Making the decision to change careers can be daunting, especially when it means returning to school for something completely different than what you may have initially gone for. While the decision can bring challenges and sacrifices, it is not without reward, especially when enrolling in nursing school.
The University of Providence’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (Accelerated BSN) provides a pathway for current bachelor degree holders to start their journey toward becoming registered nurses. Not only does our program combine didactic and clinical experience with real-world clinical placements, but our graduates go on to successfully serve as registered nurses within the regional Northwest, Alaska, and beyond – carrying with them the evidence-based skills they learn wherever their careers take them. Learn more about our program outcomes below:
An Accelerated BSN Prepares Students for a Career in Registered Nursing
Registered nurses comprise the largest employee group within most healthcare systems, accounting for over 3 million jobs in 2021. Not only are registered nurses the largest employee base, but they are projected to grow over the next ten years, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a growth rate of 6% between 2021 and 2031 – adding an estimated 195,000 or more registered nursing jobs.
Registered nurses hold a valuable position within traditional and non-traditional healthcare settings. RNs can be found in almost every healthcare office, practice, or provider network. From hospitals to nursing homes, private physician practices, and long-term care facilities, RNs help provide quality patient care through various clinical and administrative tasks. As frontline workers, RNs interact face-to-face with patients, caring for them as they recover from chronic or acute illness, surgery, injuries, and more. In addition, registered nurses perform various clinical practices for patients, from infants and toddlers to adults and geriatrics. Nurses must know how to perform lifesaving procedures such as CPR, tracheotomies, intubations, and clearing obstructed airways to general tasks like administering IVs, taking patient vitals, changing wound dressing, and performing care assessments.
A career in registered nursing can be lifelong, with many RNs choosing to advance their careers through pathways in nursing specializations. Registered nurses who find a specialization or population they enjoy providing care can seek out placements and rotations within that wing or specialization and earn additional certifications or licensure to seek out opportunities specifically. Since nurses are required throughout the healthcare continuum, their services and skill are required with various populations or specializations. Some commonly registered nursing specializations include pediatrics, intensive care, emergency room care, orthopedics, hospice care, and more.
Accelerated BSN Program at the University of Providence
The University of Providence’s Accelerated BSN program can set current bachelor-degree holders toward receiving licensure as registered nurses. Our dynamic program starts in January and ends in December, providing students with 12 months of intensive in-person and online nursing practice. Although our program is intensive – our graduates receive enhanced clinical training through skill labs and clinical placements within Lewistown, Montana, and Anchorage, Alaska, healthcare communities and build lifelong connections with fellow nursing students.
Accredited by both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, our program is designed to prepare students to administer quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care. Whether nurses work in hospitals, clinics, or private practice, they can serve as valuable members of their nursing units, emerging as leaders and lifelong learners ready to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving profession. Our program graduates have general nursing skills, which can be transferred and applied throughout nursing practice. Data from our graduates were analyzed by Lightcast, finding that alumni of our program have the following skills and more:
Admission into the Accelerated BSN program requires students to meet specific requirements, including holding a previous bachelor’s degree in any field, reside either Lewistown, MT or Anchorage, AK by the start of the program, successful completion of certain pre-requisite courses before admission, a minimum GPA, and successful completion of the application by the deadline. A full list of requirements and more can be found on the program page for the Accelerated BSN program.
Explore all of UP’s Nursing Opportunities
The University of Providence offers a variety of nursing programs, including three Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and graduate-level nursing programs in Nurse Education and Adult-Gerontology. Our programs are ideal for those looking to start a career in nursing, transition to a career in nursing, earn a BSN in nursing as an already licensed RN or transition into advanced practice nursing care or prepare for the future of registered nurses. Explore our nursing programs today.
