Need your thoughts...accelerated or regular pace?

[dsb_fam]

I currently have a degree in Education and have completed all the pre-reqs for nursing. I applied to an accelerated program, but my GPA(3.8) and Kaplan(79) may not be competetive enough. I am borderline and the advisor said that the same scores would probabaly be accepted into their regular nursing program. I find out in a couple of weeks whether I am accepted or not to the accelerated program, so here's my dilemma. If I'm not accepted, do I try for the two year(5 semester) program or wait a year and shoot for the accelerated slot again? What is the biggest difference as far as scheduling between a 5 semester program and a 12 month accelerated?

[HammockBound]

Traditional bsn here is about 12 hours per semester with one summer off. The accelerated is 16, 19 and then 20 hours in the last semester.

[CDEWannaBe]

If you don't get into the accelerated then apply for the traditional program. Waiting another year won't improve your GPA. I think it's silly to waste money retaking classes to get increase your GPA if you can be accepted right away into the other program.

The advantage with a traditional program is you may still be able to work a few hours. And you can definitely get a summer job. Accelerated programs are pretty brutal and the 2 people I've known who did them said it wasn't possible to work while doing the accelerated.

[combsj25]

I have to say that I agree with the pp. If you are not accepted I would try the traditional route versus waiting another year and then.... still face not getting in. If nursing is what you want to do - then I would take the first available route to making that happen. If you start the traditional program when would you finish? vs. if you had to wait a year and IF you get in when would you finish? Is there really much of a difference in completion time?

Secondly, your GPA is great. Are there any other options for an accelerated program you can apply to?

Finally, I know this is easier said than done. Trust me I have been where you are many times in the past several months. I am trying to make decisions on so many what ifs and plan Bs and etc. And it turned out for me that my Plan A worked out and I realized I was stressing too much about making decisions that I never even had to make. So my final piece of advice is relax and wait for your decision on this accelerated program!! My fingers are crossed for you. Good Luck!!

[PediatricRNTX]

Traditional!!!!!!!!!!! I did accelerated and yes I got it done, BUT I worked (study,hw,clinicals, class) literally sun up to sun down seven days a week for a whole yr....I have a bsn in nursing...BUT I feel like I lack lots of skill...for example, In traditional prog u spend semesters at pedi bedside clinical...I did a total of 6 days pedi clinical..there just isn't any time!! So which nurse do u think will be more prepared for real nursing?

I sometimes feel like I struggle to keep up w skills cause school was such a crash course! Just saying...#New nurse