Curry College ACCEL Program Spring 2021

faithfuturenurse, CNA · Sep 28, 2021

Hi y'all! I was recently accepted to the 2022 Milton program and was wondering if anyone who started this year could give me some insights into the program? What have you liked about it? Do you wish you picked somewhere else?

Nrd · Sep 28, 2021

48 minutes ago, faithfuturenurse said:

Hi y'all! I was recently accepted to the 2022 Milton program and was wondering if anyone who started this year could give me some insights into the program? What have you liked about it? Do you wish you picked somewhere else?

Hi huge congrats!! I started last Spring so I’m a little more than halfway through at this point. Overall my opinion of the program is positive. It has been unorganized at times but I think part of that has to do with the pandemic, regardless you are sort of just expected to go with the flow and that is what it is. Education wise I think I learned more in my first semester than I ever learned in my undergrad combined and other than a couple of professors I have found them all to be knowledgeable and passionate about the topics. I was personally torn between the UMass Boston program and Curry and I can now say I made the right choice. My Clinical's have been at some of the top hospitals in Boston, and I was able to network through them to get a PCA job at one of them this semester when I otherwise probably wouldn’t have been able to get one there. Additionally I have heard several times from nurses on the floor that Curry nursing students are some of the best during clinical which was a pleasant surprise for me. To be completely blunt, I wouldn’t go with any of the other accelerated programs in the Boston area unless you get a hefty scholarship or you go to UMass Boston (because it is the cheapest one) simply because the other programs are a lot more expensive and there’s really no reason to spend the extra money on a program like this if you can avoid it. Best of luck wherever you end up, going back for nursing was the best decision I’ve ever made even though it’s difficult it’s very doable if you’re determined.

nurshey · Sep 28, 2021

2 hours ago, faithfuturenurse said:

Hi y'all! I was recently accepted to the 2022 Milton program and was wondering if anyone who started this year could give me some insights into the program? What have you liked about it? Do you wish you picked somewhere else?

I agree with Nrd, I would say my opinion of the program is neutral leaning towards positive. Overall the professors are great, but as with any program some have been subpar. My clinical locations have been stellar, but there has also been a heavy reliance on simulations (as opposed to in-person clinical) to meet our required clinical hours. The first two semesters both had simulation and in semester three we are still doing some simulations in leiu of "real" clinicals -- this could change as Covid hopefully goes away and more places start up clinical again.

Administration seems wildly disorganized and last-minute at times, but I have heard this is a common complaint with ABSN programs in general. You will have a much easier time if you go into the program expecting that you will have to roll with the punches and be very flexible - no point getting worked up over how scattered things feel, as they always come together at the end of the day.

I recommend that you do the most affordable program you can get into, whether that is Curry or UMass Boston. All ABSN programs have their flaws (and some days, it definitely feels like Curry has more flaws than other programs), but Curry has a good reputation in the field (based on what I have heard from clinical instructors). Despite whatever complaints I have, I really do feel like I will be prepared to pass the NCLEX and start working as a nurse once I graduate.

I don't regret choosing Curry and I would recommend it if its the most affordable option for you. You will have an easier time if you make nursing school your top priority and expect that you will have to be flexible.

nurshey · Sep 29, 2021

One more point - Curry does NOT do preceptorships in the final semester of the ACCEL program. This is really unusual for a nursing program and in my opinion a major downside of the program. Just know that you will not do a preceptorship.. if that is a dealbreaker for you, then don't choose this program.

I don't like the lack of preceptorship, but I would still recommend Curry if its the most affordable option for you.

faithfuturenurse, CNA · Sep 29, 2021

Thank you both for your help!! I really appreciate the detail you have gone into about your experiences and has really helped me make a decision.

What days did you attend classes in your 3 semesters so far? Was it 3 first semester, 4 in the Summer (2 clinical) and then 2 this semester?

nurshey · Sep 29, 2021

Our first two semesters were mostly online, but they've switched back to in person now so your schedule could be different.

First Semester: Class Tuesday-Friday (but only for an few hours each day)

Second Semester: Class one day (for like 8 hours) and clinical two days. The schedule switches halfway through the semester when your clinical placement changes

Third Semester: Class two days (one day of which is for like 9 hours) and clinical one day.

D_NursingStudent · Oct 6, 2021

Hi all! I have also been accepted into Curry's 2022 Spring cohort and wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to give us your feedback and insights about the program! I don't want to bombard you with questions as I'm sure you're incredibly busy, but I was hoping you could quickly tell me on average how many hours per week you spend studying & doing assignments outside of clinical & class time? I've heard for other programs it can be over 50 hours a week, and it's hard to imagine how there'd be sufficient time for that with classes and clinicals taking up time during the week, as well.

Nrd · Oct 6, 2021

4 minutes ago, DianeP said:

Hi all! I have also been accepted into Curry's 2022 Spring cohort and wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to give us your feedback and insights about the program! I don't want to bombard you with questions as I'm sure you're incredibly busy, but I was hoping you could quickly tell me on average how many hours per week you spend studying & doing assignments outside of clinical & class time? I've heard for other programs it can be over 50 hours a week, and it's hard to imagine how there'd be sufficient time for that with classes and clinicals taking up time during the week, as well.

Hi!! Congrats! To be completely honest with you this is a difficult question to answer. Theres a lot of factors to consider, like what kind of learner you are, what semester youre in, and how much effort you put in. I know there’s people in my cohort who probably do put in 50 hours a week but I would not say the average is 50 hours…I studied for about 50 hours during finals week but that was absolutely the max I’ve personally studied in a week. That being said, first semester is definitely the hardest and requires the most studying but you also don’t have clinicals. First semester I probably averaged about 20-30 hours per week outside of class depending on how many tests I had that week and then second semester with clinicals I probably averaged about 15-20 hours a week. This semester I’ll be honest I probably study outside of class and clinicals about 10-15 hours because it’s an easier semester than the last two. This is me personally. If you’re someone who reads every textbook and studies every single PowerPoint slide you may be looking at about 50 hours a week but you have to find your own method to study which takes a bit. Hope this helps!

nurshey · Oct 6, 2021

7 minutes ago, DianeP said:

I was hoping you could quickly tell me on average how many hours per week you spend studying & doing assignments outside of clinical & class time? I've heard for other programs it can be over 50 hours a week, and it's hard to imagine how there'd be sufficient time for that with classes and clinicals taking up time during the week, as well.

Study times varies by person. IDK how many hours/week I spent studying. If I was not in class, then I was usually studying. I took at least half a day off every week, and I also worked two evenings a week. If you are studying 50 hours per week, in addition to class and clinical, then you are doing something wrong.

It's all about finding which study habits work for you. For most of the classes, don't even bother with trying to read the material from the book. Stick to the powerpoints instead, using the books & Youtube to clarify any material that you don't understand.

Again, nursing school has to be your top priority during the first two semesters. I don't find any of the material challenging, you just have to manage your time really well and put school first.

D_NursingStudent · Oct 6, 2021

Thank you so both so much! I really appreciate your taking the time to give such thoughtful responses & for the studying tips. I do get how studying will vary as each person has different learning styles - that makes sense. I think I'm just trying to get the most accurate idea of time commitment as possible to arrange my schedule accordingly. I'm a mother, so nursing school will be my priority, but it won't be my only one.

nurshey · Oct 7, 2021

2 hours ago, D_NursingStudent said:

Thank you so both so much! I really appreciate your taking the time to give such thoughtful responses & for the studying tips. I do get how studying will vary as each person has different learning styles - that makes sense. I think I'm just trying to get the most accurate idea of time commitment as possible to arrange my schedule accordingly. I'm a mother, so nursing school will be my priority, but it won't be my only one.

There are multiple moms in our cohort! I'm not one of them so take this with a grain of salt... I don't think any of them would say it's been easy balancing school with family, but they've all managed it. You won't be alone in dealing with "competing" priorities, so hopefully that is reassuring for you

D_NursingStudent · Oct 9, 2021

That is super reassuring, thank you for telling me that! I was a little concerned I'd be the only parent, tbh, so it's good to know I won't be alone in that regard and that it's possible to do both. Thank you again for all your help ?