Accelerated BSN number of credits

AnnaN5 · Feb 21, 2004

For anyone here that is in an accelerated BSN program, how many credit hours do you take per semester?
At my school for the first 2 semesters (the accelerated program is a total of 4 semesters-continuous- including the summer for 16 months) include 5 classes with around 16 credits total. Is this typical?
Also, for those in accelerated BSN programs how much time do you have to do non-academic things, outside of nursing school?

I have also been looking into accelerated programs that range from 12-16 months in length and each semester you have 15-16 credits. All the schools have said that the programs are very intense, they advise not working at all and say for the year or so you won't have a whole lot of 'free time'. Essentially its like cramming 2 years into 1 so I'm sure its pretty hard work.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

For anyone here that is in an accelerated BSN program, how many credit hours do you take per semester?
At my school for the first 2 semesters (the accelerated program is a total of 4 semesters-continuous- including the summer for 16 months) include 5 classes with around 16 credits total. Is this typical?
Also, for those in accelerated BSN programs how much time do you have to do non-academic things, outside of nursing school?

What do you consider an accelerated BSN program? Is it for students who already have their RN? Or is it one that goes year round? My program (once you are accepted- after all prereques are completed),is a total of 5 semesters including summer. After this semester I'll just have my nursing classes to complete. This semester I have a nursing research class and a Life Journey class (Senior level writing) along with my nursing Theory I class. These are classes I need to graduate but are not prereques. Next semester and actually the rest of my program I will only have two classes each semester: The Nursing TheoryII-4 credits, and Nursing clinical II 7 credits, Nursing Theory III - 4 credits (this is also a supplemental writing class - yippee :uhoh21: ) Nursing Clinical III 6 credits, Nursing Theory iV - 4 credits, Nursing Cinical IV - 7 credits.(which consists of weekly labs, weekly seminars and the clinical rotations). The clinicals are pass/fail, Theory is graded. Does this sound similar to yours? Oh and free time - I have two children that we keep active so that's basically where my "extra"time goes (other than on allnurse.com).

AnnaN5 · Feb 21, 2004

What do you consider an accelerated BSN program? Is it for students who already have their RN? Or is it one that goes year round? My program (once you are accepted- after all prereques are completed),is a total of 5 semesters including summer. After this semester I'll just have my nursing classes to complete. This semester I have a nursing research class and a Life Journey class (Senior level writing) along with my nursing Theory I class. These are classes I need to graduate but are not prereques. Next semester and actually the rest of my program I will only have two classes each semester: The Nursing TheoryII-4 credits, and Nursing clinical II 7 credits, Nursing Theory III - 4 credits (this is also a supplemental writing class - yippee :uhoh21: ) Nursing Clinical III 6 credits, Nursing Theory iV - 4 credits, Nursing Cinical IV - 7 credits.(which consists of weekly labs, weekly seminars and the clinical rotations). The clinicals are pass/fail, Theory is graded. Does this sound similar to yours? Oh and free time - I have two children that we keep active so that's basically where my "extra"time goes (other than on allnurse.com).

Accelerated BSN programs are for people who have a BS/BA in another subject and want to go into nursing. They are year round programs that last from 12 to 16 months depending on the program.

Not all colleges that have nursing have these accelerated/second degree programs but thankfully many more are starting.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

Accelerated BSN programs are for people who have a BS/BA in another subject and want to go into nursing. They are year round programs that last from 12 to 16 months depending on the program.

That's right. I think I've asked you that before. :imbar Our program is not any shorter for someone that has their BA/BS in another degree though. It's the same amount of time and they have to have essentially the same prereques completed as everyone else does. They wouldn't have to complete a "theme" though. A theme at my school is just three extra classes my school added to get us to pay even more money. An example of a theme (which is the one I'm taking), is The Human Journey and there are three out of five classes we can choose from in order complete this "theme". One of the classes is Human Growth and Development which all the nursing students have to take anyway as a prereq. I enjoyed the classes and read books that I otherwise would have never made time for but would have been just as happy not taking these classes.

AnnaN5 · Feb 21, 2004

That's right. I think I've asked you that before. :imbar Our program is not any shorter for someone that has their BA/BS in another degree though. It's the same amount of time and they have to have essentially the same prereques completed as everyone else does. They wouldn't have to complete a "theme" though. A theme at my school is just three extra classes my school added to get us to pay even more money. An example of a theme (which is the one I'm taking), is The Human Journey and there are three out of five classes we can choose from in order complete this "theme". One of the classes is Human Growth and Development which all the nursing students have to take anyway as a prereq. I enjoyed the classes and read books that I otherwise would have never made time for but would have been just as happy not taking these classes.

Yeah I finally got my info packet from GVSU. They have a lower gpa requirement than the other accelerated programs in the state of Michigan but the program is longer. You only have to have a 2.0 in HS 208, HS 290, HS 212, PSY 364, BIO 355 and CHM 230 and a 2.8 overall gpa from your prior degree. Then you get placed into the program for 5 semesters which I assume is the normal track. The only good thing is that I have already taken equivalents to HS 305, HS 310, HS 311 and STA 215 so I would only have to take 5 credits the first semester, 7 the second then the normal 13, 12, 13.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

Yeah I finally got my info packet from GVSU. They have a lower gpa requirement than the other accelerated programs in the state of Michigan but the program is longer. You only have to have a 'C' in HS 208, HS 290, HS 212, PSY 364, BIO 355 and CHM 230 and a 2.8 overall gpa from your prior degree. Then you get placed into the program for 5 semesters which I assume is the normal track. The only good thing is that I have already taken equivalents to HS 305, HS 310, HS 311 and STA 215 so I would only have to take 5 credits the first semester, 7 the second then the normal 13, 12, 13.

Did GVSU accept your equivalents? GVSU is very picky with what classes they choose to accept. And yes, although you only need a 2.0 to pass a class, you can't get into the nursing program with a 2.0. Did you have a cadavar lab in your last degree? You also have to have a 3.0 in HS 208 (Human Anatomy) before going into the HS 309 (cadavar lab). What is HS 290? I don't have that on my coursework. Is it HS 280 that you mean? Human Physiology? You don't sound too happy with the curriculum. Have you decided not to attend GVSU?

AnnaN5 · Feb 21, 2004

Did GVSU accept your "equivalents"?GVSU is very picky with what classes they choose to accept. Did you have a cadavar lab in your last degree? You also have to have a 3.0 in HS 208 (Human Anatomy) before going into the HS 309 (cadavar lab). What is HS 290? I don't have that on my coursework. Is it HS 280 that you mean? Human Physiology? I'm assuming that you are choosing not to attend GVSU?

They will accept you with a 2.0 in all of those pre-reqs I listed and a 2.8 gpa from your previous degree.

Yeah I have spoke with Wanda Moerland and they would accept my courses to transfer. In the information that I was sent, you dont have to take HS 309, just HS 208 but I did have a cadavar lab previously. HS 290 is Human Physiology. I haven't decided where I am going to attend, I haven't turned in any applications yet to accelerated programs. I have turned in applications to a couple ADN programs near my hometown. I am not actually officially done with my degree here at Michigan State until July so things are up in the air right now as what I am going to do.

I really want to get into a nursing program, whether than be accelerated BSN or ADN but I am trying to work on the money issue at the moment. I currently have $13,000 in loans from my current degree not counting what my parents have borrowed, so I don't know how I feel about racking up another $10,000+ in debt. :uhoh21:

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

They will accept you with a 2.0 in all of those pre-reqs I listed and a 2.8 gpa from your previous degree.
Yeah I have spoke with Wanda Moerland and they would accept my courses to transfer. In the information that I was sent, you dont have to take HS 309, just HS 208 but I did have a cadavar lab previously. :uhoh21:

I don't think that information is correct. That's also what it says on the website but everyone that I know in my program that is on their second degree had to take HS 309 like everyone else. I've e-mailed KSON though to make sure. I hope it all works out for you!

AnnaN5 · Feb 21, 2004

I don't think that information is correct. That's also what it says on the website but everyone that I know in my program that is on their second degree had to take HS 309 like everyone else. I've e-mailed KSON though to make sure. I hope it all works out for you!

Hmm..maybe it's not correct. I just figured the info was accurate since it was in their official admissions packet thing. Who knows....lol.

Would you mind telling me how much per credit hour you pay? The only thing I can find is that for 12-16 credits its $2927...so they only charge you a flat rate?

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Feb 22, 2004

Hmm..maybe it's not correct. I just figured the info was accurate since it was in their official admissions packet thing. Who knows....lol.
Would you mind telling me how much per credit hour you pay? The only thing I can find is that for 12-16 credits its $2927...so they only charge you a flat rate?

Let me look it up as I receive a scholarship. Basically yes, it's a flat rate and depends on what year of school you are in. I'm a senior so I pay the most. I will look it up and see if there is any other info I can give you.

pnurseuwm · Feb 22, 2004

Thanks for your posts guys.

Any other accelerated BSNers out there? All coments are welcome. :)