WRITTEN BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
Maine schools are working to meet an increasing demand for more nurses in our communities, developing accelerated programs to help students earn their degree faster and get into the workforce sooner.
“Our current nurses are reaching retirement age, so the demand for nurses will increase for at least the next decade,” said Nicole Chadwick, RN, MSN, CPHQ. Chadwick is the Vice President of Education and Preparedness with Northern Light Mayo and CA Dean Hospitals. Because of the growing demand for nurses, accelerated nursing studies have become a draw these days allowing graduates to begin their career sooner.
“What’s unique about these accelerated programs is the combination of clinical studies and hands-on training,” Chadwick said. “Many of these new nurses have experience in another field or in learning environments that they bring with them into their new nursing career.”
The Accelerated Baccalaureate in Science of Nursing (ABSN) program began in Maine in 2002 at the University of Southern Maine (USM). Brenda Petersen, PhD, RN, APN, C., CPNP-PC, is the Associate Dean of Nursing and Associate Professor in the School of Nursing there. She said it’s a venue that is not for everyone because it’s designed for “those who are highly motivated and can handle an intensive learning environment, and anyone looking for a fast and effective way to transition into nursing as a new career.”
The USM curriculum is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field but want to transition into nursing.
“This rigorous, fast-paced program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in about 15 months, compared to the traditional four-year program,” Petersen said.
Any accelerated learning in the nursing field brings challenges because it’s intensive, rigorous, demanding, fast-paced, comprehensive — and more.
“We would never want to dissuade anyone from pursuing their dream of becoming a nurse — but being successful in an accelerated nursing program requires dedication, sacrifice, maturity, excellent time management skills, accountability, and perseverance,” said Elizabeth Mann RN, M.S.N., PHNA, with the University of New England (UNE). UNE first offered an accelerated BSN program in 2012, on a 16-month track. That is now a 12-month format.
Mann, the Assistant Clinical Professor/ABSN Program Coordinator, added, “Prospective students who are researching accelerated programs and narrowing their focus to 12-month programs, are generally aware of the rigor of such a program. That being said, we counsel them to approach their studies like a full-time job, as they will be either in the classroom, in clinical, or preparing for both for much of their week.”
“The requirements of the curriculum are the exact same as a traditional, four-year program,” Mann said. “Students must pass a predetermined number of prerequisite science courses to be admitted into the ABSN, and they will have to pass a national exam (just like a traditional four-year student) to officially become a nurse. Nothing is cut back from the curriculum in the accelerated nursing program.”
She noted, however, “I think it’s more about whether it’s the right time in someone’s life, rather than the right format.”
Husson University offers a three-year program.
“You need to have good work-life-school balance to go to nursing school year-round as it is a full-time load through three semesters (spring, summer, and fall),” said Valerie Sauda, PhD, GERO-BC™, CNE.
As Husson’s Chief Nurse Administrator/Undergraduate Director/Associate Professor, Sauda said, “For the workplace, the accelerated program allows there to be more newer nurses available at a time of shortage. But it may also demand more professional development time and resources for new graduate nurses to develop professional skills and the all-important nursing management skills.”
Sauda continued, “As nursing is a fast-paced and often demanding career pathway, taking the time to meet your own learning needs is critical to your long-term success and may require you to take it a bit slower to be successful.”
Gillian Corcoran, RN, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital, is a former Mechanical Engineer now working on the Cardiac Telemetry floor at Mercy Hospital.
“I just wanted to feel like I went to work every day and did something that helped and made me feel good, so I took some pre-reqs while I was working and then I went to nursing school,” she said.
Corcoran received her nursing degree through the 15-month program at USM.
“My goal was to earn my degree as efficiently as possible, and an accelerated program met all of my needs. It allowed me to complete my education quickly and get back to work. As a fast-paced person, I knew it would be a great fit.”
She said her rigorous program included clinical rotations in a hospital setting which provided invaluable hands-on experience.
“While adjusting to 12-hour shifts and direct patient care, the exposure to different hospital departments helped prepare me as much as possible for the realities of the job,” Corcoran said.
Once she started at Mercy Hospital, the support was tremendous, she said. “They start you off with one or two [patients], learn how to do all the charting, learn how to do your assessments in your own way, and then build from there. It’s progressive.”
Corcoran advised, “Be realistic about your ability to commit time and effort, considering everything else going on in your life, be kind to yourself because it’s not about being perfect; it’s about learning. You’ll continue to grow on the job, and it’s okay to ask for help when needed.”
There is support said Chadwick through a Nurse Residency program.
“It’s for all new graduate nurses, which is in addition to their precepted time on the floor. This offers continued education and simulation training with other new nurse graduates and gives them an avenue to learn skills in a less pressured environment.”
“Nurse educators and healthcare managers are in constant communication about changing education needs,” Chadwick said. “I think continuing open discussions with educators ensures that nurses are not faced with ‘reality shock’ when they get their first nursing position.”
As more institutions are offering fast track education, the future is evolving.
“I expect we will continue to adapt to the changing nature of nursing education as we prepare nurses to work in new ways,” Sauda said, “including through telemedicine and use of AI in practice settings.”
