I think this woman was pulling my leg during the interview....truth needed.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

When I went in for my interview the director of the program claimed that we will be in school from 8am-9pm 5 days per week. Is this possible? I didn't indicate that I found this disturbing rather I told her that I could do it because I sensed it is what she would want to hear. Truthfully though, who the heck wants to be stuck in school for 13 hours per day 5 days per week? I know it's an accelerated program and we cannot work but even so I feel that is way to many hours out of a day to attend class. My mother told me that this woman is pulling my leg and that she was told almost the same thing when she went to nursing school years back. She said that the director was just testing my response to see how bad I really want in to the program. She says it's likely I will be going to class from 8am-3 or 4pm on non-clinical days and that the director was likely including what she feels it would take with study hours included.

So for those of you already in nursing school: Did your interviewer say something along the same lines to you and did it later turn out to be untrue? What are your school hours?

Thanks in advance.

[royr]

At least - and if you are not as quick to learn and need to go over everything to keep it in your head - plan on studying all weekend as well. I have 2 more classes to finish for my BSN - and I found that not only could I not hold a job while doing this program, I barely have time to sleep if I want to keep up with all the paperwork involved. Just my experience. I am sure many smarter nurses take these classes who don't need to study and type APA sytle papers and clinical reports faster than I do - possibly you are one of those gifted folks. Good luck to you in all your endevors.

[augigi, CNS]

I highly doubt you'd have class for those hours. However, I would have asked whether she meant class time or also study time. I think with study time it could definitely get to that point in an accelerated program.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Thanks for the responses.

I am fine with the time frame if it includes study hours...that's great! I wouldn't even mind staying in the school building until that time studying if that is what is needed to keep the cohort focused. What I was concerned about is that this woman was giving me the impression that those are actual class room hours....big difference as far as I am concerned.

ETA: I am not working now and don't intend to until I graduate so I do fully intend to dedicated most of my time to studying and attending class.

[texas2007, BSN, RN]

Did you maybe misunderstand? Maybe she was trying to tell you the possible times that classes are offered, not that you would be in class that ENTIRE time... Maybe have a class for a few hours, have a break, have a class, have a break, up until 9 pm? Or maybe you'd have class 8 am- 3 pm one day and the next day have it 3 pm- 9 pm? I can't imagine any program going nonstop for 13 hours straight 5 days a week!! That just sounds like a set up for failure to me.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

You also have to remember that with an accelerated program, you'll likely be doing longer clinical days, and these may include 12-hour shifts. You have many more classes and more hospital time that you need to squeeze into a shorter period than a traditional student would...so I don't doubt that there WILL be some days when that 8am-9pm will be packed with clinical time or classes, not just study time.

Everyone I've worked with who finished an accelerated program said it really was that time-consuming and they were completely exhausted after the 13 months.

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Did you maybe misunderstand? Maybe she was trying to tell you the possible times that classes are offered, not that you would be in class that ENTIRE time... Maybe have a class for a few hours, have a break, have a class, have a break, up until 9 pm? Or maybe you'd have class 8 am- 3 pm one day and the next day have it 3 pm- 9 pm? I can't imagine any program going nonstop for 13 hours straight 5 days a week!! That just sounds like a set up for failure to me.

That's likely how it is. There usually isn't one long class - it's not like there will only be one instructor for the whole program. It's broken up into different subjects just like normal. Accelerated students often take classes with traditional students - just more of them at once. So they would have an 8am class, then maybe an 11am one, maybe another one at 2pm, and then an evening class from 6-9pm. There are breaks, but not long enough to leave campus and go home. Other days they'd have longer clinicals(we traditional students only had 6-8 hour clinicals, they had 8 or 12 hour ones).

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

We were in Clinicals 4 days a week. 2 eight hour days, with from 2-3 hours of class after;

two 4 hour clinical days with class and 4hour labs two days a week.

It being broken up in such a way I don't recall it being all that unusual. I do know we got a LOT more clinical than they require now. Then on the 5th day we had all academic/Nursing classes.....and a Maymester/Summer School 1 & 2.

Of course I was in my 20s then and now I am..........NOT in my 20s.

[Lovely_RN, MSN]

Thanks again. I really needed this information. I feel better and at the same time much worse. I really want this but I am scared...I feel like I am signing up for two years of torture.

I am asking all of these questions about school hours and study time becaues I am trying to present a clear picture for my family.

I have my entire family backing me but I am not sure if I have stressed enough to them what this all entails. I keep asking my husband over and over again if he is going to have a problem with rarely having a hot meal, being the sole provider, and not getting much attention for the next 2 years and he swears he can handle it. I hope so because I would hate to end up divorced before this is all over.

[dijaqrn]

Plan on being in school for those hours! In our accelerated program we had the same schedule and a few instuctors actually stuck to it! The other instuctors would add an assignment to make up for hours missed. Remember that state boards specify how many hours of theory and clinical you need and schools have to follow this. You''ll probably go home early alot but make sure you plan sitters or anything else you need based on stated school hours just to be safe. Congrats and good luck!!!!!!:balloons:

[joyfulgal, ASN, RN]

I too am in the same situation as you! I have great support from my husband and children along with some really great neighbors and girlfriends who live in the same area. I have had some of the same concerns as you. I have been accepted to an accelerated program and was told that our days would be like working a full time job 8am to 5pm M-F, with a bunch of study to do on evenings and weekends. My problem is that I have not actually worked outside of the home like a regular 8-5. It scares me a bit!! I am very used to being the one in control of everything, house, kids activities, bills, shopping, ect...I know I am just going to have to ask for some help and loosen up a little when it comes to having a clean house and such. Its only for one year, then the payoff!!! That is what keeps me going! Goodluck, maybe we can support one another when we need to vent!

[Victoriakem]

Why would your husband want to lose his investment, after getting your through nursing school? Good luck & keep the nose to the grind stone. I did an accelerated program in 16 months, even having to CLEP out of some classes & go to other colleges to get A & P, chem, etc but did it with 3 small children & a husband who has always worked a lot. And there's nothing wrong with me, with me, with me.....:icon_roll