for those of you in a ABSN program

I originally posted this under the student section and on one responded:( So I thought I would try to find my answers here.

Can you please tell me what your semesters were like (what time do you had class v. clinicals), how many days a week were you going to school, were you working at all (if so, weekends only, evenings or nights). How difficult is the program, and if you had a choice would you do it again.

Reason I am asking:

I am looking into a ABSN program, and would like more info regarding how the prgram is structured. I know every school is different, but if I can get a general idea on how the program is run, I am going to apply. Otherwise I will go for my ADN and then my BSN (I already have a bachelors in Arts and Humanities).

Thank you.

If you already have a BA I strongly recommend pursuing the Accelerated track. With that being said the accelerated track is quite demanding, more so than a traditional BSN program or ASN, mainly due to the fact that material is being crammed into a year or so.

Here is a link to a generic ABSN program offered through UMDNJ http://sn.umdnj.edu/academics/accelbsn/ABSN-Stratford.pdf

I began an ABSN program in January. 1st semester 1st 6 weeks classes /labs from anywhere from 9-530. Our cohort was split into 2 labs, so you were able to pick an early or late lab. Fridays we were done by 12. Our clinical days the last 6 weeks were WTh 7-3. We generally had some classes Mon/Tues and off on Friday (although we had plenty of work to do). One class was also online to complete during this time.

2nd semester - class Monday/Tues 8-3ish Clinicals Wed/Thurs 7-3 or 3-11 Fri/Sat 7-3 or 3-11

3rd semester - class Mon/Tues 8-3 clinicals Wed/Thurs 7-4 Fridays have some activities like community health or sim lab - but not for the whole day.

Last 5 weeks will be capstone times to vary.

Hope this helps - good luck!

It depends on what school you're going to?

I'm in my first semester at LSUHSC New Orleans. They have a 22 mos. ABSN called the "CARE" program, and I am thrilled so far. I'm so glad this was the local program...I looked into MANY others across the county, and this one very inexpensive in comparison (even for out of staters!), esp. for the quality of the school. Its part of a Health Sciences Center, so we have some professors who also teach medical students, and first semester anatomy is done on cadavers - not something every nursing student gets to experience!

My class is the 11th to go through the ABSN, and it seems its getting better every year, but I have yet to start clinicals. I'm told that once we do have clinicals, they will be once or twice a week, (appx 12 hours total) and not on class days. Working is not recommended, but this first semester I am still able to work some. There are 5 back to back semesters, the first and fifth are with the traditional students, the middle three are accelerated. This program would be worth moving to New Orleans for (moving to New Orleans is worth it in and of itself, speaking from prior experience) and I am SO glad to be in it!

Hope this helps!

thank you sunny, this information helped me out a lot. I will contact the school to see if their curriculum is similar.

I graduated from an ABSN in May. Just started a Versant Residency program. I would do it again in a heartbeat, why spend 2 years doing what you can accomplish in 1?? Need to have money, relationship and other life issues in line prior to beginning. Here's the blog I wrote while in the program..... There's a few posts where I break down classes, clinicals, schedules, etc. Good luck!!

http://regisacceleratednursing.wordpress.com/

I graduated from an ABSN Dec' 10.....My university was 5 days a wk hours varied, clinicals 2 days a week hours varied depending which clinical, community clinicals, lectures, sim lab....countless hours preparing for the different tests or homework, or power point presentations, group meet ups, etc...

I agree...depends on which school you go to....if you get your ADN you can do your BSN online....if you do BSN as an undergrad you have to attend class/hybrid courses....

I also worked as a CNA/unit secretary 40 hrs./wk I did weekends and evenings or mornings....depends on what my school hours were at that time....

GOOD LUCK!

It will vary a lot depending on the school. I suggest going to the AN boards for the state your potential schools are in and ask there: they might have info more applicable to you.