Accelerated Program Jitters

Wow! Belated congratulations, dudette10!! You're an inspiration! :)

You can do it. I am in an accelerated program and I too, have a family (9yo, 2yo, wife, dog lol). Summer semester was my first semester and it was definitely rough getting adjusted. We had a series of FOUR WEEK classes, and then a 6 week class and a 12 week class. Four classes in one short summer and it was crazy times, but I adjusted.

Be prepared to feel overwhelmed. Be prepared to feel like you cannot possibly complete all the work you have assigned... and be prepared to complete it anyway. You will learn quickly to prioritize and there is usually a "back burner" class that, while important, is not as Big and Crazy and Important as the rest of your classes. You will figure out schedules and study time and family time. You will adjust!

You can do this. In the end, 18 months is a really really short period of time. My program is 16 months, so it's a tiny bit shorter than yours, and I already have less than a year left before I graduate! It'll fly by.

Thank you, AGE87!! :)

After seeing the workload in a "normal" nursing program, I have no idea how anyone can make it through an accelerated program. You have my support and admiration.

Since I have a previous bachelor's, I'd qualify for the accelerated BSN at the public university near my home once I got all the prereqs done. But I decided against it because I do have a family and I will have to continue working, so that kind of workload is just unrealistic. I'm currently awaiting entry to a LPN program and will do my nursing education slowly, in small bites. I'll get the same BSN eventually.

Good luck to you and I wish you much success. You'll have to be very disciplined but if you your mind to it, you can get it done and it won't take you several years like it will for me.

You can do it!

I started an accelerated program, yesterday. I have school, part time job, 3 kids and a DH. I don't know how I am going to juggle it all, but I will. One day at a time and lots of organization and time management. Good luck! It's normal to feel nervous.

Thank you, marcbladebreaker, duskyjewel, and Margotrita!!! :)

My accelerated program was 12 months long. It was hell on wheels but at the end of the day it was worth the blood sweat and tears. I got a BSN and was working a whole year sooner than if I had pursued an associates. And perhaps I wouldn't be employed as fast with an associates actually. I could not work during the program, the time constraints were ridiculous, but I made it work somehow. I did not have a family at the time but plenty of my classmates has several kids and they too made it work. It looks impossible but it can be done. You cant imagine how proud you'll be of yourself on graduation day :)

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That "hell on wheels" made me laugh! Thank you, Paco-RN!! :)

I just finished my accelerated program last week, and I think being really on top of everything is what saved me - I made up a list of what had to be done every week, kept my planner meticulous with prompts on what was due and when, and scheduled my study sessions. I know some people worked, but I needed to be able to focus on one thing. If you really find yourself under water, talk to your professors before it's too late and keep the line of communication open. It takes a lot of dedication but it can be done.

I did ABSN in 2006. I am single with no kids so I only had me to worry about. There were some mothers and even single moms in the program. I would say just think about what your kids will learn about work ethic. They will see mom hitting it hard and they may not totally understand now, but someday they will realize how hard you worked to be able to provide for them. Good luck!