Accelerated Programs Vs 4 year programs

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Hey guys,

So I'm actually an Architecture graduate recently graduated and have found that I'm no longer in love with it any more, and have considered nursing to be my calling. So I've decided to take my nursing prerequisites this fall at a community college close to home and weigh my options after finishing them up on the nursing program that's best for me.

I was wondering what people in the medical field actually thought about an accelerated program vs not. (Do doctors and other practitioners take these students serious) A lot of the people I've spoken to have thought that that a 4 year graduate would be considered over the accelerated one any day. And that I should take my time and do the 4 more years.. But considering that I've already done the 4 year thing already I wouldn't mind actually not having to be put through another 4 haha.

Any advice would be awesome, and apologize if there's already a thread on this topic, thanks in advance :D.

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Specializes in Rehab, Ortho-Spine, Med-Surg, & Psych.

Hello Lewist1016,

Nursing has many different levels of practice. It all depends on how far into it you want to go. Here is a list of nursing degrees:

Undergraduate Studies:

1) Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

2) Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN or LVN)

3) Registered Nurse with an associate's degree in nursing (ASN or ADN)

4) Registered Nurse with a bachelor's degree in nursing (RN to BSN ... or ... BSN)

Graduate Studies:

1) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). A master's in nursing degree provides you with the background, skills and advanced training to deliver high-quality nursing care in a specialized area, such as advanced clinical training or research. Nurses who graduate with an MSN are called advanced practice nurses (APNs). These nurses deliver health care services that were previously delivered by physicians, and they typically focus on one of four advanced practice areas:

  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)
  • Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
  • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Nursing Leadership

2) Doctoral nursing degrees are four to six year post-graduate programs that prepare nurses for top-tier careers in health administration, clinical research or advanced clinical practice. Doctoral nursing degree options include the following:

  • Doctor of Nursing (ND)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
  • Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc)
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The goal of all doctoral nursing programs is to prepare nurses to be leaders, whether they pursue research, clinical advancement, policy change, or organizational transformation.

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Specializes in NICU.

The differences between the ABSN program that I am in compared to the traditional BSN at the same school:

1. I am given credit for the general education courses from my first BS

2. The program is 4 semesters (summer, fall, spring, summer) vs 5 semesters (fall, spring, fall, spring, fall)

3. All the classes are the same except traditional students take 3 med-surg courses (5 credits each) and ABSN takes 2 med-surg courses (6 credits and 9 credits).

4. Both programs receive the same degree and the same RN license.

I am not sure about the people you talked to that say " 4 year graduate would be considered over the accelerated one any day".

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Either way you won't spend another four years in school. It will depend on how many of the prereqs you have. Once you are in an accelerated program can take from a year go 15 months and a traditional 2 years ish.

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I'm interested to know why the people you spoke with think that ABSNs programs are inferior to traditional BSNs. I have my first degree in History from a 4 year university and after finishing my first bachelors, I decided I wanted to go into nursing. I just graduated from a 12 month ABSN program and accepted my first nursing job. I had 4 job offers less than a week after I finished school and all the hiring managers I spoke with were very impressed with my program. One even told me out right that she prefers the ABSN grads over the traditional grads as they tend to acclimate to her unit faster. This being said, not all ABSN programs are created equal. You need to look at your options and the programs in your area and decide what will be the best fit for you. Whatever you decide, make sure the program, whether its traditional or accelerated, has a good reputation. Either way, good luck!

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

I have heard this about direct entry MSNs but not ABSNs... either way, you do what is best for you

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Finish prereqs and apply for both, I assume both need the prereqs anyway. What runsalot said is more or less true. Accelrated is 15 months or a it more and for 2nd degree bachelor - traditional it is usually 2-3 years as your credits from your first degree paired with the prereqs already done will more or less allow you to skip the 1 st year. No doubt acclearted is faster, but if you plan our classes accordingly, take classes during the summer etc.. The traditional bsn program will be LESS than 4 years .

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I spoke to the nursing director of the emergency room about this. She told me that absn and traditional bsn students are viewed the same, you both come out with a BSN.

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I am in a similar boat, I have my undergraduate degree in psychology and am currently applying to nursing programs. The only person who will know you completed your BSN through an accelerated program is the hiring manager/human resources. I have worked as an aid for the past 3 years and have never once heard anyone say that an ABSN is less desirable than the traditional BSN, actually many of the RNs I work with have completed an ABSN program themselves.

The only drawback I have ever heard about an accelerated progam is the direct entry masters program, and with that I've heard that somes facilities don't like to hire new grad RNs with a MSN but no actual nursing experience. If you are looking to do traditional nursing and are considering a DEMSN program I would strongly suggest going FT for the undergrad portion and then switching to PT for the graduate portion allowing you to work and gain experience.

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