[kmj1228]

Hi,

I was wondering what Barnes Accelerated program is REALLY like. Right now I've been accepted for the Upper Division for the fall because I have little kids and am worried about having the time to really put into school. I decided the 2 year program would be a better option.

BUT, the idea of being done in a year is also really appealing! What's the schedule like and how much study time do you need? Are the classes really difficult and time consuming? Anybody doing it with 3 little kids and a husband to take care of, too? I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm making the right decision.

Any feedback would be great!

Thanks!

[SK_RN]

Barnes' program is difficult. I was enrolled in the accelerated program and just got thru my first semester-sort of. Out of four classes, I dropped one and failed another barely. Passed the other two with a B and a C.
A lot of people in my class had health care experience and all of my classmates are smart. Almost every test is bell curved with the average between 82-86. Failing is a 78% and there are not any other points to factor in other than your tests. Also, you cannot score below a 78% twice in any course. Therefore, you cannot do poorly on a single test.
Every test is delivered in the same format, 50 question m/c. If the class as a whole scores less than the 82-86 range, they will typically curve it up (though they don't like to call it a curve). In my class of 80 students, I'd say 50 advanced without any problems. Also, you cannot fail more than two classes during the entire program or you are out. So you have that additional stress as well.

[Little Doe]

I read on another thread that they have possibly opened a fall '09 accelerated program and I am waiting for confirmation from the school counselor about this. If it is true, I am seriously considering trying to switch from the upper division program into the accelerated. I have two little kids and hubby as well, but for us I think it would fit better with our family plans to graduate sooner than later. Additionally, I will commute to Barnes, and it may be that changing my husbands schedule for a year to help with the kids ends up being easier than having an up and down schedule for two years. I have a friend who is beginning the accelerated this January, and I am really looking forward to hearing about her experiences in the program. So far I've had trouble getting DETAILED info off the forum, and I think this is because the accelerated students are too darn busy to write much!!!

[NuttyNik]

I would love to know more about the BSN Upper Division Program. If ANYONE has ANY advice, comments, suggestions, etc. please respond. I am supposed to begin in January.

[NuttyNik]

Originally Posted by kmj1228

Hi,
I decided the 2 year program would be a better option.

BUT, the idea of being done in a year is also really appealing! What's the schedule like and how much study time do you need? Thanks!

Last I heard, the program was cut down to 5 semesters (previously 6) so it's supposed to be like 18 mths now. They made some adjustments to the curriculum but haven't updated their website yet. Oh, and there are no clinicals for the first semester....

[Little Doe]

I thought I would update this thread as i posted on another that I decided to stay with the Upper Division program for a bunch of reasons I hadn't thought of before (wanting good grades, not as much stress, etc..) I saw a friend's schedule who started the Upper Division this fall, and it is true that there weren't any clinicals listed for the first semester. Also, I am taking pathophysiology now so i won't have to have it on my shcedule during NS. I am also ging to try to take pharmacology beforehand if I can find a school that offers it audit.

[CAguyinMO]

SK-RN: Thanks for your post above. I feel for you!

Couple of follow-up questions for you, if you don't mind. First, you say you *were* enrolled in Barnes' accelerated program? Is that no longer the case? Second, you say that only about 50 of your 80 classmates advanced after the first semester? Do I take it to mean that more than a THIRD of your classmates failed out of the program after the first semester?

That sounds like an astounding rate of failure. And that concerns me greatly. I'm supposed to start Barnes' accelerated program in January. I've never doubted my abilities as a student -- I have a master's degree from a terrific university -- but if more than a third of students in this accelerated program are failing out after three months, I'm not sure that's a program I want to be in. Can you shed any more light, SK?

Thanks...Donn

[listener]

Originally Posted by Little Doe

.... Also, I am taking pathophysiology now so i won't have to have it on my shcedule during NS. I am also ging to try to take pharmacology beforehand if I can find a school that offers it audit.

Where are you taking pathophysiology and are you sure Barnes will accept the credit? I was kinda under the impression you needed to already be in some program in order to take that level of a program - I'm interested for the same reasons you're taking it!

[STL2008]

Originally Posted by Little Doe

I thought I would update this thread as i posted on another that I decided to stay with the Upper Division program for a bunch of reasons I hadn't thought of before (wanting good grades, not as much stress, etc..) I saw a friend's schedule who started the Upper Division this fall, and it is true that there weren't any clinicals listed for the first semester. Also, I am taking pathophysiology now so i won't have to have it on my shcedule during NS. I am also ging to try to take pharmacology beforehand if I can find a school that offers it audit.

Hi,
St. Charles Community College offers Pharmacology. It's an online class.

[STL2008]

Originally Posted by listener

Where are you taking pathophysiology and are you sure Barnes will accept the credit? I was kinda under the impression you needed to already be in some program in order to take that level of a program - I'm interested for the same reasons you're taking it!

I'm taking pathophysiologly at St. Charles Community College. It's an online class. So far so good. It's pretty easy, actually.