ABSN vs. BSN

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi all,

I just found out (today) that I cannot apply to both the traditional and accelerated BSN programs at CSU-Pueblo. I thought I saw somewhere on this site that accelerated programs were "easier" to get into, is this true? The program would not start until Summer of '09 and the traditional starts in the Spring of '09. I just don't know what I would do until the program starts considering I will finish my prereqs fall semester.

Any thoughts?

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Specializes in ICU.

For the Portland, Oregon metro area the Accelerated BSN programs are just as competitive as the BSN and ADN programs. Most schools here average between 600 and 900 applicants each year. If you have time, get your CNA, it could make you more competitive in the application process. Work and save money for school - Good Luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Having done an accelerated one-year program, I'd say do the traditional BSN. No matter how good the program or school is (and I went to an Ivy), there's no substitute for clinical time and practice. I felt pretty underprepared when I started working.

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For the Portland, Oregon metro area the Accelerated BSN programs are just as competitive as the BSN and ADN programs. Most schools here average between 600 and 900 applicants each year. If you have time, get your CNA, it could make you more competitive in the application process. Work and save money for school - Good Luck!

A lot of schools neither ask about nor want to know about your work experience. So ask at the schools where you're applying if work experience counts toward your admissions ranking.

Around here, it's a teensy bit easier to get into the 1 year ABSN programs, because they are expensive. When I say "easier", I mean their classes fill up a little less quickly. But they do fill up!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

At my two local universities, the accelerated programs appear to be more competitive; they are cheaper and they are faster and hence attract more candidates and/or better qualified candidates.

I'd imagine the answer to that question depends on the specific institutions that one is considering.

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Having done an accelerated one-year program, I'd say do the traditional BSN. No matter how good the program or school is (and I went to an Ivy), there's no substitute for clinical time and practice. I felt pretty underprepared when I started working.

Actually, the clinical time required should be the same for both BSN and ABSN, because they both have to meet the same state requirements.

I am about to start my last 4 months of my ABSN program, and after talking with several people from the class before mine, I am very glad I did it this way. My program has had a 100% NCLEX pass rate, and the students all had jobs waiting for them upon graduation. It is common for just about ALL nursing students, in any school, in any part of the country, to feel a bit overwhelmed when starting their first job. This is normal, and hospital know this. That is why many of the best hospitals around the country offer new grad training programs that last up to 1-year, as they know that there is still a lot to learn. There are many differences between the way you learn things in nursing school, and the way things are done in the "real world". There is a learning curve after graduation, it will take just about everyone several months to start feeling comfortable with their new career. That is just a reality, and it is part of life.

I can't stress enough the time and money I have saved by going through the ABSN program, and I feel I had a much better experience by being in classes with other older / career changing people like me. The teachers all said they really enjoy teaching ABSN students because we are more likely to challenge them, and in turn, they treat us more like adults / peers then they do with their traditional students. So of course, I would HIGHLY recommend doing an ABSN program. It's not easy, but it is all worth the effort.

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if you have a choice, i would advise you to go the traditional route. i went through an accelerated program, and felt myself "rushed" through the whole experience. i had no choice, as doing the accelerated route was my last and only option. clinical hours are the same, as well as classroom time. however, you are doing a semesters worth of work in a matter of 6-8 weeks. i think the traditional route will allow you to soak in the information much better. it's like making bbq. you cook the bbq too fast and the meat comes out burned and tough. you cook the bbq slowly, and it comes out tender and juicy!

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