ABSNs squeeze years of school work into months of instruction. Completing the work is a tall order for anyone. However, people all over the country apply for these programs as a way to get out of school sooner and start working right away.
In this article, we talk about the benefits and challenges of getting an ABSN. We also take a look at a few things you should look for in the program you select.
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What is an ABSN?
An ABSN is an accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree. Essentially, it’s a nursing program that advances faster than the standard curriculum while still equipping graduates with everything they need to know to be competent healthcare professionals.
Typical BSN programs take four years to complete. ABSN programs can be significantly more intense, with degree-seekers graduating in 12-24 months.
The accelerated nature of the coursework is great for people who are eager to get started with their careers. However, it can also pose problems. Squeezing four years of schooling into twelve months means a lot of crunching and cramming.
Not only does this mean you have to work very hard to get your degree, but it also means that working a job while you are in school will be next to impossible.
Still, for people with the time and the confidence, getting your ABSN is a great way to leap right into life as a nurse.
Getting Your ABSN: What You Should Look for in a Program
Financial Aid
Financial aid is something to consider no matter what kind of college program you are entering. Most people cannot afford to pay cash for their college education, putting a big premium on securing reliable, low-interest financing.
If possible, finding good financial aid is even more important for an ABSN.
Since it is very difficult to work while pursuing your ABSN there is a big premium on finding other ways to pay for your education.
Find out what kind of financial aid the program you are interested in can provide.
It’s also worth taking a look at if your school offers grants and scholarships that can further improve your financial prospects.
Accreditation
Naturally, you want any school program you would consider to be accredited. Fortunately, virtually every program will be accredited by the government—otherwise, they would not be able to operate at all. However, there are also other forms of accreditation that, while not legally mandatory, can make it much easier to find future employment.
Before you sign up for a program, check to see that it has been accredited by the ABSNC—a program that has been accrediting and evaluating nursing programs since the early 90s.
In addition to making sure that your degree will actually help you get a job, ABSNC accreditation also ensures that the curriculum is developed enough to make you effective on the job.
This is particularly important for ABSN. Because the program is so much faster than standard curriculums, you will want to make sure there aren’t any important educational opportunities being sacrificed for the sake of speed. ‘
Comprehensive Curriculum
Speaking of the curriculum, you also want to make sure that the program you are entering is comprehensive, and potentially even tailored to your specific interests as a future nurse.
In traditional programs, it is possible to tailor your studies to favor certain branches of medicine. You can focus on being a psychiatric nurse, or a children’s nurse, for example,
Make sure the program you are interested in contains classwork that lines up directly with the career you hope to have.
Flexibility
Naturally, there is a limit to how flexible an accelerated program can be. Because the timeline is so rushed, you mostly have to complete the classwork as it is outlined by the curriculum to finish on time.
Still, there are programs that use online classes to add a bit of flexibility to the equation.
As mentioned earlier, it is difficult to work a job or raise a family while completing an ABSN program. Online ABSN classes can’t completely ameliorate that difficulty but they can at least make it possible.
Networking Opportunities
Finally, networking. You are signing up for an accelerated program to get a job fast. Networking can help get it done.
Of course, right now there are more nursing jobs than there are nurses. However, even with the shortage, you may find it hard to get a placement close to your home.
By getting to know people operating within your local healthcare system, you improve your odds of landing a desirable job right out of college.
