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Defiinitely think carefully about your given situation with your son. The accelerated program sounds nice, but you will of course do more in a shorter amount of time. Do you have a good support system in place and help with your son when you must study for exams and go to clinicals, etc. etc.? If so, I say go accelerated if the program is accredited and get it over with. I have a degree also and I am currently going the technical college (2-year) route. I wish my school offered such.
I also chose between an accelerated program and an associate's program. I chose the associate's program which is 2 years compared to a 14 month accelerated program. I felt the accelerated program was too intense and too expensive.
I heard that in the accelerated program, you can go through and never learn or perform all of the nursing skills needed. I heard you feel more loss after getting a job and it takes longer to catch up.
I also did not do the accelerated program because I would not have been able to work, like you said, it's all day 4 days a week, that doesn't leave much time left for anything else. Right now, the hospital I work part-time at, pays for some of my schooling which is also why I wanted to be able to work during school.
Just letting you know what I chose to do! Good luck!
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the advice. My first choice is the community college (2 year associate's degree). But they only accept 40 out of 900 applicants. That leaves me with the 2 diploma program options at the hospital's nursing school.
I have a great support system for my son. He is actually the reason why I want to become a nurse. After 4 brain surgeries and dozens of hospitalizations, the time is right for me now to pursue nursing. I just hope that he does not have a set-back and require another surgery while I am in school (because I would have to quit).
My last option is do an LPN program and then bridge to RN. This would be most economical and I would not be rushed.
Anyway, I am applying to all of the above options and will see where I get accepted. That may lead me to my answer too.
DD-RN
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