Accelerated Bsn For 2nd Degree Students

veggiegarden · Aug 10, 2006

Yep, been there, done that.

It was fast, intense, and I thought of quitting many times, but it feels soooo good to be finished! However, if I had the money (e.g., if my partner made good money or I had a nice savings acct so that I wouldn't have to worry about finishing school quickly to get a job/stable income) and putting off starting a family was not a concern to me, I would have preferred the 2 year program. Depends what your own personal wants and needs are. GL deciding! It is certainly doable.

MiaNJ · Aug 10, 2006

Is anyone in an accelerated BSN program (generally 13 months)? I am trying to decide if I should go through the 13 month or the traditional 2 year program. Does anyone have an opinion about the program or insight as to the degree of difficulty compared to the two year program?

I'm in an Accel program right now, about half way thru. Yes, it's intense and fast paced but I've also learned alot. I quit my job, since most people do, it's just to much studying to have a job at the same time.

The main reason I like this program better is that I already have a BA, and the with traditional programs you either have to take certain 'general Ed' classes that they require but not core nursing, and may or may not accept all your previous credits. Plus, they generally have a long waiting list, often a few yrs to get into the program.

Besides, if I already have a BA it didn't make sense to go to a 2yr college and get an Associates. I am getting a second BA with the program I am in now.

There are not really much shortcuts though, it's still about 2 yrs worth of college courses (if taken at a regular pace) within 12-16 mos. The program I am in is only 12 mos, but many are between 14-16.

There are no summer vacations, and the courseload is heavy each semester.

All the general ed courses (i.e. math, biology, social sciences, history, etc. ) that you took during your BA, in addition to the science prereqs (i.e. A&P I & II, Microbiology, etc) that you must take BEFORE you enter the program, are all transferred, so in the end you achieve over 100 credits +, which makes up another BA. This case, BSN.

So it's not a shortcut route, just more classes in a shorter time span, and you get to transfer your previous courses to make up the general ed requirements.

It takes a lot of dedication and studying, but you can get thru it fast.

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2006

Mia summed it up. I finish semester one of a 4 semester accelerated BSN (2nd degree) TOMORROW!!!!! It has been intense, but very rewarding. In my program they let you work, but a max of 12 hours per week. There is no way I could have done it this summer, but supposedly things slow down in the fall so I might try to find something. You have to have a good support system at home to get this done, my hubby is great about helping out. He is in school too and works full time, so we are generally nuts! I think the accelerated programs are great if you can focus well, study hard, and don't mind putting your life on hold for a year and a half!

lifeLONGstudent · Aug 23, 2006

just graduated from tcu - 15 month accelerated bsn.

compressed is the correct description... an accelerated bsn is definately not a shortcut. you will study your butt off, but you can do it. i managed to graduate with honors (magna cum laude) only because i didn't work while in school. fleur is on the same program now that i just finished... and she is right - you sign an agreement that you realize that the school advises you not to work more than 12 hours per week.

fleur - hate to break it to you... it doesn't get easier. i was the one at the luncheon who told you "to take advantage of the first semester - the summer classes were an easy a compared to the rest of it". as you probably realized today, you begin to mix with the tbt students in larger classes today and it will be this way until next august. nothing is really that difficult as fas as material content goes... the hard thing is keeping up with all the assignments and readings... every semester you take about 16-18 hours and have 2 or 3 clinicals during the semester. just the paperwork for 3 clinicals will drive you to drink (i recommend chili's at happy hour).

do not fall behind in adult i class --- that class is hell. if she tells you to look at a table from her reading notes, you better memorize that table for the exam. the key to adult i tests is to know the tiny details of her reading notes... she is very tricky on the tests. just take your time and think it through.

"you can do it.... because others have" --- that was my motto

lifelongstudent

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2006

After the first day of class yesterday, I am thinking of abandoning my job search! This semester (like all) is going to be intense! I was trying to find something in a hospital setting to make it easier to get a job after graduation, but I don't think it will be worth it to work all weekend and slave away all week! Good luck to everyone starting this week!