Choosing an accelerated program

Nursing Students General Students

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Dear forum members,

I'm sorry if this topic has already been discussed, but I'm quite new to the forum and I need some advice. I would really like to pursue an ABSN, but it's also very important for me to do well in the program, as I want to keep the door open for graduate school. I was wondering whether you guys have any information on which programs are notoriously difficult to do well in and which programs are more manageable (for instance, I would imagine the 11 month programs are impossible to do well in). Are there any programs (maybe your own) that you recommend (or not)? I've already made peace with the fact that I won't work during the program and will have to rely on loans to finance it.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best,

JP

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Specializes in BSc, Mental Health, Abnormal Psychology.

I am doing an Advanced Entry BSN in Canada. My program is 27 months. I can not imagine doing an RN program in only 12 months. I can say it goes by fast and just focusing on the nursing core course. My program is set up where everything is online except labs and clinical.

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Specializes in B.S. - Biology, ABSN Student.

Hey, I'm currently in an ABSN program. I started in January of 2023 and graduate in May of 2024 (15 months). Any of these programs will be difficult, but everyones experience will be different. You will get out of it the effort you put in. To me, the material is never too hard, but the time it takes to learn so much in a short period of time is where the learning curve occurs. Every class requires a different method of studying. Personally, I am very happy at my school and I preferred in person learning because I like having access to my professors, the support of my classmates and having the ability to ask questions and get answers in the moment.

I wish you luck in what ever choice you choose. You can do it! 

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Liisa444 BSc said:

I am doing an Advanced Entry BSN in Canada. My program is 27 months. I can not imagine doing an RN program in only 12 months. I can say it goes by fast and just focusing on the nursing core course. My program is set up where everything is online except labs and clinical.

Thanks so much for your response? Are you an American student pursuing an ABSN in Canada, or a Canadian student? I was looking into Canadian ABSNs because of the length and tuition of the programs, but I don't know how easy/hard it is for Americans to be accepted.

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Specializes in BSc, Mental Health, Abnormal Psychology.

I am a Canadian student. For most programs in Canada, you need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. But would be good to check each school and what the requirements are.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

I completed an ABSN at Johns Hopkins.  They no longer offer this degree.  I was in the 16-month program and it was intense, but doable.  I graduated on the Dean's List and was eligible to join the national honor society for nursing.  Hopkins also offered a 12-month program, which I thought was insane.  However, the students in that program seemed happy with it, although it was like drinking out of a firehose.

No matter what school you go to, an ABSN is going to be intense.  If you have good discipline and time-management skills, you should do just fine.  Personally, I recommend doing a 15 or 16 month program.  The 11 or 12 month programs just seem too fast and intense to me, but if you like that, you'll be fine.

If the ABSN school also offers an MSN or DNP NP Program, you will get preference on getting into that program.  The professors who would write your recommendations may also teach in the NP Program, serve on the admissions committee, or are well-regarded by professors in the NP Program.  You will also have a chance to do some informal networking to improve your chances of getting into their NP Program.

After completing the ABSN program, I went directly into the NP MSN program at Hopkins (primary care).  No problems getting a job and not having worked as a floor nurse made absolutely no difference in my performance as a primary care NP (which was rated very high).  I later earned a Post-Master's Certificate to become a Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (also from Hopkins), now work as a PMHNP, and am very happy.

Best wishes.

 

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