Changing careers, need accelerated program advice

Anyone?

I'm not in the accelerated program yet, but I will be starting one soon in May. I applied to an 11, 12, 15 and 16 month program and I chose to go with the 16 mos one. My decision was based on finances and how well I can handle the program. If you have an aspiration to go onto a master's degree consider the longer program. I'm not saying it's going to be easier, but it will be more manageable. Finally, is one program more expensive then the other? Something to consider, if it applies to you. Good luck! I'm sure that whatever you choose you'll be great at :)

I don't have a direct answer to your question but I will tell you about my situation. I have been a stay at home mother for the last six years but decided about three years ago that I wanted to go into nursing when I return to the workforce (prior degree in English and career in hotel sales). Anyway, at first I was convinced that an accelerated 2nd degree program was the way to go. I began working on prerequisites. When the time came for me to start applying we ended up moving so one of the programs I had been looking into was too far away (doable but didn't make as much sense as before). At the same time the 2nd program I was interested in changed to a master's and the price tag tripled. So I was left with the local community college ADN program with a 2 year wait. I regrouped an reevaluated my options and started looking at traditional BSN programs - which weren't on my radar before. Everything worked out perfectly with my prerequisites and the timing for applying. Now I am anxiously awaiting word but I'm pretty sure I'll get into my 1st choice which is a 5 semester traditional BSN program. All I'll have to take are the core nursing classes because of my prior degree and the way the program is structured.

Once I started looking at the programs I felt like the traditional program will be a better fit for my family than the accelerated would have been. It will take me 5 semesters but I'll have time to have a life during the process. Three out of five days I'll be home when my oldest gets home from school and my youngest will only have to go to preschool/daycare two days a week (at least the first year). I'll be home for the summers also. I don't have to work and don't plan to but if I did want or need to work I feel like I would be able to manage it. The cost was also substantially lower than the accelerated programs.

Just wanted to put that out there because I don't think I even had anyone present traditional programs as an option for me initially when I identified myself as a 2nd degree student. I know everyone's situation is a little different though and I completely get wanting to switch gears and get moving with things.

sorry, I wrote a post about another thread. yikes, need coffee NOW