Is a second degree/accelerated program too much stress?

Jules A, MSN · Jun 21, 2008

I didn't do an accelerated program so I'm refereeing from the cheap seats but if I had the opportunity to do it I surely would have. Some people are obviously able to do it and I would figure I'm surely as smart and motivated as they are so why not? Then again I kind of thrive on stress.

Congratulations on having so many options and good luck with whatever you decide.

ufblondi · Jun 21, 2008

I am currently in my 7th week in an accelerated nursing program. I'm not going to lie, it is tough at times. We have already had 4 people drop from the program, however, this it is definitely a "doable" program. If you are one who is easily stressed and can't handle large work loads, than it may not be the program for you. I've found that the bulk of the work is mostly reading and keeping up with that. We are in class 8-5 for 2 days, 8-11 another day, and then have 16-18 clinical hours (yes, we started clinicals our first week of school!) that are split between 2 days. We are taking 15 credits this summer. I have a friend who is in a different accelerated program and she is taking the same amount of credits, but they split it up into 2 different 6 week semesters so you don't have as many classes at a time.

What school is this at? You might be able to search by that program name on here and find out more information on that program. It is a lot of work, but it is that much sooner that you will be out in the work field..and you just gotta keep telling yourself, its only 12 months!

They wouldn't have these programs if they weren't possible to do :) You really just need to decide if you can handle the work load for 12 months..it really isn't THAT much more than if you were to spread it out over the course of 2 years and they actually weed out the "fluff" courses when you are in the accelerated program.

FriendlyGhostRN · Jun 21, 2008

I am currently in my 7th week in an accelerated nursing program. I'm not going to lie, it is tough at times. We have already had 4 people drop from the program, however, this it is definitely a "doable" program. If you are one who is easily stressed and can't handle large work loads, than it may not be the program for you. I've found that the bulk of the work is mostly reading and keeping up with that. We are in class 8-5 for 2 days, 8-11 another day, and then have 16-18 clinical hours (yes, we started clinicals our first week of school!) that are split between 2 days. We are taking 15 credits this summer. I have a friend who is in a different accelerated program and she is taking the same amount of credits, but they split it up into 2 different 6 week semesters so you don't have as many classes at a time.
What school is this at? You might be able to search by that program name on here and find out more information on that program. It is a lot of work, but it is that much sooner that you will be out in the work field..and you just gotta keep telling yourself, its only 12 months!
They wouldn't have these programs if they weren't possible to do :) You really just need to decide if you can handle the work load for 12 months..it really isn't THAT much more than if you were to spread it out over the course of 2 years and they actually weed out the "fluff" courses when you are in the accelerated program.

You gave some great advice that I agree with completely!! I'm in an accelerated BSN program, but it's a 15 month program instead of 12...so we also have 15 credit hours this semester, but we haven't started clinicals just yet. In like two weeks we do, though. I agree that the bulk of the work is spent on reading and keeping up with everything...and studying a ton as well. But, it's always good to just keep in mind the end goal and then it isn't all that bad!! :) I like to look at my program this way: about 2 months down, 13 to go!! :) haha!

Pmkn10RN · Jun 22, 2008

Thanks for everyones comments. The first semester is 21 credits, so if I decide to go, this will be my head spinning

LLLovely, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2008

I am starting an accelerated program in the fall. Originally, this school ran it in 12 months, but their drop out rate was so high that they extended it by giving the summer off. Presumably, this gives students a much needed brain break, then they come back hard charging in the fall, ready to graduate and take the NCLEX.

I am happy to have gotten in and accelerated is best for me and my family, BUT, if I had my absolute, selfish, not thinking about my husband and kids way about it, I'd do the traditional in a heartbeat. I would prefer to have longer to assimilate all of the information and to graduate in May when it will be easier for people to travel to see me.

Who knows though? I think it's doable and I'm glad I'll be done relatively quickly, so I may have a different answer after I get into it and/or graduate.

Music in My Heart · Jun 22, 2008

I'm in an accelerated direct-entry MSN program. We do 5 semesters in 18 months and also began clinicals the first week of the program.

It is intense and probably doesn't provide as solid an education as a slower program would. It's not that we don't cover everything, it's just that it goes so dang fast that it's tough to retain it all. That said, our class scored very, very high on some ATI tests and there's a 100% NCLEX pass rate for our predecessors so it does work. We've also received very positive feedback from the clinical sites that host us.

My mindset is that I know that I have so much learning that I'll still need to do once I get my license. I'm glad I'm in an accelerated program. The sooner I graduate, the sooner I can work.

hardworking woman · Jun 22, 2008

I'm finishing a second degree program now. It was 15 months and although you shouldnt listen to me but do what you know is best (advice should always be taken with a grain of salt) I honestly feel that if I had more time (I'm old, and spent 3 years working full time and getting my pre-requisite courses and I just want to graduate already) I would definitely go for traditional. Not only is it way more stress but it's crazy and if the school isnt supportive it's a nightmare. Also, we did not cover every single thing in class which you get in a traditonal program but were responsible for it on the NCLEX review exam we have after every clinical course (it's 10% of our grade) and will have to know what we skipped in class for the NCLEX - 12 months is way too fast and there is not only a lot to learn but a lot of emotional growth and soul searching you need to do. You need time to find out what interests you and what kind of nurse you want to be. It's a good opportunity and some in my class do not agree with me but they are geniuses so there experience was different but they haven't started working yet and I think they will have trouble when they enter the field. Just my opinion - good luck and congrats!

Music in My Heart · Jun 22, 2008

Also, we did not cover every single thing in class which you get in a traditonal program but were responsible for it on the NCLEX review exam we have after every clinical course (it's 10% of our grade) and will have to know what we skipped in class for the NCLEX

Very good point! We're in the same boat (though ours are worth 15% of our grade) and it's caused a lot of stress. I would definitely tell people to be sure of your ability to learn on your own, out of a book, if you're going to take an accelerated program.

usadog · Jun 22, 2008

I didn't do an accelerated program so I'm refereeing from the cheap seats but if I had the opportunity to do it I surely would have. Some people are obviously able to do it and I would figure I'm surely as smart and motivated as they are so why not? Then again I kind of thrive on stress.
Congratulations on having so many options and good luck with whatever you decide.

I just enrolled in the second program. It is 16 months and lots of reading work. The first class was pathophysiology and pharmacology. The most difficult for me is the drugs.

I believe you can finish it if you have enough energy and better English than I. I am 43　and English is my second language.

I geaduated from medical university and had been a doctor of OB/GYN for 12 years. I think I can handle the following courses and try to work part time.

Can anybody give me advice which unit is better for me? Maternity or deliver and labor?　

MB37 · Jun 23, 2008

I'm about to graduate from a 15 month accelerated program. I've made all As so far, although that may change this semester since I hate OB. We take exactly the same classes as the regular students, right along with them - we just take more classes at a time - so we cover all the material that they do. That doesn't mean that we cover everything that will be on the NCLEX in class - our instructors pick out what they think is most important, but anything that's in 3 textbooks is fair game. I find my program very time consuming, but it's only stressful in that it's disorganized and about half the faculty is vocally opposed to accelerated programs in general.

I would be bored to tears if I was in the traditional program and not working, but if I worked and went to school I'd be stressed. It just seemed easier to do accelerated, be out of work for 7 months, and then get a job that has a future. Also, I feel that I'll do better on the NCLEX for having had all the material in such a short space of time. I think it would be harder to go back and review things from two years ago, especially if your school puts any of the specialty (i.e. psych) courses early in the program and it's not an area in which you would ever want to practice.

I'm very happy that I went this route, but I'm extremely motivated and self-directed. I've always been a fantastic student. I'm also married to a man with a decent job so I don't have to work, and I don't have any kids yet. Several of the folks in my program who switched to traditional had kids and/or a job they had to keep, and they felt they didn't have time to do it all successfully. It can be done, or there wouldn't be so many programs. I wouldn't worry about a number of credit hours (they may give more credits for clinical than say my school does), but try to talk to someone who got through it successfully. If they've already done it, they can probably give you the best estimate of how bad it really is. Good luck, and congrats on having the choice!