Getting an AD in Allied Health Science

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2012

I was under the impression that to get into an accelerated nursing program, you first needed a bachelor's degree (most often in an unrelated field). Perhaps that's just accelerated BSN programs and there are accelerated associates degree programs out there?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 4, 2012

Not likely much help to complete such a program. Accelerated programs require either a LPN license or a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college/univ.

For an advanced standing program they are generally LPN to AS/RN (active license and often paid work experience as an LPN required) or an accelerated BSN program requires a bachelors degree plus certain prerequisites in addition to being highly competitive.

I've never seen a nursing program that accepts an associates degree in "health services" for an accelerated or advanced standing program.

In addition if the school is online only and not regionally accredited it is highly likely that your credits will not transfer to a nursing program. It all depends on the school. An online degree from a recognized college or university that is regionally accredited will have more acceptance than an online only program accredited by an unknown agency and advertises in the back of magazines.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 4, 2012

What school?

Stephalump · Sep 5, 2012

I've never heard of an accelerated nursing program for someone with an associates degree. They're usually for bachelor's degree students.

Beware of schools pushing those useless Allied Health degrees on you. I've read quite a few posts on here from students who were lied to by for profit online schools. They were told they needed to complete those degrees to get into nursing programs and then had a rude awakening when they realized they wasted time and money and still weren't able to apply to programs.

bunnyfungo · Sep 5, 2012

I know everyone has been saying that accelerated programs are only for bachelors, but it is possible to find them for an associates. Nebraska Methodist College offers one that I may apply to. But you do have to fulfill some pretty specific prereqs. It basically ends up being about the same as a BSN program where you do 2 years of prereqs first and then the last 2 years are all the nursing courses. That being said, it would probably be better to just get an AA or AS in liberal arts and only take those classes you really need for nursing school. That's what I'm doing. It's the program for transferring to 4 year colleges. I'll probably apply at NMC as well as a few other BSN programs. I think it would be best to talk to an advisor if you aren't sure.

Stephalump · Sep 5, 2012

I know everyone has been saying that accelerated programs are only for bachelors, but it is possible to find them for an associates. Nebraska Methodist College offers one that I may apply to. But you do have to fulfill some pretty specific prereqs. It basically ends up being about the same as a BSN program where you do 2 years of prereqs first and then the last 2 years are all the nursing courses. That being said, it would probably be better to just get an AA or AS in liberal arts and only take those classes you really need for nursing school. That's what I'm doing. It's the program for transferring to 4 year colleges. I'll probably apply at NMC as well as a few other BSN programs. I think it would be best to talk to an advisor if you aren't sure.

What makes it accelerated if it's 4 years long?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 5, 2012

An accelerated BSN program requires an applicant to have a BS or BA degree in any field other than nursing plus some pre-requisites then the accelerated program is approximately 2-3 semesters (12-18 months or so) which is significantly faster than the 24-30 months of an associates degree program. The accelerated or grams are highly competitive and ove ATT very fast pace as the students are thought to be of an advanced academic level for having successfully completed a bachelors degree in another discipline

Associates in Allied Heath Science sounds like the majors in liberal arts or "general studies" that we're popular 15-20 years ago with students who couldn't ale up their mind about a major or who was "forced" to go to college by their parents. Not saying that it is the same but it sounds like a general degree that may not (or ay depending on the course work completed) be a stepping stone to a more specialized degree. I have a couple of friends who finished an AA or AAS in general studies that have to take many more courses to be accepted in an AAS nursing program. They were disappointed that so many of their first round of classes dont count towards their nursing pre-reqs

bunnyfungo · Sep 5, 2012

What makes it accelerated if it's 4 years long?

It's accelerated because once you have the prereqs it's only a 15 month program just like any other accelerated program. They just don't require a bachelors. Associates also counts. I realize now that in my original post I said it was 2 years.

Stephalump · Sep 5, 2012

It's accelerated because once you have the prereqs it's only a 15 month program just like any other accelerated program. They just don't require a bachelors. Associates also counts. I realize now that in my original post I said it was 2 years.

That makes more sense! :)

gawelch · Sep 6, 2012

Thank you everyone. I am going to do some checking just to make sure I am not wasteing my time taking classes I would just have to take again. South University is the name of the school. They are accreditaed. I was really hoping these would be all my prereq. for a nursing program.