Accelerated or Traditional BSN

78taylor99 · Jan 9, 2011

I also had to make a decision between pursuing a traditional or accelerated BSN, and I have decided that an accelerated program would be the better option in my case. I have friends who were stressed out in their perspective ADN programs, so I figure nursing school is going to be super stressful in any type of program. I would rather handle more stress for a shorter period of time than draw it out over a longer program. I am much older than you (28) and I have a family, so these factors also played a part in my decision. One advantage I could see for taking the longer route is you might have more free time to spend working part-time in a hospital as an aide or volunteering, which could help with future job prospects.

2bmalenurse23 · Jan 9, 2011

I can understand your decision. I really wanna do the 18month program. If I choose that program I will have to take two more classes on top of what im taking now.

78taylor99 · Jan 10, 2011

What are the two additional classes you would have to take? The three year program you are considering seems a little long. Is that just in nursing courses, or is that including additional general education requirements? Most of the traditional BSN programs in my area only consist of two years of actual nursing courses (4-5 semesters).

2bmalenurse23 · Jan 10, 2011

the 18month program is offered at a (HBU) historically black college. they require african american history, and logic in their prerequiste course work. I have taken world history I&II, and intro to philosophy, its very annoying to know that they cant substitute the classes I have taken, but those are their rules. This semester im taking A&P II, Microbiology, and Pre calc , all of which are very time consuming classes and adding the other two will just be even more stressful, however they must be complete in order to start the summer accelerated program.

The 3yr program is at another school here in Maryland, if i go there i dont have to take anymore classes however their you begin nursing coorifices in the sophmore year. I already have taken sooo many classes (80credits) and im so ready to be done with school. If I go to this school i will only take nursing classes but i would be a part time student for 2yrs until the senior year.

78taylor99 · Jan 10, 2011

I agree that it would certainly be more stressful to add those two classes on top of what you are already taking. I took logic a long time ago as part of my first degree, and I don't remember it being too bad, but still you already have your hands full with the other classes. Do you know what your chances are of being accepted to either program? If you were to take that many classes at once it might have a negative impact on your GPA, which could affect you at admission time. But then again, you might be able to do really well despite taking that many classes. Do you have all the syllabus information for your classes to see what the workloads will be like?

2bmalenurse23 · Jan 10, 2011

As of now my gpa is a (2.9), the minimum requirement for the Accelerated is a (3.0) however the nursing advisor told me I can still apply to the program, however i will be in competition with the other applicants.Im sure after this semester it will increase to a 3.0 but at the time of acceptance they require you to have a 3.0. So if I take the extra two classes, I would be going out on a limb hoping I get accepted, which is crazy to me.

The traditional program is a (2.5) minimum gpa, I have met with the advisor at CSU and in so many words he told me so long as I pass the TEAS test I would be beggining foundations of nursing in the fall, but the program in length is 3yrs. Im just so stressed thinking about the whole thing.

My friends and family have told me not to stress and just do the 3yr program but 18months sounds soooo much better to me. I am just soo ready to begin my career, I have an associates degree and thats gotten me no where!

78taylor99 · Jan 10, 2011

I know how frustrating it is to have a degree that did not really amount to much. Do you know how many slots there are for the accelerated program? Many of the accelerated programs have a minimum GPA somewhere in the low 3.0 range, but unfortunately these programs usually have so many applicants that the average admission GPA ends up being significantly higher. One of the programs I applied for stresses that you would need at least a 3.6 or 3.7 to be competitive, and the minimum GPA listed on their program site is much lower.

If you think adding the extra classes won't cause you to do so poorly in your other necessary classes that it would prevent you from attending the traditional program, then you may want to go for it just so you do not always wonder what if. However, I do think you would save yourself a great deal of stress if you decided to only go for the traditional program. You will be able to focus on your relevant classes and you will even have some time during the summer to prepare more for the program start in the fall. I know you probably feel that three years is such a long time, but it really isn't. It will go by quick, and you will have time to work those first two years in the program. You are still very young even though you may not feel like it, and it may end up working out better in the long run. Taking less classes at a time might help you improve your GPA even more, which would help if you want to continue on with graduate school.

2bmalenurse23 · Jan 10, 2011

Yes very true they make nursing so competitive as if it isnt hard enough. Im gonna just apply to both programs and take my chances. However if I dont get accepted into the acclerated Nurs program I will have taken 2 xtra classes for nothing.

Acclerated Curriculum:

Summer: Intro to Nurs, Foundations 1&2, Health Asses

Fall: Med Surg Nurs, Patho, Pharm, Gerontology

Spring: Maternal/Newborn Nurs, Mental Health Nurs, Nurs Research

Summer: Pediatric Nurs, Community Helath Nurs

Fall 2012: Proffestional Nurs, Adulth Health II Nurs, Special Topics in Nurs

Traditional

Fall: Foundations I

Spring: Foundations II, Dosage Calc, Nurs Elective

Fall: Med/Surg Nurs, Pathopharmacology I

Spring: Nursing for the Family, Pathopharmacology II

Fall: Mental Health Nurs, Nurs Research, Nurs Informatics, Nurs Practicum

Spring 2014: Special Topics, Community Nurs, Proffestional Nurs

These are the two curriculums as you can see the traditional is a lighter load than the accelerated up to the senior year.

78taylor99 · Jan 10, 2011

It is nice that you would have summers off with the traditional program. That would give you an opportunity to take part in a summer internship. I can understand you wanting to finish sooner rather than later though. Good luck with your classes this semester.

2bmalenurse23 · Jan 10, 2011

certanily ture, thanks for blogging with me and good luck to you also!!!. Im confident going into A&P II and Micro. Not sure about taking them both in the same semsester, but if i can take general chem and A&P I in the same semester im sure two bio classes cant be any worse