mydaughter

I attended an accelerated nursing program and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1994. My undergraduate degree was in Biology. I too listened to my parents and ignored my instinct to go to nursing school the first time. Because I already had a science based undergraduate degree, I only had to take Microbiology and Pharmacology. I took those at FDU just for the ease of it all. They were easy to me because of my previous degree. I would HIGHLY recommend doing the accelerated degree. I must tell you to this day it was the hardest thing but the BEST thing that I ever did. I was truly grueling at times and my Friday nights consisted of a hot bath and a glass of wine to de-tox from the stress. I needed to allow myself a moment to myself before I went back to studying. Before I attended school I gathered or spoke to all of my family and closest friends and explained to them that I would be out of touch with them for a year. I would try my best to contact them, but I couldn't make promises. I needed not to be bogged down with any commitments as school really was a heavy load. By no means is it not doable it was just A LOT. My suggestion is to see how well the schools have done on the NCLEX passing rate, (because you want them to prepare you well enough to pass FIRST shot out). Then I would see how many accelerated classes they have had graduate. Is the program a new one for them or have they graduated many accelerated classes? What hospitals do they use for their clinical rotations? Does that work for you? Can you get there? And of course cost, can you afford their program are there scholarships available for accelerated students? FDU did when I was there. I wish you all of the best. As I said before, it is the best gift and the most challenging gift you will ever give yourself. I never regretted it, my only regret is not doing it earlier. (But maybe I wouldn't have appreciated it as much!) Best of luck on your journey.