Barnes Jewish College

U.S.A. Missouri

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DoeRN

941 Posts

SLU's program is good too.................

listener

96 Posts

FYI, I found out that they've added a new Fall '09 class for starting the 1-yr Accelerated BSN program. I gather this is in addition to the May & Jan starting classes they already have. The website has not been updated yet.

Little Doe

44 Posts

Listener,

How did you find out about the accelerated beginning fall '09??? I am admitted for the Upper Division for '09, but I would much prefer to do an accelerated if it is available. i wonder if I could switch over.

listener

96 Posts

Listener,

How did you find out about the accelerated beginning fall '09??? I am admitted for the Upper Division for '09, but I would much prefer to do an accelerated if it is available. i wonder if I could switch over.

I got a letter from them re: my application for May '09 and in the letter they mentioned the possibility of being admitted to the "Aug/Sept" class. I contacted admissions and they told me they'd added a new start date of Fall '09. Give them a call!

Little Doe

44 Posts

Karen confirmed for me that they have added the fall '09 class, but by that time my husband and I had talked about it and decided I should stay with the Upper Division program. The accelerated sounds very competitive based on some of the posts on here as well as the potential for other issues regarding faculty support. i don't mind working independently to get through the program, but I also have a family I'm raising and I will need all the time I can get to study. I want to get a masters and I think my grades should be my top priority and not how fast I get the classes over with. So I'm staying put!

listener

96 Posts

Karen confirmed for me that they have added the fall '09 class, but by that time my husband and I had talked about it and decided I should stay with the Upper Division program. The accelerated sounds very competitive based on some of the posts on here as well as the potential for other issues regarding faculty support. i don't mind working independently to get through the program, but I also have a family I'm raising and I will need all the time I can get to study. I want to get a masters and I think my grades should be my top priority and not how fast I get the classes over with. So I'm staying put!

I totally understand. I'm pretty scared of the prospect of a year of basically non-stop study and nothing else! But I'm gonna do it. Wish me luck!

rstevens

2 Posts

What is it that you now know that makes you say this? I am supposed to start the 1 yr BSN program next May and I'd love to know more about your experience and if it's typical. Thanks!

I feel the expectations the instructors and administration places on the accelerated students are unrealistic, especially if you have any additional commitments (i.e. any sort of relationship with people you love). For example, in my current semester I have about 18 hours of lecture time and about 16 hours of clinicals spread out over 5 days. I probably spend about 10 hours at school everyday. With the extensive assignments (busy work, care plans, readings [maybe 10 to 16 chapters a week], journal entries, online quizzes, discussion boards, etc.) there is very little time to do anything else.

When I started the program, I truly expected the instructors to be of a higher quality and help facilitate the learning process better. For the most part, this has not been the case. I have one instructor who expects the students to literally memorize the text. Sometimes she asks questions from readings that were not assigned. It is not uncommon for this particular instructor to not know the answers to her own test questions. Her lectures provide little indication for the material that she will test upon.

It seems the administration is focused upon growing the student population base without considering the consequences it has on the students' education. I hear there is going to be over 100 students in the upcoming accelerated class. There are only two classrooms that I am aware that can house that many students. I don't think the simulation labs are equipped to handle that capacity. Maybe they are planning on weeding that number down with there teaching techniques. With a few exceptions, the current faculty does not have the teaching skills to effectively deliver the nursing material to large classes.

On the bright side, I feel like my fellow classmates are truly exceptional people. If it was not for them, I would not be passing. They are all very hard workers. If BJC has any success, I would attribute it to the caliber of students they accept.

If you have any additional questions, contradictory stories, or would like additional examples please feel free to respond.

listener

96 Posts

I feel the expectations the instructors and administration places on the accelerated students are unrealistic, especially if you have any additional commitments (i.e. any sort of relationship with people you love). For example, in my current semester I have about 18 hours of lecture time and about 16 hours of clinicals spread out over 5 days. I probably spend about 10 hours at school everyday. With the extensive assignments (busy work, care plans, readings [maybe 10 to 16 chapters a week], journal entries, online quizzes, discussion boards, etc.) there is very little time to do anything else.

When I started the program, I truly expected the instructors to be of a higher quality and help facilitate the learning process better. For the most part, this has not been the case. I have one instructor who expects the students to literally memorize the text. Sometimes she asks questions from readings that were not assigned. It is not uncommon for this particular instructor to not know the answers to her own test questions. Her lectures provide little indication for the material that she will test upon.

It seems the administration is focused upon growing the student population base without considering the consequences it has on the students' education. I hear there is going to be over 100 students in the upcoming accelerated class. There are only two classrooms that I am aware that can house that many students. I don't think the simulation labs are equipped to handle that capacity. Maybe they are planning on weeding that number down with there teaching techniques. With a few exceptions, the current faculty does not have the teaching skills to effectively deliver the nursing material to large classes.

On the bright side, I feel like my fellow classmates are truly exceptional people. If it was not for them, I would not be passing. They are all very hard workers. If BJC has any success, I would attribute it to the caliber of students they accept.

If you have any additional questions, contradictory stories, or would like additional examples please feel free to respond.

Thanks for all your effort to explain. It's a little discouraging. I spoke with someone with direct contact with students who complained how the class/test schedules were often changed at the last minute without warning, affecting peoples schedules, parttime jobs, etc. They made observations that suggested some serious administrative disorganization there. I don't know what to think... will it get better? Is it getting better? I have to hope so.

If anyone has any more feedback to offer, especially as to what's going on there right now, please speak up! Thank you.

MrsIndependent

71 Posts

RStevens, I just wanted to know if you think they are having the same issues with the BSN Upper Division program. :confused:

kmj1228

41 Posts

Hello again,

I just started the Upper Division Sept. 4 and so far I have been impressed with it! I only have 4 classes this semester (which is very managable I think), the teachers all seem to be very interesting, approachable (which is important to me!) and overall I'm happy with my decision.

I was certainly a little frustrated with the scheduling issue, but when I asked about it at orientation, they said they try their best, but especially with scheduling clinicals, when there are so many other people involved, it can be difficult. I guess I'll just have to learn patience and flexibility on that one.

Anyway, just wanted to give an update. I'm relieved that I did not try to do the Accelerated program. And true, I have only just started, but I hope things continue on in a positive direction! Anyone with questions, please feel free to ask!

CAguyinMO

41 Posts

Specializes in Behavioral Health & Emergency Medicine.

This is all really interesting....and discouraging too.

I also want to pass along some feedback I got last weekend from a student who just graduated from BJC's associates-degree program (he was in the last ASN class the college offered before discontinuing the program). When he heard that I'd been accepted to Barnes' accelerated program and was due to start in January, he actually got upset and told me, in a very strong voice: "Don't do it! Don't do it!"

When I asked why, he had NOTHING good to say about the school -- incredibly disorganized, faculty who have *no clue* how to teach, faculty and administrators who have little concern for students, complete lack of support, classes that are way too big. He went on and on and on about what a huge mistake I'd be making if I went there. It was actually pretty startling -- and this was coming from someone who made it through the program!

It left me almost certain that I am not going to attend Barnes. I've applied instead to the accelerated programs at SLU and UMSL for next May. I can't vouch for UMSL's program, but until last May I did work at SLU and can vouch for the great quality of the faculty there and their genuine concern for the success and welfare of their students. Even though SLU is extremely expensive (about $46k for the three-semester program), I'm pretty convinced that -- for an accelerated program -- it's likely worth the extra cost.

Good luck to all.

FriendlyGhostRN

275 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.

CAguyinMO: I am in UMSL's accelerated program right now...if you have any questions regarding their program you can PM me or just let me know! :)

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