BADNAP 2014

tmclemore · Mar 15, 2014

Like Lordizzy said, this program is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. You'll have a couple of 8-hour clinicals per week for about 6 weeks of the first semester. The other semesters are are mix of 12 and 8-hour clinicals per week for 5-6 weeks. The first semester clinicals were on Thursday and Friday for us. They were a mixture of Fri/Sat, Sat/Sun, or Sun/Mon for other semesters.

On top of your clinicals, you'll be doing class once each week, completing tons of group projects, completing one 8-hour service learning (volunteer work) event each semester (and writing a paper or preparing a power point presentation for the service learning), going to lab (labs are front loaded the first few weeks of each semester), doing skills checkoffs, trying to read the assigned theory content (several hundred pages each week), and studying for tests that are 3 hours long (150 questions).

One other thing you'll spend an enormous amount of time on is completing care plans for your clinical experiences. These take a ton of time. Expect over 10 hours for your first one. After you figure them out, they'll still take 4-6 hours most of the time.

In short, if you want to succeed in this program, plan on spending about 60 hours per week.

There were some that worked through most of the program, but if you can afford it, I highly advise not working and simply focusing on school. It's only 10 months and your performance here not only determines whether you will become a nurse but whether you might have the opportunity to go on and earn a master or doctorate degree in the future (because grades really do make a difference in getting into most of those programs).

Making A's in this program is not easy. In fact, to my knowledge there had only been one person to make a 4.0 in BADNAP as of the graduating class of 2013. My class, the one that just graduated, had 1 or 2 that maintained a 4.0. Even maintaining all B's is not easy. There were only a handful that managed that. Most had a mix of B's and C's, so surviving this program with even a 3.0 throughout is quite a feat. In fact, I would say just completing this program is a feat. Out of the 62 we started with, we only graduated with 47. Three of those 47 came from the traditional program after our first semester, so we actually lost 18 people.

It's not the material that makes it hard -- just the time factor. You have a ton to do in a very short period of time. In addition, the tests are ridiculously difficult. You have to go beyond a basic understanding that is sufficient for any other undergraduate program, including anatomy, physiology, chemistry, etc. You have to master this material so that you can take a set of facts, apply a mastery-level of knowledge to the facts, and reach the best answer (because they're all correct much of the time).

The best way to study depends on you. We were all different. I found that using clinical companions for a quick summary of the physiology was a great place to start. After that, I liked looking over the power points. Then I would start the process of reviewing the clinical companions and power points a second time while making notes on what I considered important. Then I would keep reviewing those things and referring to the main texts for clarification on anything I didn't have a great handle on. Then, to cement your knowledge you have to do as many NCLEX-style practice questions over the tested material as you have time to handle (for each 150 question exam, I would say you need to do between 300-500 questions to test your knowledge). Then spend time studying the areas identified as weak areas by your practice questions.

The numbers don't lie. Most will make it through this program, although it will be a very difficult 10-month journey. However, most will not make it through with the grades they want or need to continue their nursing education at a graduate level. For that, I would recommend the traditional nursing program. It's only 21 months versus 10, just over a year longer, and you have so much more time to learn the material, master it, perform well in school, and get some experience working as a tech (or just staying with your current job on a full or part-time basis).

Is this program doable? Absolutely. But I wouldn't recommend this program to most people. It's just so, so fast.

Sorry to be Debbie Downer. I just don't want anyone going into this program with preconceived ideas.

Good luck to everyone!

lordizzy626 · Mar 17, 2014

I completely agree with the dude with the Dobby avatar. haha. It's rough, but doable... If you have the time, stick to traditional. If you are just a glutton for punishment and want to pull your hair out for 10 straight months, this might be the rights spot for you. . Good luck to everyone who got accepted. :)

DH9545 · Mar 19, 2014

Thank you for the insight. I'm really, really nervous but I'm fortunate enough to not have to work during school. At the 2013 pinning the director told me in front of the husband that working during the program wasn't an option. In fact I think that was the only thing she said to me. Anyhow, congrats to you both!

Were there any additional books, guides, websites, etc that you found helpful?

tmclemore · Mar 20, 2014

I liked the Pearson reviews and rationales books by Mary Ann Hogan. They were great for fundamentals, maternity newborn, and mental health. I thought those, along with the ATI books you will receive, were quite helpful (even more so than the main texts). There is a med surg reviews and rationales as well that I didn't find nearly as useful (although I still purchased it). For med surg, the clinical companion that goes along with the main text was what I found most useful.

quizlet was a good website for NCLEX style questions to practice prior to exams.

Kristen6 · Jan 4, 2016

Hi everyone. I am considering the BADNAP program. Does anyone know if someone has completed the program that has children? I have 3 small kiddos and I am just curious if there is anyone out there that I could ask some questions. Thanks!