Accelerated BSN vs. RN - opinions

[chiasmus100]

I am a college graduate and am looking at accelerated BSN programs for college graduates. My sister is a an RN and she is telling me ABSN programs ill prepare students for nursing, because the program is so truncated. Opinions? She says the nurses she works with who hold ABSNs don't know what they're doing.

[RNMommy11]

Hmm, a loaded question here. As a current student in a second-degree program myself, I can offer my opinion on my program in particular. I feel like the information is coming at us fast and furious- but absolutely manageable if you are willing to put in the effort. I honestly believe that my professors are doing a great job in preparing us to enter the work force as nurses when we are done with our program. Will I know everything when I graduate? Absolutely not- but I would venture a guess and say that most new grads do not.

I think there are a lot of variables here- each program is set up differently; mine is 16 months, but I saw there are others that are 11 months. I must say I had concerns about a program that was less than a year- I was afraid it would be too much info in too short of a time for me to handle.

The other variable here is the individual- and their work ethic. I would be lying if I told you it was easy- but then again, I just got straight A's in my first semester, and I have 2 kids at home. There were many nights that I stayed up way later than the rest of my family so I could study, but it is what I have to do to prepare myself to be a nurse, so it is worth it.

I guess my best advice to you would be to really investigate the programs you are looking at- find out as much as you can, and see what their pass rates for the NCLEX are. Even better, find some graduates from the program, and see how they felt when they started working.

Good luck to you!