Samuel Merritt Accelerated Nursing Program

Herrington · Aug 13, 2013

From what I understand, it's highly inadvisable to be working at all during an accelerated program, let alone full time as you mentioned. I've heard stories of people working at least part-time during a traditional program, but never accelerated.

Here's a quote from the accelerated program page of the school I plan on going to eventually:

The Accelerated Track will require 15 months of continuous full time intensive study. The faculty recommends that students in this track do not work while in the program.

Hope that helps. :)

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Aug 13, 2013

I am in an accelerated program. I worked Friday and Saturday 630pm-630am during summer classes. This semester I have no classes on Tuesday so I also work 630 am-3 pm. It is very doable for me (36 hrs/wk). The only drawback is that I have classes Friday morning, so I am up for 24 hrs when I go to bed Saturday morning. Sunday is set aside for homework.

While it may be doable for me, it may not be doable for you. I have 20 yrs of various healthcare experience and work 36hrs/ wk in 3 days. It would be more difficult to work and do nursing school if you had no healthcare experience and needed to work 5 days/ wk.

My program is summer, fall, spring, summer. The summer semesters are the hardest because you are in class 8-3 or 9-4 M-F and they cram a full semester's information in 4-5 wks. The Fall and Spring semesters are normal semesters that the traditional students experience.

calipoppy04 · Aug 16, 2013

I went to Samuel Merritt's Nursing Success! Seminar last month and some of the ABSN students did work through their program. The administrators advise against it, but some students can make it happen. They only worked a few days a week and definitely not full-time. And they weren't necessarily healthcare related, a few worked in restaurants. We were told that in the Senior Synthesis class, you are paired with a working nurse and work the nurse's shift, so I'm guessing you may have to do an overnight shift if that is your paired nurse's scheduled hours. I'm definitely interested in Samuel Merritt too, it's just the cost of the program scares me the most. We were also told that none of their students have defaulted on their student loans, so maybe that is a sign that they all find jobs before their first payment is due!

Jeneaux · Aug 16, 2013

You should probably take out alow intersperse loan to cover living expenses. Figure out how much you will need to live for about 15 months, and then figure that it may take about 3 months to get that first job. Since there are loan repayment programs you may be able to get some of the debt unburdened after you graduate. If you keep up with Interest and principal for 20 years, the U.S. gov't. will assume the balance (what's left over). You can find out more about this debt assumption via the Affordable Care Act on which the student affordability and responsibility act was also inserted. If I were you, the priority is to get into nursing the program and do well so that you don't flunk out or have to withdraw, which is money down the drain. You need to make surenthat you graduate from nursing school. Talk to a financial aid counselor and look up scholarship, debt repayment programs and government programs and figure out howntomfinance your entire education. They should be able to advise you well.

calinicumurse · Aug 19, 2013

You should probably take out alow intersperse loan to cover living expenses. Figure out how much you will need to live for about 15 months, and then figure that it may take about 3 months to get that first job. Since there are loan repayment programs you may be able to get some of the debt unburdened after you graduate. If you keep up with Interest and principal for 20 years, the U.S. gov't. will assume the balance (what's left over). You can find out more about this debt assumption via the Affordable Care Act on which the student affordability and responsibility act was also inserted. If I were you, the priority is to get into nursing the program and do well so that you don't flunk out or have to withdraw, which is money down the drain. You need to make surenthat you graduate from nursing school. Talk to a financial aid counselor and look up scholarship, debt repayment programs and government programs and figure out howntomfinance your entire education. They should be able to advise you well.

Judging by all the other CA people posts on these boards, you might want to figure 12-24 months for that first job!