Research College of Nursing Accelerated BSN - Typical Schedule

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I got my acceptance letter in the mail yesterday for August 2007 Accelerated BSN program :wink2: .I was wondering if there is anyone out there who is currently enrolled and tell me what a typical week is like in terms of class and clinical schedule.

My reason for asking is, I am trying to figure out if I can down grade my current job to part-time or just quick it. :uhoh21:

Thanks

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I just started my accelerated Master's entry program this week. The first year is essentially the same as the accelerated BSN program. We have 17 units spread out over 7 classes this first semester. I have class every day. I have clinicals all day Friday.

Working would be unwise, there just isn't enough time. There is maybe enough time to take a fitness class or something. Once homework starts becoming due work becomes impossible.

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Specializes in RN, Cardiac Step Down/Tele Unit.

Congrats!!!! I am in semester 2 of a 4 semester accelerated BSN program. We go summer-fall-spring-summer and will be done Aug '07! If you take summer classes, work may be difficult, just because of the time you spend in class. But, it is doable. I have a classmate that works up to 24 hours per week!!! Dunno how she does it, she's a better woman than I! Anyway, about your question, here is my schedule this semester

Mondays - psych clinical 8:30 - 2 (will have maternity clinical same hours for the second half of the semester

Tuesdays - Classes - Med/Surg 8-10, Psych 10-11:30, Maternity 11:30-1. Then have to go to the hospital to pick patients for following day, it is usually 3 before I get home.

Wednesdays - Med/Surg Clinical - 6-3:30 (that day is BRUTAL)

Thursdays - same as Tuesday, but don't have to go to pick patients.

Fridays - off - try to sleep and STUDY STUDY STUDY!

My advice is to examine your reasons for continuing to work. If you need the $$$, it may not be worth getting into debt to quit. If you work at a hospital and have a potential job after graduation or they offer tuition assistance, I'd stick with that baby and count your blessings! If you just want experience (which was me), maybe just studying hard and focusing in clinicals is enough. I decided not to seek employment becuase I really need my weekends! Good luck, you are embarking on a difficult but rewarding journey!!! Keep us informed and let me know if you have any questions!

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Specializes in Neuro.

I just started an accelerated BSN program this week and quit working to do so. I am so tired (mostly from being overwhelmed and stressed about the new experience) after 3 days that it is a big relief to me that I do not have to worry about work too. My program is 5 quarters long and I am in 18 credits. My schedule looks like this:

Monday: Theory/Fundamentals 1:00-4:50

Tuesday: Pathophysiology 9:00-11:50, Health Assessment 2:00-6:00

Wednesday: Med/Surg 8:00-11:50, preclinical at hospital (we start next week, not sure how long preclinical lasts yet)

Thursday/Friday: Clinical 7:30-12:30

So while most of my days are half days, I have a lot of assignments for each class (my first med/surg test is on the 20th already). Congrats on your acceptance and good luck!

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Specializes in RN, Cardiac Step Down/Tele Unit.

I almost forgot - we also have an online research class!!! That takes usually 2-3 hours per week at least, but I expect that time to increase as our assignments are getting longer and harder each week!

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Hi i am in a Accelerated BSN, we start summer of 06 and graduate Dec 2007. Our semesters run like: summer, fall, spring, winter, summer then fall. I am now on semester 4 which is the second semester for our program. It is a very busy life, basically no social life, but actually you can if you want. Its mostly study, study, study, study. you can have sometimes information overload, because this BSN course is taken for 18 months which is normally taken for 3 years. In terms of work, our program doesnt allow us to work, they just want us to study study study and study and have no life....hehe :rotfl:

Congrats :yelclap:, and do not worry, you can do it just like everyone else!!!!! good luck...

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Thank you guys for all your input. I will certainly keep all your comments close to heart as I weigh my options. Keep up the good work and keep me informed.

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Specializes in Pain Management.

Well, I just finished week 3 at Research and I have had two major tests, numerous online quizes [medical terminology, drug calc], and lectures covering:

3. Vital Signs

4. Infection Control

5. Rehabilitation

6. Safe Medication Administration

7. Non Parenteral Medications

8. Injections

9. Urinary Elimination

10. Bowel Elimination/Ostomy

11. Specimen Collection and Screening

12. Chronic Illness

13. NG/Enteral Feeding

14. Chest Tubes

15. Airway Managagement

I have two tests next week, then following week we have a skills validation test over all the lecture/lab topics listed above, and a complete head-to-toe assessment.

From what I heard, the pace lightens up a little in three more weeks. I could imagine working right now but I wouldn't be able to spend as much time with the supplemental material [which I like to do].

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

I worked 20 hours/week for the first and most of the second semesters of my program, but I began to get burned out by April of this year. I have since dropped to PRN status and an relieved that I am not committed to working when I don't want to (or can't). Most importantly, I do not want to start out my career a physical and emotional wreck from all the stress, because I will be much more likely to burn out that way. It is very important to take care of yourself as well as you can!

The summers (at least for my program) are brutal because you are trying to do 16 weeks of work in the space of 12 weeks. For me summer was especially difficult because I missed ALOT of family functions. I went over two months with out seeing my niece, and she's a few blocks away almost every day being babysat by her grandparents!

This semester I am in clinicals all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, have class all day on Fridays, not to mention the tasks of finding a job, getting ready for graduation, moving into a new house and preparing for the NCLEX. I can't imagine going to work for 7 hours or more after being at clnicals for 8.5 hours. I applied for a nursing internship, and if I get it I will be working on Mondays only.

I think how much you can work really depends on how much you have going on in your life besides school. If you have a supportive spouse or family, you will be able to work many more hours than if you are responsible for the grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc. and have other family commitments.

I am planning to get most of my student loans paid back by the health care system I will be working for, but even if I don't I do not regret cutting my work hours one bit. I value my sanity more than a few bucks in my pocket!

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