MDC Accelerated Program

Takiyah · Feb 12, 2009

These ppl suck...lol

Nursingforever · Feb 12, 2009

I am in the generic program ( 2 semester). It is too dificult. I know people that are in the acce. program. They are totally exhausted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

coteaux · Feb 13, 2009

What can I tell you? The program is kind of tough at the beginning, mostly the critical thinking part. You can failed critical thinking over a word or any other silly little thing. The good thing is you can retake it

Believe me, you can do it. English is not my primary language and I had a little boy (2 years old) when I was in school. I never study from friday night to saturday night ( for religious issues) and did well.

Nobody failed the accelerated program after pharmacology which end in march or april if you start in january. yes it was stressfull specially clinical. Sometimes, you'll fall behind, and your only option will be to try to catch up. Do not miss class, take notes, read the powepoint lecture and your book. Come on, if you go to class, you will know what to focus on when reading the book.

I graduated in december 2006 and actually I work in the OR. If I had to do it again, I will go to the accelerated option instead of generic.

MagnesiuM · Feb 13, 2009

Um, let's see here. I'm currently in the MDC RN accelerated option (AO); I started August 2008. I would say that if you have the prerequisites, and if you are absolutely positive that what you need is good grades, then I would recommend the generic program. I've always had good grades, and I'm actually getting As and high Bs in AO, but there are many more people in my class who are smart, study consistently and who will be great nurses, but who are getting Bs or Cs. Some of the good ones didn't even make it this far.....

AO is NOT the program to be focusing on GPA...you only have time/energy/emotional capacity to focus on passing the program, learning what you can to prepare you to pass NCLEX, and learning as much as you can about how to be a good nurse, although at this point most of us are pretty convinced that we will learn how to be a nurse when we start nursing rather than in school.

Even though I'm doing well, as I said, and I haven't changed my mind about nursing, I have found AO almost completely and consistently frustrating, challenging for all the wrong reasons, ridiculous, infuriating, and occasionally terrifying (the critical thinking/care plan exams). So worrying about being an A student is just going to add to it.

Do I recommend the program? Well, if I pass it by August, I'll probably tell you yes. But if I don't, I'll probably feel differently. You see, even though I'm getting As for the most part, I still feel completely unsure of my future in the program. I think that's how most of us feel at times....we take it day by day and hope for the best.

I've never prayed more in my life. hahahahahahah!

If you have prior medical experience (CNA, rad tech, etc), you will more than likely do better than if you have none at all. Also, remember that in MDC nursing programs, a 92% is a B (maybe even 93%, i don't remember).

One of our people flunked the program by less than one percentage point....it's not for the faint of heart.

That being said, good luck to you whatever you choose, and be brave! :-)

EmpressT · Feb 13, 2009

Wow Magnesium! Thanks for the honest response. It sounds like a tough program, but I'm confident I'll be ok....maybe not straight A's ok, but good enough. I survived BU's School of Managment (BEFORE they lightened the load because of parents' complaints and students dropping out) and finished in 3 years with good grades, so I feel like I can survive anything! At least I know more about nursing than I ever knew about business! I'm hoping that the fact that I'm actually interested in the subject will allow me to do well in it. What about scholarships? Do they offer any scholarships to incoming students, and if so, how difficult/easy are they to get?

MagnesiuM · Feb 15, 2009

That's the right attitude, EmpressT :-) as for scholarships, i'm not certain....as a white 30-something female, i really didn't qualify for any minority scholarships of any sort; i'm not a florida native; and i already have a bachelor's degree (obviously), so scholarships were not available to me....

but you may have better luck. just keep searching... :-)

as for working during the program, it's not recommended. But if you must, here's some thoughts on that. The first three months are the hardest. They will kick your ass. Seriously. But believe everyone who tells you that if you survive it to make it to MedSurg, things WILL lighten up considerably.

Therefore, if you must work, I would plan on postponing work until you pass the first round of classes. We lost most of our people that first few months, and they were not slackers of any sort. It's just the heaviest class load, and it's all so new and bewilderingly different from any other classes you've ever had that it requires a lot of time.

But after November/December, you could probably be just fine working weekends if you so desire....

that's all i got...let me know if you need to know anything else. O, and i COMPLETELY overpurchased books and supplies, BTW :-) guess it was excitement over getting in. but if money's an issue, try not to get carried away... hahahahaa

2BNurseSFlorida · Feb 15, 2009

MagnesiuM - I am considering the accelerated MDC program for next year. Are your classes in the main MDC building right near Jackson? And which hospitals have you been working at? I am just thinking of commuting issues, since I live in Hollywood. Thanks.

MagnesiuM · Feb 15, 2009

yes, classes are at Medical Center campus, which is near the VA. It's near the metrorail and busstops. I don't know miami very well, so i don't know where hollywood is, but i think i remember that that is quite far.....

Look into BCC maybe?

Here's the thing, folks. Miami Dade's generic RN program is 4 semesters, done back to back (no break for summer), so you complete in 1 1/2 years. The accelerated program is 3 semesters, also done back to back, so you complete in 1 calendar year. See how little difference there is? It IS harder to get into generic, because of all the applicants compared to AO, and because there are actually MORE prerequisite requirements for generic (i did not have to take microbiology, but i did take Anat and Phys, for example).

So don't think you're getting you're degree SO much quicker by doing the AO....and if the slower pace means you can pick up some hours working, preferably as a CNA after 1st semester so you can gain experience, then it's probably the best choice. I have massive debt right now, and i'm still paying off my bachelor's degree student loans too....

Talk to advisors too...they can help guide you into some programs you might not even know exist....i didn't even know i qualified for AO! the day i applied, i had actually come to campus to investigate the LPN program :-D

wannabmidwife · Feb 17, 2009

MagnesiuM, What's your schedule like?

MagnesiuM · Feb 18, 2009

the first semester we were in classes every day, one day was a half day.

it was very stressful, with fundamentals of nursing, health assessment, skills lab and clinicals and i think i might be forgetting one...that is the semester that eats you alive. not recommended to work, but not impossible if you're really a fast learner with a great memory or previous medical experience.

since then, the load has been lighter in terms of time in class.

if you're asking because you want to work,

i'd suggest doing weekends only. friday night, saturday day/night and/or sunday day/evening would be conflict-free for school. weekday day jobs are of course out of the question. evening 3-11 type jobs would be okay some days, but undo-able other days.

hope that helps!

wannabmidwife · Feb 18, 2009

Possible to do with kids?? I don't think I qualify for the generic b/c my gpa isn't a 4.0 but I do qualify for the AO.