Why Fast-track Nursing Degrees Matter
Here, we’ll discuss the important aspects of fast-track nursing degrees. We’ll touch on their benefits, format, and financial aid, among others. Then, we’ll feature five of the best programs and make a side-by-side comparison.
First, let’s briefly define what fast-track nursing degrees are. These are specifically intended for individuals who:
- Want to become registered nurses more quickly than through traditional pathways
- Have a prior bachelor’s degree, often in a healthcare-related field. Many students also have relevant work experience in healthcare.
Programs offering accelerated nursing degrees offer many benefits, too.
Featured Programs
- Accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals. Online programs with their asynchronous learning format are best for this purpose.
- Accelerated timeline means faster time-to-completion and, thus, lower total cost of education. You can earn a BSN degree in 12-24 months.
- Achieve a good work-life balance while pursuing your BSN degree. Flexible learning options make it possible.
- Bridge the gap between your healthcare experience and nursing aspirations. Your nursing education emphasizes practical skills that boost job readiness.
Once you’ve earned your BSN degree and become a registered nurse, more benefits follow. For starters, registered nurses earned $93,600/year in median wages (BLS, May 2024). You can earn more than $135,320/year with more work experience, too.
Registered nurses are also in high demand. Their projected employment growth is 6% (BLS, 2023-203). The high demand is due to an aging population that requires more healthcare services.
Furthermore, registered nurses work in diverse settings. Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community health centers are among them. Such diversity means that, as a registered nurse, you’ll find good employment.
What Is a Fast-track Nursing Degree?
Accelerated nursing programs share many common characteristics:
Accelerated curriculum
These nursing programs have a shorter timeframe that demands fast-paced coursework. Students usually attend classes the entire year (i.e., no breaks). Plus, students take on more courses in a term, meaning it’s an intensive workload.
Designed for speed and efficiency
These nursing programs have a more streamlined curriculum, too. Prerequisite courses and clinical hours are in a condensed format. Prior education (i.e., transfer credits) is recognized, and so is relevant healthcare experience.
However, fast-track nursing degree programs aren’t for everybody. Their condensed curriculum means a more intensive and challenging load. Effective time management and study habits are a must.
You must also have sharp critical thinking skills and physical stamina, too. The fast-paced clinical rotations demand it.
So, who are the ideal candidates for accelerated nursing programs? If you belong to one of these groups, consider them.
- Healthcare professionals seeking career advancement opportunities: Paramedics, CNAs, and LPNs who want to become registered nurses are welcome.
- Professionals with a non-nursing degree who want to change careers: If you have a bachelor’s degree in another field, consider an accelerated BSN program. You don’t have to start from scratch, so to speak.
Again, you must be a motivated and disciplined learner to thrive.
Related Articles:
- Accelerated Degree Programs at Affordable Online Colleges: Top Options for Students
- Best Accelerated Degree Options for Career Change
- Best Accelerated Self-Paced Online Colleges
- Top 5 Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees for Working Adults
How do accelerated nursing programs differ from traditional programs?
- Shorter completion time
- Recognition of prior learning and relevant healthcare experience
- Faster pace, higher intensity
- More flexible learning options
Of course, there’s no right or wrong choice between the two types of nursing programs. Instead, the right choice is the one that best suits your lifestyle, goals, and learning style.
How We Chose the Top 5 Programs
The best online nursing degrees for healthcare professionals meet the following criteria.
Active accreditation
Universities offering accelerated nursing programs must have active regional accreditation. National accreditation is valid, too, but regional accreditation is the gold standard. Regional accreditation agencies include SACSCOC, HLC, and MSCHE.
Then, the programs have active programmatic accreditation from either of these two agencies:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Programmatic accreditation means the program meets national standards for nursing education. More importantly, in most states, it’s a must to be eligible:
- To sit for the nursing licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) and
- To apply for state licensure as a registered nurse
Affordable costs
The featured programs offer competitive tuition and fees for a reasonable cost of attendance. This is a valid point considering that a nursing degree can cost $40,000 – $100,000 per year.
But it isn’t only the competitive tuition and fees that we considered. These programs also offer a wide range of financial aid options. Federal and state aid, institutional aid, and external scholarships and grants are common.
Maximum flexibility
We prioritized programs with online, hybrid, and part-time learning formats. Working professionals enjoy their flexible schedules and convenient access.
High graduation and licensure rates
These are key indicators of its effectiveness and the graduates’ career preparedness.
Strong student support services
Academic advising, mentorship, career counseling, and clinical placement assistance are a must. Student support services must boost a student’s successful completion.
Top 5 Fast-track Nursing Degrees for Working Professionals
University of Massachusetts Boston – Accelerated BSN
UMass Boston offers one of the best fast-track nursing programs for good reasons. Students learn with expert instructors through a state-of-the-art learning platform. Speed, flexibility, and prestige are its bywords.
The program consists of 12 courses totalling 54 credits. Students engage in multi-modal simulation and competency checks every semester. Weekly clinical placements are a requirement. Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA every semester to graduate.
- Program length: 12 months with full-time studies
- Tuition cost: $650/credit plus fees
- Financial aid available: Institutional scholarships and federal and state aid
- Online or hybrid format: Fully online coursework and local clinical placements
- Key features:
- Multiple start dates
- 15% acceptance rate
- 92.68% first-time NCLEX pass rate (2024)
Emory University – Distance Accelerated BSN
Emory offers one of the best RN bridge programs for working professionals, too. Full-time students can complete the program in three semesters. The program has high retention and graduation rates.
There’s a strong emphasis on community health and acute care. This is a 48-credit program with a rigorous curriculum and clinicals.
- Program length: 12–14 months
- Tuition cost: $1,706/credit
- Financial aid available: Federal and state aid and institutional scholarships
- Online or hybrid format: Mainly online courses and on-campus or local clinical rotations
- Key features:
- Cohort-based program
- Small class sizes of about 30 students
- Competitive admissions criteria
- 99% NCLEX pass rate
Baylor University – Distance Accelerated BSN
Baylor is also a popular choice for nursing degrees for working adults. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any field, among other requirements. Once admitted, students must engage in full-time studies in the intensive program. Upon graduation, they have the skills to serve as competent and compassionate nurses.
Students complete their clinical rotations in diverse settings. There’s a strong emphasis on working with underserved communities in Texas.
- Program length: 12 months
- Tuition cost: About $66,900 total
- Financial aid available: Federal and state aid and institutional aid. Scholarships for distance learners are also available.
- Online or hybrid format: Online didactic courses and two required on‑campus residencies and clinicals
- Key features:
- Cohort-based learning
- Strong faculty mentoring
North Dakota State University – Accelerated BSN
NDSU offers one of the most affordable nursing programs in the US, too. Aside from affordable public school tuition, it offers incentives for nursing students.
There are two $13,000 incentive payments or a $25,000 signing bonus from Sanford Health – Bismarck. Plus, graduates can enjoy a 2-year employment at Sanford Medical Center – Bismarck.
- Program length: 14 months
- Tuition cost: $475.65/credit (online programs). 60 credits
- Financial aid available: Federal and state aid and institutional aid, among others
- Online or hybrid format: Online courses combined with in‑person classes, labs/simulations, and clinicals
- Key features:
- Strong clinical affiliation and partnership with Sanford Health
- Small class sizes
- Personalized student support and faculty attention
- Multiple start times
Marian University (Indiana) – Accelerated BSN
Consider Marian University, too, if you’re looking for flexible online nursing degrees. Students tackle a rigorous curriculum as full-time learners. Motivated and disciplined working professionals are welcome.
- Program length: 16 months
- Tuition cost: $56,700 estimated
- Financial aid available: Federal and state aid and institutional aid, among others
- Online or hybrid format: Online courses combined with in‑person simulation labs and clinicals
- Key features:
- Designed specifically for career changers
- Clinicals in partner organizations
Comparing the Programs Side-by-Side
| University | Program Length | Estimated Tuition | Flexibility/Format |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 12 months | $35,100 total tuition plus fees | Hybrid (Online courses and local clinical rotations) |
| Emory University | 12-14 months | $81,888 total tuition | Hybrid (Mostly online courses and on-site clinical rotations) |
| Baylor University | 12 months | $66,900 total tuition | Hybrid (Online courses and on-campus residencies/clinicals) |
| North Dakota State University | 14 months | $28,539 total tuition and fees | Hybrid (Online courses combined with in‑person classes, labs/simulations, and clinicals) |
| Marian University (Indiana) | 16 months | $56,700 estimated total | Hybrid (Online courses and in-person clinicals) |
Tips for Choosing the Right Fast-track Nursing Program
Every one of the featured accelerated nursing programs is an excellent choice. But you want to make the right choice based on your unique needs and wants.
Here are the steps that you can take to make it happen.
- Assess the total cost of attendance and financial aid options. Yes, the tuition and fees are the first things that you must consider. These direct costs form 40% of your cost of attendance. However, be aware of the 60% – the indirect costs. These include room and board, books and supplies, and clinical costs. Then, look at your financial aid options in each program. You should determine if the financial aid you may receive will cover most of your costs.
- Understand the time commitment. Again, accelerated programs have a faster completion time, usually 12-24 months. Ask yourself if you can commit to the intensive courses and clinicals.
- Check for strong support services. As a working professional, strong support services are a must for success. You’ll rely on them to overcome the challenges and stay on track.
- Confirm employer tuition reimbursement policies. Employer tuition assistance is a great way to reduce the cost of your education. So, talk to your manager before enrolling in an accelerated nursing program.
- Consider program format and location. Even online programs can have in-person requirements. So, determine if you’re willing and able to travel for these in-person sessions.
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Nursing Students
Of course, choosing from among nursing programs with financial aid makes good sense. Funding your fast-track nursing education demands financial planning. Exploring your financial aid options is part of it.
Here are the financial aid options that you should take full advantage of:
Federal aid
File your complete and accurate FAFSA before the deadline. It’s the gateway to federal grants, student loans, and work-study opportunities.
State aid
Check with your state authorities regarding student financial aid, too. Scholarships, grants, and loan forgiveness programs are common. Examples include CalGrant, New York’s TAP, and the Texas Nursing Scholarship Program.
Employer assistance
Many hospitals and other healthcare organizations offer tuition assistance programs. These are usually part of their workforce training and development initiatives.
Nursing-specific scholarships
Use scholarship databases and search engines for this purpose. Fastweb and Scholarships.com are excellent platforms.
Explore these nursing-specific scholarships, too.
- The HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program covers full tuition and fees. Scholars also receive a monthly stipend.
- The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program has a service obligation. In exchange, scholars receive coverage for tuition and other eligible costs.
- The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Scholarship provides financial aid.
- The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship is merit-based.
- The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Scholarships offer various award amounts.
You may not be able to get a 100% nursing education. But if you can combine many scholarships, you’re nearly there.
It’s Time: Start Your Nursing Journey Now
In conclusion, earning a fast nursing degree online isn’t fast and easy, so to speak. You’ll meet challenges that will test your intelligence, determination, and stamina. At one point or another, you may want to give up on your nursing dreams.
If you persevere, you’ll enjoy the benefits that come with a successful nursing career. We’re talking about high demand, high salaries, and fulfillment.
So, take the next step and start your nursing education now. Go back to our five featured programs and make your choice.