Accelerated Nursing Programs

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Aug 19, 2015

I graduated from Indiana State in Aug 2014 and went through their ABSN program. It was the only program that I applied to. They require the TEAS V as an entrance exam. I felt prepared for NCLEX and working as a new grad. Over half of my classmates (plus me) passed NCLEX at 75 questions. The program has a near 100% pass rate (Indiana BON combines the traditional, ABSN, RN-BSN in their stats so the school pass rate is lower). I had a classmate that had just graduated from Univ. of Ill. Urbana prior to the ABSN program.

I think I learned more than I would have in a traditional program. Since everyone had previous degrees, the main instructor encouraged class participation in the lecture when the students can add their experiences from their previous career or degree. I had classmates that came from careers in Athletic training, Psychology, Neurobiology. The instructor stated that he enjoyed teaching the ABSN program because he learns things every semester from students that he can use in the next cohort. It was far from a teacher lecturing and students sit quietly and take notes.

The first semester was a lesson in time management. Tests, papers, projects came fast and often, so you need to get organized quickly before you get behind.

jj224 · Aug 19, 2015

Hey

I went to UIUC too. Graduated a million years ago. Make sure get an A in your prereqs since your GPA is low. If you want to stay in Chicago, check out Rush or DePaul. Both are Masters programs but they are also pretty expensive. Based on your GPA you'll probably have to take the GRE. Loyola has a good accelerated bachelors program, but also expensive. Cheapest route would be community college for ADN, then an ADN to BSN program. Send me a private message if you have more questions.

Margotrita · Aug 19, 2015

I applied to one program and really didn't have a plan B if i didn't get accepted. Your undergrad GPA is probably okay if you have A's in all of your prereq's. Speak with the admission director at your schools of interest. I learned so much from mine about what I need to do to make myself an eligible candidate. Good luck! You can do this!

_zoubisoubisou_ · Aug 19, 2015

I just graduated this month from FSU's ABSN. It was the most difficult year of my life and no amount of money in the world would ever encourage me to go back! That said, I feel so accomplished and am very much looking forward to a rewarding nursing career. You definitely have to be able to adapt easily and roll with the punches. If I would not have stayed 3 steps ahead, I would've fallen behind in a split second. So relieved it is OVER.

I did take the TEAS-V. FSU did not require this, but other schools I applied to did.

I applied to 3 programs (2 in Florida, 1 in Oregon, and 1 in Tennessee). I got in to 3 out of the 4. I was having anxiety thinking that I hadn't applied for enough schools. What if I didn't get in to any of them?! Luckily, that was not the case. If I would not have been accepted, I had another list of different schools that was starting 6 months later that I would've applied to. My undergrad was in psych and I had a lot of valuable life and travel experiences that I feel helped me stand out.

In researching programs, my advice would be to check accreditation and reputation. Did past students feel prepared? Was the school curriculum complete chaos? Were the clinical assignments beneficial?

Good luck!