NEVER do an ABSN

U.S.A. Colorado

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Never do an ABSN. It's insane. There is never time to study, they give you so much homework that you're always constantly and frantically hunting for answers, you'll be so overwhelmed you can't process it all, and although we're known as the "type A" ones who can handle it, we are all individually breaking down behind the scenes. If you can take the time to give yourself more time to absorb material and not jump into this masochistic hell hole of academia, do that instead. imho.

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I’ve taken advanced bio level courses while working nights full time. I was always burnt out but somehow I made it.

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I know, the ABSN's are a trap I swear. I was fortunate enough to witness someone else going through one of these programs, not me, but yeah it's a whole lot of 'busy being busy' She made it though, but barely. Not sure what she would have done if she hadn't. Keep at it, I always remind myslef with anything I dread that it's over either way at a certain time. Finals, 'over in a week either way right now is the time you get to decide the outcome' was always the thing I used to say to myself when I got overwhelmed.

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I don't think that's exclusive to ABSN. Nursing education is insane overall but well worth it!

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I did a ABSN program and did fine. Sure it's busy but that's expected.

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I absolutely disagree.  I LOVED my ABSN.

I was on the waitlist to start the ABSN program, so I started a private school program because it was the only one who would take me (They want your money).  I was patient and found out during my first semesters finals week that I was offered a seat in the program.  I finished my finals, started a few weeks later at the ABSN program.  I worked HARD.  It absolutely was non-stop.  I didn't have a life for a year, but so.... that's literally what you sign up for.

I finished and started working a whole year and a half before my friends from the regular BSN program graduated.  That's a year and a half more experience.  

You can't expect to be an A+ student in the ABSN program.   As long as it's a decent program, you study to pass.  You work to gain experience and learn.  I didn't get cum laude, or a special tassel on my cap, I failed a test or two, and I still got a great *** job.   That program prepared me as an RN to not be lazy, be non-stop looking to learn more and I owe that to my ABSN.  Not everyone can do it, no.  But you can if you put in the hard work and nursing is HARD work so you talk yourself into doing better each day and don't beat yourself up for the days you can't do it.  There will be brighter days.

Stay positive, keep pushing yourself, leave room for days to recover (yes a day, sometimes you may only have time for a few hours, not a week), forget your vacations because you're studying, and it will pay off.  Keep your group of friends in the program to complain about the program and to study with.  You will end up in a constant "soaking up information" state of mind and that's not a bad thing.  You can do it.

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On 6/20/2020 at 12:17 PM, Ms.PreReqs said:

Never do an ABSN. It's insane. There is never time to study, they give you so much homework that you're always constantly and frantically hunting for answers, you'll be so overwhelmed you can't process it all, and although we're known as the "type A" ones who can handle it, we are all individually breaking down behind the scenes. If you can take the time to give yourself more time to absorb material and not jump into this masochistic hell hole of academia, do that instead. imho.

Hey! I know you posted this a while ago, don't know if you still get on here, but I am wondering what ABSN program you did?

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On 6/20/2020 at 3:17 PM, Ms.PreReqs said:

Never do an ABSN. It's insane. There is never time to study, they give you so much homework that you're always constantly and frantically hunting for answers, you'll be so overwhelmed you can't process it all, and although we're known as the "type A" ones who can handle it, we are all individually breaking down behind the scenes. If you can take the time to give yourself more time to absorb material and not jump into this masochistic hell hole of academia, do that instead. imho.

wish I had come across this thread before I came to my ABSN. I regret doing this every single day. if could do it over it would get my ADN then get my BSN online or something...longer route but you are actually learning. you learn nothing in an ABSN program...IDK how these schools are even allowed to get away with some of the things they do behind the scenes. unless you go to NYU or CU, where they make sure you get thru...if you know what I mean, because you are paying a price, then do not do an ABSN

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On 3/1/2021 at 9:13 AM, kmjp said:

I absolutely disagree.  I LOVED my ABSN.

I was on the waitlist to start the ABSN program, so I started a private school program because it was the only one who would take me (They want your money).  I was patient and found out during my first semesters finals week that I was offered a seat in the program.  I finished my finals, started a few weeks later at the ABSN program.  I worked HARD.  It absolutely was non-stop.  I didn't have a life for a year, but so.... that's literally what you sign up for.

I finished and started working a whole year and a half before my friends from the regular BSN program graduated.  That's a year and a half more experience.  

You can't expect to be an A+ student in the ABSN program.   As long as it's a decent program, you study to pass.  You work to gain experience and learn.  I didn't get cum laude, or a special tassel on my cap, I failed a test or two, and I still got a great *** job.   That program prepared me as an RN to not be lazy, be non-stop looking to learn more and I owe that to my ABSN.  Not everyone can do it, no.  But you can if you put in the hard work and nursing is HARD work so you talk yourself into doing better each day and don't beat yourself up for the days you can't do it.  There will be brighter days.

Stay positive, keep pushing yourself, leave room for days to recover (yes a day, sometimes you may only have time for a few hours, not a week), forget your vacations because you're studying, and it will pay off.  Keep your group of friends in the program to complain about the program and to study with.  You will end up in a constant "soaking up information" state of mind and that's not a bad thing.  You can do it.

did you have 4 exams every single week? did you have 2 days to study for 2 exams..because they purposely put major exams on the same day? did your ABSN have pharm and patho is the same semester? im taking 7 courses..1 course no student I have asked has EVER heard of..its  a bs filler class to give you more work. oh and when asked why we do not go over lectures in class the professor told us "the school operates using a teaching method called flipped classroom" so you read and teach yourself the lecture, then come to class, play games (literally) and do group activities that are not graded. sorry but that is not how an ABSN program should be operating. I know/knew it was going to be impossible and hard but I also didn't think I would be told not to email professors, and that you cannot go over your quiz/exam to see what you got wrong. I knew it was going to behell, but I honestly got suckered in and I know MAJORITY of us are just getting lucky and skating through....at least in my ABSN

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On 3/2/2021 at 10:46 PM, mulaniani said:

did you have 4 exams every single week? did you have 2 days to study for 2 exams..because they purposely put major exams on the same day? did your ABSN have pharm and patho is the same semester? im taking 7 courses..1 course no student I have asked has EVER heard of..its  a bs filler class to give you more work. oh and when asked why we do not go over lectures in class the professor told us "the school operates using a teaching method called flipped classroom" so you read and teach yourself the lecture, then come to class, play games (literally) and do group activities that are not graded. sorry but that is not how an ABSN program should be operating. I know/knew it was going to be impossible and hard but I also didn't think I would be told not to email professors, and that you cannot go over your quiz/exam to see what you got wrong. I knew it was going to behell, but I honestly got suckered in and I know MAJORITY of us are just getting lucky and skating through....at least in my ABSN

Matter of fact yes. That’s pretty much a majority of ABSN programs. It’s accelerated so you’re going to have some sort of exam almost daily.  Yes we all barely passed and were stressed all the time.  Some people can’t take it and they drop out, they call it “weeding”.  Yes you learn the material and you teach yourself at home.  They don’t have the time to teach you every single thing in a 2 year program in half the time.  I had an 11-month program and if you keep yourself motivated, put together a good team, forget your social life for a year it is worth it.   Nursing is not easy, but the accelerated program is harder than actually being on most units so a little pain is worth the adventure.  Enjoy it and be proud of yourself when it ends because the strongest ones make it.  You can do it if you keep the motivation going and your priorities straight. Keep your end goal in mind

 

I agree that if you can do two year and don’t mind the time, it’s definitely easier, for obvious reasons.  I already had a degree and wanted to start working and got a year and a half experience before my peers that has the two year program did. It worked for me it might not work for others but the hard work should be expected. You’re getting the same degree in half the time. 

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11 minutes ago, kmjp said:

Matter of fact yes. That’s pretty much a majority of ABSN programs. It’s accelerated so you’re going to have some sort of exam almost daily.  Yes we all barely passed and were stressed all the time.  Some people can’t take it and they drop out, they call it “weeding”.  Yes you learn the material and you teach yourself at home.  They don’t have the time to teach you every single thing in a 2 year program in half the time.  I had an 11-month program and if you keep yourself motivated, put together a good team, forget your social life for a year it is worth it.   Nursing is not easy, but the accelerated program is harder than actually being on most units so a little pain is worth the adventure.  Enjoy it and be proud of yourself when it ends because the strongest ones make it.  You can do it if you keep the motivation going and your priorities straight. Keep your end goal in mind

 

I agree that if you can do two year and don’t mind the time, it’s definitely easier, for obvious reasons.  I already had a degree and wanted to start working and got a year and a half experience before my peers that has the two year program did. It worked for me it might not work for others but the hard work should be expected. You’re getting the same degree in half the time. 

Actually my program is just a pos ??‍♀️ I’m transferring out to another ABSN program. Also hard work means NOTHING in an ABSN if the program is sh!t. I learned that lesson because I have Bs now in my ABSN but there’s no way I’m gonna pay almost 60k with the way this school is acting. What I meant to say was if your ABSN program is good then by all means do it of course because it can certainly be done. But the condition of the school, the professors, all that matters so much more in an ABSN because you can ONLY afford to be stressed about the actual courses nothing else. 

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Specializes in ABSN Applicant.
On 3/11/2021 at 7:37 AM, mulaniani said:

Actually my program is just a pos ??‍♀️ I’m transferring out to another ABSN program. Also hard work means NOTHING in an ABSN if the program is sh!t. I learned that lesson because I have Bs now in my ABSN but there’s no way I’m gonna pay almost 60k with the way this school is acting. What I meant to say was if your ABSN program is good then by all means do it of course because it can certainly be done. But the condition of the school, the professors, all that matters so much more in an ABSN because you can ONLY afford to be stressed about the actual courses nothing else. 

how do you know that your program is "good"? im deciding between pace, GWU, rutgers, and Umass-amherst..... are any of these "bad" programs?  this thread is scaring me :(!

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