The path to working in healthcare has always required a big commitment of time and money. This previously restricted who could work in healthcare, which benefited nobody. Now, it seems like those days are over, as accelerated healthcare degrees are more common than ever.

Today, bachelor’s degree graduates can enroll in accelerated healthcare programs and join the healthcare industry in 12-24 months. This has led many people to choose healthcare as a second career.

Expedited Healthcare Education Has Changed the Industry

Accelerated education has become more prominent with each passing year. While these programs benefit students, they are just as beneficial to the healthcare industry as a whole. The healthcare industry is built on the backs of driven, passionate people who want to help others.

Accelerated programs make it easier for such people to justify taking such a big leap into the healthcare industry. Naturally, flooding the healthcare industry with intelligent, hardworking people is just as good for hospitals and clinics as it is for patients themselves. Accelerated education pathways are reshaping the healthcare workforce in many ways, such as:

1. Attract a Wider Pool of Healthcare Professionals

Working in healthcare requires some big commitments long before joining the workforce. That’s especially true for people who want to work within certain specializations, like orthopedics. The time and money commitment can sometimes discourage aspiring healthcare professionals from joining the industry.

Now, bachelor’s degree graduates can pursue healthcare programs without sacrificing several more years. Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs aren’t so different. Convenience and accessibility are ultimately the biggest differences in the ASBN vs. BSN debate.

With an accelerated program, you can easily start a second career without making a huge sacrifice. Most people can’t justify going back to school for another 4 years to begin their next chapter. The wider pool of candidates that accelerated programs offer is the biggest benefit they provide.

2. Relieve Understaffed Facilities

Staff shortages can negatively impact any industry, but they’re potentially devastating in healthcare. Communities rely on local healthcare providers to quickly process, diagnose, and treat them, which isn’t always easy during shortages. The rise of accelerated healthcare education has allowed aspiring healthcare providers to start working quickly.

While you need a bachelor’s degree to qualify, you can complete many accelerated programs within 12 to 18 months. This is a great option for people who pursued a bachelor’s degree without knowing exactly what they wanted to do. Accelerated programs ensure people don’t need to start over from scratch.

Within a year to a year and a half, they can enter the healthcare workforce and assist healthcare facilities that are dealing with staff shortages. This benefits them, their employers, and their communities equally.

3. Prioritize High-Demand Roles

If accelerated healthcare programs have one thing in common, it’s that they prioritize high-demand roles. That’s why you can find so many accelerated nursing programs, as nurses are always in high demand. Because accelerated programs often target high-demand roles, they increase the chances of students finding work after graduating.

Nobody wants to get stuck without a job after dedicating so much time and energy to their academic journey. Getting a job shortly after graduation ensures that the academic knowledge and practical skills you built in school are fresh on your mind. This is mutually beneficial for new graduates, healthcare facilities, and patients alike.

Accelerated programs help maintain balance in the healthcare industry, ensuring the available roles are balanced and proportionate. People who aren’t sure what health care path they want to choose can easily be swayed by accelerated programs. The availability and convenience can inspire someone to pursue an in-demand career path they haven’t previously considered.

4. Create Leaders

Healthcare facilities rely on leaders to manage their staff, care for patients, and inspire strong performances. Without well-studied leadership, the staff can quickly experience burnout, and their performance will suffer. Today, established nurses can fast-track their leadership journey with an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

This can inspire future nurse leaders to consider a path that previously seemed unattainable for many. Earning an MSN within 12-14 months is a great opportunity, and you can do such programs while working. For example, you can schedule your program so that you can work as a nurse while taking MSN courses.

That way, you don’t have to choose between earning an income and working toward your future. Not only does this benefit future nurse leaders, but it also benefits the facilities where they work. Current healthcare workers can maximize their potential by pursuing advanced degrees at an accelerated rate.

5. Expedite Clinical Experience

Many people who pursue accelerated healthcare programs previously acquired bachelor’s degrees in other fields. Instead of starting over, they begin their healthcare journey at an accelerated pace, which can be intense. One of the biggest benefits of this is that accelerated healthcare students get clinical experience sooner than 4-year students do.

This lets accelerated program students quickly pair their academic knowledge with hands-on clinical experience. Traditional healthcare students don’t get hands-on experience as soon as accelerated students do. Pairing academic studies with hands-on experience helps students retain this information while building practical skills.