Accelarted 2nd degree BSN programs

19Monica79 · Jan 31, 2006

I'm a 2nd degree student in an Associate's program (have a BA in another discipline). It is a 12 month program and it is pretty difficult to juggle everything. Be prepared to not have any social life and determine if you can quit your job. I only have 4 months left and I'm stretched for time and cash and sanity. I know someone who is doing a 2nd degree MSN program (she has a BA too). Her program is 16 months (I believe) and she regrets doing it. I can't imagine cramming a Master's program into that short amount of time considering I'm borderline overloaded right now. I don't know what your study skills are or what type of student you are, but I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose!!!

Kathyz · Jan 31, 2006

Hopefully I'll be accepted into a 12 month ABSN program which starts this May. I heard they make you sign a contract stating you will not work. I'm not sure how work would be possible. It's everyday 8-5 for 12 months. I heard it's extremely hectic, but that's the price of admission to be an RN in 1 year. :rolleyes:

Columnist · Jan 31, 2006

I am doing prereqs now to apply to a 16-month accelerated BSN program. I do not plan on working because my husband has a good job that can mostly support us, and I plan to use my remaining student loan money to pay for the tuition.

I know it will be very stressful. We start clinicals the very first semester, and that sounds very daunting to someone with no prior healthcare experience! But I know previous students in the program have an excellent track record of completing the program successfully, so that's reassuring.

Like 19Monica79 said, I'm prepared not to have any social life. I think I'm a little better prepared for this, mentally, because I have several doctors/nurses/PAs/paramedics in my family, and I have seen what they've gone through. I think my 16 months will be a walk in the park, comparatively.

I think it also helps to have family members (a special, big shout-out to my husband!) who are solidly supportive. My family considers this a team effort and will quite literally pitch in to help with mundane tasks such as housework and cooking, so I can focus on my goal. I feel extremely lucky.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2006

Hi all!

Three of the programs I've applied to are accelerated, and one is not. All of them scare me.

We're lucky enough that my not working isn't an issue, and after struggling for money and time during my first undergrad, I am very grateful for that. I know how lucky I am to not have to worry.

I don't think us starting clinicals right away is any different from anyone else at a traditional four year university; the program I've applied to at UNC is a traditional 24-month program - I just would get credit for the first two years as I already have a BS - and they of course start clinicals right away. We're just starting nursing school right off the bat and have not had to go through the general college coursework first (except for any prereqs we were missing) with the other students.

That said, it doesn't make ME feel any better either.

I contemplated applying to Vanderbilt (direct entry to practice MSN), which would take two years, but I didn't want to have to pick a specialty yet - even though I'm pretty sure it's going to be peds.

I picked primarily accelerated BSNs because it cuts a minimum of six months off the time (one I applied to is a year program). I expect to pay for the privilege with some sweat, you know?

*future_RN* · Jan 31, 2006

I'm a 2nd degree student in an Associate's program (have a BA in another discipline). It is a 12 month program and it is pretty difficult to juggle everything. Be prepared to not have any social life and determine if you can quit your job. I only have 4 months left and I'm stretched for time and cash and sanity. I know someone who is doing a 2nd degree MSN program (she has a BA too). Her program is 16 months (I believe) and she regrets doing it. I can't imagine cramming a Master's program into that short amount of time considering I'm borderline overloaded right now. I don't know what your study skills are or what type of student you are, but I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose!!!

hi,

thanks so much for taking the time to reply! This is exactly what I was thinking....every day I go from wanting so much to be in the program to not wanting to do it in 12 months :uhoh21: my God just the thought of the 12 weeks makes me :uhoh3: . Congrats on having 4 months to go.....:balloons: :balloons:.

*future_RN* · Jan 31, 2006

Hopefully I'll be accepted into a 12 month ABSN program which starts this May. I heard they make you sign a contract stating you will not work. I'm not sure how work would be possible. It's everyday 8-5 for 12 months. I heard it's extremely hectic, but that's the price of admission to be an RN in 1 year.

this is how the program that I am applying for is. :uhoh3: :uhoh21: Good luck w/admissions....I keep saying to myself that I will probably have to be admitted at the end of the program :rolleyes: .

*future_RN* · Jan 31, 2006

I am doing prereqs now to apply to a 16-month accelerated BSN program. I do not plan on working because my husband has a good job that can mostly support us, and I plan to use my remaining student loan money to pay for the tuition.
I know it will be very stressful. We start clinicals the very first semester, and that sounds very daunting to someone with no prior healthcare experience! But I know previous students in the program have an excellent track record of completing the program successfully, so that's reassuring.
Like 19Monica79 said, I'm prepared not to have any social life. I think I'm a little better prepared for this, mentally, because I have several doctors/nurses/PAs/paramedics in my family, and I have seen what they've gone through. I think my 16 months will be a walk in the park, comparatively.
I think it also helps to have family members (a special, big shout-out to my husband!) who are solidly supportive. My family considers this a team effort and will quite literally pitch in to help with mundane tasks such as housework and cooking, so I can focus on my goal. I feel extremely lucky.

can I be in ur family,please pretty please? My husband has two more years to go for his PhD so he has no time to do anything but thesis/grading papers & research....I do everything around here. Mentally & physically it's taking it toll on me but I can't show it. If it gets any worse,than what it currently is, I may have to put off my plans for a year or two until he is finished w/his PhD. We stay miles away for our family :crying2: and it's just us three up here(me,DH & lil one who is 4) so it's SO SO hard for me....it's seems that between school,housework and everything else I just don't have enough hours in the day.:uhoh21: I am determined not to let this get me down but some days are harder to deal w/than other you know?

*future_RN* · Jan 31, 2006

Hi all!
Three of the programs I've applied to are accelerated, and one is not. All of them scare me.
We're lucky enough that my not working isn't an issue, and after struggling for money and time during my first undergrad, I am very grateful for that. I know how lucky I am to not have to worry.
I don't think us starting clinicals right away is any different from anyone else at a traditional four year university; the program I've applied to at UNC is a traditional 24-month program - I just would get credit for the first two years as I already have a BS - and they of course start clinicals right away. We're just starting nursing school right off the bat and have not had to go through the general college coursework first (except for any prereqs we were missing) with the other students.
That said, it doesn't make ME feel any better either.
I contemplated applying to Vanderbilt (direct entry to practice MSN), which would take two years, but I didn't want to have to pick a specialty yet - even though I'm pretty sure it's going to be peds.
I picked primarily accelerated BSNs because it cuts a minimum of six months off the time (one I applied to is a year program). I expect to pay for the privilege with some sweat, you know?

,

by chance are you in/around the Memphis area? If so, do you mind telling me about the two accelarated BSN programs you applied to? I ask this b/c 24 months sounds better, at least in my head, than 12 months in terms of completion for me.