I just applied to wagner college's accelerated nursing program. I am so nervous I already have a BA in Education and have been considering changing careers for a while. I have been working in the eyecare field for fifteen years as a licensed optician. I am not a kid, that's for sure . But it is a truly scary experience to be doing this at my age. I considered changing careers to nursing because of my experiences working with people, it is something I really enjoy. Therefore, I want to continue in the healthcare field and the reason I am changing careers is because my profession has become more about making money than anything else. That is just my opinion but it has proven to not be as stable as I thought it was and at this stage of the game I need to move forward not backwards.
I would appreciate any feedback as to your experiences in this type of program. I am aware that it is not advisable to work since it is a full 15 month program. I will be paying out of pocket for all this, so I am a little scare about finances too. At least I am single and have no kiddies yet, but it is still a very risky decision I am making.
I applied to wagner because it is close to home. I am also thinking about applying to NYU (so expensive ) and wanted to apply to Hunter College but they aren't taking anymore applicants until 2012 . I missed the deadline for SUNY Downstate Medical Center, plus I read some posts here about how they had problems with their programs being on probation. That scared me a little bit . Any insight about this matter would be highly appreciated :heartbeat:redbeathe.
Did you look at online accelerated programs?? There are some, costs vary, but you can find some within reason, usually you can do clinicals where you live. Just another option!
I would go only with ones accrediated both regional and NLNAC. I know quite a bit about ones where student is already a RN but I defer to other posters about ones for BS in other field. Ladies?? Gents?? You can also go onto the student section of this site and they may be able to give you more specifics. Personally I love online and would not willingly go to brick and mortar again..I am in 50's and even without growing up online.. I figured it out pretty quick and the time saved in not driving to and sitting in class.... and writing papers when I want and even in my jammies is really the way to go for me.
I've known several people to attend accelerated programs and they have worked out great for them. True, jobs for new grads are hard right now but all data show that nursing jobs will be growing in the near future. Personally I think as soon as the economy stabilizes hospitals will increase hiring again. Don't forget you will be looking for a job more than a 1.5 years from now when the picture will be different. As afar as your age I think this is one of the best things you can do. Since I turned 40 I've become a nurse, learned to snowboard, mountain bike, and joined the Air National Guard. Unless the finances will totally destroy, I say go for it. I love the job and career although many of the gripes on this site about health care, management, and admin are true. Best of luck!
I attended a masters entry program. The first 12 months are an accelerated program. I would offer the following:
1. You will be very, very busy. Do not attempt work outside of the program. Talk to your husband/wife and ask how much of your shared responisbilities he/she is willing to take on.
2. It will be a challenge at first, then you will fall into a groove and before you know it you will be an RN.
3. Stay on top of things. Do not fall behind in anything. If you feel you need help do not hesitate - talk your instructors and get it now, not later.
4. It is an expensive route. If you have the money, why not? That said, somebody quoted 70k. IMO that is way too much money for a 15 month program. There are many more out there at a much more reasonable cost.
5. I would also apply to ADN programs. The ones at community colleges are cheap and they take 2 years. When you are done, you could start work and do a an ADN to BSN if you wish.
I am currently in an accelerated ADN and I already have a B.S. My program is 16 months, 5 week classes. I enjoy it but I committed my life to it. Thankfully I have the GI Bill so the astronomical price of these programs will not affect me. I am happy I did it and when I finish and pass the NCLEX-RN I am transferring to a MSN bridge program that I will do part time and around my work schedule.
I study all the time and I test everyday. I also must make 80% to pass each class. It can be stressful but I remain focused, positive, and ahead of the game which helps a lot.
Good luck! Let me know if you have anymore questions.
If money is tight.. the ADN route is good...community colleges are reasonable and most have great programs, then you go do either brick and mortar or online to get BSN or better yet do RN to MSN bridge. Will take a bit longer overall but less $$ total than accelerated program. Once RN you can work at least part time while getting further degree if this is your desire.
If you can afford accelerated and have the support/time/dedication than I would go for that.
I graduated from a ABSN program in 2009 and I had an overall good experience. I felt that the school prepared and equipped me well for my transition into the nursing world in the short amount of time I was there. I just recommend to all who are going into an accelerated program to have something that they can do to "de-stress" on a regular basis. For me, it was working out and church activities. When I graduated, the market for hiring RN's was already bad, but my saying is "if there is a will, there is a way." A lot of my nursing students had very negative attitudes about them never being able to find a job. For me, I never gave up and I was very persistent. I would go and call people up and and go one step further to get people to notice my resume. Thankfully, I landed my first RN job a few months after I graduated.
Specializes in maternal child, public/community health.
I did an accelerated 15 month program and graduated at 51. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was challenging but I enjoyed it (most of the time!). I cannot imagine doing 4 years. You learn an amazing amount in a very short time. For me, I think it made it easier to see how it all worked together.
I think 70K is a lot - my program was about 30K with books but I live in the Midwest so I am sure that is a factor. Even so, 70K seems like a lot. Just because it costs more does not make it a better program.
Check out any program you are considering carefully. As you will find out from this site, some of the programs are not worth anything. Make sure it is accredited and that credits are accepted by other schools. Find out what percentage of students finish the program and how many pass boards the first time. I personally would not do a program with 300 students like other posters were talking about. My program started with about 28 i think. We lost a couple after the first semester but the rest made it through. It was great because the instructors knew all the students and we knew each other and helped each other out. Being in a small cohort made it easier for us to support one another.
Expect the program to be intense and to have to spend a lot of time studying. I think all accelerated programs encourage you not to work and that certainly would be best. Some students, however, do work some. I did because I had to. It would have been much easier if I had not worked. If you do work, it will have to be flexible because the programs are not - they expect you to be committed and to be there whenever things are scheduled. I did some in home care for a couple hours in the evening as well as a couple other jobs that were flexible. Some nursing students get sitter jobs at hospitals because they can do some studying while they are there. Again though, having been there, I would encourage you NOT to work if at all possible.
If you really want to be a nurse, you should go for it. As other said, going to a community college to get a ASN and then getting a BSN is an alternative that might work for you but the advantage of the accelerated is that you get out quickly and can hopefully start working as a nurse sooner. Lots to think about but there is no time like the present to pursue your dreams.
Everyone has been so helpful, thank a million. Lots of encouraging stories!! I have to do a little more research in regards to finances, etc.. I am in NYC so everything here is up the roof. I am also single and depend on myself only, I have never acquired any type of debt so this will be a first. It might be an investment that I may need to make, but I still need to weight all my options. Thank again.
yes CCs are fine, if you don't want to go to one in California. ALL the CCs here are compacted. People have a better chance going to a private school or out-of-state. I personally would pay extra just to get into an expensive, but accredited program. I don't have time to wait 2 or 3 years on a waitlist, I'd rather pay and start now.
I already have a BA in Education and have been considering changing careers for a while. I have been working in the eyecare field for fifteen years as a licensed optician. I am not a kid, that's for sure 
. But it is a truly scary experience to be doing this at my age. I considered changing careers to nursing because of my experiences working with people, it is something I really enjoy. Therefore, I want to continue in the healthcare field and the reason I am changing careers is because my profession has become more about making money than anything else. That is just my opinion but it has proven to not be as stable as I thought it was and at this stage of the game I need to move forward not backwards.
for all this, so I am a little scare about finances too. At least I am single and have no kiddies yet, but it is still a very risky decision I am making.
) and wanted to apply to Hunter College but they aren't taking anymore applicants until 2012 
. I missed the deadline for SUNY Downstate Medical Center, plus I read some posts here about how they had problems with their programs being on probation. That scared me a little bit 
. Any insight about this matter would be highly appreciated :heartbeat:redbeathe.
BrookeeLou_RN
734 Posts
Did you look at online accelerated programs?? There are some, costs vary, but you can find some within reason, usually you can do clinicals where you live. Just another option!