How intense is the accelerated BSN program?

I'm not a mom, but I am in the TCU accelerated program. It is intense, but doable. That being said, we have had a few drop out of our program due to various issues. As far as scheduling, during the summer, we went to school four days a week (2 class days 2 clinical days) and we got out around 3:30 on class days and 1 on clinical days. Currently for fall, we go to school 4 days a week (2 class days, 2 clinical days) and get out at various times, ranging from 2 pm to 7pm depending on the clinical.

I usually describe the program as "trying to drink from a fire hydrant". The information doesn't seem "hard" It's just that you are being pumped full of so much so quickly sometimes your head is spinning (at least during the summer).

I think I've said enough here. If you need or want any other details, PM me!

Hi premedturnednursing,

Thanks a lot for all the valuable information you shared. It is just wonderful to hear from someone who has a first hand experience of the ABSN program. Btw, did you get some credits from your previous degree?Did they credit your science subjects and other credentials you had?How was your waiting when you applied for ABSN program?What was the GPA requirement in TCU?

Did you take your pre-req's in TCU?Am looking into getting mine in CC but do you think I need to make an appointment first at TCU counselor or whoever I need to talk too before I go ahead and enroll in CC for my pre-req's? Were you able to some pre-req subjects online,too? How was it?Sorry if I got too many questions. i just really wanna understand how it works.

Anyhow,thanks again for your time.I tried to Pm you but I don't have a premium membership that will allow me to do so.Hope it's ok.Thanks.

And Goodluck to you,too!:-)

No problem, glad to help! Let's see, to answer your questions, I don't think I got credit for classes taken for my first degree unless they were part of the required pre-reqs. I took almost all of my pre-reqs at TCC and that was just fine. I took two of the pre-reqs online (nutrition and psych) and that didn't seem to be a problem either. I loved taking the online courses. Just try to do really well (A's) if you take the courses at cc and do well on your NET and write a good essay (if they still have you do that) I think my GPA was like a 3.7 in my pre-reqs, but I can't really remember, and talking to my classmates everyone's GPA seems to be varied.

If you are unsure about the courses, talk to someone in the nursing program to make sure you are taking the right ones.

Waiting to hear back to see if I got in was excruciating, lol. It took them a few months, and one of my classmates didn't hear until about a week before the program actually started!

All in all, it's a good program (it does have a few flaws), but I'll be glad to be getting my BSN so quickly. Let me know if you have anymore questions and good luck in this whole process!

Hi again,

Thanks for the very quick response:-) I really do appreciate it. However I got few questions to shoot..I hope I don't overwhelm you.

Anyway I am very naive of this, I am just trying to get a better understanding how the school system works here as I studied back in the Philippines. I know for one that CC is a lot cheaper than other schools. So, is there a different standard of obtaining a certain grade if I have to take it at CC over a different school like TCC for example? How long did it take you finish your pre-req's? Can I apply in the ABSN program a couple of months prior to pre-req's accomplishment? I know it's a requirement to have the pre-req's done but knowing the waiting list, when is the ideal time to do so? I know I have still a long ways to go...;-)

Btw, how many students are you in the class now?Do you know if pursuing an MSN in the future will require to have an RN or at least ADN?Just a thought.Thanks a lot for your time.

-Madel

I was told do as well as you can in the pre-reqs, especially if you take them at a junior college. I think you can get in without having them all completed, but they MUST be completed by the first class day.

We have about 35 students in our program now. We lost a few, but some new ones were added in. We are a fairly close knit group which is great.

As far as I know, you have to have an RN to transition to an MSN program....not sure if I answered your question.

Good luck

Again, thank you very much for all the information you have shared and for answering my questions.Thanks for your time. Maybe in the future once I can get to the program, i'l have a few if not more q's;-)Seriously though,thanks a lot.And Goodluck!:-)

no problem! if you need anymore help just let me know!

I am in the accelerated BSN program at UT Houston. It is challenging but not overwhelming. It is a lot of reading and self-study. We are on campus about 3 times a week the first semester and then just once a week the second and third semesters just for exams. We have 12 hr clinicals about twice a week. We still get breaks and holidays. We had a full 2 weeks between summer and fall and we get a week for Thanksgiving and two weeks for Christmas. I have been very happy with how things turned out. Good luck with your decision! Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about the program.