RN traditional v accelerated

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm currently taking the perquisite courses and wondering which program to apply to. I have an undergrad degree which I don't have the best gpa but I have a 3.5 in the perquisite courses. I know getting into the programs are competitive but I would like a description of but and advice from anyone who has gone through the programs

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Accelerated programs are for those who have a bachelor's degree in another discipline. Generally highly competitive.

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Depends on your GPA, your financial situation, your living arrangements, how fast you want to be an RN, the school, etc.... hard for us to say.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

There are a lot of factors to consider here, many more than you've posted. Research the options in your area, and apply anywhere you can feasibly attend, particularly if your GPA isn't competitive. You may have to do an ADN program and bridge to BSN later, realistically.

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Specializes in ICU.

IF getting your BSN is the goal, then an accelerated program ought to be the only choice. Expensive and tough... But 1 year vs 3 for BSN is significant. I'm sure you could get into a program if you do your research... Good luck!

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Kitesurfing Bum! I think we might have been separated at birth… I've been a kite surf bum myself for the last few years on the east coast/caribbean after finishing college. I just got accepted to a 12 month accelerated bsn program starting this May in Florida. I would have to take on significant debt to do it so I'm kinda waffling on what to do. I really want to get this done fast so I'm pretty sure it's the best option but the cost is freaking me out. My goal is to get an ICU job right after, which some people tell me is pretty hard to do. Do you have any insight on what it's like looking for a job after an accelerated program. I think at that point I'll be willing to move anywhere but I know it's still not easy. Half my friends and family say I'm crazy to take out such a big loan while the other half say I'm crazy not to! I will take the advice from a fellow kitesurfing bum above all others, what do I do!

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Thank you for sharing your story on my post. Please share your journey through the accelerated program. Good luck

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I don't know where you live but we have an accelerated RN A.S degree at Howard Community college. Im thinking of going this route only because the tuition is lower than a 4 year college. The program is 14 or 15 months. There is another school in the Maryland area called Harford that offers an accelerated night & weekend program. As someone else mentioned you could complete a bridge program afterwards. Just a thought.

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Specializes in ICU.
Kitesurfing Bum! I think we might have been separated at birth… I've been a kite surf bum myself for the last few years on the east coast/caribbean after finishing college. I just got accepted to a 12 month accelerated bsn program starting this May in Florida. I would have to take on significant debt to do it so I'm kinda waffling on what to do. I really want to get this done fast so I'm pretty sure it's the best option but the cost is freaking me out. My goal is to get an ICU job right after, which some people tell me is pretty hard to do. Do you have any insight on what it's like looking for a job after an accelerated program. I think at that point I'll be willing to move anywhere but I know it's still not easy. Half my friends and family say I'm crazy to take out such a big loan while the other half say I'm crazy not to! I will take the advice from a fellow kitesurfing bum above all others, what do I do!

Ha... fun to meet another kindred spirit! Good move applying to FL... better wind and waves than Denver where I went!

Yes, I can weigh in on the job hunt. I graduated May 2011 from a 12mo aBSN. Got a job in an awesome ICU near Seattle, WA... I had no inside connections, just a decent resume and a lot of luck. If you are as flexible as you say, then you will get a job. I can name at least 5-6 folks from my program that got hired into ICU's right out of school. Tough...but for sure doable.

My school was expensive, but the numbers penciled out for me... 1 year of lost income, then a couple years of living low and the loans are gone and I'm ready for the next step. The 12 month program was hard, challenging, time consuming, etc. but you'll be able to find some time to get some waves on those nuking 7m days. Also, I would choose the same path 100 times versus dragging out an ADN over 2 years, then another year of school while employed. Loans suck, I know... If you are planning on eventually going to grad school, then it makes sense to get there as quickly as possible even if it's more expensive. If you are going to work at the bedside for your career, an extra year or 2 to get your RN may not be a big deal...

Good luck!

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I wanted to do an accelerated program (I have a BS I graduated with in '10) but I ran into several problems.

1) they are hard to find, at least around here

2) many, not all, but many are very expensive. I looked at Oshkosh which was $50k and the nearest to me. I thought that was bad, then looked at SMU in CA and it's around $65k! And apparently not very respected to boot. Some people mention far cheaper ones but I have not seen them in any areas that I've been interested in applying to and I've been looking at the midwest and west coast, 3 different states and their surroundings

3) Some have such a long list of prereqs that while the program itself may take a year and a half or so, you will probably end up taking a total of 3 years anyway getting those prereqs done unless your previous degree is extremely similar to nursing

4) they are so intense that you cannot work during school (some specifically stipulate that you are not allowed to work) so you miss out on some potentially valuable experience and networking and must subsist on loans/money you have/your SO/whatever.

So that's why I'm in a 4 year program despite having a previous degree, and even though I'm looking at transferring to a different area why I will probably remain in a 4 year program. I'm hoping to get it done a little faster but most schools expect you to treat it as a cohort where you take this class at this time etc. At least I'm only taking about 12 credits/semester since I have general ed done.

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes, they are not for everyone.

If you are not in a hurry to get you BSN, or just really like going to school for 8 years for 2 bachelor degrees than by all means go that route.

I was willing to live cheap, get through school and continue to live cheap making decent money as a full time BSN to pay down loans.... All because I made time the constraint, not money.

There's no right answer for everyone... But there is a different right answer for each person

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Hey thanks man! You have no idea how helpful this kind of advice is... Many thanks for sharing your story. I feel like I'm jumping into the dark a bit here as I'm sure most of the people on this thread do as well. It's so reassuring to hear from others who have taken these different routes and been successful. I have a solid goal in mind of where I'd like to be in five years, which I know will keep me motivated but it's still a little nerve racking taking the plunge with loans and all. I've been honing my cheap living skills the past few years so I'm not too scared of living off pb and j's! I hear those 7m days are rare in florida but I can't imagine it's all that slow with hurricane season and all!

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