What is the Accelerated Second Degree program like?
Students attend classes two to three days a week and are in clinical (hospitals, clinics, and other health-care settings) two to three days a week, Monday through Friday; the exact schedule varies each semester. It is possible that you could have a clinical rotation on a weekend, however students who may be assigned to a weekend clinical would have a day off during the week so that they would only have class/clinical five days per week.
Students complete courses and clinicals in all the major sub-specialty areas including adult health, women’s health, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, critical care, and community health nursing. Because of the intense nature of the program students are strongly advised not to work while in the program.
What are students in the program like?
Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and majors. They enter this program either because they always wanted to be a nurse but were unable to find a program they could finish in a reasonable amount of time or because they wanted a career with better advancement opportunities, salaries, and benefits. Bellarmine attracts students from areas across the country including California, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. Students range in age from 21-65+ and the average age is 32. About 10% to 15% of students are men. Generally, half the students are married and many have children. Students in the program tend to be close-knit and supportive of each other, and they enjoy a close working relationship with the faculty.
What could I do with this degree?
There are many opportunities for full and part-time work in nursing. While the greatest numbers of opportunities are in critical care, medical-surgical, surgery, emergency room, and long-term care settings,there are also many opportunities in psychiatric-mental health, forensics, women’s health, pediatrics, community health, case management, and administration. There is also a need for nurses with advanced degrees to teach in schools of nursing, work as nurse practitioners, work as nurse anesthetists, and work as administrators.
This program prepares students for graduate school, including the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Bellarmine. Bellarmine’s MSN program offers three tracks of study: Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, and Family Nurse Practitioner.
We also offer a post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program with tracks in Advanced Practice Nursing or Executive Leadership.
Where do Bellarmine students complete clinical experiences?
Louisville is fortunate to have a diverse array of clinical sites. Our students are assigned to clinicals with the goal of exposing them to a variety of experiences and opportunities within nursing. We have clinical agreements with all the major metropolitan acute care hospitals as well as other community settings. You are responsible for your own transportation, parking, and meals.
Do I need previous health care experience?
While work or volunteer experience is advantageous, it is not required. However, because students begin clinical skills the first day of the program we do require completion of the Certified Nurse Aide course. If you are interested in getting a job or volunteer experience in the healthcare field, talk with an advisor.
What is the NCLEX-RN (licensure exam)?
Students graduate with a baccalaureate degree in nursing, but to become a registered nurse you must pass the RN licensure exam. The national licensure exam for registered nurses is called the NCLEX-RN. Bellarmine students complete a semester long NCLEX preparation class in the spring semester before graduation.
What is Bellarmine’s NCLEX-RN pass rate?
Bellarmine graduates consistently surpass the national, regional, and local first-time pass rates, and over the last 5 years they have averaged a 91.4% First Time Pass Rate. (Kentucky Board of Nursing data)
When should I submit my application?
We offer rolling admission and you may apply while still enrolled in pre-requisite courses. We encourage students to apply by November 1.
May I apply while enrolled in prerequisite courses?
Yes, we strongly encourage you to apply before you complete the prerequisite courses. We will consider your application for conditional admission pending successful completion of all outstanding requirements.
Is there funding assistance available for this program?
Independent second degree students are eligible to borrow up to $12,500 each academic year for tuition and related expenses. Dependent second degree students are eligible to borrow up to $7,500 each academic year for tuition and related expenses. The accelerated BSN program is considered two academic years (even though it is one calendar year) because the summer semester is an extension of the previous academic year. Therefore, you are eligible to borrow up to $25,000 as an independent student or $15,000 as a dependent student for the Accelerated BSN. To apply for federal direct loans, visit www.fafsa.gov.
Please note if you have used loan eligibility while completing prerequisite courses during the fall and spring semesters prior to starting the program, it could affect the amount for which you are eligible to borrow the first semester (summer) of the program.
You can also apply for alternative loans. Alternative loans have a slightly higher interest rate than the federal Stafford loans and are based on credit worthiness. Students can borrow up to the cost of attendance in alternative loans. Visit the Bellarmine Financial Aid website for information about applying for alternative loans as well as comprehensive advice about financial aid.
Some hospitals also offer scholarship-to-work opportunities that will help you finance your nursing education. Visit your local hospitals’ website(s) or contact their Human Resources departments to learn about opportunities in your area.
How can I get more information about the program?
Contact Julie Armstrong-Binnix, Assistant Dean of Graduate Admission at accel@bellarmine.edu or call her at 502.272.8364 if you would like to set up an appointment or to have your transcript(s) reviewed.
Bellarmine University admits qualified students of any age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, disability, color, religion, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. Bellarmine University will not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual contact, non-consensual sexual intercourse, sexual exploitation, rape or retaliation arising out of any of the above acts, as more fully defined in the Bellarmine Sexual Discrimination and Misconduct Policy in the Student and Employee Handbooks. Bellarmine University is an equal opportunity employer.