USN launches A-BSN program to start Oct 2010

U.S.A. Nevada

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I kept seeing the ad on pages while surfing the web and I kept thinking, hm, maybe they are calling their 18 mo program accelerated b/c it is 18 mos straight through unlike the traditional 4 semester program.

But, curiosity got the best of me and I clicked on it and, lo and behold, they are starting an aBSN program for BS/BA holders. Its 14 mos, and it appears to be partially online? The site is not too informative unfortunately. I think the classwork is online along with video casts/podcasts and then there is a simulation lab (according to the site, more centrally located than Henderson but I cannot figure out where exactly the lab is) for labs in person and of course the clinicals are like your regular clinicals, in the appropriate settings in Las Vegas.

I think the pre-reqs/admit requirements (like TEAS) are the same as the regular BSN there.

I went ahead and filled out the "get more information" form and submitted it.

Has anyone else looked into this program or spoken with someone at the school? They apparently had an info session a few wks ago. We don't arrive in LV until early August.

I actually like online classes (I am taking organic chem online right now and have taken others in the past online) but I wonder how it affects the relationship a student has with the instructor if the only place they see them in person is at skills lab or clinical. Just thinking each does not have much of a chance to feel the other one out in terms of style and how to approach asking questions, etc...Its obviously nowhere near a deal-breaker, but I am guessing it can create a different dynamic.

Oh, forgot this- here is a link to the site in case you are interested:

University of Southern Nevada | Accelerated BSN Nursing Program | Home

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I called for more information and was told that the program is $47,000. Classes are online and clinicals are held at Saint Rose in the valley and are generally 3 days a week- which could be during the week or on weekends. It would have been great if clinicals could have been conducted at local hospitals in the area the student lives. I live in Reno(northern Nv) and would not be able to commute to vegas every week. Hopefully more options will be available in the near future. Anyone have other info to add ? Please share.

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OK thanks for the info.

I got an email back asking me for more info and a time to set up a (telephone) appt. I haven't yet responded b/c I am trying to figure out when I could talk to someone on the phone (my 4 kids are out of school for the summer), and, really, I was thinking more of next year's class than this year's, just to give me time to settle in to LV and build a support system for childcare, etc....(my husband is military).

The price sounds higher than their 18-mo BSN but I would have to go check - they have tuition for the regular BSN on the website.

I had kind of figured the clinicals would be 3 12 hour shifts per week just because I looked at the contact hours listed in the curriculum and most if not all of the clinical block hours are listed in multiples of 12. Do you know if they still do it as a pure block where when you are in clinical block, that is all you do, like in the regular program where it is sequential blocks, or do they overlap didactic/lab/clinical blocks?

Hmm. Considering all of that I will have to weigh the 18-mo vs the 14 mo option. I am not in that big of a hurry to save 4 mos, but the online portion sounds appealing - I won't live as far away as you, but I will live up on Nellis AFB, which is at least 30 min, more like 45 min, from Henderson. Add in dropping kids off at daycare/school/etc...and the 14-mo hybrid is appealing, even if it means more compression and acceleration.

You have given me some things to think about. Thanks. I am also planning on applying to their Pharm program (Pharm is my first choice, but I am also interested in Public Health, so BSN is my alternate).

That is a shame they don't have an agreement with anything near you for clinicals. I think in the Pharm program, for P3 (third year) rotations, they can be done out-of-state.

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its 40k plus you have to still take the pre-req's at college level.

the only "accelerated" program is NSC which is 12 months. Other wise 18 months is exactly the amount of time your spending in their regular track.

on the downside if everything is online then you'll not have hands on lab time which has to be one of the most important aspects of any program.

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no no...the accelerated is 14 mos not 18 mos. Its a new program.

labs are in person. Only theory is online. You go to the lab for scheduled labs and to the campus for exams and presentations. Clinicals are, as usual, in local hospitals - according to gabby up there, St. Rose, though I am sure that could change depending on how often the contracts/agreements come up for revision.

I assume b/c the theory is online they are cramming it into an overlap with the labs and possibly the clinicals.

I have my pre-reqs done as far as what USN requires so that is not an issue at all.

I think the overall tuition in 14 mo vs 18 mo is the same at USN.

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hi everyone,

I was just introduced to this program today, because the SDSU program was cancelled in San Diego. So it seems that this program is also brand new, would October be the first cohort?

It seems the cost of living is cheaper in LV than SD, but does anyone have advice for me regarding this program?

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Still thinking about this school, another site had a review and to sum it up, USN got 1 of 10 stars... is it nationally accredited? on its site it only mentioned nevada state board of nursing

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The first cohort is October.

I know they are waiting for some approval for VA funding for their ABSN program b/c I mentioned using some GI Bill money to help offset tuition.

They have four starts per year for the ABSN.

What I have also learned is clinical hours are very sketchy as far as planning ahead. The hospital determines what is available so it could be really any shift.

What I like about USN is the block format. I am actually applying to their PharmD (Pharmacy) program if my PCAT scores come back with a respectable number, but I am also being realistic. I have to live in Las Vegas so if I don't get into Pharm school, or cannot finance it (if you think their BSN is expensive, check out the tuition and fees for the Pharm D program), I have a back up plan. I cannot afford to have my heart set on any one program or specific health career.

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For this program, one must live in Las Vegas because clinicals could be at any time. Is anyone trying this route while living in another state? Does anyone know of a similar program where clinicals can be completed at local hospitals or on weekends ? I live in Northern Nv and would still need to maintain my full time job in Reno while i attend school.

The first cohort is October.

I know they are waiting for some approval for VA funding for their ABSN program b/c I mentioned using some GI Bill money to help offset tuition.

They have four starts per year for the ABSN.

What I have also learned is clinical hours are very sketchy as far as planning ahead. The hospital determines what is available so it could be really any shift.

What I like about USN is the block format. I am actually applying to their PharmD (Pharmacy) program if my PCAT scores come back with a respectable number, but I am also being realistic. I have to live in Las Vegas so if I don't get into Pharm school, or cannot finance it (if you think their BSN is expensive, check out the tuition and fees for the Pharm D program), I have a back up plan. I cannot afford to have my heart set on any one program or specific health career.

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Try University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

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For this program, one must live in Las Vegas because clinicals could be at any time. Is anyone trying this route while living in another state? Does anyone know of a similar program where clinicals can be completed at local hospitals or on weekends ? I live in Northern Nv and would still need to maintain my full time job in Reno while i attend school.

Try University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

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I just got accepted into the ABSN Oct. 2010 program. My husband is military and I am worried about getting VA accredidation. The program is so expensive and we are not sure how it is all going to work out. Do you have any advice for house/apartment rentals? I don't know the area very well.

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