A profile of accelerated BSN graduates, 2004.

In 1971, Saint Louis University initiated a new type of baccalaureate nursing curriculum, the accelerated option. Since then, there has been an explosion of accelerated baccalaureate nursing (BSN) programs. Despite the popularity of these programs, there is little reported research on the type of students entering accelerated BSN programs and their degree of satisfaction with the programs. This descriptive study aimed to provide a profile of one graduating class of accelerated BSN students. Students in this study had a mean age of 28 and were most likely to have previous baccalaureate degrees in the physical or social sciences. Results indicated that students were, on the whole, satisfied with the accelerated BSN experience, but that the program does pose academic, financial, and personal challenges. Implications for recruitment and retention of accelerated BSN students are discussed.