Accelerated BSN

Hi amy 123,

Accelerated BSN programs are for people who already have bachelor's degrees and want to go on to get their BSN. No personal experience here, but accelerated BSN programs should be as good as any other program out there. If you have the necessary background, the accelerated BSN might be a good option for you because its quicker than the alternatives and in the end it would probably be cheaper than getting a ADN and going on to get a BSN. There are many, many threads out there on these topics so you might want to do some searching using the seach function on the top of the page under Forums.

Good luck!

Thank you for the reply. I will have to get used to this site. It's great to able to share and speak with others on nursing advice! So thanks again!

You might want to look at some of my other posts on the topic. I am halfway through an accelerated BSN (15 month) and the only benefit is the shorter time. If I had it to do again, I would go the 2 year route. The accel. program is unbvelievably challenging and basically you have no life for the length of it. While I feel I am getting a good education, I have sacrificed much for it already. Feel free to PM me with any questions specifically. Good luck!

I'm in my LAST semester of the Accelerated BSN and I agree with Fleur-de-lis, it's very challenging and you have to sacrifice everything. Your life is put on hold for the length of the program.

I never gave though of walking this spring, but after so much blood, sweat and tears, you better believe I'll be there walking with my fellow classmates!

I am in my final semester as well and I concur with all the above posts. I'm sure that either route will be challenging. I guess your decision should be based on how bad and how soon you want it.

You might want to look at some of my other posts on the topic. I am halfway through an accelerated BSN (15 month) and the only benefit is the shorter time. If I had it to do again, I would go the 2 year route. The accel. program is unbvelievably challenging and basically you have no life for the length of it. While I feel I am getting a good education, I have sacrificed much for it already. Feel free to PM me with any questions specifically. Good luck!

Hello. Thanks for the advice! I have my BS in biology and was thinking that I may be able handle the intensive course work. I do not have any kids and would like o get the RN as soon as I can. Plus, the state school I am looking which offers the acc bsn also offers financial aid and my local community college (2-yr RN route) does not b/c I already have a BS. But my main focus is getting into a program where I can get as much clinical exp. so I don't go in the "real world" with little or no knowledge. My question is, how is the clinical experience in your program. Do you feel like you're learning a lot? Hope to hear back from you.

Thanks again!

If you already have a BS, and already have the majority of your prereqs done, I probably wouldn't do just an RN program unless you know the school in your area is better or unless cost is a major factor. The upper division BSN program at most schools is about two years as well, it just requires more prereqs usually than an RN program. You'll have already taken most of those for your first degree. I have a previous degree and should start an accelerated BSN program in May. Mine is 15 months. One big difference is that we go full time, straight through, whereas the regular students only have I think one course to take over two summers. I am in no way knocking ASN programs, it always depends on your circumstances, but I would go for the highest degree that you have time for and can afford while you still have the time and money. That's what I am doing, so if I decide I want to do a MS at some point I can just apply without having to pick away at a few classes at a time online to get the BSN first. Look into all that's available to you, see what prereqs you still have to complete, and find out how each school in your area does admissions. Accelerated programs are often a little easier to get into because of fewer applicants as well. Good luck, whatever you decide!

Where are you finding 2 year programs? Here it would take 3... an accelerated BS-BSN program seems the only solution for me.

Hello.

Just to answer your question, the local community college is the 2 yr. RN route, and the accelerated BSN program(s) can be 12-18 months depending on the program. The program I am looking at is 15 months. There are only a few here in CA that offer the acc. bsn. I'm still researching programs.

Hello,

I graduated from an accelerated BSN program 4 years ago and you really don't need to put your entire life on hold to get through it. I thought it was great. Time management skills are a must but I was still able to work full time and managed to have a life outside of school. It was however, more expensive than other programs. If you have any questions about getting through it or whatever, feel free to PM me as well. I don't see any differences between what I was taught and studied as compared to what the nurses I work with were taught and studied... Good Luck.

If you already have a BS in biology, you may be able to finish a BSN in two years anyway by transferring into a standard four-year program. I have a prior degree and am currently in a traditional program with a goal of shifting into the accelerated 15-month program. If I don't get into the accelerated program, the standard BSN will take only two years because so much of my coursework was done previously.

Hello. Thanks for the advice! I have my BS in biology and was thinking that I may be able handle the intensive course work. I do not have any kids and would like o get the RN as soon as I can. Plus, the state school I am looking which offers the acc bsn also offers financial aid and my local community college (2-yr RN route) does not b/c I already have a BS. But my main focus is getting into a program where I can get as much clinical exp. so I don't go in the "real world" with little or no knowledge. My question is, how is the clinical experience in your program. Do you feel like you're learning a lot? Hope to hear back from you.

Thanks again!

Sorry for the delayed response! I had heard from my micro instructor at a different school to beware accelerated programs because you do not get much clinical experience. I find that is certainly not true. The State Board of Nursing requires the same hours of clinicals for all programs, and the only difference is the schedule. For instance, last semester we had clinicals in Adult I (MED/Surg), Psych, and Maternity/OB all in the same semester, whereas the traditional students do not take all 3 in the same semester.

This semester, my group is taking Pedi clinicals on Fridays and Saturdays for the first 5 weeks of the semester. We have classes on Tues and Thurs and we have Mon and Wed off. Then for the remainder of the semester, we have Adult II Clinical on Mon (ICU/Critical care) and Community Health Clinical on Wed, our normal classes on Tues and Thurs, and are off Fri and Sat. We are always off Sun. We also have an online class, and lots of study! But our clinical hours are the same as anyone else and we learn just as much, if not more since we really have to prove ourselves as accelerated students. I'll be happy to answer any other questions.