Accelerated BSN Students: Please share your experiences!

hobbes · Mar 29, 2004

Hey everyone, I just got accepted to two of the 3 accelerated programs I applied for! WHOOPIE!
I was accepted at Loyola (in Chicago) and at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (my home town). Still waiting on Drexel. But I know I'm going to UWM, simply because it's cheaper and it's 5 minutes from my house
The accelerated BSN at UWM is 16 months and starts this fall.
I'm very happy but a little worried as far as grades go. I really want to be a nurse anesthetist and those programs really emphasize top grades to be even considered as an applicant! I've decided that I'm going to have my head in my books as much as possible.
I've also decided to move out of my parents house. I feel so cramped and they do NOT respect my study time or space. In order to do well, I know I'm going to have to have my own place..... heck, just for peace of mind. My mother doesn't agree with me moving out, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Any more experiences and advice concerning accelerated programs are welcome!

I'm in the exact situation as you with regard to eventually wanting to apply to CRNA school and for this reason I didn't want to go the accelerated route. However, life circumstances will require me to get a degree faster than I would like so it's really going to be tough. My program starts in the fall and I'm going to at least try and read the Patho or Pharm books over the summer to get a head start. It's going to be real tough, but if you set your mind to do it you can. Good luck.

TopCat1234 · Mar 29, 2004

is there a website that will show pass rates for the nclex (i hope i typed that right) exam for different programs? that seems like a really good thing to look at.

megsd, try your state's board of nursing website. i'm looking at pass rates for board approved programs in california and it's quite surprising. the mount saint mary's adn program has a significantly lower pass rate than their bsn program - but it doesn't distinguish between the regular bsn and the accelerated bsn. hmmm.....

you can also contact the schools you are interested in directly.

topcat

TLC RN · Mar 29, 2004

I'm in the exact situation as you with regard to eventually wanting to apply to CRNA school and for this reason I didn't want to go the accelerated route. However, life circumstances will require me to get a degree faster than I would like so it's really going to be tough. My program starts in the fall and I'm going to at least try and read the Patho or Pharm books over the summer to get a head start. It's going to be real tough, but if you set your mind to do it you can. Good luck.

Hobbes-

Do you feel the accelerated route will hurt your chances of getting into CRNA school?

hllybenn · Mar 29, 2004

I graduated Oct 03 from a 11 month BSN program- had a previous BS and Master's...

1) Did you feel prepared to work as an RN after graduating?

Completely- Orientation is the key no matter where you go- there are days where i realize I know very little but there are days when I "wow" myself with how much I learned (not only in school but on the job for 6 months)

2) Would you do an accelerated BSN again if you were to do it over again?

YES- WITHOUT A DOUBT- It got me what I wanted in the quickest amount of time- I am an RN, BSN

3) Will it be possible to work at least one day during the weekends?

For us it was impossible. Maybe like four hours on a saturday evening or something- but I AM GLAD I DID NOT WORK! WE were 11 months 5 days a week..

4) How many days of clinicals do you have?

2-3 per quarter (4 quarters)

5) Did you have any time for social life?

Somewhat- you pick your battles- I am married and I knew I needed to give my husband some time so I would bear down and get "X" amount of work done and then I would get to spend time with him. I like to refer to that year of my life as "what I abandoned" because I did- we sold our house and moved so that we could afford for me to do this- and it WAS WORTH IT- ONE MILLION TIMES OVER...

If you can do an accelerated program-meaning you have the credit/degree- DO IT-do not let all that (money, time and knowledge) go to waste. The BSN may not reward you on the first job out of school (or your previous degrees) cause we are all "graduate nurses" to begin but it willhelp somewhere.

Megsd, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2004

megsd, try your state's board of nursing website. i'm looking at pass rates for board approved programs in california and it's quite surprising. the mount saint mary's adn program has a significantly lower pass rate than their bsn program - but it doesn't distinguish between the regular bsn and the accelerated bsn. hmmm.....
you can also contact the schools you are interested in directly.
topcat

thanks for the advice. i'll start scouring board of nursing websites. :)

--meghan

hobbes · Mar 29, 2004

Hobbes-
Do you feel the accelerated route will hurt your chances of getting into CRNA school?

It has the potential to hurt my chances only because it will probably be harder to make the top grades due to the intensity of the program. Now, having said that I'm going to work that much harder to make sure that I do get good grades. However, I've not going to stress too much over it because there's not much I can do about it at this point.

hobbes · Mar 29, 2004

I graduated Oct 03 from a 11 month BSN program- had a previous BS and Master's...
1) Did you feel prepared to work as an RN after graduating?
Completely- Orientation is the key no matter where you go- there are days where i realize I know very little but there are days when I "wow" myself with how much I learned (not only in school but on the job for 6 months)
2) Would you do an accelerated BSN again if you were to do it over again?
YES- WITHOUT A DOUBT- It got me what I wanted in the quickest amount of time- I am an RN, BSN
3) Will it be possible to work at least one day during the weekends?
For us it was impossible. Maybe like four hours on a saturday evening or something- but I AM GLAD I DID NOT WORK! WE were 11 months 5 days a week..
4) How many days of clinicals do you have?
2-3 per quarter (4 quarters)
5) Did you have any time for social life?
Somewhat- you pick your battles- I am married and I knew I needed to give my husband some time so I would bear down and get "X" amount of work done and then I would get to spend time with him. I like to refer to that year of my life as "what I abandoned" because I did- we sold our house and moved so that we could afford for me to do this- and it WAS WORTH IT- ONE MILLION TIMES OVER...
If you can do an accelerated program-meaning you have the credit/degree- DO IT-do not let all that (money, time and knowledge) go to waste. The BSN may not reward you on the first job out of school (or your previous degrees) cause we are all "graduate nurses" to begin but it willhelp somewhere.

Good post! Even though I originally wanted to go into the traditional program, for a motivated person I think an accelerated program is beneficial. I'm not really that concerned about clinical hours because the bottom line is you're going to learn how to be a nurse once you graduate and are actually nursing. Clinical experience in school can only go so far and there are probably few graduate nurses that are going to feel completely competent until after they have been on-the-job for awhile - there's just too much to learn.

Sheri257 · Mar 30, 2004

Good post! Even though I originally wanted to go into the traditional program, for a motivated person I think an accelerated program is beneficial. I'm not really that concerned about clinical hours because the bottom line is you're going to learn how to be a nurse once you graduate and are actually nursing. Clinical experience in school can only go so far and there are probably few graduate nurses that are going to feel completely competent until after they have been on-the-job for awhile - there's just too much to learn.

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that conclusion. Of course, it depends upon the employer, but I've talked to some of them and clinical hours, as well as the structure of the program, can make a difference in some cases. Afterall, they don't want to spend too much time and effort training new grads. In my area, some employers do prefer certain nursing programs over others because there's less transitional training involved.

:coollook:

hobbes · Mar 30, 2004

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that conclusion. Of course, it depends upon the employer, but I've talked to some of them and clinical hours, as well as the structure of the program, can make a difference in some cases. Afterall, they don't want to spend too much time and effort training new grads. In my area, some employers do prefer certain nursing programs over others because there's less transitional training involved.

Just to clarity: Are you saying that you've talked with employers that will make a hire/no-hire decision based on # of clinical hours? If not, what is the "difference" you are refering to? Starting salary? I would guess then that those employers would prefer ADN grads since they typically have more clinical hours than BSN grads. I guess all things being equal, I could see this being a factor, but with the current shortage of nurses I would think what's more important is that you've graduated from an accredited program and passed the NCLEX. But...I could be wrong. This may be a regional thing.

Sheri257 · Mar 30, 2004

Just to clarity: Are you saying that you've talked with employers that will make a hire/no-hire decision based on # of clinical hours? If not, what is the "difference" you are refering to? Starting salary? I would guess then that those employers would prefer ADN grads since they typically have more clinical hours than BSN grads. I guess all things being equal, I could see this being a factor, but with the current shortage of nurses I would think what's more important is that you've graduated from an accredited program and passed the NCLEX. But...I could be wrong. This may be a regional thing.

I attended a nursing jobs fair where I was told by some hospital reps that they did prefer more clinical hours because the training was easier and less costly for them. However, as you pointed out, with the shortage they may not always have a choice. But given a choice, that's what they prefer. I was told this by some although certainly not all hospitals in my area. I didn't have time to talk to all of them, but I did hear this from some of the hospitals that I was most interested in working for. I live in an area where there are five nursing schools and many nursing jobs within a 60 mile radius, so I'm not sure if this is just a regional situation, although perhaps it could be. I didn't ask about salary at that point because I was more focused on how to structure my education. I hope this answers your questions.

Nemrak · Mar 30, 2004

Interesting that you mention this. I looked at a five semester BSN versus the ADN program in my area, but decided to go with the ADN, mostly for similar reasons that you mentioned. While this is an established BSN program and they require a higher GPA, their NCLEX pass rate is very low compared with other programs in the area. That made me really nervous. You have to wonder what's going on in a program where higher GPA students are failing the NCLEX in greater numbers. I also was worried about the program's reputation for not giving students enough clinical training.
Anyway, I found your comments interesting since they reflected a lot of my own concerns in a somewhat similar situation. I simply wasn't confident that I would be fully prepared, even though I could get my BSN much quicker. Of course, that means it will take longer, but I'll go the ADN-BSN route eventually.

I am in a BSN program (non "fast-track" program) after I decided to work and have a family for ten years. Needless to say, I was very unprepared for what was in store for me. I had already graduated from a junior college in pre-nursing, so it's not like I hadn't been in college, but the BSN program is a virtual hell! The assessments and physicals that you have to document at our school is surreal. I don't remember signing up for medical school and quite honestly that's what it is.

Let's just say this....if I had it to do over again, I would just get my ADN. Here, in AL, there is absolutely no difference in pay, in recognition or in respect.

Also, I work full time as a Nurse Tech at the local hospital here and I'm making A's & B's in school, and, I have a husband and two children. Therefore, I think you should try to work in a clinical setting just for the osmosis process! All of the nurses I work with are so wonderful and teach me more than I've ever learned in class. They also tell me not to worry so much your real experience will begin when you start working. Anyway, I feel like you can always ask someone if you are unsure about something and my peers are terrific about helping me understand. I love the nurses I work with.

Take care,

Nem

onyok · Sep 5, 2007

F0r those who are either going through the program or have already graduated:
1) Did you feel prepared to work as an RN after graduating?
2) Would you do an accelerated BSN again if you were to do it over again?
3) Will it be possible to work at least one day during the weekends?
4) How many days of clinicals do you have?
5) Did you have any time for social life?
Please share any other experiences. Thank you.

I am still in an accelerated BSN program & graduating on May2008. I have the same concerns. The instructors do their best to cover the material but there is not just enough time. A lot of us do extra work at home to educate ourselves. In this program, students really need that drive and initiative to learn and not just pass and complete requirements. It is a team effort between students and instructor. I am just hoping & praying that I would have adequate training & education when I finally practice as a novice RN.

Our clinical is 3 days/week, 7-3.

It's best not to work,you can allot that time to review more topics--- for your sake. Yes, there is time for social life.

Any ABSN grads out there that are already working? Any tips??