Introduction & Would you recommend an accelerated BSN program?

manna, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2003

I can't recommend any in particular, but here is a website with a list of accelerated BSN/MSN programs.

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/APLIST.PDF

It appears in Georgia that Georgia State, Kennesaw U, and Clayton College offer accelerated BSNs.

Sorry I'm not more help... good luck! :)

agent · Aug 21, 2003

Since you already have a degree why dont you just go ADN for now?

Then you can just do the RN->BSN online later on after you get hired.

I'm also a web tech

L.B. Path · Aug 21, 2003

In regards to Agent's response, now that I am an Associate's R.N. and ready to "GO FORWARD" and get my Bachelor's part of my difficulty is deciding WHICH online School to go with......there is more than one good choice in this area *smiles*

fulwood · Aug 21, 2003

Mr. D, You will get good advice from folks here. I think accelerated programs serve a good purpose. One thing to consider is the cost of an accelerated program which can be expensive...This is one route I may take myself as well.. Good luck...

MICU RN · Aug 21, 2003

I have not went the accelerated path myself, but did go the ADN/ RN/BSN route. If I would have had a bachelors degree first , I definitely would have went the accelerated path. Why? It takes too much for time for most to go get a ADN and then a BSN. The 16 month accelerated program may be rough but you are out with a BSN as soon as possible. You are then in a position to pursue a NP, crna, or MSN (teach) degree. I find that most people that come into nursing with a bachelors degree in somehting else are usually not satisfied with the traditional RN bedside role, especially if you have already had a professional type position before crossing over. Most seem to want to go to a graduate program and pursue a better clinical role. One thing they wont tell you in under grad. nursing programs is that to get the really good clinical health care jobs you usually have to get at least a masters degree. An ADN or even a BSN is looked upon as a very entry level degree in the world of health care, unless you want to get into the management of health care, there a bachelors degree is all of sudden looked upon as impressive, I have seen CEO's of small hospitals with just bachelor degrees while they have BSN prepared nurses cleaning shit in the iunits because they don't want to pay nurses aids. Nursing as a profession has along way to go you will find that out first hand if you decide to pursue it. GOOD luck in your decision!

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2003

I am currently attending an accelerated 11 month BSN program and I am done in 2 weeks. Needless to say, my brain is completely fried!!! The year was definitely intense. Everyone in my program is incredibly studious and self motivated, and even then we had a 40% attrition rate d/t financial reasons, academic failure, and many people who spoke English as a second language had trouble with the pace of the classes. Personally, I don't think the info. we had to learn was all that hard, we even had your typical nonsense classes like Complementary Medicine and Health Promotion. However, it was the sheer volume of the info. and the fast pace that made it difficult to retain and learn info. Overall, I think I will be well prepared when I graduate, but I made sure that I accepted a position with an extremely long orientation to reinforce and solidify what I learned. My advice to you is: DO NOT work, make sure you have a great support system, and do not go to a brand new program because it will be disorganized. Make sure you find productive ways to deal with stress. Good luck in whatever you decide!

Mr_D · Aug 22, 2003

Thanks for the responses. I may go to a ADN program as a backup plan if I can't get into a BSN program in '04. Otherwise, I want to do it all at once -- I may not have another opportunity to take off an go to school. I have even considered going straight through and getting an MSN, however, I don't think about it much b/c seems a little early now -- got to get in to undergrad first!

I'm not too keen on online degrees -- I've never tried them, but I don't think they are for me. I prefer a classroom / hand's on approach.

An eleven month BSN program??? I can't imagine! yes I bet you are feeling kind of fried. Do you feel prepared for the NYCLEX? I would be interested contrasting pass/faill rates on the licensure exam between accelerated programs and traditional programs.

Thx,

S.

ahsweeney · Aug 22, 2003

Mr. D.

Greetings from a fellow Atlantian. I attended an accelerated nursing program in Boston, MA. I attended at Northeastern Univ. where I had received my undergrad degree 10 yrs earlier. Like you, I had to have my sciences completed prior to starting. I completed those at night at a local community college. Our program was 2yrs and 9mos. Northeastern is a coop school, so the 9 mos was working in the field. I did my coops as a tech in an ER, an ICU and a med-surg/ocology floor. I was paniced about going back to school at age 34. I was the third oldest student in my class, but found out that we all were driven to succeed and complete the program. The program is intense, but you have your age and your experience to your advanage. You had a supportive wife, you will find that the other, younger students will be seeking you out to help them study. Best of luck. Nursing has its faults,but I am so thrilled with the opportunies available to nurses. If you get burnt out with hospital nursing, there is a plethora of opportunities for nurses. Best thing I ever did!!! A quote from my mother who taught high school math for 25 yrs......" Education is wasted on the young!" Have fun and go for it!!!

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2003

Mr D, I think my program had like a 98% pass rate on the NCLEX last year. We are required to take a final HESI exam and score an 85% to graduate, so they don't let people graduate who have a low probability of passing the NCLEX! If you score less than an 85 on the HESI you have to retake Senior Seminar.

ainz · Aug 22, 2003

Go for the BSN right away. You will be glad you did and maybe regret that you didn't if you go the ADN route. One problem with nursing today, too many ways to get a license.

I have been in healthcare for 24 years, RN for 18, I have an MSN. Get your BSN!!!

agent · Aug 22, 2003

Originally posted by EmeraldNYL
I am currently attending an accelerated 11 month BSN program and I am done in 2 weeks. Needless to say, my brain is completely fried!!! The year was definitely intense.

Thats scary.. I dont want an RN whose only been in training for 11 months.. i just dont think thats enough time.

Just my opinion