ABSN Adequately prepared?

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Hi! I'm looking for some input. I was accepted to 2 great programs in the Northeast - Curry ABSN and UMass Boston traditional. Everything about the accelerated program seems better for my family. The program seems very organized and the schedule is all laid out in advance, even with clinical so I would be able to ensure I had adequate childcare. My husband says he would prefer 16 months of hell vs 2.5 years of "kind of hell". My one reservation is whether I will be adequately prepared to be a nurse after going through an accelerated program. Wondering if anyone has any input. Thanks so much!

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
I would get a lot of clinical hours, the clinicals within certain specialties seem short to me, i.e., 3 weeks of L&D and 3 weeks of peds. This is certainly a concern for me. Such a tough decision!
It's much more important *WHERE* you do your clinicals - and even more importantly - your final clinical preceptorship since those will dictate where you are most likely to find employment opportunities as a new grad.
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It's much more important *WHERE* you do your clinicals -

And how many hours within those three weeks.

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That's great feedback. The nurses I've spoken to who recommended this school to me have recommended it based on the clinicals. I do not believe there is a formal preceptorship - is that uncommon?

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Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
I do not believe there is a formal preceptorship - is that uncommon?

In my experience, yes. I believe that all of the local schools here (ASN & BSN) include a preceptorship in the final semester.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

I went to an absn program at a state school. I was well prepared.

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

Hi jj16:

I am in MA and familiar with both schools. Both have very good reputations. Check out this link as it will give you an idea of the NCLEX passing rates. This is something that I looked at when deciding which program I was going to attend.

About Board Approved Prelicensure Nursing Programs | Mass.gov

All the best!

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Thank you!!! Both are very good. That's how I chose them in terms of applying, but I sort of figured I would get into one and not the other and have my decision made for me. Ha! It's a good problem to have I suppose!

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Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.
Thank you!!! Both are very good. That's how I chose them in terms of applying, but I sort of figured I would get into one and not the other and have my decision made for me. Ha! It's a good problem to have I suppose!

It is a great problem! I would consider everything (nclex, how far are you from Curry's campus vs Umass, find out which clinical sites each school utilizes and how far you are from those) I chose a school very close to me because I worked full time and school at night so I didn't want a long commute.... that alone is very draining.

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Specializes in NICU.
In my experience, yes. I believe that all of the local schools here (ASN & BSN) include a preceptorship in the final semester.

I had a 135 hr Capstone/ Senior Preceptorship.

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That's good advice!!! The cohort is small and I guess the placement sites are made by the school well in advance which I guess can be both good and bad because there is less flexibility. Since my husband is a fireman with a rotating schedule and we have 4 small kids I'm hoping it's as close to what they're saying it will be as possible. Fingers crossed.

I can't speak to the quality of education, but are you SURE that you can do the schedule of the ABSN? I only had 3 kids in nursing school, but even having one there was NO WAY that I could have done the ABSN. We have 2 local ABSN programs and they both entailed too many hours to be able to be a mom and I imagine the stress level would not have made me a good mom when I actually was present. Yes, I would have finished earlier, but my kids would not have known who I was. I loved the ASN program - it was only 1.5 days a week with summers and winter break off with my kids. I'd take the 21 months of ASN (Aug-May) over the 16 months ABSN any day. Because of my prior BS, I was able to finish my BSN online in 8 months, again with minimal impact to my family and I was hired into my dream specialty at my dream hospital. I'd just recommend that you really consider the impact to your kids. The only plus side is your kids will maybe adjust to you working better - mine had a hard time with me working 3 days a week, but since you'll be home more once you're working it could be better?

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