Development of accelerated options in an associate degree nursing program 12

Accelerated programs of study for students are one way nurse educators can address projected needs for registered nurses. A community college in the mid-Atlantic region developed several options within the curriculum that allowed nursing students to complete their studies in 15 months instead of the 22–25 months required for traditional students. A prior degree was not a requirement for admission, yet student outcomes have been equivalent to or have exceeded those of the traditional students. This article describes program design, student characteristics, and outcomes. Because these accelerated options are ongoing, lessons learned have been used for quality improvement.