Accelerated 2nd Bachelors v. Accelerated MSN

OlyNP2b · Feb 13, 2008

Hi there. I am in the same boat as you and here's what I've concluded. I've applied and been accepted into a direct-entry program, but like you, I don't want to jump into an advanced nursing role until I have some work experience under my belt. The closest BSN program will cost $35k, so I don't think this is realistic for myself. Maybe you should look into some ADN programs in your area. You'll have your RN license in 2 years with little to no school debt and if you decide later on to further your studies, you can go straight for a Master's degree since you already have a bachelor's in a non-nursing field. I've looked into several options, and this way allows you to enjoy your educational experience without feeling overwhelmed with an accelerated format and is still flexible enough for advancement as soon as you are ready. Plus, once you're working as an RN, you can always work on your Masters part time or online while you receive some type of educational reimbursement stipend. Everyone's situation is different, and ultimately you'll decide what works best for you. Good luck!

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 13, 2008

I completed Duke's ABSN program in December and passed my boards in January.

I applied to Vanderbilt's direct-entry master's and turned it down - because I didn't want the pressure of having to select a master's specialty with practically zero nursing experience. So I went for Duke. I didn't go to an ADN program because the pace would have driven me nuts and the waiting list in this area is as much as two years long. I'm 34 - I don't have that kind of time; I needed to get a move-on!

I would never say nor assume that the ABSN programs are "easier" or less difficult - in many ways the ABSN program is even harder because your time management has GOT to be top-notch from the start. (For example, in our last semester, we did two semester-long courses in seven weeks - Gero and Community - with care plans, presentations, clinicals, and exams. FOUR in community and two in Gero.) Our Peds rotation was five weeks with a 34 page care plan assignment; the Peds class was eleven weeks over the summer - ditto for OB. Our Adult Health (same as Med-Surg) was one semester and we were required to learn the same material as those in 2 semester courses. 16 of our credits are at the master's level - pathophysiology, physical assessment (same as the FNP students, with the only difference being we were responsible for all normals and not diagnosing specific conditions - we were expected to know what wasn't normal), health promotion/disease prevention, nursing research methods (my class was more grad students than ABSNs) and (THANK GOD!!) research-based statistics (which I am so glad I will never have to take again for grad school). Our pharmacology class was separate from the med-surg class, with its own exams and requirements (in many ADN programs, it's integrated into the med-surg curriculum; I really preferred it separate).

During the 16 months, we completed 1000 clinical hours.

So I would never say the programs are even a TAD bit easier, because that's just not the case. You have less time to learn the EXACT SAME AMOUNT of material - and remember, we all take the same exam in the end and must know enough to pass it and practice safely. If you enter an ABSN, you have to be prepared to work and to not get too much time to breathe. :bugeyes:

On the UP note :) - because that ABSN is the smartest route I've taken in my life - I selected the ABSN for exactly those reasons. I think the slower pace of ADNs, which are all wonderful programs and a great way to become a nurse, would have bored me to death (I am a self-professed adrenaline junkie; I always have to be on the move or I'll get really bored really quick). Yes, it was expensive - but I wouldn't trade either the education or the experience I've gotten for anything. I'm out, I'm working - and had I even gone to UNC's traditional 2nd degree, 2 year program, I wouldn't be out until this May and potentially not taking the boards/starting work until June. I'll be over my probationary period in the hospital before I would have started working had I gone another route. (I got into Duke, Vanderbilt, Case Western, and VCU, but was rejected by UNC's accelerated program and waitlisted by their traditional program - although due to an error that UNC later admitted. To be honest, they must have known I'm not a Tarheel basketball fan.) :smokin:

BTW, I graduated from college in 1995 with honors. I took my next class in 2003. I graduated from Duke within striking distance of a 4.0 and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an international nursing honor society. So don't worry about when you took your last class!

Was it a lot of work? YES!

Was it a lot of money? I think in my case this probably goes without saying....

Was it worth it? DEFINITELY!

Call up the ABSN program(s) you're interested in; see if they have visitation days/open house days/information sessions for potential students and go to one. (For that matter, call any of the programs you're considering and do that.) If they don't, set up an appointment for a tour and a chance to talk with their admissions office. Find a way to talk to current students and graduates; see what they HONESTLY think of the program (and get more than one opinion). Walk anonymously around the campus and just strike up conversations with some current students and get a feel for the environment. I'd also recommend walking around the lobby of the hospital(s) the school is affiliated with - you might run into students there on break. Go have a cup of coffee in the cafeteria and see if you see groups of students. If their instructor is not with them (because it may be a working lunch), ask them do they have a minute for a question or two.

Sit in the library when it's busy and see if you like the atmosphere of the campus. You can learn a lot by observation!

RESEARCH THE SCHOOL yourself. What are their pass rates for NCLEX/attrition rates/mean GPA at graduation and at admission? How many alumni return to that school to pursue a masters (if available)? You might want to also look at loan repayment programs the school and/or its affiliated hospitals may be able to offer you upon graduation - you might be surprised (and you should call the VA regardless of where you go; their loan repayment is insane). Ask the school what it thinks it can do for you as a potential student; what do they feel are the benefits for attending their school - what do they think makes them "different" from other programs??

Your volunteer experience may be more valuable than you think - it may be the beginnings of a great admissions essay, regardless of where you go to school!!

I highly recommend the ABSN experience; I don't regret mine for a minute. But that doesn't mean an ADN isn't the best fit for you; do your research and then come up with your own conclusions.

ETA: to piggyback on the other post before me, you should also research RN-to-MSN programs in your area or ones that you might potentially attend should you go for an ADN. These programs aren't always that clear-cut, and some I've seen may require bachelor-level prereqs (like a pharm class) that you might not get in an ADN program. So be sure you do ALL the math, so to speak.

Music in My Heart · Feb 13, 2008

I'm in a direct-entry accelerated MSN program that doesn't require specialization; the MS portion of our program is the CNL material which provides a solid foundation that's beneficial to anybody at any level and in any field, for that matter. The RN portion is the standard stuff everybody takes although we do have a graduate pathophysiology class to take.

I like the DEMSN route but boy, is the pace ever frenetic.