2nd BSN: Normal Path vs. Accelerated

JenRN30, BSN · Jul 12, 2009

Hey Thomas!

I'll give your questions a shot.

1. Both the traditional and accelerated programs give you the same thing, a Bachelor's degree in nursing. The difference is that the accelerated programs are condensed, usually into 12 or 16 months, while the traditional programs may be 2 or 3 years. There is no prestige factor, you take the same classes and do the same work. You might say the accelerated program is harder because you are doing the same amount of work (which is a lot!) in a shorter time frame, so it is very intense.

Usually, programs accept people with a little higher gpa's into the accelerated programs because they want to be as sure as they can that the student will be able to handle the work load. This same student may get into the traditional program because the competition is just a little less intense (but not much less). For my school, when I applied, there were boxes to check, so you could either check that you were applying for the traditional, accelerated program, or both.

2. It depends, I applied to one school because it was the only school that didn't require a bachelor's degree to be eligible for the accelerated program. Some of my friends applied to five. It will increase your chances if you apply to more schools, but research the school and program and make sure it's where you'd like to attend school.

3. Prereqs totally depend on the school. Usually, you have to have them finished or almost finished before you apply. This is what schools base their acceptance on, most of the time. Contact the schools that you're interested and ask them what their prereqs are.

4. This also depends on the school. Some schools require volunteer experience, some don't. I think it would good to at least shadow a nurse and get an idea if this is the career path that you really want to take.

5. I think this is good, and will probably be taken into account, even if they tell you that it doesn't matter.

6. A few schools have acceptance rates on their websites. If not, just call and ask them!!

Good luck!!!

Jennie

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 13, 2009

1. Is there a difference, when pursuing a 2nd BSN, in the accelerated options vs. the traditional options (say, at UPenn or Georgetown, where both are on offer). I see that some people get denied into one option and accepted into the other. Why is this? Is one harder/more prestigious than the other? Are there two distinct applications at the same school or does the school just slot u into one or the other?
2. How many nursing schools does one normally apply to?
3. How many prerequisites should be completed before you apply? I would like to apply this fall, but I won`t actually have many (any?) prerequisites complete if I apply then.
4. How important is previous healthcare / voluntary experience?
5. I already have a Masters degree (in a completely unrelated field). Will this be taken into account?
6. Are there statistics out there for the acceptance rates at the 2nd BSN / ASBN schools?

Welcome to allnurses!

I graduated last year from an accel BSN program, so here's my input for what it's worth:

1) Some schools have a different curriculum for accel vs standard BSN programs. The one I attended (University of Cincinnati) has a few graduate level courses thrown in "for spice." Obviously, rather than getting your degree in 2-3 years after finishing prereqs, you get it in 12-18 months. It's like drinking from a firehose! Admission GPA requirements differ by school & program. For the UC program, you must either take the GRE or have a previous Masters/PhD degree.

2) I looked into the schools in my area, and applied to just one accelerated program. I WAS, however, hedging my bet by doing additional prereq courses needed for admission into a second accel program (in case I wasn't accepted into UC's program).

3) This depends on the program to which you're applying. A lot of programs (accel or standard) want to to have a bunch of prereqs out of the way before you're accepted into the program.

4) Depends on the school. In my class, very few of us had prior healthcare experience (me & 1 other paramedic).

5) Your previous Masters degree may allow you to avoiud taking the GRE, and you MAY be able to avoid some of the classes (such as statistics or research) if youy had those in your Masters program.

6) Sorry, but I dunno.

Good luck!

aokusa10 · Jul 14, 2009

Thanks guys!

I`ve since heard back from a few schools and those are the answers I´m getting. They`d like to know how I`m doing in my pre-reqs before they make a decision, etc.

Thanks so much for all your advice!

-T