Two consecutive years of nursing school without a summer break- crazy or not?

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Hey guys! I've recently discovered that my school offers the opportunity to do 3rd and 4th years consecutively without a summer break (I'm in a 4 year BSN program). There's limited spaces but this would mean that I'd get to graduate a semester earlier than most and write my boards in the winter and not in the summer. I'm seriously starting to consider this because I think it might make finding a job a little easier after graduation seeing as others will still be in their last semester of NS. My question is, have any of you tried to power through 2 years of school without a break? What did you find the most challenging and do you regret it? I'm fairly used to going to school without breaks (I did summer school all through high school so I'd graduate a semester early) but I realize that nursing school is a lot different and I wouldn't want to jeopardize my education in the last year. Any input is greatly appreciated! :)

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I don't know if its crazy or not but that's how our schedule is set up. We go straight through, without a break. We don't have any other option.

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

My school was also set up that way. I was I a total of 4 weeks off of school in the entire 2 years I was in school.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

My accelerated program was a straight 15 month program with 2 summers. We started with a summer semester and ended with a summer semester. My grad program also has 2 summers.

I say go for it. Once you're in the working world who ever heard of getting an entire summer off? And there are plenty of breaks to recharge -- you have your long new year break, a mid-winter break, and there are usually a few weeks off between semesters.

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Specializes in Cath Lab & Interventional Radiology.

I would go for it! I am kinda scared about having this summer off between my 3rd & 4th semester. So much time off to forget everything I learned! If I could take classes this summer & graduate in August instead of December, I would in a heartbeat! Good Luck!

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Thanks for all the replies! This makes me feel a lot more confident about the whole thing

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

It will make for a long summer if you have family obligations but it will definitely put you ahead of the game. I just finished a grad program in 16 consecutive months with only short breaks. I slept for a week after graduation but now am glad to have pushed through so quickly.

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Crazy or not, my 4 year BSN program is set up that way. Once you're accepted it's 5 semesters straight. So since I was admitted in the Spring I had my first semester in Spring 2011 and my last semester will be Summer 2012. Honestly, I like it better this way. I'm someone who goes a little stir crazy if I have too much free time on my hands so I like getting everything over and done with quicker so I can graduate and move on to the next chapter of my life. :)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I would have LOVED that for my BSN program- no long breaks, summer vacation, etc. I would have finished a lot sooner.

For you, I'd say "Git 'er Done!!" :D

All the best,

Diane

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I say go for summer school! It would be awesome if you could graduate early. Sure it would suck, but in the end it will be worth it. Good luck!

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I'm in nursing school without summer breaks. I think summer classes are awesome. I would much rather go to school this summer and graduate in August (what I am doing) than spend the summer doing nothing and graduating in December.

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