Anyone done TCU's accelerated BSN?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2006

Moved to Texas Forum for more responses. Good luck!

medsomething · Dec 23, 2006

I'm currently in the middle of TCU's program (this is my second degree from TCU as well...true horned frog!). All I can say is it is intense! In ways it wasn't as bad as I had imagined (I have a big imagination) but it is a lot of work. There is really no way you can work outside of the program (mayyyybe one shift a week but you'd be really tired!). Some professors are better than others but the program directors are really great. I would advise to apply early decision (Oct 1) as it is quite competitive. I don't know anything about TWU so I can't help you there. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me :)

medsomething · Dec 23, 2006

Oh and yes you are right on with the cost...in the 50K ballpark. However, if you don't have any other student loans (from your undergrad for example), it's a little more bearable. I would advise going straight to a BSN and getting it over with. But then again I want to go to grad school. It all depends on your plans....

lady_db_programmer · Dec 26, 2006

Oh and yes you are right on with the cost...in the 50K ballpark. However, if you don't have any other student loans (from your undergrad for example), it's a little more bearable. I would advise going straight to a BSN and getting it over with. But then again I want to go to grad school. It all depends on your plans....

I don't have any student loan debt, but then again I don't want to get myself $50k in the hole if I don't have to. I've heard good things about TCU, but I'm wondering if a BSN from them is worth the $50k, since obviously it has to be paid back and don't BSNs make pretty much the same money no matter where they went?

medsomething · Dec 26, 2006

Of course I personally think it's worth it :) But it's not a decision to take lightly. As for the BSN, I really think it's the way to go. If you already have a bachelors, why go back to get an ADN (2 years+) instead of an accelerated BSN (15 months)? You will have more options...ok..off of my soapbox :smilecoffeecup:

Do what you wanna do. That's what it all comes down to!

lady_db_programmer · Dec 27, 2006

Of course I personally think it's worth it :) But it's not a decision to take lightly. As for the BSN, I really think it's the way to go. If you already have a bachelors, why go back to get an ADN (2 years+) instead of an accelerated BSN (15 months)? You will have more options...ok..off of my soapbox :smilecoffeecup:
Do what you wanna do. That's what it all comes down to!

I already have a BA, so an accelerated BSN is an option.

I'm just wondering if a $50k debt burden would be worth it. How much are TCU nurses making right out of school?

sunnyjohn · Dec 27, 2006

I already have a BA, so an accelerated BSN is an option.
I'm just wondering if a $50k debt burden would be worth it. How much are TCU nurses making right out of school?

Lady_Db,

Check out the table in this thread:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f195/2nd-try-salary-study-how-green-your-pasture-174581.html

It is an avearge, but given the cost of living, Texas nurses are paid the highest in the nation.

I had new grad friends in DFW and they tell me they start between $20-$29/hr. They also get benefits and differentials for weekends/evening/nights.

With all the hospitals in DFW, with a year of experience, you could go to an agency and easily make $30+/hr and make your own schedule.

JaxiaKiley · Dec 27, 2006

lady, I've never heard of grads from different schools making more money to start.

From what I understand, starting salaries for ADN and BSN students are fairly similiar (within $1), but the BSN helps with future advancement opportunities.

If I could get into a shorter program that would cost more, I'd just have to do the math. If I could finish 9 months earlier (15 month accelerated or 24 month ADN), how much money could I make during those 9 months of work? At $20/hr (which is at the lower end of the starting range for new grad nurses), you'd make about $29k in those 9 months without shift diff or anything like that, working 40 hours a week. Not too shabby, but still doesn't cover the difference between an ADN program and that $50k. The nice thing about starting with an ADN is that most companies have tuition reimbursement, so you could always do the bridge program and have your BSN paid for, if a BSN is your goal.

Sorry that's so long, but that's what I'd have to do -- Just crunch some numbers Good luck!

kristin9903 · Dec 29, 2006

A BSN is a BSN. I don't think what university you come from will make a difference in pay.

I have a BS and opted to go back for the BSN, as opposed to the ADN. If you already have a bachelor's degree, the ADN and BSN take the same amount of time.

Rather than trying for the accelerated track at TCU or TWU, I am going to UTA on a traditional 4 semester timeframe. I had a couple of reasons for doing this:

1. Time. I have a baby at home and my husband already works constantly. We'd never see each other. The accelerated BSN is a lot of work...and I wanted to enjoy at least a little time off.

2. Time it would take to graduate. Yes, it's taking me longer to get the degree, but not by all that much. Accelerated tracks are 15 months. My track will be around 21-22 months (start in August 06 end in May 08). 7 months difference isn't that big of a deal to me.

3. Money. At the time I started school, TCU was the only option for the accelerated track, and it's expensive, as medsomething posted. UTA's tuition is $3500/semester. Much cheaper. TWU's a state school, so this may not be as much of an issue as it used to be.

It's not an easy decision to make, and I applaud everyone who went the accelerated route! I don't think I would be able to handle it, which is probably the biggest reason I decided against it. :)

Good luck with your decision!

lifeLONGstudent · Jan 4, 2007

I was in the 2nd class - graduated last August..... It is expensive, but was worth it for me.... for many reasons. PM me if you have ?s

LifeLONGstudent

Burgos · Jan 7, 2007

I am in the midst of the TCU accelerated program and will graduate in August of 2007. It is an excellent program, and seems to improve every year (this is the 3rd accelerated class). We are a close knit group of 20.