Accelerated degree programs are designed for adults with previously completed degrees looking to return to school, change careers or pursue an additional certification. Having a previously completed undergraduate degree allows you to forgo the general core curriculum typically associated with earning a bachelor’s of science.
Our accelerated nursing program at William Jewell is created for those with undergraduate degrees looking to enter the nursing field or obtain an additional degree in nursing. In just 12-18 months, you can be equipped to start a new career. Continue reading to learn more about the other benefits of accelerated nursing programs.
How it works
Our accelerated nursing program is designed for those who have a previously completed or soon-to-be completed bachelor’s degree. This type of nursing degree is a good fit if you are looking to change careers, enter a new field or explore a new passion.
An important thing to note is that our accelerated nursing program is not the equivalent of a four-year degree in two years. Because eligible students have already completed a bachelor’s degree or more, we are able to waive the general core requirements, which is what allows us to accelerate the program timeline.
Program options
There are two different accelerated nursing program options:
- A 12-month program beginning in May and ending the following May
- A 16-month program beginning in January and ending the second following May
Both program options include 52 credit hours of coursework and clinical hours. You can apply for one program or another simply by indicating your preference on your application.
Timeline & Curriculum
Coursework is this accelerated program is more rigorous than our other program options due to the timeline. Because the curriculum excludes general education courses, classroom instruction is focused on nursing-based subjects like pathophysiology, virology and more.
Curriculum also includes clinical experience. Most William Jewell students are able to complete clinical rotations in 8-10 different locations. The goal is always to afford you the most experience possible in the widest variety of specialties. Unlike other programs, you will also be able to work in highly specialized medical facilities such as pediatric centers, rural hospitals and level 1 trauma centers.
Exceptional faculty & resources
Over 75% of our classroom instructors are practicing nurses. We highly focus our curriculum on professionalism and practical applications from the start of your undergraduate nursing education.
Additionally, many of our counseling and administrative staff members are also retired or currently practicing nurses as well, including the chairmen of the department. This means that people with direct experience will provide guidance and mentorship.
The William Jewell nursing program maintains relationships with healthcare providers in the following areas of care:
- Hospitals
- Home health
- Public schools
- County health
- Senior care
- Mental health
Accelerated nursing program requirements checklist
- Completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Completed William Jewell College application
- Copy of all previous college transcripts including GPA and course history
- One reference letter, preferably from an employer or administrator
- Minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale (this can be calculated from total academic record or last three years of college attendance, whichever is higher)
- Grade of “B-” or better on your first attempt of each prerequisite course requirement
- Resume of involvement and experience
- Nursing school entrance exam scoresheet
Steps to admission
So you have completed all of the nursing school prerequisites and you are ready to submit your application, what happens next? Here is a quick look at the journey of your application from submit to accept:
- William Jewell application or Common Application arrives at the admissions office
- Admissions counselors review all prerequisites, including your course records, test scores, and personal essays
- Counselors select qualified candidates for a formal interview
- William Jewell College of Nursing accepts your application and enrolls you in the accelerated nursing program
This process could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on how far in advance you apply.
How to give your best admissions interview
Practicing confidence and professionalism in an interview setting is a skill that will take you far in life—both academically and professionally. Here are the top 3 tips for giving your best nursing school prerequisite interview.
Be on time
Punctuality is crucial. Being on time is a simple way to make a good first impression. Not only is it polite, it demonstrates that you are organized, prepared, and looking forward to the interview process.
Practice a professional greeting
Speaking of first impressions, practice a professional and personable greeting before your interview. Be sure to smile warmly, say hello, and greet your interviewer with a polite handshake. Confidence is key, and a great first impression can be quite impressive.
Prepare your own questions
When preparing for a prerequisite interview, practicing how you might answer certain questions is a great tactic, but you should also prepare questions of your own.
Asking your interviewer thoughtful questions demonstrates confidence, genuine interest in the program, and great listening skills just as much as your answers to their questions. It is also the perfect opportunity to learn more about the university, program, admissions process, and more.
Benefits of an accelerated program
Our accelerated nursing track offers more than just fast-paced learning. There are many benefits to achieving your additional degree in this program.
The curriculum meets you where you’re at
This program is engineered to consider your previous academic experience. We recognize that you are already an accomplished scholar by the start of this program, and we celebrate that by counting your experience in your favor.
We created our accelerated program partly in response to adults and students looking for a career change. We are committed to providing a space for you to explore a new passion through a curriculum that meets you where you’re at, instead of starting from square one.
Begin work sooner
The accelerated pace of this program allows you to begin your new career in nursing sooner than traditional programs. We understand the sacrifice and undertaking that choosing to return to school can be. Our goal is to prepare you as best as possible, as soon as possible, for a successful career in nursing and caregiving.
Additionally, this shorter program affords you less time away from work, activities and other obligations that you may devote less time to while you focus on earning your degree.
Learning among your peers
By creating a program specially tailored to those with previous degrees, we understand that many eligible students may be at a significantly different point in their life than students in our other undergraduate programs. By creating a curriculum and environment that is unique to your experience and needs, you can learn among your peers, both in and out of the classroom.
Peer learning allows you to develop skills in organizing and planning, working collaboratively with others, giving and receiving feedback and better evaluating your own learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have my previous degree completed before I apply?
No, you can apply to our accelerated nursing program while your undergraduate is still in process. The deadline for completing your previous degree is before the start of your chosen accelerated nursing program, whether you start in January or August. You are not eligible to apply until the academic year before your desired program starts.
Are there scholarships available to me as an accelerated student?
While you may not be eligible for undergraduate scholarships from William Jewell, you may apply for and be awarded nursing scholarships from other organizations that you may use while enrolled in our accelerated program.
If you have financial aid leftover from your previous undergraduate degree, you may use that money as well. You can check the status of this through the FAFSA website. If not, you may apply for and receive federal grants.
Do I need to live on campus?
No, it is not required that you live on campus as an accelerated nursing student, although it is an option. We recognize that many students in our accelerated program have housing, families and other obligations. On-campus living is a resource for you, but not a requirement.
Can I take online courses?
No, we do not currently offer online nursing education.
Our accelerated nursing program is designed to respond to both the healthcare system’s timely increase in demand for nurses, and students’ desire to finish school quicker. This specialized nursing program allows students to fast-track their undergraduate degree and sooner provide the healthcare industry with the properly equipped support it needs.
Many other nursing programs across the country are responding to these modern needs by providing online nursing education opportunities, at the expense of hands-on clinical experience. It is important to note that a bachelor’s of science in nursing cannot be earned in online curriculum alone; in-person experiential learning is essential in preparing students for a nursing career.
Our accelerated program integrates critical thinking and processing skills, interpersonal experiential learning and a clinical environment to provide a well-rounded education in a shorter time frame. This is our response to the needs of our market, industry and students.
Will I have to take classes at night?
No, students will not be expected to take classes at night. Our accelerated nursing program is structured so that your days are reserved for class and clinical rotations, and your nights are available for studying and preparing for exams.
With both program options, both the 12 and the 18-month, you can expect to be in class or in a clinical setting for the majority of the day.
Will I be able to work while I’m in the accelerated nursing program?
As with all accelerated degree programs, the level of academic engagement, accountability and focus required to be successful is higher than traditional programs.
Our number one priority is ensuring that you leave our accelerated program with the highest possible skill level, preparedness and confidence in your ability. With this in consideration, we do not advise that you continue to work while enrolled in this program. The bigger picture is to prepare you to begin a new career in the shortest possible time frame.
Does it matter what my previous degree is?
There are no specific requirements for the subject of your previous degree; however, it is essential that you have completed each course on the list of prerequisites or its equivalent at another school.
The list of prerequisite courses is as follows:
- Basic Psychology
- Pathophysiology
- Nutrition
- Microbiology with a lab
- Chemistry with a lab
- Anatomy with a lab
- Physiology with a lab
- College-level math course
- College-level written communication course
With each prerequisite course, you must pass with a grade of B- or better on the first attempt. Any science course that includes a lab must be completed within the past 10 years and any nursing courses within the past 5.
What happens after I earn my BSN?
After completing our accelerated nursing program, the final step to becoming a registered nurse (RN) is to take and pass an exam called the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
The NCLEX exam uses computer adaptive testing (CAT). This style of virtual testing provides a more accurate and valuable measurement of a candidate’s true ability by reducing the number of “easy” or “difficult” items as the test continues. Essentially, the test is being optimized to your ability level as it continues.
While you can sit for the NCLEX-RN and work as a registered nurse with just an associate’s degree, earning your BSN affords you an advantage in the hiring market. Additionally, those with BSNs also earn higher pay and have more opportunities for leadership and management. Many states also require that you earn a BSN degree within 10 years of becoming an RN if you pass the NCLEX exam without it.
Apply to our accelerated nursing program now
Reading to refresh your education experience and start the path to a new career? Apply to our accelerated nursing program now and start the process to your BSN degree.