Are Accelerated BSN programs too fast to be successful

[bethca]

Do you think the accelerated programs rush the information and are too fast to do well on the licensing exam? I am deciding between a second degree two year or accelerated one year( I have a BA already). Obviously the sooner the better, but not if it's so intense I end up not learning as much or doing well. Any comments?

[CuriousMe]

In my program we have the same amount of hours that the traditional BSN students at our school have. And if you were going to murphyle's nursing program as a traditional BSN, you'd be getting 104 hours of med surg, not the 140. I think the hours will vary across the board, and being in an accelerated program doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't getting the clinical hours.

Right, the Accelerated program (what we were talking about) had 140 hours, and the traditional program (what murphlyle was comparing her program to) was 104. I was clear, and used the number I intended to.

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

My point is, at that school, the accelerated program has more hours than the traditional one. You said your concern with accelerated programs was condensed hours, and while that program has fewer hours than your traditional program, that seems more a variation due to the different schools you are at than the fact that ABSN programs have condensed hours.

[CuriousMe]

My point is, at that school, the accelerated program has more hours than the traditional one. You said your concern with accelerated programs was condensed hours, and while that program has fewer hours than your traditional program, that seems more a variation due to the different schools you are at than the fact that ABSN programs have condensed hours.

Good point, I wouldn't have applied to the traditional program there either with the same concern. I've yet to see an accelerated program with the kind of clinical hours I prefer though. Which is where my original comment came from.

[BellsRNBSN]

MURPHYLE,

I am starting a 12-month accelerated BSN program in August. Do you have any advice you can give me? What should I be doing in the months before the program starts to prepare myself?

I feel that I excel in more arduous educational programs. I took honors and AP classes throughout middle and high school. The difficulty of college classes was initially a shock to me that took a couple years for me to grow accustomed to, but I have had a 4.0 GPA in my college classes for the past two years and feel confident in my abilities as a student.

That being said, what I am more nervous about is the clinical aspect of nursing school. I spent several years volunteering in hospitals, but I had some issues with being assertive and really digging into cases. I always worried about doing something wrong and therefore harming a patient, or getting in the way of the nurses. So if you have any particular clinical advice, I would greatly appreciate that as well!

Thank you in advance for your advice! Take care! :redpinkhe