Accelerated BSN

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

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.

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

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...

I think it is incredible that you were able to work full time while going through an accelerated program! Our program does not allow students to work more than 12 hours per week. We only have one student that does work, and she is struggling with just those 12 hours!

Megsd, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2007

I'm in my second quarter (of 5) of a 15-month Accelerated BSN program and I get a TON of clinical time and am learning a TON also. We had clinical 2 half days a week last quarter (7-12) and now twice a week 7-4. I've been on a cardiac unit, an advanced care unit, and the coronary ICU. I also get a day in the ER and the cardiac cath lab this quarter. The only regret I have heard from graduates in my program is not seeking out skill opportunities. I am not above asking other nurses if they see anything neat or if they have an IV that needs done, to consider calling me. Sometimes just because your patient doesn't have an NG tube or something else you want to practice with doesn't mean the patient down the hall doesn't!

I am really having a good time so far in my program and feel like I am progressing nicely.