Three-Year Nursing Programs Shorten the Path to Practice

As nursing has continued to earn praise as a top career choice, the nursing shortage in the U.S. still shows no signs of stopping. So how can the country gain more skilled nurses?

As recently reported in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, three-year degree programs allow graduates to fill in-demand nursing roles and launch a career before their peers in traditional four-year programs.

“As a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree becomes the standard requirement for many entry-level nursing positions, a three-year degree program is an efficient route to a desired career,” said Patrick Robinson, dean of undergraduate curriculum and instruction at Chamberlain College of Nursing. “A shorter program can be more intense with the same curriculum standards as typical four-year degree programs. However for motivated, organized students, the professional reward can be worth the hard work.”

Recent industry data illustrates that demand is mounting for degree programs with this structure. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the number of three-year BSN degree programs increased from 31 to 230 between 1990 and 2010. This trend is expected to continue as factors contributing to the national nursing shortage escalate and the industry demands BSN degrees.