Alabama Accelerated BSN Programs
Pursuing an accelerated BSN in Alabama is a very accessible goal for students that have a Bachelor’s degree in another field. When you attend an accredited school in Alabama or online, you can earn your BSN in as little as one year. There is a great need for nurses with Bachelor’s degrees in Alabama, because nurses with Bachelor’s degrees can work in specialties and fields that other nurses cannot.
To learn more about your options for earning your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree, while still taking advantage of the degree and credits you already have, please review the schools below. Our featured schools often offer online options for study, allowing you to attend courses on your own time.
Simply submit a request for information from the schools you are interested in to begin making a decision about your nursing school future. Below you will find out featured accelerated program.
Accelerated BSN Curriculum for Alabama Schools
An accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree is typically very demanding. According to the University of North Alabama, these programs are designed for students who hold a Bachelor’s degree in other fields. They typically run 15 months, and each accelerated BSN program encompasses every nursing course taken by an Associate’s student in addition to those who earn a traditional BSN. Since nursing degrees are science-intensive, students must have completed classes in biology, chemistry, and psychology prior to starting the accelerated BSN program.
A BSN includes general education coursework. Since students with Bachelor’s degrees have already completed general education coursework, they can complete their degree in a much shorter time frame. However, they must complete higher-level nursing courses in nursing communication, nursing research, and maternity care. Unlike traditional BSN programs, the accelerated BSN program does not have any breaks. Students take courses in the summer and they may have to take courses during other available time slots; for example, the program at the University of North Alabama requires students to take a research course during the May intersession.
Some of the courses in an accelerated BSN can be taken online. Many of the courses include clinical practice, which must be completed at a nursing facility approved by the nursing program. At the end of the accelerated BSN program, students will earn a BSN degree and be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Career Outlook Alabama
Nurses in Alabama have many career opportunities available to them. The growth rate of nursing jobs from 2010 to 2020 is projected at 15%. In this decade, there are expected to be over 12,000 new nursing job in Alabama (O*Net, 2017). In Alabama, nurses with a BSN can earn a median salary of $68,450 per year, according to O’Net 2017 statistics.
Nurses may choose to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and more. Some of the largest employers in Alabama include North Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation, Life Choice Hospice, LHC Group, and Gentiva Health Services.
Licensing Considerations in Alabama
To become licensed to work as an RN in Alabama, students must either be endorsed by another state or pass the NCLEX-RN exam. In order to take the NCLEX exam in Alabama, you have to submit an online application via the Alabama Board of Nursing website. Your official transcript must be sent to the Alabama Board of Nursing by your school, and you must prove that you are a U.S. citizen or that you are legally permitted to work in the United States.
After completing these steps, applicants must pay $200 to Pearson VUE via the Alabama Board of Nursing website. After receiving an Authorization to Test letter, students must complete their test within the dates shown on the letter. Results are sent to students about four weeks after the exam. Once you have earned your license, you must renew it every two years. During each renewal period, you have to complete 24 hours of continuing education.
