Lehman accelerated BSN students/alumni

Destin293 · May 20, 2014

Hey, I know this is old, but I see no one responded to this yet. I currently attend Lehman's accelerated program so I can give you info. on that. Admission criteria is competitive -- the lowest GPA they accepted for fall 2013 accelerated was a 3.7 (this is only for the pre-req classes of Chem 1, Chem 2, A&P 1, A&P 2, microbiology, and developmental psychology). Out of the 20 students they accepted, we currently have 14 students left heading into our final 3 classes for the summer. Aim for as close to a 4.0 as possibly (I applied with a 3.93). Also get as high on the HESI as possible (90+). When applying, mark that you would accept a seat in the generic program if you don't meet the criteria for the accelerated program. That way if you don't get in, you still have the option of attending.

The schedule, I assume, changes year to year in terms of the time the classes are offered. For the 2013 - 2014, our fall consisted of Pharmacology (1 day a week at night, all accelerated students), pathophysiology (1 day a week during the day -- you choose your section because you will take it with the generic students), NUR 300 (1 day a week during the day, you choose the section because, again, you will be with the generic students), and Fundamentals (1 day a week during the day). For fundamentals, you're grouped with the generic students so you will be in a giant lecture hall. Your clinical for the fall semester is 1 day a week for 12 hours (I think generic goes 2 days a week for 6 hours) and in a nursing home setting (they start with long term care). You have Friday's off. Clinical for the accelerated students was either the Bronx VA or Bronx Lebanon (depending on your group, but I'm not sure if Bronx Lebanon is the location -- I was at the VA, so I'm not sure).

Next is the winter interession. You get 1 week off for the holidays then start right after the new year. You will be on campus for psych. 2 days a week from 8am - 2pm and have an exam every class meeting. Your clinical is 3 days a week from 8am - 3pm and the clinical setting was either St. Luke's or St. Barnabas. If you don't take HIN 269 (Analysis and Action for Community Health) in the summer before enrolling, then you will also have to take that. It's 3 credits and taken online. I suggest taking 269 before enrolling in order to lessen the load for intersession.

Spring semester starts after a nice, long, refreshing 3 days off (sarcasm!). You will take NUR 302 (Ways of Knowing which is a research course), NUR 406 (Clinical Decision Making which is a critical thinking course), NUR 303 (Medical/Surgical clinical), and NUR 405 (Maternity/Pediatrics). NUR 302 and NUR 406 both meet 1 day a week during the day for a full 15 weeks and is a mix of accelerated and RN to BSN students. NUR 303 meets 2 days a week in the afternoon and is just accelerated students. Your clinical is still 12 hours a day, but this time for 2 days a week. After midterm, you finish med/surg and start maternity/pediatrics. It's the same set up -- class 2 days a week and clinical 2 days a week. Clinical for med/surg is either Bronx Lebanon (I think) or the Bronx VA (again, I was at the VA). Clinical for pediatrics is either Montefiore or..another place (I'm not sure where the other group goes, sorry). Community is 3 weeks and meets at NCB. Maternity is 3 weeks and meets at Jacobi. Pediatrics goes the full 6 weeks.

I am just about to start summer, so I can't comment on the craziness of it. I do know for certain 1 group is going to Bronx Lebanon and the other is going to Jacobi. We take 3 classes -- 1 class is the first 4 weeks, the other class is the 2nd 4 weeks, and clinical goes for 11 weeks straight. NUR 408 (Trends & Issues in Nursing) meets Monday & Wednesday in the morning, clinical (which is like Med/Surg 2) meets Wednesday for class and then clinical Thursday and Friday. The last class, Professional Nursing Management, meets the same days as the first 4 week class.

As for student life, there's no such thing as student life in the accelerated program. You are in class much more than the generic students and your workload is going to be very tough leaving no time for anything else. If you're expecting to be president of the NSA, don't do accelerated. You won't even know when events are happening with anything because you will always be in class or clinical. Your student life will revolve around meeting with your clinical group to study (or cry!).

Accelerated students also get "cheated" out of a lot of things. Your GPA could be extremely high, but you won't get an invite to Sigma Theta Tau until next year. You have to complete 2/3 of the program which doesn't happen until after your ped's/maternity clinical is over in May -- they send invites to eligible students in March. So, if you live in the area and feel like coming back 9 months after you're finished, then you can do it. There is also no separate pinning -- you're pinned at the end of the spring semester with all the graduating seniors. So, while they are happy and celebrating, you're still facing another 11 weeks until you're completely done.

Lastly, because you're applying to both Downstate and Lehman, that means you live in either the Bronx or Brooklyn (or, if you're lucky, Manhattan!). I live in Brooklyn (I didn't apply to downstate, though) and commute to the Bronx everyday. It takes me 2 hours each way which is a killer (4 hours, round trip, everyday)!!! I highly suggest living next to the campus (or within a decent distance) to cut down on the stress of such a long commute. You will value the extra free time.

Best of luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

thecareerchanger, BSN · May 22, 2014

Thank you so much Destin293! It sounds really brutal. I asked about student life but the reality is I have a family so I probably would not be a traditional student anyway. I live in Queens and I drive so my commute would not be as long as yours but distance wise Downstate is closer. Paying toll to go to the Bronx almost daily would be expensive though although I think I would prefer going to Lehman. Do you like the program overall? Do you feel you would be prepared when you graduate? Thanks again

Destin293 · May 28, 2014

The program definitely is brutal, but you do get used to the pace of it after a while. It does require an intense amount of time management because you will want to do everything, but won't have the time to do it all so you have to prioritize. It does get frustrating when you plan to devote an entire weekend to studying for clinical then realize you have a paper or presentation due. And I know I had said we started with 20 and finishing with 14 -- well, we're down to 13 now because another failed pediatrics/maternity.

Overall, the program is good. I haven't had any absolutely terrible professors and for the most part, they are very supportive and always willing to help. The only thing I don't like is there isn't much time spent in the lab. You go for a little bit, do your skills checklist, but the lab is pretty useless. If you have a good professor, they will take their time in there with you...if it's ever open or not booked. You do pretty much all your learning in clinical so you have to be extremely proactive in what you want to learn when you're there. A lot of students will wait for the professor to approach them with what needs to be learned, but I suggest going to your professor and saying, "My patient has XYZ procedure scheduled today at 11am. I would like to practice this" and stay on top of it so you get what you need from clinical.

I am not completely sure if I feel 100% prepared when I graduate -- but I've talked to people from other nursing program (as well as nurses at the hospital) and they all said they didn't feel prepared, either. If you want a good foundation prior to entering the field, I do suggest doing the 2 year generic program. This will give you the summer free and you can apply for internships in the summer between your junior and senior years. I absolutely can't overstate the importance of these internship opportunities because 1. It will pair you with a working nurse where you will get a 1 on 1 opportunity for the duration of the program to really put your skills to practice and 2. These internship programs are a way for hospitals to test you out and see if you're worth hiring when you graduate. Even the program director at Lehman will tell you there are no jobs out there for new grad nurses in NYC, so an internship is a GREAT way to make sure you're not wasting 9 months post-grad. looking for a job. For me, I plan to move upstate where nursing jobs are much more plentiful (but lower paying), but if I was planning to stay in NYC and I had to do it all over again, I'd stay with the 2 year generic program JUST for the internship opportunity that accelerated students don't get.

Overall, I am satisfied with Lehman. It's a good program at an affordable price so I can't really complain. Also, if you're not planning to enter for a couple years, you may be in luck with facilities. They're finally retiring the old T3 building (T stands for trailer) and moving the nursing department to an actual building! I also think they're establishing an actual department of nursing instead of including it under the umbrella of another department so, it is improving quite a bit.

nifty_n · Oct 12, 2014

Hi,

I am wondering if getting an internship after the completion of the accelerated program is an option? I recently applied to Lehman as a second degree student. I plan to take my pre-reqs and then apply to the accelerated program. But now I'm wondering whether the 2 year generic program would be best.

thecareerchanger, BSN · Oct 18, 2014

I am considering applying to both the accelerated and generic program when the time comes because it may be easier to do internships and obtain part time employment. I am also thinking of taking a year after finishing pre-reqs to just get certified in stuff (CNA, phlebotomy, etc.) so that I can work per diem or part time while I am in school (I know I would not be able to keep my full time job). I heard of internships for graduate nurses but there doesn't seem to be a great deal of them and they are probably super competitive so I think it would be better to get healthcare experience before graduating if possible.

Destin293 · Nov 20, 2014

Hi,
I am wondering if getting an internship after the completion of the accelerated program is an option? I recently applied to Lehman as a second degree student. I plan to take my pre-reqs and then apply to the accelerated program. But now I'm wondering whether the 2 year generic program would be best.

I am not sure, but I do not believe internships are an option after the completion of the accelerated program. You won't finish the accelerated program until August when most internships are already wrapping up. Plus, once you finish nursing school, an internship isn't even on your mind...studying for, and passing, the NCLEX is all you're thinking about. I don't think I would suggest taking a few months off for an internship in lieu of studying for the NCLEX anyway. And once you do take and pass the NCLEX, you're considered an RN so an internship is likely not an option anyway.

What option you will have, however, is a residency program. It's similar to an internship where you receive intense training and support, but it's paid, and at the end, you're offered employment (or not, if you're terrible). Some residency programs don't require you to have your license, but pretty much every program in NYC does. Also, if you expand your job hunting beyond NYC, some hospitals in upstate NY will take you as a graduate nurse and then hire you as an RN the moment you become licensed.

The good thing is, you still have time to decide if you're only taking your pre-req's now. Just start thinking about where you are in life right now and if 2 years is an option or you have other pressing matters that would be better addressed by finishing school quickly.

Destin293 · Nov 20, 2014

I am considering applying to both the accelerated and generic program when the time comes because it may be easier to do internships and obtain part time employment. I am also thinking of taking a year after finishing pre-reqs to just get certified in stuff (CNA, phlebotomy, etc.) so that I can work per diem or part time while I am in school (I know I would not be able to keep my full time job). I heard of internships for graduate nurses but there doesn't seem to be a great deal of them and they are probably super competitive so I think it would be better to get healthcare experience before graduating if possible.

Also to add, the healthcare experience is good ESPECIALLY if you start working in a place that can transition you to the RN role when you're done. A few classmates worked at various hospitals as porters or clerks and will transition to RN once they're licensed...they're already ahead of the game. One girl even had her school paid for by the union and was able to cut back her hours while still being paid a stipend to make up for the lost pay.

Musicmurse7 · Dec 15, 2014

Hello Destin293,

May I please have your email address? I am also a Lehman student applying for admission to the generic 2-year nursing program. Your posts are very informative!

Thank you in advance!

Musicmurse7 · Dec 19, 2014

Hi Destin,

For some strange reason I am unable to access my messages on this website. If possible, can you email me at [email protected].

Thank you,

charles

Musicmurse7 · Dec 27, 2014

Hi Destin293,

I hope all is well! Your posts are very informative as usual. How was this semester of nursing for you? May you please share your experience?

DayWall · Jan 28, 2018

Very informative post, I will be applying to the ABSN program this year.