Accelerated Nursing Program Advice

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Hello all, I'm here because I'm a senior in college and I'm considering applying to an accelerated nursing program in the future after I graduate. I will be graduating with my Biology major and Chemistry minor soon with about a 3.4 gpa (Although with some blemishes on my transcript which required me to retake some classes). Up until recently I did not know what I wanted to do after graduation but recently decided, after talking to a few nurses and healthcare professionals, that nursing is something I would like to explore more. However, after doing some research I realized I would have to take anatomy and physiology and do not have adequate time to do so in my course schedule before graduation. Because of that I was considering taking both courses at a community college to save money. But I've heard from some people that taking those courses at a community college is universally frowned upon by admissions boards and may diminish an applicant's chance of getting accepted. I was wondering if anyone has any input or has had any experiences with something similar to this? Any input would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I got a BA in a liberal arts subject several years ago. When I decided to go back to school for nursing I took all my pre-reqs (with the exception of English Comp which carried forward) from my local community college. LEss than 1/3 the cost of what I would have paid to take the same courses at the university, classes maxed out at 30 (not 120), and I had instructors who taught because they wanted to (not because it was required by their research contract).

I had no problem applying to a number of different programs with my community college coursework and was accepted into a well regarded ABSN program where (so far) I have been able to thrive academically building off the foundational knowledge I got in those classes.

Unless the university has a stated preference for applicants to take their pre-requisite courses somewhere it shouldn't really matter where you take them so long as the school is accredited.

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Hey there, first off thanks for taking the time to reply and ease my nerves a bit! Secondly, when you applied to the ABSN programs did you have any experience working as a CNA or anything like that? I do not so far but am currently trying to find a CNA classes that will work with my university schedule, next semester.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
Hey there, first off thanks for taking the time to reply and ease my nerves a bit! Secondly, when you applied to the ABSN programs did you have any experience working as a CNA or anything like that? I do not so far but am currently trying to find a CNA classes that will work with my university schedule, next semester.

I did have experience working as a CNA when I applied. I had worked for about 1.5 years at an ALF, and about 4 or 5 months for a hospital at the time of my application. I also had about 2 years experience volunteering with a hospice agency.

I do think the experienced helped, because it gave me good stories to pull from during the interview process. (My school does interviews for all ABSN students). It will was a good thing for me in terms of making the decision to go into nursing, and I think has boosted my confidence now in the program. However having CNA experience is not mandatory, all of my classmates have interesting stories in their backgrounds, but not all of them have health care experience.

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Specializes in ER.

I would see if you can find at least three or four programs you would be willing to go to and research admission criteria for each one. I know of one traditional BSN program that prefers their applicants to have taken their classes at the university but most do not seem to care where you get the classes as long as they are "equivalent." Such as the appropriate level.

I'd include one or two traditional programs of either BSN or ADN and maybe a direct-entry MSN program in the mix. You should have at least 3 programs you are willing to apply to.

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Lol, your story sounds just like mine.

I'm sure a handful of schools are picky about their pre-reqs, but for the most part even the top-ranked nursing programs don't really care. I'm sure they realize that CC courses cost less, and they've heard your question many times before. You can contact admission departments directly and ask them whether or not it will influence their admissions decisions.

I'd recommend working as a CNA; it makes applying to nursing school easier, surviving clinical rotations easier, and getting your first new grad nursing job easier. (I'm sure there are a million AN forums on this topic). Once you start an accelerated program, the pace is so fast that you won't have time to get certified, find a job, complete orientation, and actually work. By contrast, if you start a program with an existing CNA job, it's relatively easy to continue to pick up shifts throughout nursing school. In my state, it is possible to 'challenge' the CNA exam by taking the test without taking the course. I had a bunch of friends in my first degree who challenged the exam by reading a review book to prep for the written portion and watching demonstration videos to prep for the practical portion. I'm guessing they had a harder time on orientation than their CNA-program-prepared peers, but in certain states it can be done.

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