12 Month ABSN Program vs 17 Month ABSN

adjappleton · Oct 2, 2013

Between the two I compared, the longer had a month long summer break and week long breaks between each section (8 total). The 12 month program literally had only the major holidays off, and a handful of other days scattered in there.

leroy221 · Oct 2, 2013

The two programs I'm comparing are (University of Rochester & University of New England in Portland, Maine). Please see links below.

University of Rochester School of Nursing

and

University of New England - Catalog - University Catalog 2013-2014 - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (17 Months)

Looks like there's extra classes missing from the 12 month program?:

Maternal/Child Care

Nursing Research

Kitesurfing bum · Oct 2, 2013

You walk out with a BSN either way.... Do it as quickly as possible. Mine was 12 months.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 3, 2013

Hmm - I wonder how they are meeting the requirement for Maternal/Child clinical education & rotation? Thought that this was a requirement for all accredited BSN programs.

In education, "rapid" does not = better outcomes. No matter how fast I deliver a lecture, the students can only absorb what the can adequately process. A nursing education should not only provide you with knowledge, but also facilitate your acculturation into the profession & the ability to apply that knowledge in the appropriate context. This requires exposure and interaction over time. Hiring managers in my organization are avoiding "accelerated" grads due to issues with adapting to the work environment if they have no previous clinical experience.

I often wonder why nursing is the only profession that has jumped headlong into "accelerated" education? What about those other lengthy educational programs? Engineers? Architects? Surgeons? What does this say about nursing?

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2013

Hmm - I wonder how they are meeting the requirement for Maternal/Child clinical education & rotation? Thought that this was a requirement for all accredited BSN programs.
In education, "rapid" does not = better outcomes. No matter how fast I deliver a lecture, the students can only absorb what the can adequately process. A nursing education should not only provide you with knowledge, but also facilitate your acculturation into the profession & the ability to apply that knowledge in the appropriate context. This requires exposure and interaction over time. Hiring managers in my organization are avoiding "accelerated" grads due to issues with adapting to the work environment if they have no previous clinical experience.
I often wonder why nursing is the only profession that has jumped headlong into "accelerated" education? What about those other lengthy educational programs? Engineers? Architects? Surgeons? What does this say about nursing?

Why would someone have trouble adapting if they are learning the same things and experiencing the same things as a regular BSN? If you pass the NCLEX are you not qualified? I think you may not like people from a ABSN program due to the fact that only the nursing field offers these accelerated programs. I agree, others should offer them. That is just silly and it is ridiculous to speculate that these individuals are not qualified or able to adequately adapt to the work environment. These people, like me, came from other professional settings and have much to offer to the field of nursing.

My accelerated program is four semesters instead of the usual 5, and we focus solely on nursing (no history, philosophy, etc.). We have 3 clinical days a week, each 12 hours. In fact, I loved the curriculum at my university so much because we focus on one specialty at a time using sessions. Why would I want to do a regular BSN if I already hold a BS.Ed? So I can have the summer off? If ABSN are frowned upon, then why does the University of Tennessee in Memphis only offer an accelerated BSN (15 months)?

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2013

To answer your question, I would personally do the 17 month program over the 12. I am all for accelerated programs because they give great opportunities for people wanting to change professions, but I do think 12 months is too intense...well for me it would. Mine is 15 months, and I feel 15 to 17 months is a perfect time frame for an accelerated program. In fact, my university used to have a 12 month program, but they did a survey for one of the graduating classes and they recommended the program be longer. So they extended it from 12 to 15 months.

mala in se · Oct 7, 2013

I graduated from a 12 month ABSN program and strongly recommend you take a 2 year program. I felt everything was rushed and I had to cram for all the exams every term (roughly 1.5-2 months). Of course I was able to adjust to the pace but I didn't feel I was able to absorb all the information being thrown at me. I graduated w/ a 3.6 GPA for my first bachelors, and I graduated the ABSN program w/ a 3.4. I believe I could have done better, but I felt that I would have lost my mind if I did. 12 month programs are very intense.

Besides, there aren't many jobs out there anyway. It took me 5 months after obtaining my RN license to finally land a job. It's pretty tough out there and the market doesn't look good. However, I do believe the floodgates will open, but not for another 2-3 years anyway.

smichaud · Oct 9, 2013

Hey leroy221!

Omg! I'm sooo late on responding to your message. I haven't been on this page a long time and can not send private messages. I actually declined the offer to Utica because I was accepted to NYU accelerated program and it was closer to home. Also, Utica's program (then) was a brand new program and cohort so I was a bit skeptical. They weren't giving any financial aid because they had not yet recieved support for their nursing program. Its not all online. There are classes at a building that I did go visit built for the program where you would complete simulations and have tests and you also do clinicals at the surrounding hospitals. Again I'm so sorry for replying so late. I see youve moved on and are choosing between two schools. Good luck with your futur endeavors!

smichaud · Oct 9, 2013

Hey leroy221!

Omg! I'm sooo late on responding to your message. I haven't been on this page a long time and can not send private messages. I actually declined the offer to Utica because I was accepted to NYU accelerated program and it was closer to home. Also, Utica's program (then) was a brand new program and cohort so I was a bit skeptical. They weren't giving any financial aid because they had not yet recieved support for their nursing program. Its not all online. There are classes at a building that I did go visit built for the program where you would complete simulations and have tests and you also do clinicals at the surrounding hospitals. Again I'm so sorry for replying so late. I see youve moved on and are choosing between two schools. Good luck with your futur endeavors!

leroy221 · Oct 9, 2013

Thanks Smichaud!

smichaud · Oct 21, 2013

Hey leroy221,

I'm happy for you. I would say the best advise is to always be ahead of the game. All the accelerated programs my friends are in comparef to NYU are relatively the same. Its not easy nit its very do-able. Go over all your syllabi and see if there are any assignments you can get of the way. I personally had to complete modules online and kaplan review quizzes as part of my grade for more than one course. So I would do them all asap. During your clinicals you will probably have nuraing care plans due. Do those right away also. There's nothing worse than having one of those due when you have two exams to study for. A great tip is to check your school library for textbooks. Most of the books will be put on reserve by your professors, so if your low on cash or just want to be cost effective, only buy the books you feel you will need by your side. Otherwise make time in your schedule to spend maybe 2 hours per class studying at the library. if I can think of anything else, ill definitely let you know. Again, congrats on your acceptance and the best of luck!!