Question for new and experienced nurses...

[MisterSimba, BSN]

I'm researching nursing schools to apply to, and have found some that have accelerated (a little over a year) programs for second-degree students. Have any of you graduated from one of these programs or know someone who has? I'm just wondering if it's possible (and safe!) to learn everything in a little over a year, especially all the I.V. medications, nursing math, pathophysiology, etc.... For what it's worth, I'm single and don't have any children, so I would be able to devote all my time to nursing school. Also, one of these accelerated programs is at Johns Hopkins, so it should be a top-notch program?

[Future-nurse]

I had thought about going to an 18 month trade school option at one point since I will be 26 by the time I even apply for a nursing school and I had to get things done as soon as possible.

I was like OMG I am going to be an old man by the time I finally finish getting my degree but I talked to a nurse this last semester about if I should gut out a school schedule of Microbiology and Physiology together just to get that little bit ahead and the nurse said "Whats the big hurry? Why not just do it a little bit slower and do it the right way?".

For some reason it finally hit me hearing that from the nurse so I calmed down and finally felt it was ok to go to a 2 year program and not stress out so much every single month that I am saving by rushing it.

I hope this helps but I would go to a regular 2 year program if given the option between the two and the accelerated if it was the only one that actually accepted me.

[Nurse Salt]

I graduated from an accelerated program and would not have had it any other way! In the beginning I felt the way you do, wondering if I could possibly learn everything in only 12 months... Well, you will NEVER learn everything, but I do feel my 12 months of NS gave me a solid foundation and realistic view of nursing. Also, do remember accelerated programs will be a solid 12-18 months of school with several days off between terms and for Christmas. Wereas longer programs follow a more traditional school year schedule... But being you are single with no kids year round school wouldn't be as much of an issue come summer. Good luck in your decision!

[Bill E. Rubin]

I agree with Nurse Salt. I just completed a 16 month accelerated program. Another difference is that it's 16 months for a BSN vs. 2 years for an ADN. Being in Boston, I didn't know at the time that having an ADN would have been a real handicap toward trying to find a job in a Boston hospital, but at the time, there were only two accelerated BSN programs in the Boston area that accepted male students (there are more now).... so I applied to a community college ADN program as a backup.

As to feeling prepared, I also agree with Nurse Salt. You want a good foundation, but I imagine you never really feel prepared no matter how long you go to school. I have yet to start my nursing job (August 4th , woo hoo!) so I can't speak from experience on that matter.

[Adenium]

I'm halfway through one of these programs right now, and from talking to recent graduates of it as well as staff in the hospitals where they've ended up working I think I'll be fine. Some people may be swamped when they're first on the floors, but how many nurses who complete standard 2 and 4 year programs aren't? It's a big transition to take a full patient load and have complete responsibility, and many floors will have specific skill sets and techniques that you might not have covered in clinicals in a longer program anyway. The way I view it is, you're not going to learn (or necessarily remember) everything either way. You need to have a strong foundation, and be willing to keep learning when you get out into your real job. We're getting that foundation, and we'll be OK when we're done. Well, there are always some folks from every program that are not-so-competent when they get out, but that's not program-specific.

I'm 28, and had to spend a year taking pre-reqs before even entering this program. I'm really glad to be getting it done as efficiently as possible so I can start my real education as a working nurse.

One other aspect that some don't consider is the classmates you end up with. My class is all post-bachelors with varying backgrounds, jobs, and life experiences. Most are very disciplined and motivated, and they have a level of critical thinking, diverse perspective, and ability to empathize with patients that I think might be tougher to find amongst, say 20 year olds in a traditional ADN program. Many 2-year schools have a mix anyway, but it's something to maybe think about.

[Bill E. Rubin]

One other aspect that some don't consider is the classmates you end up with. My class is all post-bachelors with varying backgrounds, jobs, and life experiences. Most are very disciplined and motivated, and they have a level of critical thinking, diverse perspective, and ability to empathize with patients...

Yes, I agree with this sentiment... the professors loved us too, because we were all "adults" and highly motivated. Our class ranged in age from about 24 on the low end to 55 on the high end at the start of the program... some just out of college and some with 20 years or more in another profession. It was interesting to go to nursing school with people who had been corporate accountants, engineers, managers, artists, research biologists among other things.

[IndySkies]

I went through an accelerated nursing program but had extensive experience as an LPN prior. The one thing I really liked about the accelerated program was that a lot of the BS that is incorporated into any higher degree program is cut to a minimum. The program was geared toward the essentials and to make you competent as quickly as possible.