SLU vs Mizzou accelerated nursing program

Nailbomb · Nov 15, 2011

I'm currently in SLU's accelerated program. Ask away.

britbrat · Nov 15, 2011

um, what are some of the pros and cons about the program? would you recommend it to others? and how did you pay for it, was it all loans? I know SLU offers a scholarships but on the website they do not say how much they are! thanks

Nailbomb · Nov 16, 2011

Payment, yes I did all loans. There are some scholarships available, I would contact the school of nursing to find out specifics on the values. I'm not sure how soon you will get set up with an advisor in the financial aid office, but they are a good resource. Won't hurt to call them and/or the school of nursing to get answers.

Pros are that is is 12 months long (really about 11 with breaks). Most will say the summer is the hardest semester. I disagree, but you should plan on spending 8-9 hours a day, 5 days a week in lecture. The school does have a state of the are simulation lab that you will use, which I found helpful when doing patient care scenarios. The program is the oldest accelerated program in the country, so the faculty are well aware of how intense it is. They are willing to help if you ask for it. SLU also has a large network of clinical sites, so you have opportunity to request something you may be interested in. All the faculty we have had so far are exceptionally knowledgeable in their areas, so they can handle pretty much any question you can throw at them.

My only cons so far are that the fall semester has been somewhat disorganized. Summer is pretty well set in stone, and you know what you need to do and when you need to do it. There have been schedule changes and so forth in the Fall, that can be confusing. (I preferred the regimented summer schedule). My only other con is the lack of clinical time. I believe the Spring will provide even more clinical time, but Summer is minimal and Fall you have clinical 3x per week. The time really flys by, and I personally learn by hands on teaching. I'm sure this is true of any accelerated program, but I just wish we had more hours at the hospitals.

With all that said, it's a good program so far, and I do not regret doing it.

Anyways, I hope I answered some of your questions. I'd be happy to answer anything else I can.

britbrat · Nov 27, 2011

So slu program is 11months is the program like insanely fast ...i know its accelerated but its 4months shorter then mizzous... so im wondering is it that much harder, did you ever have time to do anything fun?

Nailbomb · Nov 28, 2011

Well, I can't really say if it's harder than Mizzou's program. The program runs May to May, and with the breaks, it ends up being right around 11 months.

For sure you will have time to do things. Not as much as you may be used to, but there is time. The Summer session you have a test/tests basically every week, so it's a bit of a stretch to find free time. However, the fall schedule relaxes a bit, so you will have weeks with no tests or assignments due which you can take full advantage of. We start the Spring semester after the first of the year, and I expect we will have as much, if not more "free time" than the fall. People in the class go out, have parties, etc. so it's not all work all the time.

I kept hearing the summer was the worst before I started, I will say the Summer has a lot more classroom time (no clinical aside from maternity), and tests than Fall has had. But, I have found that Fall has more challenging material.

britbrat · Nov 28, 2011

Okay that sounds doable! did you work while you were in the program? I know that they recommend the students not to, but I have heard that a few ppl do! also even though the material that you learn in the fall is harder, do you feel that it is interesting and makes you want to learn it? Also do they use case studies to teach you the material, if not what is the teaching style?

Nailbomb · Nov 28, 2011

I am working part time a few weekends per month, but I take off as needed for school. There are a few working more, and I have heard rumor of someone with a full time job at night. I would recommend starting out slow with work if you want/need to, and getting a feel for how much time you need.

As far as the material, yes it is absolutely interesting! Of course there are some subjects (Psych/Public health) that don't interest me, but thats just personal preference. The lifespan courses do a lot of case studies as the teaching style, and the fluid & electrolyte elective uses a ton as well.(which I took, but I am hearing rumor may become required next year, a great class)

britbrat · Nov 28, 2011

Okay that sounds doable! did you work while you were in the program? I know that they recommend the students not to, but I have heard that a few ppl do! also even though the material that you learn in the fall is harder, do you feel that it is interesting and makes you want to learn it? Also do they use case studies to teach you the material, if not what is the teaching style?

britbrat · Nov 28, 2011

sorry didnt mean to post the above reply...but thanks you have been very helpful!

britbrat · Jan 6, 2012

Nailbomb- I was wondering how the program is going for you? I hope still great! I have to make a decision soon. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your likes and dislikes?

Also, how is the staff and teachers? are they nice and helpful? I work best in a positive environment! lol Did the program make you feel too stressed, I mean like to the point where you wanted to quit?

Thanks,

britbrat

Nailbomb · Jan 13, 2012

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. We are on break right now for a few more days. Everything is going well still, the end of fall semester was stressful with final exams and such, but I expect our last semester won't be as intense (just speculation).

I haven't met any teachers that weren't nice yet. All have different styles of teaching, so some will be preferred over others, but thats just personal preference. All teachers are available to help if you ask.

There are stressful times, but it never got me even close to the point of wanting to quit. It's doable.