequisite courses to become a registered nurse. Students take classes in adult, women's, pediatric, psychiatric-mental, critical care, and community health nursing. Because of the intense nature of the program students are advised not to work while in the program.
Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and majors.
They come to this program either because they always wanted to be a nurse but were unable to find a program they could finish in a reasonable amount of time or because they wanted a career with better opportunities, salaries, and benefits. Student's ages range from 22-56, the average age is 33. Students in the program tend to be close-knit and supportive of each other and they enjoy a close working relationship with faculty. There is a nationwide and local shortage of registered nurses, which is predicted to last for the foreseeable future. There are many opportunities for full and part-time work.