There are many pathways into the nursing field, but the thought of years of medical school – and all the costs that come with it – can be daunting. That is why fast-track nursing programs are such a great option for those looking to kick-off their nursing careers. You can complete your education in just a matter of months. There are accelerated programs available to those who wish to become licensed nurses, as well as fast-track nursing programs for those who are completely new to the nursing, just looking to dip their toes into the field first. As a leading healthcare and nursing school in Connecticut, Stone Academy has outlined just some of your fast track nursing program options below.
- Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
At Stone Academy, you can become a nurse in just months – not years – through our Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. Licensed Practical Nurses, as their title implies, are licensed to carry out practical nursing duties, such as measuring vital signs and monitoring patients. They have a very versatile role in that they may take on administrative tasks in addition to providing routine patient care. Typically, LPNs work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or physician, and can work in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care, rehab centers, physician’s offices, correctional facilities, or even as travel LPNs.
LPN school is a great option for those who are eager to get into the nursing field fast, without committing to years of medical school. While the length of LPN diploma programs can vary, earning your diploma and licensure typically takes under one year to complete. This is a fraction of the time required to earn an associate degree in nursing, which is just one of the many reasons why becoming an LPN is such a popular career choice for those entering the healthcare field.
At Stone Academy, most students complete the LPN program in just 63 weeks. Many of these students take the program in our flexible, part-time format, which involves evening and Saturday classes. You may also choose to complete the LPN program via full-time coursework, for faster diploma completion. Unlike many nursing schools, Stone’s practical nursing school has no wait lists for enrollment. We also do not ask any prerequisite coursework of our students, so you can look forward to diving right in!
- Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) or Patient Specialist Care (PCS) Training
Becoming a Certified Nurse’s Aide (CNA) is one of fastest tracks you can take towards a career in healthcare. While not a full-scale nursing position, CNAs touch a wide range of duties related to the nursing field, and work directly under Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. They have an essential role in healthcare, providing essential care to patients who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves. If you are interested in spending your day-to-day helping others, becoming a CNA may be the right next step.
The best part is? Stone’s CNA program can take as few as four weeks to complete! At Stone Academy, CNA students look forward to a 125-hour program that includes both on- and off-site clinical training in specialized healthcare and basic nursing skills. Program offerings vary, depending on your scheduling needs. If you choose to enroll in a part-time class format, your CNA certificate can take about 16 weeks.
If you want to continue your education after your weeks of CNA training are complete, that is also an option at Stone Academy. Or, if you would like to take on more responsibilities in healthcare, but can only commit to a fast-track nursing program, you may consider earning your Patient Care Specialist diploma. Also known as advanced CNAs, Patient Care Specialists (PCS) have basic nursing know-how as well as expanded training in phlebotomy, EKG, CPR, First Aid and hands-on home care. Patient Care Specialists typically perform more duties than a CNA, but less than an LPN or RN, due to their advanced certifications. Stone grads, for example, earn a Home Health Aide Certificate in addition to a diploma.
At Stone Academy, students typically take about 24 weeks to complete our PCS program. Upon graduation, they fulfill careers in a variety of acute and subacute care settings: hospitals, nursing homes, private duty care, hospice, adult day care, home health, and more.
- Accelerated BSN Programs
If you would like to carry out an expanded set of nursing duties in your profession, both diagnosing and treating patients, a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) may be for you. To become a Registered Nurse in Connecticut, you must graduate from a professional nursing program that is approved by the Connecticut Board. Most state-approved programs are offered at the associate or baccalaureate level. Fast-track nursing programs for RNs are limited – According to the Connecticut League of Nursing, to earn your RN certification today, you can expect to complete at least two years of nurse training.
There are, however, fast-track nursing programs available to those who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different major. These are also known as direct-entry nursing programs, and are available to entry-level non-nurses who wish to change career paths. Typically, these accelerated, direct-entry programs take between 11 and 18 months to complete—and cover everything from pharmacology and anatomy to nursing care for all ages and patients. After completion of an accelerated nursing program, you can go onto take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed as a Registered Nurse. RNs typically work in hospitals, though can be found in military, school, private practice, and other clinical settings.
Get on the fast-track to your nursing or healthcare career with Stone Academy. To learn more about Stone Academy’s various nursing programs in Connecticut, please call (800) 585-1315 today. You may also Click Here to request more information or even Apply Now!