Any tips/advice before starting an (associate) accelerated nursing program?

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Hello,

I'm starting an accelerated program in a month, 6/1/2015. I'd love to hear any tips or advice of what I should do or not do before starting. The program is from June to March so it'll go from 0-100 real quick! I'm nervous and excited at the same time so any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

well the program I did ended up having a completely different grading scale... 76% was passing. I was a perfectionist too so that could've contributed to me not getting what I want. I think just the fact that I was so overwhelmed and didn't have anyone to go to when I got home. it was more of an emotional thing for me

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Multiple people have told me it's extremely difficult to complete the accelerated program with a 4.0. That must've been rough not having anyone to talk to at home. I bet that made it more gratifying once you graduated :) Was it difficult for you to find a job once you graduated?

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for me it was. I applied everywhere. Regardless of the minimum 2 year experience and bsn preferred requirements, I still applied. I had a hard time getting interviews and a lot of rejection letters. I knew I was getting discouraged, but I never gave up. thankfully I was able to find a job

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Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

Accelerated associates RN program?! That's a first for me :o. Good luck in your endeavors. Make sure you have time to study, and that may include having to quit your job or work less hours because a regular 2 year ADN program was hard enough for me working only 1 day a week.

Would this happen to be some sort of trade school or private school by any chance? I've heard of plenty of accelerated BSN programs but never an ADN program.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Thanks for the support! I'll try and post updates during the semester. The program is for people who already have a bachelor degrees. From what I heard, students meet for lecture once a week from 8-5. Clinicals are twice a week from 6-6. I'll find out for sure next week during orientation. Also, I think there is a lot of work that is put online for students to do throughout the program. Baccalaureate to Associate DegreeNurse Accelerated Pathway

Program is at Ollahoma City Community College per above link.

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Specializes in ICU.

I've never heard of an accelerated associate's program. And it's only 3 days a week? I'm in a regular associates program and we meet more than that. This semester I had 2 clinical days and 2 lecture days. One day was 2 hours and the other was 8. So I actually had more lecture time than you. Probably a little less clinical hours though. Is this program accredited? My program runs pretty quickly. I felt this semester was harder than the first. I have mental health, medsurg II, and pharm. I have finals this week and I am so ready to be done.

Just focus and study. Pay attention in class and ask questions. Ask lots of questions. I will even text my professors when I am studying to clarify things. My instructors encourage it. And I always get answers. Get some planners to stay on top of things and write down when things are due. I have 3 planners and 2 dry erase boards to keep my self on track.

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Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.

I looked at the info for this program and I don't quite understand why you would do this program instead of an accelerated BSN?

Neither format allows you to work...pre-req's have to be completed before started the nursing courses...and the 10 month time frame is comparable.

What's the benefit?

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Barcode120x,

I plan on focusing all my time to the program since I'm not working. I have enough saved up to get me through the program, hopefully. The program is very affordable so that helps (under 10K).

It's actually a community college in Oklahoma City. I found out about the program while taking my prerequisites. I'm not sure how long the program has been around but I think it's fairly new.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, Peds.

I'm thinking of applying to an accelerated ASN program here in Arizona as well, but I may opt for the traditional 4 semester program. The accelerated program I'm looking at is 16 months long.

Luckily for me my boss will accomodate my school schedule with my work schedule. I'm submitting my application tomorrow.

Can't wait to get started!

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That's awesome your boss is working with your schedule. I currently have a set work schedule (7:30 am to 4:00 pm) so even if I wanted to it wouldn't work.

Good luck with whichever program you decide to enter!

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