Question regarding Accelrated Nurse Programs

nurse-to-be1000 · Sep 28, 2007

Hi! I am new to this forum and I had a question that I wanted to ask. I wondered if anyone here has ever taken an Accelerated Nurse Program where you have a 4-year Bachelor degree? I wanted to know what your experience was.. was it hard? Did you learn more? Please let me know! I am considering doing that. Thank you.

I have just started an Accelerated Nurse Program that is a combined BSN/MSN program. I found a list online that had the vast majority of accelerated BSN programs or BSN/MSN, but I can't find the address now. I am sure you can find a list if you Google it. The one piece of advice I have for you is to talk with people in the particular program you are looking at to find out what it is like. It is very fast paced. Good luck.

fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2007

I graduated in august from an accelerated BSN program for 2nd degree students. Passed NCLEX earlier this month first try, and start my 1st RN job Monday (woot!)

I don't think it is a matter of learning more or less in an accelerated program versus traditional, it is a matter of pace. The board requires that all nursing students take the same number of clinical hours, and the same coursework must be covered in lectures so students will have a chance of passing the NCLEX. The difference between my 15 month program and the traditional program was that we take 2-3 clinical courses per semester rather than one, and we have classes and clinicals during summer semesters. We also take more hours per semester (15-18).

If you can handle a VERY fast pace and keep up, if you're willing to virtually give up having an outside life for the duration of the program, and if you are willing to work your tail off to get it done, go for it. I would not recommend these programs for someone who has to go over and over material before you get it - there is just not time for that. You have to get it on the first try or if you don't you have to seek out assistance and FAST or you'll be lost.

One thing I did to see if I could handle the pace was take a&p and micro together in the summer semester when I was doing my prereqs. If you can't handle that fairly easily then stick to the traditional track.