The book, Accelerated Education in Nursing: Challenges, Strategies, and Future Directions,1 focuses on core issues regarding accelerated nursing education. With the prediction that 580,000 new and replacement RNs are needed by 2018 (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/issue-bulletin-accelerated-programs) as well as the current RN shortage, nursing schools are exploring methods to increase the number of students in nursing while maintaining educational integrity and quality. The accelerated degree program in nursing is one such method that has been successful in addressing shortage concerns.
Currently, there are 230 accelerated BSN programs and 65 generic MSN programs (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/issue-bulletin-accelerated-programs). Those students who graduate from accelerated programs bring a unique value to the nursing workplace as they are usually more mature, possess strong clinical skills, and bring valued managerial skills to the bedside.
Purpose
Accelerated Education in Nursing provides an in-depth analysis of how accelerated nursing programs prepare graduates to meet changing healthcare needs. There are 3 book sections with a total of 18 chapters. Each section presents content pertinent to developing and sustaining an accelerated program. Areas such as curriculum innovation modalities, various accelerated program curricula and clinical models, and specific strategies that best ensure a high quality of accelerated education are described and analyzed along with review and solutions regarding major issues and challenges faced by faculty and students. The contributors to the book are experts working in a variety of accelerated nursing programs throughout the country. They present unique evidence-based content that assists the reader to reflect on challenges faced and lessons learned.
Major content areas discussed are the following:
* enrollment/admission/recruitment in accelerated nursing programs at the BSN and MSN levels
* student retention and progression, with remediation strategies
* faculty recruitment, retention, and development successes
* innovative models for new start-up programs
* issues for minority and second-degree returning students
Assessment
Well-written and thought-provoking discussion of how students in these programs are motivated is helpful, but more is needed on this topic. Various teaching methods using technology, curriculum designs, and models along with information on course design were not discussed in the depth. Content regarding online accelerated education was lacking. Given the popularity and usefulness of technology and online education in accelerated programs, content on various electronic courseware/software products, proven most useful for accelerated online programs, would have greatly enhanced the text. The book's layout with small print size and black text on white background, along with few tables and graphs, made reading tedious and, at times, boring.
Despite its drawbacks, the book can be useful. The text provides faculty with a basis for the design and implementation of accelerated education programs and nursing curricular design and program planning. In addition, it has the potential to increase awareness of the value of accelerated education and suggest modifications that can be made to current teaching strategies to better meet the unique needs of nonnurse college graduates.
Reference