Help on Accelerated BSN! Thanks.

Ross1 · Aug 10, 2004

I would recommend that you do a search at http://www.allnursingschools.com

Be sure to investigate lots of second degree "accelerated" BSN programs as the pre-requisite requirements can vary significantly. I looked at quite a few myself but realized that despite my Bachelor's degree and Master's degree, these programs would be anything but accelerated because I was lacking in far too many of the pre-reqs.

I seem to recall from a previous posting on another thread that there were several accelerated BSN programs in New York State that were a bit easier with the pre-reqs. Check out SUNY Stonybrook.

Some programs truly respect your current BA or BS and waive all pre-reqs except for A&P 1-2, Microbiology, Intro to Psych, and Psych-Human Development which is totally appropriate. Other programs though are much less flexible and want you to meet every single one of its degree requirements for general ed, humanities, sciences, and social science. In my case, it would have taken about 2 years to complete the pre-reqs just to be eligible to apply to one of these 1-2 year second degree BSN programs. For a host of pragmatic reasons this was not feasible so I am entering a 2 year ADN program this fall (where I already met 100% of the pre-reqs....through my transfer credits and due to the ability to take A&P concurrently with the nursing curriculum rather then prior........already have micro out of the way though).

Good luck.

Isabel2004 · Aug 10, 2004

Dear Ross1,

Thank you so much. Good luck to you.

Isabel

I would recommend that you do a search at www.allnursingschools.com
Be sure to investigate lots of second degree "accelerated" BSN programs as the pre-requisite requirements can vary significantly. I looked at quite a few myself but realized that despite my Bachelor's degree and Master's degree, these programs would be anything but accelerated because I was lacking in far too many of the pre-reqs.
I seem to recall from a previous posting on another thread that there were several accelerated BSN programs in New York State that were a bit easier with the pre-reqs. Check out SUNY Stonybrook.
Some programs truly respect your current BA or BS and waive all pre-reqs except for A&P 1-2, Microbiology, Intro to Psych, and Psych-Human Development which is totally appropriate. Other programs though are much less flexible and want you to meet every single one of its degree requirements for general ed, humanities, sciences, and social science. In my case, it would have taken about 2 years to complete the pre-reqs just to be eligible to apply to one of these 1-2 year second degree BSN programs. For a host of pragmatic reasons this was not feasible so I am entering a 2 year ADN program this fall (where I already met 100% of the pre-reqs....through my transfer credits and due to the ability to take A&P concurrently with the nursing curriculum rather then prior........already have micro out of the way though).
Good luck.

rastanursern, MSN · Aug 10, 2004

You should also try downstate. You need to have the science pre-req's to start the program. It starts in june and is a 15 months program. The degree you hold doesn't matter. My cousin graduated from that program, and she went in w/ a degree in art history. They focus on your gpa, overall, and your gpa in the science pre-req's. Good Luck.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

Hi. I'm an accelerated BSN who's first degree was a BS in criminal justice. 20 years ago when I was investigating accelerated programs there were only 6!

It is important for you to know that many of these programs have lengthy lists of pre-reqs. In my case, I spent 4 years in night school taking Anatomy and physiology, organic chem, nutrition, computer science and ethics. Yes, my accelerated program was one year but I had a BS AND 60 credits in additional pre-reqs going in! I had virtually no science credits in my first BS degree.

Another note, many of the accelerated program have requirements as to content. I had to take computer science over again because my prior class was too old; I had to take an additional ethics class because my course hadn't included Catholic ethics (required by my Jesuit university).

I suggest you make an appt at the school you are interested in and get someone to eyeball your transcript and give you some specifics as to what you need. Best of luck, it can be done!

Ross1 · Aug 10, 2004

Thank you quickbeam for giving another example of how these Accelerated BSN programs for folks who already have a BA or BS are often anything but accelerated. It sounds as if your Jesuit run university placed many obstacles before you but you overcam them! Good for you!

For me, I just couldn't fathom spending at least 2 years doing pre-reqs and still not have taken a single nursing course. In addition to the excessive financial cost, I would hate to take all those pre-reqs to either get put on a BSN program wait list or start the BSN program and discover that nursing school is not for me.

I did find a way though to end up with the same outcome of a BSN with much less hassle. Like you, my major deficiency was the fact that I did not take any sciences during my first B.S. (funny that it is called a Bachelor of Science though). As previously indicated, I was accepted into an ADN program without having to do any pre-reqs. I'll do the sciences while earning my ADN. Once I finish the ADN, if I desire, I will continue with an RN-BSN program. From my research, it appears as if these programs have few science requirements then the traditional BSN program for non-RNs. I spoke to one program already and was unofficially told that I would most likely only need to take an additional 30 credits of upper division nursing classes to earn the BSN. Everything else would transfer from my BS, ADN, and MSW if necessary and I would not need any additional science classes beyond the Microbiology and A&P 1-2 that I will have taken in the ADN.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

Ross1, that's a great idea. There are so many more options available now compared to the mid 80's when I was doing this. As rigid as nursing education appears to some today, it was horribly unyielding in the past.

I should add that I did the 4 years of pre-reqs in night school because I was hoping to actually get an ADN while working. The program however, was not able to accommodate me. I figured if I was going to have to be off of work anyway, I'd go for a BSN in the least amount of time possible. I'm very proud of my BSN (the accelerated program was brutal, even with a zillion credits in the bag) but had there been more options, I might have gone another way.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

I just got some info mailed to be about the College Network.

It sounded good and cheap(er) but I'm starting to think that there are cheaper ways and College Network will actually cost more.

State universities still sound like the best option to me.

redwinggirlie · Aug 11, 2004

We had accelerated students come through our unit. None had a science degree, as far as I know.

Knowing that in a matter of weeks they would gain a license as a nurse frightened me. I wish these programs would take more consideration in knowledge than in fast tracking.

For instance, one candidate was one week away from finishing their Fast Track and they didn't know the difference between any and all insulins available or why they were used.

Scary.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2004

As with all nursing education, quality varies. I knew several nurses from a prestigious traditional 4 year program who had never touched a patient in clinical. Nor had they had any rotations other than basic med/surg. Meanwhile, my accelerated program gave me amazing clinical rotations in every possible field. I did pediatric ICU, L&D (in on 9 deliveries) psych, community and public health, LTC, ER, Adult ICU, 2 school nursing rotations plus 4 med surg clinicals (plus more I'm forgetting). I felt extremely well prepared and had a seamless transition into real world practice. In my case my "one year accelerated " program was actually supplemented by 4 years of night school (60 credits) and an entire additional BS degree. It really isn't the same as a quickie Accelerated program that doesn't have those requirements. I'd worry about that too!