Amid a statewide shortage of qualified nurses, the Anderson University School of Nursing is spotlighting an innovative degree program designed to help adults complete a nursing degree quickly.
Anderson University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program trains adults 22 years and older with previous college credit to become registered nurses in as little as 15 months. Details on the program are being presented at an open house on Monday, Nov. 19, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Anderson University College of Health Professions’ Vandiver Hall.
“The Accelerated BSN program is one of Anderson University’s most innovative programs,” said Dr. Don Peace, Dean of the Anderson University College of Health Professions. “This is a very popular means of entry into the nursing field for students who already have a non-nursing degree. Our program at Anderson University is designed to allow students with baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing majors to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within an expedient amount of time while assuring a high-quality education.”
The open house will include a tour of AU’s human dissection lab—the only cadaver lab in the state of South Carolina solely dedicated to nursing students—as well as AU’s simulation and skills labs. Nursing staff will be on hand to discuss admission requirements, and financial aid representatives will be available.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services in 2017 issued a report that showed South Carolina is among the states that is facing a shortage of about 10,000 registered nurses by the year 2030.
“As more practice settings move to require higher levels of education for their RNs, the demand for BSN-prepared nurses will remain strong—and even increase—as nurse employers raise standards and meet consumer expectations for safe patient care,” said Dr. Carol Archuleta, Dean of the Anderson University School of Nursing. “A rigorous, quality program like AU’s accelerated BSN track expedites nursing graduates getting in the workplace earlier than a traditional path, helping meet the demand for baccalaureate-prepared, registered nurses.”
Anderson University nursing graduates pass their nursing licensure exams at rates that far exceed the national average. For the 2017 school year, 98 percent of AU nursing graduates passed their board certification exam, which ranks it among the top 3 of the 30 nursing schools in South Carolina. It’s the highest rate among nursing schools in the Upstate.
“Online programs that offer accelerated second degree BSN program are not widely available,” Dr. Peace said. “Those programs that do offer online programs still require students to spend large amounts of time on campus to fulfill clinical and practical requirements. Anderson University provides the same quality nursing education at a reasonable costs no matter if you are a traditional, RN to BSN or Accelerated Nursing student.”