University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing Bachelor's Program (UCAN)
Earn your nursing degree in one year
The University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing program (UCAN) is a full-time, on-campus pathway which allows eligible students to complete their nursing in 12 months. Due to the rigor of the program all applicants must have an earned bachelor’s degree and healthcare experience.
The UCAN program admits roughly 72 students each fall and spring semester. The UCAN program is typically offered at the Legacy Innovation Campus location in Lone Tree, CO., however, UCAN students may be required to attend some classes or labs on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora.
University of Colorado Accelerated Nursing Bachelor's Program (UCAN) Current Plan of Study:
- Display novice, professional nursing leadership qualities to promote quality and safe care.
- Engage in effective communication and collaboration in intra– and interdisciplinary teams across a variety of contexts.
- Provide socially just, ethical, and inclusive care to diverse populations across the continuum of care.
- Apply principles of healthcare informatics as a meaningful user of health information systems and technology.
- Reference relevant theoretical frameworks to improve patient and population health outcomes across a range of settings.
- Integrate evidence-based practice into patient-centered care using the nursing process across a range of settings.
- Articulate how policy, advocacy, finance and regulatory environments influence healthcare delivery.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in nursing provides a wide variety of career choices. Upon successful completion of the BS nursing program and the national licensure examination (NCLEX), baccalaureate prepared nurses are able to choose from a wide variety of practice settings.
Additionally, unlike graduates prepared with an associate degree in nursing, bachelor's prepared nurses are able to pursue advanced degrees in nursing including careers as an adult or pediatric nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife or certified nurse anesthetist. Doctorate level education is also possible for bachelors prepared nurses who wish to pursue a PhD or DNP (doctor of nursing practice).
Examples of potential practice areas for a bachelor of science graduate include:
- Providing patient care in the hospital settings (the most popular choice of nursing graduates).
- Caring for patients in community based settings.
- Providing nursing leadership through nursing management positions.
- Pursuing a nursing career at Magnet designated hospital facilities.
- Providing nursing care to individuals, families and communities internationally.
- Working in clinical research by coordinating human subject studies.
- Helping shape future nursing clinicians through teaching opportunities.
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