gealach

It is true that working during the accelerated program is discouraged.... but, in this economy, my advice would be try to do it anyway. Even if it is only one shift a weekend - or less - as a CNA/PCA or a PTAT (patient attendant). I graduated from an accelerated program last year and I did not work during school. In the end, it turned out fine for me - I had great grades and had been a CNA in the past so had some experience- but I (admittedly) lucked into an interview. I thank all the gods that be that it worked out, but before I lucked into that interview, I was really regretting that I hadn't tried to get a position at a local hospital during school so I could have some contacts. My classmates who worked during school had a MUCH easier time getting interviews and subsequent RN positions at their hospitals after graduation.

If you can, get a job as a PCA/CNA at a hospital where you think you would like to eventually work as an RN. Even if you can only work 1 or 2 shifts a week while in school, it may help you find a job. Almost everyone from my class who got jobs quickly did so because they had previously worked at the hospital where they found their RN job.

I have no idea how old you are or what your other responsibilities outside of nursing school might be. But, if I had known more before going in, I would have spent my "preparation time" in preparing and organizing the REST of my life. Yes, reviewing A&P or math might be good and do so if you are inclined. But if you have the time, get your life organized now. Get a good calendar/organizer or figure out how to use your calendar function on your phone/computer/whatever really well. Clean out your closets now, give your house a really good deep cleaning now. Have home repair projects you've put on the back burner for a while? Do them NOW. I wish I had been able to do this before I started.

I am in an accelerated BSN program right now. It was definitely the right path for me, but there are drawbacks. There is one thing that you didn't mention in your post that you might want to make sure you consider. Even though the associate's and the accelerated BSN will take you the same amount of time to complete (as in number of months), they won't take the same amount of your time DURING those months. An accelerated program is just that, accelerated. You will be extremely busy. It is most certainly doable, but you need to make sure you have the time in your life to commit to it. Comparing my daily schedule with that of a friend who is in an associate's program right now... her schedule is MUCH lighter. Accelerated programs are packed. During some semesters, I was in classes or labs or such 8 am to 5 pm or longer 3 days a week and then in clinicals for 8 hr shifts on the off days. There was also a semester in which I was in class 8 am - 2 pm and then at the hospital that same day 3 pm to 11 pm. It is just the nature of fitting that many courses and clinicals in such a small amount of time. It is hard to hold a job. Our school strongly discourages working, but of course, many people have to. They tend to work a shift or two a week on the weekends or occasional overnights. You just have to be sure you are okay with having a VERY busy schedule for that year or two. Like I said, for me, it was the right path. I knew I wanted a BSN and I didn't want to have to go back to school in a few years.