GA State Accelerated Program

swimmomga · Sep 28, 2009

My daughter started the program this semester. She says its a lot of work and sometimes not enough hours in the day to complete it. She feels that the patho and pharm classes are by far the most difficult because of the amount of material covered on each test. Many tell her that once u finish the 1st semester of the program it does get a little easier.

able1988 · Sep 29, 2009

Thanks. Keep me updated on her progress. I hope she does well!

JenRN30, BSN · Sep 30, 2009

Hi able,

I'm about to graduate from the program in December. Overall, I've been very happy with Georgia State. The first semester is absolutely killer, and then it gets easier from there. This last semester is the easiest one yet. Most of the teachers are excellent, and I've had great clinical instructors also. I've been speaking with some nursing recruiters about employment in the near future, and they seem to think highly of Georgia State. And you're done in 16 months. Believe me, it flies.

The only bad thing is that you can't work, especially in the first two semesters (some people may, but grades suffer). The other thing is that you go to classes through the summer, and so you can't do an externship. Right now, with the tight economy, nurse recruiters are asking for work as a tech or an externship. This may hurt me in finding a job.

I would definitely recommend this program, and I know all the people in my class are very happy with it as well. Very stressful at times, but worth it.

Let me know if you have any specific questions about the program. Good luck!

Jennie

able1988 · Oct 1, 2009

Thank you for you info. I do have some questions. About how much reading is there and do you go to school everyday of the week? Also, does it matter whether you do an externship or not???

JenRN30, BSN · Oct 1, 2009

Reading really depends on the class. Some classes you need to read, some you don't. First semester, you really need to read for all of the classes, so you spend a lot of time reading. I would say probably a few hundred pages per week. Some people didn't read and got by just fine, but if you really want to get A's in the first semester classes, then you need to read. This semester, the reading is pretty minimal. Maybe 100 pages per month.

I'll tell you what my schedule has been like during the program

1st semester:

Class monday 8:30 - 5:45 pm with a few breaks

Class wednesday 11:15 - 4:30pm

Clinicals on Thursday OR Friday 8 - 2pm

2nd semester:

Class monday 1pm - 7pm

Clinicals Tues, Wed from 6:30 am - 3:30pm

Class Fri 9 - 3:30pm

3rd semester (summer):

We did one class for the first 5 weeks, had a 2 week break, and then did the other class for another 5 weeks

Class: Monday and Thursday from 9-3:30

Clinicals: Tuesday and Wednesday from 7am to 7pm

Some people had clinicals on Saturday and Sunday

4th semester:

Tuesday: clinicals for half the semester from 8:30 - 2:30, class from 4 to 7 every other week

Friday: class from 8 - 3:30pm

Some people are taking the critical care elective, with classes on Wed and Thurs from 4:30-7pm

Also, this semester we do our senior practicum. It's 150 hours in a hospital with a preceptor. You have to schedule this time with them, depending on what their schedule is like and what works for you. It works out to about 12 12-hour days in the hospital (maybe 13).

I don't think an externship really matters, but right now, with the economy the way it is, hospitals are not hiring new grads as readily as they did before. So, because there are so many people trying to get fewer positions, employers are trying to find a way to distinguish one new grad from another. A person with an externship may get a job ahead of someone who doesn't because they have the extra experience and have made contacts where they worked. So, if you can do one, it's better, but I don't think it's that big of a deal.

Hope this helps.

able1988 · Oct 1, 2009

Wow. Thank you so much for your info. It really helps. Good luck with your new job when you graduate!

able1988 · Oct 1, 2009

One more question. Is it possible to do an externship with the fast paced program or should I just do the traditional program to get an externship???

JenRN30, BSN · Oct 1, 2009

You really can't do an externship because they're offered over the summer and are basically a full time job for 10 weeks. In the accelerated program you have class and clinicals, so it just won't work. In the traditional program, you have summers off, but it does take 3 years to graduate. That doesn't include prereqs. Glad I could help!

Mixolydian · Oct 1, 2009

Thank you so much for the information Jennieb30! I just applied to the accelerated program, and it was so helpful to get a feel of what the schedule will be like. I was wondering if you might have a feel for the chance I have of being admitted based on the current students in the program. I have a program GPA of 4.12, but my NET score was 88. I was really wanting to score in the 90's. I am hoping that they will focus more on my grades than the standardized test. I made A+'s in A&P I and II, Chemistry, Microbiology,and Abnormal Psych. Do you think this will compensate for my NET score? Congrats on your graduation in December!

JenRN30, BSN · Oct 1, 2009

Mix -

You're in, no problem. 4.12?? You would've gotten in anywhere!! I think I had a 3.9 program and 90 net. Don't worry, you'll be fine. We had some students in the class with 3.0 and 80 net. Do you know when you're supposed to find out? You're going to really like the program, and you get really close to the people in your class. It's been a great experience. Let me know if you have any more questions. I'm glad to help.

Jen

bdanders · Oct 1, 2009

Do they factor in previous degrees at all? I earned my first degree in Chemical Engineering. You prayed for B's in a lot of my classes, especially the science ones. (I don't have any C's, but B's definitely outnumber A's).