CNA to RN

[clep3705]

All nursing programs for RN to be students at UTHSC are 4 semesters long. All are 60 hours of nursing courses. Four semesters/60 hours is the standard length for a BSN program. Accelerated BSN programs are 60 hours, typically done in 12 months, although some a little faster, some a little slower. There are differing definitions of accelerated. Hartwick calls their 18 month program accelerated: Hartwick-Accelerated 18 Month Program (RNOP)

There was a 12 month accelerated program at UTHSC. It had the same 60 hour course load, and ran summer/fall/spring. The 12 month program's last graduation was in 2010.

The original poster indicated an interest in becoming an RN. RN-BSN programs are for people who are already an RN but who do not have a BSN. These programs are 30 hours of course work, sometimes a little bit more, which means they can be completed in less than 4 semesters.

Four semesters of nursing school is of varying total calendar length depending on fall, spring, or summer starts. A summer/fall/spring/summer program takes 15 months. Program that spread the 4 semesters over fall/spring/summer off/fall/spring are sometimes called traditional programs. Thanks to Sanantone for correctly pointing out that the 15 month program is now called an accelerated program.

The University of Houston at Victoria offers an accelerated BSN that runs spring/summer/fall for a total of 60 hours in 12 months.

Drexel offers an 11 month BSN for people who already have a bachelor's degree. Accelerated Career Entry BSN - ACE - Division of Undergraduate Nursing

There is a wide variety of options for nursing programs including weekend only programs. There are direct entry MSN programs that let people skip the BSN and become an MSN and RN at the same time.

For baccalaureate degree holders willing to get an associate's degree, there is an option to do it in 10 months. Baccalaureate to Associate DegreeNurse Accelerated Pathway

So, what is accelerated? It seems to run from 10-18 months depending on who is writing the definition. Until a few years ago, there were more 12 month long BSN (not RN to BSN) 60 hour nursing programs than there are today. Some schools did away with them having experienced higher attrition rates than with their longer programs.