accelerated courses in DC metro area

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hi all. i live in MD and work in DC and am looking to take my pre-reqs in either locale...but can't seem to find any that are offered accelerated. i know i saw a thread on here where someone mentioned taking an accelerated pre-req (i think microbio or organic chem?) in the area....but i can't remember the title. anyway, if anyone knows of a school in DC or MD that offers accelerated courses i'd greatly appreciate it. i've decided i am going to go for a 2nd degree BSN and want to get there sooner than later! ;)

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Hi! I'm not sure if this helps at all but George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, Marymount University, and Shenandoah University in Leesburg all have accelerated BSN programs for students already holding a previous degree.

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Howard University also has an accelerated BSN program. I do belive Marymount is the best in the area.

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Specializes in Medical-Oncology.

Also, try the U. of Maryland's Shady Grove campus. I believe they have an accelerated program as well. As far as pre-requ's are concerned, I have never heard of an accelerated class. You can do a few courses online and then take the sciences at UDC (inexpensive) or Montgomery College or elsewhere in the evenings.

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Depending on which courses you are talking about, it is possible to study on your own and "test out" some courses. Learn about CLEP and DANTES subject standardized tests.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/examinations/DSST.htm

This is not for everyone because you have to know the material to pass. But some people know subject matter, such as chemistry, from taking it in high school. Paying a small fee to take a test is a lot less expensive than taking a course. And of course, it can speed up accumulating your credits.

In addition, if you really want to take a full class on a subject, such as psychology, sociology or statistics, there are a lot of accredited distance learning programs. See: www.degree.net to learn more. You may be able to begin at any time. You may choose to overlap those courses with other course work you are taking. And some of those online courses may be short -- like only a couple months.

Let me change the subject slightly. I dont know exactly which courses or degrees you are talking about. Let's say you have a 2-year AASN degree and want to proceed. If you are an RN already, I suggest that you consider the Walden university program. You can then proceed directly to an MSN, without a BSN! It is a three year program (accredited by both NLN and the federal government) and is faster than completing a BSN and MSN separately. I estimate that the Walden tuition (RN to MSN for nurses without a BSN) would be about $21K, not bad (excluding books, etc). Walden is a distance learning University. They help you arrange your clinical supervision with a local clinical preceptor. I don't work for them, but I advocate distance learning because it can be much more convenient. See: http://www.waldenu.edu/

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Howard University also has an accelerated BSN program. I do belive Marymount is the best in the area.

Hi, I found your post on this thread and wanted to ask a question. Where did you hear that Marymount is the best program in the area? I am looking at 2nd degree accelerated programs and I'm comparing GMU to Marymount. Any info would be great!

Thanks,

Jason

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Im trying to compare GMU with Marymount as well, I hear good and bad about both so it's hard to tell...

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I just graduated from Marymount's 2nd degree program and can say it was comprehensive and demanding, but I think thats the same for all 2nd degree programs. I've spoken to some Mason students and they say the same for the Mason program, but it's also packed into 1 year. I wasn't willing to go that route with a family at home. Just be prepared to have a whirlwind educational experience and put your life on hold if you decide to try a 2nd degree program. It's super-demanding and will take all your time but is totally worth it in the end.

Best luck,

Jason

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Awesome, thanks for the info!! What were the clinical rotations like? Did u get a lot of different experience, do u feel prepared now in the field? How about for the nursing exam? Sorry for all the questions!!

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No problem. In response to your questions...

1. Clinicals vary depending on where you go. Mine were great, but I seem to have lucked out. I did rootations at Reston Hospital, and Fairfax Hosp.

2. My experience was fine, but you'll learn in nursing school that clinical experience is only a little like nursing experience. You have a lot of extra stuff to do as a student that gets in the way of actual nursing, but don't be discouraged, it's all part of the learning experience.

3. You'll never feel "prepared" during nursing school, get used to it.

4. You'll never feel "prepared" for the NCLEX exam, see above.

Feel free to ask more questions as they come up, and ask more folks than just me, nursing school is the same and different for all of us.

Jason

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Jason, I also am planning on either attending Marymount or GMU in the fall. Have you heard any feedback on GMU's accelerated program? How is the internship segment of Marymount handled? Do you feel Marymount was the right choice or do you have any regrets?

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Jason, I also am planning on either attending Marymount or GMU in the fall. Have you heard any feedback on GMU's accelerated program? How is the internship segment of Marymount handled? Do you feel...

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