Can I make it through an accelerated program?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 6, 2009

EKitty,

Based on the academic history you have shared, I'm sure you have the capacity (intellectual & otherwise) to make it through an accelerated program. However, if you look around on this site, you will discover that there is a very common thread among grads of accel programs.... they feel very unprepared due to lack of clinical exposure & wish they had chosen to go with a more traditional program instead.

Galore · Feb 6, 2009

I recently graduated from a 13 month ABSN program and to be honest, I felt totally unprepared to be a "real nurse" once I started my job. There were many skills that I only had the opportunity to practice in clinicals once such as starting an IV and Foley catheters. Our teachers' motto was basically that we would have plenty of time to practice skills once we were working and that we needed to get the critical thinking and academic foundation while we were in school. I think we were all well prepared to pass the NCLEX but many of us felt overwhelmed when we started working.

However, I think MOST new nurses feel that way regardless of what type of program they came from. Doing clinicals just does not compare to having total responsibility. The group of new grads that started with me were in traditional BSN programs and community college ADN programs and I think we all felt equally clueless. Since you already have a tech job I think that will give you an upper hand in feeling comfortable in acute care.

While I wish we'd had more clinical experience and I felt more confident, I can now sort of see where my teachers were coming from. I work in an ICU and put down NG tubes practically every day, give all kinds of IV meds and drips, work with ventilators, etc. Once you do some things a couple of times it's no big deal and you usually have several months of orientation to catch up on any skills you're lacking. I would try to find some graduates of the accelerated program you're interested in and see what they have to say about their experience.

alli521 · Feb 7, 2009

Galore, what program and school did you attend?

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Feb 7, 2009

I am in a Direct-Entry Masters program. Same concept..."not a nurse" to "nurse" in two years.

As far as clinicals, we are averaging 90 hours a semester (summers included-not lucky enough to get those off!), with our last semester being a Clinical Immersion Experience where we will be putting in 400 Clinical hours. At that point we will have passed the NCLEX, and are expected to work at least part time. They set us up and prepare us to take the NCLEX after a year and a half, and upon licenture to start working ASAP to supplement our curriculum.

I think the program is manageable. I mean sure, its stressful and definitely challenging, but as far as the amount of work put in? Its no more than if I were working a full time job. Which I did until a week and a half before starting this program.

I havent seen/heard of 1 years accelerated programs...at least not in my area. Most were at least 16 months-2 years for both accelrated BSN and MSN programs. I cannot fathom doing it all in a year. Its too much, and I agree with whomever said that you might not be getting enough clinical hours in.

alli521 · Feb 7, 2009

Im applying to an accelerated nursing program now thats in one year. There are prereqs classes as well as other qualifications that you need before you can get into one of these programs. I see it as kinda already completing the first year or so of a traditional program (since most are filled with other core requirments)

And its accelerated because were going to be literally doing it all within a year. I heard from people saying that it was a great experience and that they would not have done it any other way. I think the experience that you get from the program really depends on the school that you attend. If you are worried about the program you should look into the program that you are interested in and find out its rankings and see if you can hear anything from any other students who have already done the program.

I'm starting my program in the summer and I'm really nervous too.. you just have to keep in mind that in the end you are going to finally be doing what you want to do.

foreverLaur · Feb 7, 2009

Physician Assistant, not possessive. PAs do not belong to physicians. They work with physicians the same as Nurse Practitioners. The major difference is that NPs tend to work in office type settings while PAs work in hospital settings. Also, PAs are trained on the medical model (and basically do 2.5 years of medical school) while nurse practitioners are advanced nurses.

I have a friend who just graduated a 13 month accelerated program with no previous health care experience (except for an Athletic Training degree). He definitely had to work hard and study hard, but he was glad he did it and is loving working as an RN now.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 20, 2009

Lots of NPs work in the hospital setting. In fact, you'll see more of them than PAs in many hospitals- in many different capacities.

foreverLaur · Feb 20, 2009

Lots of NPs work in the hospital setting. In fact, you'll see more of them than PAs in many hospitals- in many different capacities.

It is very area specific. In the area I grew up, you will only see NPs in hospitals. They don't use PAs. However, in the larger city I moved to, hospitals are filled with PAs only. You will only see NPs in the NICU.

I was making a generalization, not stating a guaranteed fact.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Feb 20, 2009

And I was clarifying your generalization.