Connecticut accelerated BSN program Comparisons

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I have applied to UCONN and Fairfield (as well as a couple other schools), now waiting for decisions. So I would be very interested to hear people's experiences about these and other accelerated BSN programs in CT/NY as well. Also very curious which if any of them have a particularly good reputation among potential CT employers. Thank you in advance.

jennycRN · Oct 3, 2013

Graduated from UConn MEIN back when it was brand new and there was still a nursing shortage, I imagine that the program has evolved a lot and job prospects are different. Main advantage was and probably still is the cost! Also, I was able to work (about 24 hours a week) through the program. I know that some of the other programs (Qunnipiac) require you to sign a contract not to work. My own opinion is that in today's job market, experience as an aide or a tech is a much better 'foot in the door' than the prestige of your nursing program.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2013

Thank you, Jenny. It helps to know you were able to work, I was wondering about that. I come from another career and getting a CNA certification between now and when I am in the program in addition to all prerequisites is not realistic, unfortunately. Do you know if nursing students can be hired as an aid or a tech or do those absolutely require a separate certification?

jan286 · Oct 7, 2013

I am at Naugatuck Valley Community College and we are able to sit for the CNA certification test at the end of our first semester (so after we complete NUR 101). You should check with the programs you are interested in.

jennycRN · Oct 7, 2013

In the first couple of week s of the program, we learned skills like vital signs, bathing, mobility, repositioning which were enough to start working as an aide. (I was previously working in fast food and this seemed like a much better opportunity). Many facilities will hire nursing students into the role of aide or tech without the CNA license.

1Gypsywahine · Dec 10, 2013

Hello- This is my first post. I have been going in circles trying to figure out which ASBN, CEIN, ASD would be best suited for me. I live in North West CT ( the sticks). I attended Quinnipiac's seminar- wow amazing campus and the scaffolding and integration sounds amazing. I am teacher now pursuing a nursing career for a variety of reasons. The drive 1hr 20 min each way was ok it was the $59,900 cost attached that makes me hold back. I am 43 years old and have a 16 year old that I want to be able to help when she pursues her college dreams. At this point I enrolled at Tunxsis Community College to get my pre-reqs done. I am discovering that the accelerated programs tend to ave different pre-reqs as well as different application dates. My daughter graduates 2016 and I'd like to be done by then so I can move out of CT. The MEIN program is now the CEIN . Is anyone else navigating through this and/or taking their pre-reqs at Tunxsis? Any thoughts, advice, and experience in this realm? I have even thought about just going the ASN route to then bridge to the BSN , however, it seems crazy not to utilize my previous degrees. hmmmmmm....

INN_777, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

Hi Gypsywahine:

I went through this search process myself (now admitted to CEIN - my first choice) and can say that the two most reasonably priced programs are UCONN CEIN and Southern Connecticut ACE. If the cost of Quinnipiac scares you (it sure did scare me), consider these two programs. All the ABSN programs in the area would be the first to admit that there is little difference between them, so considering that and the challenging job market, paying so much more just was not justifiable for me. I have to say, though, that the less expensive programs are more competitive (they all are, but those particularly).

I was very impressed by the Fairfield second degree nursing program. They are more expensive but not as expensive as Quinnipiac.

Good luck!

1Gypsywahine · Jan 12, 2014

Thanks for your reply! Similarly my first choice will be the CEIN program as well. I a glad that they have a rolling admission process. Did you have all your pre-reqs completed before you applied? Congratulations!!!

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2014

I did not. I started application process late and still had two pre-reqs outstanding when I applied in August. But I had very good results in them. Got on waitlist first, then into the program. I think having 2 outstanding by August is risky, I just got lucky. But if you have one outstanding by August and have strong performance in them, you should be OK. But, again, there are other criteria.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2014

And you do know that they offer the program on 4 different campuses, right? Across CT. Good luck. If you have questions feel free to PM me.