Jacksonville University is a private, independent institution located in Jacksonville Florida. They are accredited by The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Their mission is to prepare each student for life-long success in learning, achieving, leading and serving. Jacksonville University has a 14:1 total student to faculty ratio with average class sizes of 18. In addition to traditional on-campus education, the university also offers an online curriculum.

Online Accelerated Nursing Programs at Jacksonville University

Within Jacksonville University’s online offerings is its accelerated nursing program. The accelerated nursing program or Online RN to BSN program is a way for busy working nurses with an active RN license to earn a bachelor’s degree. Nurses who use an accelerated nursing program to take their RN to a BSN, are more marketable and attractive to potential employers and also earn substantially more. According to the 2006 Census Bureau Statistics, RN’s earned an average of $56,764.04 per year while BSN’s earned an average of $63,435.00 per year.

Jacksonville University’s accelerated nursing program consists of 33 credits and is offered 100% online through lectures and tests. Students earn the same degree awarded to on-campus students. With the online accelerated nursing program, there are no mandatory log-in times so that students can study at their own pace and within their own schedules. Those interested in Jacksonville University’s accelerated nursing program can choose one of six start times per year and can take up to two classes at a time. The courses are offered in 8-week sessions and students can earn their BSN in as little as 24 months.

Jacksonville University Accelerated Nursing Program – Tuition and Financial Aid

Another advantage to enrolling in an accelerated nursing program is that they are typically less expensive than on-campus programs. Tuition is $410 per credit hour and books and materials cost approximately $225 per course. Jacksonville University offers financial aid such as tuition assistance, Federal Student Aid, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Florida Resident and Access Grants, Veteran Nurse’s Financial Aid Support and the Nursing Educational Loan Repayment Program (NELRP).

With more and more RN’s entering the field of nursing, the demand for nurses at the top tier of their education (BSN’s and MSN’s) will also increase. Those who choose to enter an accelerated nursing program will be at the forefront of remain relevant and attractive to potential employers.

The nursing is a field that is expected to experience tremendous growth in the next ten years. Consequently, the demand for nurses is also growing. Those who choose to pursue their education now will be on the forefront of the ever-growing nursing industry.

Many online colleges and universities now offer programs for nurses to expand their Registered Nurse’s Degree (RN) to a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN). In order to obtain a BSN, one must have successfully completed and hold their RN license. Some colleges even offer accelerated RN to BSN programs so that nurses can complete their degree program in almost half of the time as typical online RN to BSN programs.

Top RN to BSN Online Programs

1. Kent State University
2. Grand Canyon University
3. Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
4. University of St. Mary

About RN to BSN Online Programs

Using the RN to BSN Online Programs option, licensed nurses can build upon their education and pursue a career in not only nursing but also in supervisory or managerial levels. These careers include everything from hands on nursing to hospital administration. By advancing an RN degree to that of a Bachelor’s degree, students are more marketable, hold more job security and are generally more attractive to potential employers.

Nursing Salaries

In addition, nurses who obtain their RN to BSN degree earn substantially more than if they remained at the RN level. According to the 2006 US Census Bureau statistics RN’s earned an average of $56,764.04 per year, while BSN’s earned an average of $63,435.00 per year. Considering the low cost of pursuing these online RN to BSN degrees, the investment will pay for itself within the first year of employment.

RN to BSN Online Programs – Online Classes

With an online RN to BSN degree, students can attend class on their own time and without having to step foot on a college campus. Thus the degree program allows students to further their education without having to sacrifice work and family commitments. These degrees can be completed virtually one hundred percent online and at some online universities in as few as three semesters.

Degrees earned online do not differ from those earned on-campus as these programs must be accredited within the state in which they operate and a diploma earned online does not read any differently from an on-campus diploma. Another advantage to online RN to BSN programs is that they are typically less expensive than on-campus programs. With job growth at an all-time high, no time has been better for nurses to undertake the RN to BSN program.

Online RN to BSN programs are a convenient method for busy nurses to increase both their job satisfaction and earning potential.

With the baby boomers getting older, nursing is a field that is expected to experience tremendous growth in the next ten years and beyond.

As more and more nurses (RN’s) enter the field of nursing, the demand for nurses at the top tier of their education will also grow and become more lucrative. Those who choose to pursue their education now will be on the forefront of those expanding and high-demand careers in nursing and be able to influence health care policy and delivery.

Top 5 Fast Track Nursing Programs Online

1. Jacksonville University
2. University of St. Mary
3. Kent State University
4. Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
5. Grand Canyon University

About Fast Track Nursing Programs

Many online colleges and universities now offer accelerated online degree programs known as fast track nursing degrees for nurses to expand their Registered Nurse’s Degree (RN) to a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) or a Master’s of Science in Nursing Degree (MSN). Using this option licensed nurses can build upon their education and pursue a career in not only nursing but also in supervisory or managerial levels. These careers include everything from hands on nursing to hospital administration and even in some cases within the field of Information Technology with a Master’s of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Healthcare Informatics.

By advancing an RN degree to that of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, students are more marketable, hold more job security and are generally more attractive to potential employers. In addition nurses who obtain their RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree earn substantially more than if they remained at the RN level. According to the 2006 US Census Bureau statistics RN’s earned an average of $56,764.04 per year, while BSN’s earned an average of $63,435.00 per year and MSN’s earned an average of $75,940.83. Considering the low cost of pursuing these online accelerated degrees, the investment will pay for itself within the first year of employment.

Summary of Fast Track Nursing Programs

With an accelerated or fast track nursing programs, students can attend class on their own time and without having to step foot on a college campus. Thus the degree program allows students to further their education without having to sacrifice work and family commitments. These degrees can be completed virtually one hundred percent online and at some online universities in as few as three semesters. The accelerated online nursing degree does not differ from one earned on-campus in that these programs must be accredited within the state in which they operate.

Both traditional on-campus degrees and online degrees are held to the same high standards. Another advantage to an accelerated online nursing degree is that they are typically less expensive than on-campus programs and are becoming more widespread with less restrictive access than traditional on-site programs. No time has been better for nurses wishing to take advantage of the rapidly growing healthcare industry to increase their job satisfaction and earning potential. Fast track nursing programs can make those educational goals a reality.