Accelerated vs. Traditional BSN - what should i do?

meher · Aug 12, 2009

I have a dilemma. I am going to be starting a BSN program next may. Since I haven't started actual nursing school yet (currently taking stats, chem, A&P, etc..), much less started working, I don't know where my interests will lie 4 or 5 years down the road, but I am planning on getting a Masters degree in some area of nursing after getting a couple years of experience. From what I understand, nurse anesthesiology programs are the most competitive to get into (and most challenging once you get in). I am not necessarily saying I want to go to CRNA school (still way to early to tell), but I do know that I am definitely open to the idea (i have no reason not to be at this point).
So here it is. I have the option of doing the traditional program (24 months) or the accelerated program (15 months -- i have a bachelors degree in an unrelated field). The classes and material is exactly the same for the two programs, the accelerated is just very condensed. Obviously a program that it 9 months shorter sounds like a better deal because it means you can actually start working that much sooner, but here are some pros and cons to each that I could come up with.
Accelerated:
- lower cost b/c it's two semesters shorter
- 9 months shorter, so I could actually be working making money and gaining experience for that much longer
- it would much more demanding of my time (I am getting married next july, so it would mean less time with my wife)
- my grades might not be as good as they could be b/c I won't have as much time to learn the material
Traditional:
- takes longer and would end up costing more (although not significantly more)
- I would have more time to devote to classes/clinicals, so I could learn the material better and get better grades
- I would have the summer after my first year off from classes, so I could do an additional clinical externship
- as a future newlywed, it would be nice to have more time to spend with my wife
I am not afraid of hard work, but I don't want to do anything at all that will compromise my chances of getting into CRNA school if that's what I end up wanting to do later on down the road. I want to take all the necessary steps, so that if 4 or 5 years from now CRNA school sounds good to me, I have that option of pursuing that. If i decide that I hate critical care and that anesthesia doesn't appeal to me, that's fine, i won't do it.
Basically it boils down to this. I want to learn as much as I possibly can and do as well as I can in nursing school. I want to be the best nurse I can be regardless of where I end up working. Sure getting done sooner sounds great, but I don't want to do that if it means I would get B's instead of A's because that alone would make a big difference on an application.
Does that make sense? Any thoughts, comments, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Ryan

I like your thought process. I am fully agreed with your decision of doing Traditional over Acclerated. If you have plans for further studies after nursing degree. I would highly recommend going for Traditional and moreover you donot want to miss fun of your early wedding period .

FLMom3, RN · Aug 12, 2009

It sounds like the accelerated program is designed for people just like you who already have a degree. Obviously you're smart enough... so, if you have the dedication to go thru nsg school (which you'll need in either case), you might as well go for it and get it done. good luck!

PhoenixFyre · Aug 12, 2009

I think it all depends on which situation fits you better, and only you can decide that. I am also looking into an accelerated program (actually I just applied and am waiting to hear about the interview), so I can totally relate to what you're going through. From my point of view, the timing is better for me to do the 16 month program at Georgetown than to wait the full four years and essentially do my college years over again. I have all my pre-reqs for the accelerated program, and I don't have much interest in doing them all over again in the traditional program.

But that's just me. I have bills and life in general to consider. I'm also planning on getting married, but we have to wait until I'm done with school so that it doesn't affect my financial aid. You and your soon to be wife may have an entirely different situation that would allow for you to have a part time job for four years. I'd rather go through a 16 month program with no job and start working as an RN sooner.

I think you've got the right idea about evaluating both sides. And I think your point about the grades is a good one... but if your wife is supportive there should be no reason you can't plug away - from what I can tell there isn't a difference in how much work the last two years of traditional RN training are vs. accelerated, since accelerated is just like entering into it as an upperclassmen with all the gen-eds complete.

Just my two cents, take them for what they're worth!

DaveCRNA · Aug 12, 2009

I will offer my opinion. First let me say, I start my CRNA program in 5 weeks. So I've been through the application/interview process.

If anesthesia is on your radar then you need to pay attention to your GPA.

Most schools look at total GPA, some look at total GPA and break out a science GPA. I don't think there is anything wrong with the accelerated program, but faster is not always better. (you have obviously thought about the pros and cons of both) .

Let me also say, that if you are considering CRNA school, it will likely be 36 months long by the time you get there, and it will consume your life, so think about that as you determine how much time you are going to spend in class in the beginning.

I guess, if I were in your shoes, I'd take the time with the new wife now, go the traditional route, get excellent grades, find a summer internship in a high acuity ICU and then try to get into an ICU right after graduation. (your chances will be higher if you had a summer internship in an ICU).

Hope this helps.

PM me if you have any questions. :)

lavendersapphire · Aug 12, 2009

What does your fiancée think you should do? It's affecting her as well.

I'm in roughly the same situation and haven't decided which one to go forth with. My husband and I have been married for a year, and while he thinks the traditional program will be a little easier (spending time together wise) on us than the accelerated. After all, the first few years of marriage are crucial, and we'd rather get through the program one semester later, than the accelerated route.

GrayMatter · Aug 12, 2009

What wonderful advice you have received!

I'm in a similar (somewhat!) situation. I have a bs in microbiology/chemistry, but I am a non-traditional student & have children and a very busy homelife. I have been told that the alternative/accelerated programs are very intense and w/o having ever worked or volunteered in a hospital I'm not sure if I would be up to the task. I might feel different if I had some clinical experience, but as it stands I hope to start ADN spring 2010 followed by RN-MSN. To my way of thinking while accelerated might shave some time off, it's not like in the grand scheme of my life I'll look back and regret not graduating a few months earlier. So IMO it's just best to take the route that leaves you the most sane. :wink2: Best of luck to you!!

lumberjack · Aug 12, 2009

A few thoughts from someone nearly done with their accelerated BSN (11.5 months):

Accelerated may not be any cheaper, as most schools charge based on credit hours rather than semesters, and since you are taking the same number of classes and credit hours, you pay the same rate.

Depending on your program, accelerated BSN is very nearly all consuming. granted, 15-16 months is a bit easier than 11-12 months, but it is still tight. Don't plan many vacations, etc. You'll need a supportive and understanding wife for all this.

Re: grades, I find my grades are likely better in the accelerated program, because it is all I do, think, eat, sleep, etc. If I were in a traditional program I might be more inclined to slack off, etc. But that is just me. To a large extent getting good grades in nursing school is about punching tickets; actual learning may or may not a central component of getting good grades. Oops, do I sound jaded? Sorry about that.

The point about getting a summer extern/internship is well made, I imagine that to be a big boon job wise post graduation. But some acclerated programs do allow for enough time in the summer to do that, my fiancee did in her 16 month accelerated BSN.

Either way I imagine you'll find a way to make it work... I'd have to second the opinion of the previous poster who advised asking your wife-to-be what she thinks, since her support is so crucial.

good luck!

DaveCRNA · Aug 12, 2009

What does your fiancée think you should do? It's affecting her as well.

Excellent point!

j450n, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 12, 2009

I'm sort of facing the same dilemma. For me, it came down to location too. My area has only one accelerated program, and they're about to admit their very first class. It's about twice as much as the traditional program, so I would have graduated with way more loans to pay back than if I did a 2-year program. Plus, I knew I probably could not work if I did an accelerated program...and that's just not feasible with my spending habits and bills to pay.

My rationale went something like this: What are my job prospects upon graduation? Right now, I keep reading horror stories of new grads not finding a job months after graduating from nursing school. Sure, it's all relative to location...but, I know I would kick myself if I did an accelerated program and then be job-searching after graduation when I could have been less stressed out, learning material at a slower rate, and perhaps getting better grades if I had done the traditional program. I figure if I do a traditional route for the BSN, my job prospects may be better in 2 years as opposed to 12-16 months. I'd also be saving a huge chunk of change. Also, I think you'll really appreciate the summer off as a newlywed. Congratulations, by the way! :yeah:

mother_matters · Aug 12, 2009

I'm plagued with the same questions as I ponder a 16 month vs 23 month CNL program. Part of me wonders if the longer version will give me a little more quality time at home with my husband/child (not likely---either scenario is probably very stressful and consuming). Further, how am I going to feel when I see the accelerated students finishing up, knowing that I still have seven more months to go but could have been graduating with them? I suspect that I will really have regrets at that point. I once heard someone compare an accelerated program to ripping off a band-aid---it's going to hurt but it's better to just get it done with quickly so that your real nursing training can begin on the job. I may be eating these words down the road, but I think that accelerated may be the best way to go. Best of luck with your decision---keep us posted!

ok2bme · Aug 12, 2009

I'll go against the consensus and recommend accelerated. I just graduated from a 14 month long ABSN program (last Saturday!) and have no regrets. It's intense but certainly doable, if you stay focused you can get your A's. If so, I think it may actually make you more competitive than those with similar credentials from a generic track.