Fast-track RN programs?

Glycerine82, LPN · Jan 17, 2015

I don't know about where you can find this kind of program, but they don't differ in the degrees that they offer.

They are either BSN fast track or ASN fast track, the only difference is the amount of time the program is done in.

Often times you can get accepted into a BSN fast track program if you already have an associates. They typically take 1.5-2 years.

An ASN fast track program would probably be about 1-1.5 years, considering that most are only 2 years to begin with, and you would have to have your core classes behind you.

cruffo · Jan 20, 2015

I live in PA and am looking for a fast-track RN program in CA too.

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

I have no idea what you are defining as fast track. I've never heard of such a thing so I'll throw out some options of what I think you might be thinking.

For people already possessing a non-nursing Bachelor's degree, there is the Accelerated BSN. Most aBSN programs are two years long not including the pre-requisites.

If you are starting from scratch with no previous degree or no pre reqs completed, the fastest way to a BSN are private schools. Most private schools have the pre-reqs incorporated into their curriculum, so you can easily complete your BSN in 4 years. West Coast University can get you a BSN in a little over 3 years. Everyone tends to have a strong opinion of West Coast one way or another. While I personally don't like that route due to the cost and that it's a for profit, I've seen that their grads don't seem to have anymore difficulty finding jobs at the major hospitals in SoCal than other BSN grads.

Those are definitely the fastest ways to a BSN, but they are by no means the cheapest. Those are, in fact, the most expensive options.

If you do not have a previous Bachelor's, you can get an ADN, which also takes 2 years to complete not including pre-requisites. While you get to be licensed as an RN in the same amount of time, getting a BSN will take anywhere from an additional 6 months to 2 years depending on what RN to BSN program you attend. This option is the cheapest, but certainly not the fastest to a BSN.

There is no such thing as a program that is fast, cheap, and good. Pick two and you'll find plenty of programs that will meet those needs.

m4howie, ADN, BSN · Jan 25, 2015

Hi Sechaorre,

Squishy kinda summed things up nicely. However I have heard accelerated BSN programs referred to as fast track BSN. I live in MN and studnets enrolled in accelerated RN programs graduate with a generic MSN. They are not NP. In general most accelerated programs I have seen are 1 year to 18 months.

If you ever want to find a nursing program in any state just go to that states Board of Nursing website. They always have a list of approved programs. It is usually broken down by LPN, ASN, BSN, and NP/DNP. It will also list the NCLEX pass rate for each program.

Board of Registered Nursing - RN Programs

You are going to be looking for programs with an "X "in AFT column on the far right.