Understanding the Experiences of Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Students and Graduates: A Review of the Literature

The demand for accelerated second-degree nursing programs has grown considerably in the past two decades. These unique nursing programs developed in response to the nation's growing elderly population, the nursing shortage, and demands from students holding previous bachelor degrees. Accelerated second-degree nursing programs recognize that the students are adult learners and have already proven the ability to successfully complete the rigors required to obtain a bachelor degree. This article reviews the current literature related to accelerated second-degree nursing programs to understand the type of students who are successful, explore the implications these programs may have for the nursing community, and understand methods to improve accelerated second-degree nursing programs based on the characteristics of students' performance. J Contin Educ Nurs 2009;40(2):74-78.