Accelerated vs Traditional

[WCSU1987]

I started taking nursing school prerequisites (currently taking stats, chem, A&P, etc..)

I have 3 year's experience working EMS, year in the OR, and 4 to 5 year's in Psych. Psych is where I want to go with nursing possibly into corrections or VA Psych.

So here it is. I have the option of doing the traditional program (24 months) or the accelerated program (12 months -- i have a bachelors degree in Business Management and Criminal Justice). 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 November, so it would mean less time with my wife)

- Fiancée started renting on our own need to keep my health insurance hope it be doable to work 24 hour's. One program makes you sign a contract and another says can work first semester and other one encourages you to work

- my grades might not be as good to enter an accelerated program. GPA is 3.0 for my prerequisites but my previous degree GPA is 2.75

-There are no exams to enter into an accelerated program

Traditional:

- takes longer and would end up costing more (although not significantly more $15,000)

- I would have more time to devote to classes/clinicals, so I could learn the material better and get better grades

- as a future newlywed, it would be nice to have more time to spend with my futre wife. Continue to work and wouldn't affect finances.

- Have to take the TEAS

Other option is a 2 year community college, but it make more sense to go traditional at that point.

thoughts, comments, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

You might want to wait and see if you are accepted to the accelerated program before making any definite plans. Most of them require fairly high cumulative GPA for admission. Bottom line, if you need to keep insurance benefits for your self and future spouse, that should be a priority so I'd advise you to begin there... how many hours do you need to work to be eligible for / afford insurance benefits. Schools will offer "insurance" for students, but it is usually pretty minimal, and may not allow you to include any dependents.

Seems like you have done a really good job investigating your options & are not going to be paying too much. I wish you the best of luck on your educational journey & upcoming wedding.

[verene, MSN]

My advice would be to apply to both accelerated and traditional programs and see where you are accepted and what (if any) financial aid you are offered by the programs. I would double check the costs on the programs as well simply because where I am at the ABSN programs tend to cost most than the traditional programs. Also look into insurance options through the schools (usually more expensive but better than nothing) and through your state's health exchange (many of the policies qualify for what you need and may be cheaper/subsidized) or find out if after your wedding you could get coverage through your wife's employer.