opinions about 1 year "2nd degree" BSN nursing programs

Rhapsody86 · Jan 15, 2011

rI am a bit skeptical about the "one year" part. Most nursing programs at the bachelor level are 4-5 semesters long. A year would just be 3 semesteres (fall, spring, and summer). But I guess a nursing school could make such a curriculum.

I am a second degree student earning my second bachelors. First, 2nd degree programs are only available to those with a previous Bachelor's degree, not Associates. I got accepted into accelerated BSN program and the traditional (both 5 semesters long). Not sure about other programs, but here only difference with accelerated is that they include the summer semesters, while the traditional program just does the typical Fall/Spring semesters. I chose the traditional, mostly because I had a lease at that time and couldn't move for summer classes to start. Now, I'm glad I didn't accept the accelerated offer. Yeah, I'll be graduating about a year later, but I won't be so rushed. From others I know in the accelerated program, the summer semesters are the worst because the summer semesters are not as long as the Fall and Spring semesters, and as a result there is less time to learn everything you would usually learn in a regular semester. Too much stress for me. And in nursing school, having enough time to learn can make or break you, for most anyways. The AMOUNT of knowledge you must learn is intense!!!

There are those that do successfully complete the accelerated BSN programs. My advice to your daughter is to apply to the program she sees best fit for her. :)

MaryEMT · Jan 15, 2011

If she did well enough to get in then she has a great foundation already. It's intense but doable. I'm in a 15 month program but there are definately one year program's out there. Good luck to your daughter

JoMark06 · Jan 15, 2011

I graduated from an accelerated program and while they are typically advertised as a "2nd degree" program, many that I graduated with did not have a 1st degree. They completed the prereqs at a community college, took the GRE, which was required for my program at the time, and got in. Anyway, where I went to college it was a 16month program...I started in January 2007, graduated in May 2008. It is an intense program. But for me, it was well worth it. I have been a nurse now for over 2 1/2 years and I felt I was as prepared as any of my fellow new grads who graduated from traditional programs and who were hired at the same time as I was.

It's all about preference. Tell your daughter to speak to admissions counselors at schools with traditional and accelerated programs so she can make an informed decision.

Best of luck to her!

backatit2 · Jan 15, 2011

i'll be starting a 2nd degree program in the summer, and it's an 18 month program. 1 year seems like it would be tough. however, i can see why she would want to do it. going to college for 6 years to do a job most people can do after 4 years (or less) is a little disheartening. i'm sure she's anxious to be able to start working - i know i am. i'm sure it will be tougher than a traditional 2 year program, but at least where i'm going, there are only a handful of students who get accepted, and those are the students who did the best (according to GPA) in their first degree. so, they think they will be able to handle the workload. if they think she can do it, and she thinks she can do it, i'd say go for it. hopefully she's not planning to have a job in addition to school though.

noahsmama · Jan 15, 2011

I graduated from a 12 month accelerated BSN "second degree" program (in ours you had to have that first degree, it was not optional), and I also felt that I was about as well prepared as other new grads hired around the same time as me. The program I graduated from had an almost 0% drop out rate, and an almost 100% NCLEX passing rate, so I guess they were doing something right. For me, being able to do it in a year was key to being able to do it at all -- it was hard enough to fit one year of nursing school into my life as a single mom, I don't think I could have managed it for more than a year.

Good luck to your daughter!

One2gofst · Jan 15, 2011

I am starting my one year ABSN program on Tuesday. I'd say, like anything else, it is going to depend largely on the quality of the institution.

LuxCalidaNP · Jan 15, 2011

I did an 18 month accelerated program after my BA, and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I loved it and did well. Tell her you kind of have to give up your life for 18 months...

MajanRN · Jan 15, 2011

I did a 16 month absn program with 5 semesters! It was non-stop but well worth it and kept me busy! NCLEX passin was not an issue and school had a 98 percent passing rate. One year might not be bad either but I recommend not working during that time.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2011

My year long ABSN program loses about 1/3 of the class halfway through, so in addition to NCLEX rates you want to find out their drop rate. Also- how selective is the school in the application process? The more selective the more likely the school is to invest in students individually. To do a year long program you need to be really motivated and have good coping mechanisms because it can definitely be stressful.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Jan 16, 2011

This sounds like a post Bachelors Bachelor. Just make sure school is accredited and reputable. These programs are great for people with a science degree wanting to enter nursing.

raianne · Jan 17, 2011

I'm currently 1/3 of the way through a one year ABSN program (fall, spring, summer), and so far we have not lost any of the people in our group. It's incredibly demanding and challenging and tons of work, but I love it...and I'm managing to work two to three days a week as well. (I would not recommend that part. I'm only working out of necessity, if I didn't have to work so that I could afford to pay rent and eat, I would not be working during this program.) Tell your daughter good luck!