Introduction & Would you recommend an accelerated BSN program?

[Mr_D]

Hi everyone

I've been lurking for some time and became a member today.

Let me introduce myself: I am currently a Web Technology Specialist -- and have decided for many reasons to leave the IT industry for Nursing. I'm 38 yrs old, male, married, and have a 2 year old son and another on the way. I have a BA in American Studies (I loved my major and would do it again) and, of course, taking my science prereqs this fall/next spring and summer. I am working diligently to start Nursing School in Aug 2004. I have a supportive spouse -- and while I have latitude, she would prefer I persue an accelerated program so I could enter the job market as soon as possible. I am making plans to attend as a full-time student and therefore will not be holding down a job while in Nursing School.

I am looking for feedback on traditional BSN programs verses accelerated BSN programs. Obviously, accelerated programs allow one to receive a credential in approximately 16 months compared to the usual 28 months. I've also heard them described as the "whiplash Nursing degree" because they are so intense.

Can anyone share their first-hand experiences with this? How about the quality of education? Does it suffer? Would you do it again? Any nurse school faculty out there have opinions about this?

Thanks!

Mr. D.

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Agent,

We were required to have all our prereqs and sciences done before starting the program (as well as a previous Bachelor's degree), so that year was strictly the nursing classes. That being said, the program did still go at breakneck speed, and that's why we lost so many members of our class. I think the ones who are left will make great nurses, because you have to be super-motivated to get through a one year BSN program!!

[manna, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL

We were required to have all our prereqs and sciences done before starting the program (as well as a previous Bachelor's degree)

I don't totally understand how a previous bachelors degree relates to it.. I wish there were more accelerated BSN programs for people who just had a certain number of undergrad hours already completed.

[agent]

I understand, sorry

[PSUNURS05]

i was looking into accelerated bsn programs....I came to the conclusion that they were too fast....some where a little over a year long....that is too fast for what I will be responsible for....I got into a traditional bsn program that has 5 semesters of nursing courses..so far so good....

[Ranchgirl30]

Mr D - I am entering a 12 month accelerated BSN program in May of 2004. One of the other girls that I took my prerequisites with is also going into the same program. The program is 170 miles away from where we live now but there have been 3 people previous to us that have graduated from this program and came back up here to our hospital. I have heard that it is intense, but everyone has been well prepared when they graduated and the staff seems to think they are good nurses. I am apprehensive about the speed of program, but I am ready to take it on and get out there!! I simply could not justify spending the same amount of time to get a ADN when I could actually come out with a BSN - I want to go for my masters someday.

[Greatfaith_2004]

Hey, I was wandering if anyone had any insight, experience or opinions on these accelerated ABSN programs at any of these schools?

Barry University

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Dominican College

Quinnipiac University

Seton Hall University

Stonybrook University

[nurse0977]

I too have another degree, and considered the accelerated BSN, but didn't do it because I thought that 12 months wasn't long enough. Two years in nursing school is taxing enough, and I didn't feel like I got enough clinical experience. In our program, we spend and entire semester doing a practicum (management) with a nurse in the field we are interested in to get a feel for what it is really like. An accelerated program couldn't offer this. I also think that I have retained so much more information than if I had done an accelerated, which I think is important!

It is a personal decision. My feeling was--"I only get to go to nursing school one time, so I'm not going to cut any corners." It hasn't been easy, but I can say I went to the best school in my area, and I will be a competent and confident caregiver.

[currisaw]

I think that you should follow your heart and do the ADN first, because as someone points out you already have a degree. This will help you to have money for family. It will give you some experience, which you will need if you decide to do NP or some other masters later. Having hands on nursing is always a big plus no matter what degree. Good luck.

[Damarie]

GO WHITE GO GREEN. Michigan State University has on online program, check with your state's universities for more info.

[is this heaven]

Hi...I went accelerated BSN,but because my goal is MSN.If you know that for sure, it's the best bet.

[blueginger]

:balloons: congratulations for your BSN work! May I know where did you go for this 11 month accelerated program? Thank you very much for your help and good luck with your future work.QUOTE=EmeraldNYL]I am currently attending an accelerated 11 month BSN program and I am done in 2 weeks. Needless to say, my brain is completely fried!!! The year was definitely intense. Everyone in my program is incredibly studious and self motivated, and even then we had a 40% attrition rate d/t financial reasons, academic failure, and many people who spoke English as a second language had trouble with the pace of the classes. Personally, I don't think the info. we had to learn was all that hard, we even had your typical nonsense classes like Complementary Medicine and Health Promotion. However, it was the sheer volume of the info. and the fast pace that made it difficult to retain and learn info. Overall, I think I will be well prepared when I graduate, but I made sure that I accepted a position with an extremely long orientation to reinforce and solidify what I learned. My advice to you is: DO NOT work, make sure you have a great support system, and do not go to a brand new program because it will be disorganized. Make sure you find productive ways to deal with stress. Good luck in whatever you decide!