MSU BSN and ABSN

PocketNurse · Dec 10, 2009

I actually just graduated from the Accelerated Second Degree program this August and received my BSN from MSU! For the prerequisites you do NOT have to be completely done with them when you apply (at least for the ABSN)....I was still working on finishing up 2 or 3 when I was applying. You just have to send them the transcript from the school you are taking the prereqs at once you are done. For a lot of us we took the online pathophysiology course through the University of Iowa and didn't even have our transcrips until like less than a month before the program started and that was still fine. Obvioulsy you have to pass them because one girl did not and started our program but then had to withdraw because she didn't pass the patho. final. So....it is definitely doable to still be in the process of completing them when you apply. It is a great program...let me know if you have any other questions!

PocketNurse · Dec 10, 2009

I looked at their website to see if they updated anything and on the application the only 2 prerequisites that are required to be completed by the time of application are anatomy and physiology....everything else does not.

frnzy · Dec 10, 2009

Thanks, PocketNurse,

I think I now see the part of the website you're referring to. I guess I was looking for confirmation. I won't be applying until next fall, but I'm setting up my schedule to try to make sure this is one of the ones I can apply to.

I also appreciate the offer for further questions. I may have to take you up on it!

-frnzy

PocketNurse · Dec 11, 2009

For sure! Yea I wanted to double check that that was still the way they were handling it before I told you something wrong! But that is what makes the program nice because it is really hard to have them all done before it is time to apply. They're not kidding when they say the accelerated program is intense...but it is so nice to get it done in 14 mos...and there are still some breaks unlike when the program was 12 mos (they changed it bc too many people were dropping out/failing/advice from those who graduated). So...I'll be here for whatever questions you come up with, whenever. Good luck working on those prereqs!!

SKC5 · Jan 14, 2010

PocketNurse, can you explain you MSU Accelerated 2nd degree program experience? I applied and am waiting to hear back for May 2010. I was a little hesitant because I heard the accelerated program is a little intense! Is it really that bad? Thanks!!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2010

I'm in the program right now. It's really not that bad. I think when it was 12 months it was much worse. I work a lot, have a boyfriend and still find time that I don't know what to do with. That might just be me but honestly I don't think it's that hard. It is very hard to get into though.

frnzy · Jan 15, 2010

Thanks for the reply roma4204. I appreciate your insight!

roma4204, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2010

Yup! Let me know if you have any specific questions!

PocketNurse · Jan 15, 2010

Hey SKC5,

Glad you are considering the program! I definitely liked it and would recommend it and agree with roma4202 in that it is very difficult to get into, a lot of people were wait-listed and a few ended up getting in and it worked out well! Yes...when the program was 12-mos it was intense which is why they changed it bc a higher than normal number of students were not doing well and at the end of every program they ask what you can change etc., and it was decided that 12 was too much.

The problem I had with the accelerated option was that some of the assignments were still set up as if it were a much longer program and not a shortened semester. The teachers agreed but said they had to have a certain number of assignments/papers etc. to be certified which is why it was the way it is. There are some teachers that try to make that easier for you and simplify requirements which is a huge help.

In the beginning it seems intense because it is a whole new way of learning and thinking (my first degree was in psychology from Kalamazoo College which was a hard college) and even with that, just the change in approach took us a little while to get used to. Then you figure things out, get used to lab and class, and then clinicals when they start. The most intense was probably the med-surg portion or the last semester when you do your individualized preceptorship bc there are no longer deadlines etc, but rather you have to work things out with your preceptor's schedule and class schedule to try to make things work. For some this was not a problem, had a close hospital, day shift etc. I was unlucky and got a floor I was not looking forward to, a midnight shift, and the hospital was an hour and 10 mins from Lansing and an hour and 15 mins from my parents on the east-side of the state so it was not not fun driving that long after being up all night, and having to be productive during the day time with assignments and studying. This was brought to their attention because I was (and a few other unlucky students) upset with the disadvantage that it posed not only distance wise, but the constant disruption between day and night while in school. One person found it worked out very well for them, for me, I have never been a night person and it did not suit me well. If it was just for working, then it would have been doable, but with school too it was rough. Either way, that should be in the making of getting fixed!!

Then, the intensity for the rest of the program depends on the clinical instructors you get (some are harder than others), how well you adapt to clinicals, classroom work, and where your clinicals (i.e., driving time) are at. I found it difficult and discouraging at times, but not so at other times. When it came time for OB and Peds, I loved going to class and clinicals and that portion seemed easier, while other areas of nursing that I found myself not so interested in seemed more difficult to study for, etc. just because I think it wasn't as much of an interest for me.

Careplans are with you every semester and they are a pain at first because they are lengthy (mine were 20-30 pages) for one patient....this improves with time and once you develop your critical thinking. Asking questions and what areas you can improve in I found were helpful in writing the next ones and in receiving better grades.

I could go on and on....there is a lot I can share and can answer more specific questions if you have them. Overall, it is intense at times, and easier in others. It also depends how fast you adapt to critical thinking, which comes with time. Some days I thought what am I doing?! And other days I thought, I got this! I liked the program, even though somewhat disorganized at times, but that is how health care is in the real world, so it actually kind of prepares you for it.

I also had (and still have) a boyfriend in the program. There is free time here and there, depends if you need to read everything, how fast you learn things, where you live (sometimes I was driving an hour or 2 just to get somewhere) and how you manage your time. I still found time to hang out with him, and with other nursing students every so often. I became really close with a few of them and you use each other as support when it does get intense. They are some of my best friends now (you bond in so many ways!) :) So sorry so long, just hard to describe the program in whole.

Expect times to be intense and others to not be...and be flexible because things happen that are unexpected. I feel that it prepared me well....and I am going to be starting my orientation for my first job this Monday. Good luck to you in getting in, I'm sure you will do great :) Let me know if you have any other specific questions regarding the program or specifics of any of the semesters!

SKC5 · Jan 16, 2010

Pocketnurse, WOW! Thanks sooo much!! That was very detailed, kinda scary lol, but soo helpful. I guess (if I'm not waitlisted) I am just nervous about starting a new program, I'm sure once I get into a routine I will be fine! I work currently as a nurse tech in a physical rehabilitation hospital in Grand Rapids so I already know the "techniques" of bowel programs, ADL's, cathing, tube feeds and some dressing changes, plus I have a BS in Health Science from Grand Valley and my mom is a nurse! With all that background I think I'll do fine, just nervous about the fast pace of the program but it sounds do-able! I already drive a lot anyways, I'm from Novi my parents still live there and my boyfriend lives in Three Rivers so I drive a lot. Why not add East Lansing into the mix! I will definitely let you know if I have anymore specific questions, probably a ton if I get in! Congrats on the new job and good luck on Monday I'm sure everything will go good! Thanks again for the long reply! Take care!

SKC

PocketNurse · Jan 23, 2010

Hey!

Sorry I was at orientation all week! Glad to hear you are a nurse tech...that will be more beneficial than you know! I was a nursing assistant at Spectrum in Grand Rapids and found that it really helped me. In the beginning of nursing school you will already know a lot of the things and it will be an easy transition, and you can help your friends! The schools like that and it shows you are really into nursing and started early! The lady I interviewed with too said that that looks really good on your resume too bc you were proactive and you already have some sort of hospital experience. So woohoo!

And...your mom is a nurse which is great too! My friend's dad was a nurse and she was just natural at it in our program, I swear she got it from him! And since they live in Novi, you can have a place to stay if you get Beaumont in RO or Oakwood....so that is also a big help!

Orientation was great the first week....I still have one more week of classroom and computer training and then we start 8 hr days then transition to 12 hr midnights....ewww! But so far so good!

Good luck with everything, let me know if you have any other questions....sounds like you already have some great experience and will be very successful :)