Help with Accelerated BSN program

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 30, 2006

for accelerated bsn programs, almost all schools require that you have an undergrad bs/ba degree and completed prerequisites.

usb links:accelerated program info

they do have an option of having completed fresh/soph yr + all prerequisites, then attending full time accelerated program.

check links for each locations criteria.

preppy · Jul 30, 2006

I graduated from an accerlerated BSN program in Maryland. Yes, you must have a previous bachelors degree to qualify for such a program. Accelerated programs are generally 2 years because most of your credits transfer in and aleviate the need to take prerequisites for a 4 year degree. Your nursing program may require some prereqs for their program which you did not take the first time around. With me, I had to repeat all my sciences because they were more than 10 years old so that took me 2 semesters before I could begin the nursing classes. Good Luck.

middleageNP · Jul 30, 2006

for accelerated bsn programs, almost all schools require that you have an undergrad bs/ba degree and completed prerequisites.
usb links:accelerated program info
they do have an option of having completed fresh/soph yr + all prerequisites, then attending full time accelerated program.
check links for each locations criteria.

if you notice in the usb accelerated program links, there is info for those with prior degrees and there are other links for the accelerated program but without references to having to have bs/ba, so i'm really confused.

i've been taking all the required general eds and science prereqs at a cc and have four more classes to finish to have my pre-nurse as, which i had plan to finish in the upcoming fall and attend rn school in the spring. and since i'm in the second year at a cc, that would qualify me as a sophmore, right? all my classes are transferable to usa based on the stars system here in al. i hope that qualifies me as a soph..

sunnyjohn · Jul 30, 2006

It sounds to me like this school has two accelerated programs, one for students with a bachelor's degree and one for students doen with all nursing prerequisites + available for admission to th university at junior status (ie done with freshman and sophmore year).

Did you talk to a nursing adviosr ot just a regular advisor at the college? Sad to say, but often at many schools regular advising staff do not have the full 411 on nursing program info.

If it were me, I'd go STRAIGHT to the USA nursing department and ask them this question. Ge the info from the horses mouth. That way if something goes wrong, you have the name and number of someone in the nursing dept!

middleageNP · Jul 30, 2006

It sounds to me like this school has two accelerated programs, one for students with a bachelor's degree and one for students doen with all nursing prerequisites + available for admission to th university at junior status (ie done with freshman and sophmore year).
Did you talk to a nursing adviosr ot just a regular advisor at the college? Sad to say, but often at many schools regular advising staff do not have the full 411 on nursing program info.
If it were me, I'd go STRAIGHT to the USA nursing department and ask them this question. Ge the info from the horses mouth. That way if something goes wrong, you have the name and number of someone in the nursing dept!

The adviser I originally spoke to whom I sat with to figure out what classes I needed to qualify IS a nursing department advisor. On the other hand, the person that told me I had to have a prior degree is an administrator in their nursing department. That's why it's so confusing to me. Both should know what they're talking about.

This is crucial for me because I've been accepted to two other community college programs (ADN), both begin in Falll while the accelerated begins in Spring. I would need the extra semester to finish the 4 additional pre-reqs to have my BSN. So if I decline the other two acceptances and find out I can't even qualify for the accelerated program, I'd be losing a whole year. My situation will only allow me to be unemployed for up to 1 1/2 yr. I can be done with the accelerated nursing portions in 12 mos vs. 2 yr.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

TLC RN · Jul 30, 2006

I would contact the school again and question them again.

Looking briefly at thier website it looks like they offer a 12 month program for people that have a prior BS or BA AND they offer a 12 month program of your core nusing classes to people who do not have a degree yet BUT you have had completed all the other reqiurements for you BS. The second option would take someone with no college expereince 3 years to complete a BSN not four. So if you have all the prereqs for the (ie your first two years of college complete) you can do the nursing courses in 12 months.

I hope this helps...

middleageNP · Jul 31, 2006

I'm planning to straighten this out tomorrow. Will post what the actual deal is in case there is a similar case in the future. Thank you all.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

I'd love to know how they can offer 31 credit hours in a semester. Do you go to class from 3 am to midnight??? Either the material is going to be overwhelming or the credit hours are padded.

middleageNP · Jul 31, 2006

25 credits first semester, 21 for 2nd, 23 for the 3rd. Each semester has 3 intervals of 5,3, 5 or 7 weeks. My guess is, plan to be doing nothing but reading and studying for 12 mos straight. I hope I can make it. I know someone who managed a 4.0 straight thru, but I think she's a lot smarter than me. LOL

Hey, is that a Bengal in your avatar? I have a Bengal.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2006

Hey, is that a Bengal in your avatar? I have a Bengal.

My avatar isn't actually my cat, but a picture I found elsewhere. I don't know what kind it is; I just liked the tabby markings. I just posted my cats' pictures in the photo gallery, BTW.