You may have noticed that some nursing school programs are described as traditional or accelerated during your search for information on becoming a registered nurse or advancing in the nursing field.

The terms describe how long it takes to complete each degree. As their name suggests, accelerated programs can take less time to finish a nursing education than their traditional counterparts. It is important to note that all requirements for program completion and licensure must be met whether in an accelerated program or traditional one.

In addition to time, depending on the program, there might be other distinguishing factors between traditional vs. accelerated nursing programs. For instance, the two programs may differ between entry requirements and specific coursework. You can also become a nurse through a traditional or accelerated program, that allow for completing non-clinical coursework online.

This guide unpacks their details and differences to help you learn more about traditional and accelerated nursing programs and decide which is right for you.

What Degree is Included in a Traditional or Accelerated Nursing Program?

The descriptors traditional and accelerated explain how long a degree may take to earn, but they don’t tell you exactly what degree you’re earning. There are various degrees students studying nursing can obtain, including:

• Bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN)
• Master’s of science in nursing (MSN)

These degrees can qualify and prepare students to sit for their National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. This exam tests nursing students on their practical and theoretical knowledge of the discipline. It’s crucial for anyone looking to work as a Registered Nurse (RN) to pass the exam, as it’s a prerequisite for licensure.¹

Both BSNs and MSNs are also available in accelerated and traditional forms, with the type of degree you choose to pursue determining how much time you may save:

• BSN – Generally, completing a traditional BSN program can take roughly four years.² Alternatively, some accelerated programs may be able to be completed in a year, depending on the candidate’s educational and professional background.³
• MSN – A traditional MSN program can take three years to complete.⁴ Some master’s programs can be finished in two years, and there are accelerated options for science majors from other disciplines to become registered nurses.⁵

While accelerated programs seem like the ideal fast-track, this may be due to students meeting the general education prerequisites before starting the nursing program. Before being granted admission into an accelerated program, prospective students may have to fulfill nursing school requirements such as:⁶

• Complete college-level general education courses
• Obtain a degree, whether in nursing or a different discipline

How long it takes to satisfy these requirements may vary. Regardless, they can add to the time it takes to become an RN. 

Traditional vs. Accelerated Nursing Programs: Which is Faster?

Determining whether a traditional or accelerated nursing program will be faster may depend upon the applicant. Educational history can preclude prospective students from certain programs, and satisfying the entry requirements for some accelerated nursing degrees may take longer than going the traditional route. 

For instance, many accelerated BSNs can require a non-nursing-related bachelor’s degree to enter.⁷ Bachelor’s degrees can take, on average, over four years to complete.⁸ Meanwhile, traditional BSN programs can be completed in two years and nine months—or potentially fewer for students who have already taken general education courses.⁹

Likewise, MSN programs generally require a bachelor’s degree to enter and can take two to three years to complete. However, if the prerequisites are met, joining an accelerated MSN program can reduce the time to two years.¹⁰ Many aspiring nurses’ personal or occupational goals can include an MSN, so it may be prudent for them to get it after their undergraduate rather than pursuing a second degree.

In the end, whether or not an accelerated nursing program can save time versus a traditional one depends on the existing qualifications and prior educational experience of the individual.

Are Accelerated Nursing Programs Worth It?

Determining if an accelerated nursing program is worth it is up to the prospective student. Aside from assessing how your qualifications align with specific prerequisites, it may be worth noting that accelerated nursing programs can:

• Discourage students from working during their degree due to the intensity of the course load and clinical practice¹¹
• According to some reports, cause graduates to feel less prepared for roles in clinical positions than those who emerge from traditional programs¹²

On the other hand, relatively quick programs such as a master’s in science, direct entry can present benefits such as:¹³

• Allowing students from other fields to transition into nursing
• Qualifying graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam

While accelerated nursing programs may be the route for some students, others may find that traditional programs better fit their situation. With this variety of options, there are fast and flexible nursing degree options that can fit your timeline.

Earn an MSN or BSN at Alliant International University

You can earn your BSN at Alliant International University in as little as two years.¹⁴ Or, if you already have a bachelor’s of science (BS) in another subject, you can earn an MSN in the same amount of time.¹⁵

Both can give students an informed outlook on medical theory and the essentials of nursing practice. They can also satisfy the requirements for graduates to sit for their NCLEX-RN exams and apply for their RN license upon passing. 

We can help you find the right nursing program to fit your timeline and prepare you for your nursing career. Apply today and join our recently launched nursing school in Phoenix with the top nursing educators in the field.

Sources: 

1. “What the Exam Looks Like.” NCSBN. NCSBN. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/nclex-faqs/what-the-exam-looks-like.page
2. California Board of Registered Nursing. “Steps to Become a California Registered Nurse.” California Board of Registered Nursing. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.rn.ca.gov/careers/steps.shtml. 
3. “Fact Sheet:  Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s  Degrees in Nursing.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) homepage. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/Accelerate-Progr…. 
4. “Master's Education.” American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Nursing-Education-Programs/Masters-Education. 
5. “Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/msn

6.  “Fact Sheet:  Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s  Degrees in Nursing.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) homepage. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/Accelerate-Programs-Fact-Sheet.pdf.

7.  “Fact Sheet:  Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s  Degrees in Nursing.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) homepage. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/Accelerate-Programs-Fact-Sheet.pdf.

8. “Time to Degree.” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=569. 
9.  “Bachelor of Science in Nursing.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/bsn. 

10.  “Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/msn.

11.  Fact Sheet:  Accelerated Baccalaureate and Master’s  Degrees in Nursing.” The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) homepage. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Accessed March 22, 2023. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/Accelerate-Programs-Fact-Sheet.pdf.

12. Lee, H, and Y Song. “Kirkpatrick Model Evaluation of Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Programs: A Scoping Review.” The Journal of nursing education. U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 1, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34039135/. 
13.   “Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/msn. 
14.  “Bachelor of Science in Nursing.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/bsn. 
15.   “Master of Science in Nursing, Direct Entry.” Alliant Intl University. Alliant Intl University. Accessed March 19, 2023. https://www.alliant.edu/health/nursing/msn.