Associate Degree vs. Accelerated Bachelors Degree

Hi nursegirl513!

I had to make a similar decision a couple years ago. Several things helped me decide on doing an accel program (University of Cincinnati Accelerated Pathway):

- The wait list to get into the local associate programs was nearly 3 years! There was no real wait for the accel program (I was on their wait list, but got in).

- The "2 year" associates program actually took 2.5 years to complete

- At the end of the associates program, you'd have an associates degree (big surprise, huh?). This means that you'd still need to do another 2-2.5 years of school to complete your BSN, while you're probably working full time. This sounded too long & drawn out for me.

- While the accel program required some prereqs like micro, A&P, nutrition, psych/human development, pharm, and pathophys, those only took me 9 months (3 quarters) to complete at my local community college. Community college tuition is much cheaper than 4 year university tuition (at least here in the Dayton, OH area). NOTE that requirements differ by accel program - check that out first (for example, Wright State University's Beacon accel program requires statistics & sociology, among others).

- UC offered me & many others in the accel program a 60% scholarship, based on our GRE scores.

- With the accel program, you're done in about a year. In UC's program, it's 5 quarters (the last one is just 90 hours of clinicals), and you even graduate with a number of graduate level credits towards your MSN.

Good luck!

I think CrufflerJJ listed a lot of good things to consider. Of course, you have to look at the specifics in your area and in your life ... but the things that CrufflerJJ said are often true in various places around the country.

Keep in mind that your goal is to ge to that BSN and you are looking for the most senesible way to get there. I know a lot of nurses who "always meant to go back for that BSN" but never got around to it because work, family, fun, etc. got in the way. If the BSN as a first degree is reasonable in your situation, it's what I would recommend. "I'll get it later" is a "maybe" that might happen or might not happen depending on a lot of factors you can't forsee now. If you can reasonably get the BSN now, get it now.

Another way to think about it (still pushing you towards the accel degree, by the way) is:

...you want to make $$$ as a nurse, right?

If you could start any program tomorrow, you'd be a RN with an ADN in 2-2.5 years. You then go to work & start making $$$. Time invested: 2-2.5 years.

...or...

You could do 0.75-1 year of prereqs, then start the fun-filled low stress relaxing (cough, choke, gag) accel program. After another 1-1.25 years (1.75-2.25 total years since starting prereqs), you'd have your RN & BSN. You then go to work & start making $$$. Time invested: 1.75 - 2.25 years.

The time frames are about the same, if you look at it. This ASSUMES (danger, Will Robinson!) that there's no big gaps between finishing your prereqs & starting your accel program.

Nursegirl:

I came through NKU's Accelerated Nursing Program! Don't hesitate to PM me if you have any specific questions about the program.

Nursegirl:

I would just go ahead and take the pre-req's anyway, they won't go to waste. Even if you do not get into the program you will still need them to complete your BSN, anywhere. My class had about 24 or so. We started out at 27 but lost 3 of them after the first semester (it was pretty tough). They don't have summer admission, it is fall only. Overall, I liked the program. It's straight to the point and pretty thorough. I did my clinicals at St. Elizabeth, Children's, The VA Hospital, and Christ. Some of my classmates also went to St. Luke.

IF you have any more questions let us know!

If you can afford it go for the BSN.

And good luck!

Glad to hear you liked the informational session. The program director (Dr. LaC...) and the graduate advisor (LC) try to do a good job of answering your questions. It also helps for potential candidates to be able to talk to current students who are going through the program.

To apply to the UC Accelerated Pathway program, I believe (please double-check & do not just go by what I say) that you submit an application, resume, nursing goal statement, references to the graduate advisor (Mr. LC). You then will need to have past transcripts (in a sealed envelope) sent to LC. You may be able to apply even before your GRE scores come back - just let LC know when you're taking the test. You will not be officially accepted to Phase I until all the required items have been submitted.

Once he's received all the necessary stuff (transcripts, resume, goal statement, application, references, GRE scores), it goes to Dr. LaC who reviews it & makes an accept/reject decision to the Admissions Committee. From when I've spoke with her in the past, the Admissions Committee has never overruled her recommendation in the past, so if you get that far, it's looking pretty good!

Make extra sure to check with LC and see if you can personally receive past transcripts in sealed envelopes, and then forward them to him...or...whether you must request that your school(s) send them DIRECTLY to him. Some schools/programs are picky about that stuff. Also...BEFORE taking any prereq courses (other than the ones explicitly laid out on the requirement sheet you hopefully got at the Info Session), you run them by LC to make sure they're acceptable. He would need to know where you're taking them, course number, number of credits, and the course description (as laid out in the course bulletin).

Before I forget...LC is retiring 4/30/2009, so make sure you touch base with him in advance of that date, as well as find out who will be his successor in the graduate advisor role.

Once all your courses are completed and transcripts submitted, you can be accepted into Phase II of the program.

For GRE preparation, do not rely on a single source of "help." Go to your local library & check out a couple GRE prep books (with CDROMs). I really liked Kaplan's book/CD, and the Barron's was also pretty good. I believe that due to tightened budgets, the make/break score for receiving graduate scholarships may have been raised from 1100. You want to do as well as you can on the GRE.

If/when you get to the Phase II acceptance step, send me a PM or email - I'll email you some further useful info (an "Accelerated Pathway Survival Guide" I wrote for following classes).

I have not started Phase III. I've been taking a vacation of sorts between finishing the program and starting work as a new RN (with the blessing of Mrs. CrufflerJJ). I'll be taking NCLEX 3/26. Guess I better start studying, huh?

Take care!