ADN or accelerated BSN - specific circumstances, need advice

[rello]

Hello,

I would appreciate advice from anyone with an opinion on my situation. I have a bachelor's degree in journalism, but would like to change my career to nursing. I live in Connecticut, but would like to move back home to upstate New York. I could stay in Conn. a year or two longer, and take prerequisites at the community college so I can get into an accelerated bsn program. I have a job that is not very demanding so I might be able to take 2 classes a semester.

Or I could move back to New York and start an ADN program this Fall. But then I don't know what I would do for work. Perhaps I could work as a CNA (the school allows this after the first semester in the nursing program). I have no experience with nursing whatsoever.

One big problem is that all the accelerated BSN programs have different prerequisites, so I would have to decide now which program to follow and then there is no guarantee of getting in. Also, the accelerated programs are very intense (1 year or more of FT study and clinicals with no time for work).

The ADN route seems more my speed, but I am concerned about moving back home with no job (I probably couldn't find a job in journalism). I really don't want to stay in Conn. much longer. What would you do if you were me?

[Kellacan]

*** Two years!? How is that "accelerated"? The actual nursing part of all nursing schools is pretty much two years. I think of an accelerated BSN prorgam as being 1 year or maybe 15 months like the accelerated BSN progams that the University of Wisconsin has.

For a person who already has a BS just going to a regular, non-accelerated, BSN program should take two years.

The Accelerated program at the University of South Florida is 2 years. I think it was shorter at one point but on their website it is 4 semesters of classes.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

The Accelerated program at the University of South Florida is 2 years. I think it was shorter at one point but on their website it is 4 semesters of classes.

It depends on scheduling. If classes run through the summer than it is truly accelerated.

Fall Sem

Winter Sem

Summer Sem 1

Summer Sem 2

Fall Sem

[PMFB-RN, RN]

The Accelerated program at the University of South Florida is 2 years. I think it was shorter at one point but on their website it is 4 semesters of classes.

*** Any nursing program that requires a person with a bachelors degree to go to school for two years to get and RN is NOT accelerated. It would be the regular program. Florida can call it an accelerated program but that doesn't make it so.

[PMFB-RN, RN]

I checked U/Wisconsin site but failed to find any accelerated BSN program. Could you please be more specific about more schools offering that program. Thanks

*** Here you go. I work with graduates of this program and they are well trained graduates.

http://www.uwosh.edu/con/undergrad/accelerated.php

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

The Accelerated program at the University of South Florida is 2 years. I think it was shorter at one point but on their website it is 4 semesters of classes.

Mine was four semesters - but only sixteen months, from August to December.

Two years is actually at least five semesters, potentially six to seven if the summer sessions are two shortened semesters and not one. At Duke, the summer term ran for eleven weeks from May to August.

In two years, you'd have either:

Fall I

Spring I

Summer I/SummerII

Fall II

Spring II

OR

Fall I

Spring I

Summer I

Fall II

Spring II (and maybe another summer)

In 16 months, we had only Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall, with only a Christmas break, two days in the fall, a week in the Spring, and about ten days between the spring and summer, and then 10 days between the summer and the fall. I started in August of 2006 and finished in December of 2007.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Back to the question at hand.

It depends on what you want to do, and where you see yourself in a few years. If you believe you'd like to continue your education and end up with a Master's degree, the BSN might be the better choice. If you do an ADN, you can still do an MSN, but you may have more classes to take to bridge between the ADN and the MSN (in other words, you may have to pick up some BSN classes that you didn't have in your program).

I wouldn't say that any RN program is easy, but I didn't think a 16 month accelerated program was that hard, either. Sometimes it was hard to catch your breath, and sometimes you'd look around and be appalled at the last time you actually went somewhere that wasn't on campus or enclosed within your own living space, but I didn't find the program overly hard - and we had five classes that were MSN level and count as grad credit. You HAVE to be able to manage your time, and you have to be willing to put school first - but it's only for a short time. A 24 month program would have driven me crazy - I'd still be in school right now, and as it is, I start my very first job on Tuesday.

That said, a BSN program can be more expensive, so if that's something you need to consider, you might want to keep that in mind. I've met so many wonderful ADN nurses that have taught me so much - I don't think the degree itself is what really matters; what matters is what you feel is right for you at this point in your life.

I always encourage higher education - but I'm always excited for ANYONE who goes back to school for ANYTHING at ANY level, because education is just about the only thing 'they' can't take from you, you know?

Good luck with whatever your decision is; keep us posted!

[saral_123]

I was in the same boat as you. I have a BS in biology & have decided to change paths into nursing. Before taking my pre-reqs I was contemplating which route I wanted to take. I decided on the ADN route- it's cheaper, i can work (part time), and i can learn at a slower pace. I should mention..I'm still in debt from my undergraduate degree and that's why I've decided this route.

I do think the Acc. BSN would be great if you'd like a managerial position. perhaps get some insight from alumni @ the acc. BSN program you are looking at & see how they liked it.

It really depends on you & how what you think is best for you. Good luck. Why not apply to both? I may do that too since there seems to be a waiting list at the local JC's in my town. Good luck.