Accepted to two nursing programs...What to do?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2014

Look at the programs and see if one is more respected than the other. Also look at the accreditations. Usually look for CCNE or NLNAC (now known as ACEN).

Look into what kind of support there is for online school. You will usually be required to meet on campus for labs and such so don't be mislead by it being online. My school offered online lectures but the online students were on campus quite a bit for many of the extras that the on campus group had to do like mandatory skill lab, mandatory review, EKG class, HPS lab (with a mannequin), clinicals, and even tests. Then they also have clinicals in person.

How flexible are they?

ThatBigGuy · Jun 12, 2014

Look at the programs and see if one is more respected than the other. Also look at the accreditations. Usually look for CCNE or NLNAC (now known as ACEN).

+1 for this. I would also check out the NCLEX pass rates.

The other thing is that accelerated programs are CRAZY. You have to cover the same amount of material in half the time. There's a reason why most accelerated programs require you to sign a waiver stating you won't work while in school. You will need exceptional time management skills, and will absolutely need to be able to find several hour long blocks in which you children cannot interrupt you. It's so worth it when you are finished a year ahead of schedule, but you will literally be a zombie while in the program.

I'm currently in an accelerated summer semester, and my wife's already forgotten what I look like.

crossfitnurse · Jun 12, 2014

With kids and a husband?... I would NOT do an accelerated program. Why? This puts STRESS on your personal life as well as your own m brain. It's hard, and I am in an ADN program where we have summers and winters off!!!

That's just my two cents. I love the down time I do have, and a longer stretch between tests.

Yes - saving gas and stuff has it's perks, but you will be studying in your PJs regardless

If you love your family - it's worth the non- accelerated program so you can be a student AND a mom.

I am very glad I did not choose to do an accelerated program. What I ended up doing was fast enough with my life!

canthardlywait2brn · Jun 12, 2014

It's a local university and they have both online and campus. So, I know they are legit!

@ThatBigGuy- I hope your wife is understanding! I'm afraid my kids and husband will hate me after all of this..lol

crossfitnurse · Jun 12, 2014

I got accepted to an ON campus program and an ACCELERATED ONLINE program. I am not sure which one to take. What are the pros and cons of both? I wanted to do the online, but since I am accepted to campus then I am confused now. I am not new to online classes.
Pros for online:
-Not going to campus
-Not worrying about babysitter or DH to be off work so I can go to class
-Study in my pjs!
Cons:
-I'm worried how fast it is since it is accelerated.
-I'm worried since it is accelerated, will I have time to learn everything?
-No nursing friends
Pros for campus
-Face to face learning
-Time away from kids LOL kidding
-Making nursing friends
Cons:
-Going to campus
-Gas and TRAFFIC!
-Schedules
-Dealing with classmates?? I don't know
I'm sure there are more, but that is all I can think of at the moment!!!
Thanks in advance for your replies!!!

One more plus for at school NON-accelerated... You get to get out of the house and BE a student! Sometimes it's nice to put on a different "hat" besides mom. GOING back to school felt GREAT. Getting out of the house and being my own person, accomplishing something new, and learning was just a great feeling after all the time at home raising kiddos :)

As great as "staying home and doing it all online sounds" I think us moms need to be independent as well!

saraCOS · Jun 12, 2014

Awesome, congrats on having choices. I'm in an on campus accelerated, married without kids, have 12 years of intense medical experience, and I am hangin on for dear life! What a ride!

I think it might be fine to do online if you have an insane amount of discipline to self-study at a super-human pace, or have a huge amount of advanced healthcare experience (LPN, paramedic, RT, pre-med, not dogging on CNAs or MAs or the like, but the science just ain't there) Oh, and a noise-proof safe room in your house where you can hide from your family for a year.

The in-person will allow you to split your life, you can be mom and wife at home, and rockin' nursing student at school. I am also finding that I am forming totally unexpected relationships not only with my fellow students, but with the pantheon of amazing, experienced nurses on the teaching staff. There is much to learn about nursing that isn't on the syllabus, I've found.

Best of luck with your choice and with the rest of your adventures in nursing school!

canthardlywait2brn · Jun 12, 2014

Luckily, they will start school when I start :)

You are right though. Even doing prereqs at home, I still wear the mom hat.

One more plus for at school NON-accelerated... You get to get out of the house and BE a student! Sometimes it's nice to put on a different "hat" besides mom. GOING back to school felt GREAT. Getting out of the house and being my own person, accomplishing something new, and learning was just a great feeling after all the time at home raising kiddos :)
As great as "staying home and doing it all online sounds" I think us moms need to be independent as well!

crossfitnurse · Jun 12, 2014

Well then you are more of a man then me go for it if you think you can do it!

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 12, 2014

Aside from accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and the like, you also need to be absolutely certain that your theory and clinical experiences are concurrent. If that's not the case with the online program, the on-campus program, or both, you're going to potentially have trouble with getting licensed/endorsed in certain states, such as California.

Big point in favor of on-campus programs is that while you're heading over to class, you have time to mentally shift into student mode. It gives you physical separation from things that can distract you from doing your studies while at home. When you're heading home, you have that same time to mentally shift back into parent/home mode and while you're doing that, you can mentally review what you've learned that day.

In short, the on-campus program may actually help overall with time management issues that may clash with other priorities that pop up at home. Remember, that other people will attempt to prioritize their needs above yours regardless of which program you undertake, so... consider that when you make your decision. If you can make it happen and manage the needs prioritization and distractions (time management is HUGE) then the online version will do just fine.

In the end, it's your decision as to what works best for you and your situation.

crossfitnurse · Jun 12, 2014

Luckily, they will start school when I start :)
You are right though. Even doing prereqs at home, I still wear the mom hat.

Here's my other two cents.

Moms are capable of ANYTHING. Anyone can say what they want but seriously, we have some weirdo super power that allows us to multi-task like nobody's business.

Whichever you pick- you'll do well.

Why? Because you have the BEST motivation at home, that you created.