what is a typical day like in an accelerated nursing program?

nsgstudentjen · Mar 5, 2006

Hello, I just completed an accelerated BSN program this past Dec. My class of 36 students (32 by graduation) were only the second group to go through my universities program, so we were sort of "guinea pigs" so to speak.

My best words of advice, that were always said to us - "be flexible!". Our classes were in 6 week blocks. So it seemed that things changed rapidly, and sometimes a new class would begin, and they didn't have an instructor yet :uhoh21:. We would be freaking out, but it would always work out.

Are you going to be working? I would strongly advise against it. We were not really allowed to work, and I felt badly for those that had children. I don't know how they did it.

I think you just have to get a good nights sleep when you can, organize your paperwork/notes the best you are able to, attend all classes, and form a study group ASAP. Since these programs are small, I made friends quickly - we were all a family by the end. I found two women that I carpooled to class and clinical with and then I studied with them about once a week.

You have to read EVERY day. It is impossible to do all your reading, but just stay on top of it the best you can. Then you won't feel like you are drowning.

I don't know if this helps, but it's hard to say w/o knowing your program. We just expected the worst, but hoped for the best. Good friends and Starbucks got me through!

Good Luck,

Jen

vickiga · Mar 5, 2006

I just graduated from a 9 month LPN to RN accelerated nursing program. We started out with 20 students but only 14 of us survived to graduation. Be prepared to live only for nursing in an accelerated program.

My school told us up front that people that worked over 20 hours a week were prone to failure of the course. Not everyone will fail but I can say that everyone that failed out of my class were working over 20 hours a week. It is well worth the sacrifice as I just got my RN on Valentines Day. Good luck! Vicki

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2006

Our accelerated BS schedule:

Summer term (June 1-Aug 2)

Mon 8-12 Physical Assessment

Mon 1-4 Science of Nursing Practice

Tues 8-12 Health Promotion

Tues 12-3 Issues of Nursing Practice

Tues 4-8 Advanced Phys

Weds 730-4 Clinical

Thurs 8-11 Physical Assessment Lab

Thurs 1-4 Skills Lab

Fri 8-12 Pharmacology

Fri 1-4 Town Meeting

Fall term (Sept 2-Dec 21)

Monday 8-11 & 12-3 Sci Nurs Prac

Tues OR Fri 8-11 Sci Nurs Prac

Tues 12-4 Patho

Wed 7.30-3 Clinical

Thurs 7.30-3 Clinical

Fri 12-3 Assessing Clinical Evidence

Winter Term (Jan 2-Mar 10)

Mon 8-11 &12-3 Sci Nurs Prac

Tues OR Fri 8-11 Sci Nurs Prac

Tues 12-3 Evidence Based Practice

Weds 7.30-3 Clinical

Thurs 7.30-3 Clinical

Spring Term (Mar 20-May 19)

Practicum - 36h/wk variable times/days (depends on your preceptor's schedule)

Weds 5-7 Case Management

Stanford · Mar 6, 2006

thanks for your replies. I am just anxious about how rigorous and quick paced everything is going to be. I know that we have lecture M-W and clinical T-Th. I am just worried about handling the assignments along with preparing for clinical the next day... any suggestions???

TLC RN · Mar 6, 2006

I am finishing one in...check my countdown :)

Pace yourself, manage your time well. There are weeks you think it you can't take another min but you can do it. Take time for yourself when you can. I managed to raise my son (had quality time with him) as a single mom, work (only 3 days a month and breaks), work out (training about 4-7 hours a week for triathlons) and study and make awesome grades. The time will fly by & it is totally worth it. I just landed a job in an ICU internship at my first choice hosptial!

Good luck!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

thanks for your replies. I am just anxious about how rigorous and quick paced everything is going to be. I know that we have lecture M-W and clinical T-Th. I am just worried about handling the assignments along with preparing for clinical the next day... any suggestions???

You just...do it. What are your other commitments? Do you have kids, a job, etc? In our program they tell us you CANNOT work, and I'd agree with that for the heavier semesters (summer for us). I know people now who are making some money tutoring, babysitting, and working at Starbucks. I'm definitely more tired than I've ever been. I've been sick more. I, thankfully, don't have to prepare for clinicals - we do our careplans after the fact, and we don't get pt assignments until we hit the floor. I'm not sure about all these kids who have to go to the hosp, get assignment, and do med cards and careplans for the morning. I just resigned myself to not having a social life. I'm not very extroverted, so it worked out okay.

Stanford · Mar 6, 2006

I was told that we won't have any time to work or have a social life. I am perfectly fine with that. I was just wondering how everyone that went through an accelereated program juggled everything. I really appreciate your responses.. keep em comin :)

elizabells, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

I was told that we won't have any time to work or have a social life. I am perfectly fine with that. I was just wondering how everyone that went through an accelereated program juggled everything. I really appreciate your responses.. keep em comin :)

I'll admit it - it's hard. I definitely got a C in a course my first semester bc I just forgot to do an assignment. I'd recommend a planner type thingy every week - print it out and post it if you have to. This program has definitely done wonders for my heretofore crappy organization skills. To-do lists are key! This semester I'm getting all As bc I finally got my crap together. If you have any psych or medical issues get hooked up with health services right away. I didn't get on top of this and suffered for it.

If you're in an accelerated program, you're clearly motivated - so I'll tell you what my former-sports-coach daddy told me to appeal to my competitive streak: Thousands of people have done this before you, and succeeded. What, you don't think they're better than you, do you? You don't think they're smarter than you?

Please feel free to PM me or keep this thread going if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Eliza

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2006

I'm in my second of four semesters in an accelerated program. This is my typical week this semester:

Monday- clinical 7-12, class 1-5

Tuesday- class 9:30-2

Wednesday-: lab 9-12, class 1-5

Thursday- class 9:30-2

Friday- discussion 10-12

Starting next semester we will have class all morning (8-12) on Mondays and Fridays and clinicals for 8 hours each day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

When I am not at work or in class, I am studying (for the most part, I do find time every few weeks for a little bit of fun :) ).

Good luck and if you have any questions you can pm me.

CarVsTree · Mar 6, 2006

Hi, I am applying to an accelerated nursing program for the Fall. I was wondering what a typical day/week is like for you? How do you manage classes/clinicals/studying/assignments? What are clinicals like? Anything you would like to add... I am just trying to get an idea of what a year of my life is going to be like so I can get prepared! Thanks!

I see you're in PA. Please be wary. The Accelerated program in Wilkes-Barre area is getting a bad reputation. A certain hospital in the Lehigh Valley, may not be hiring their graduates soon because they are not prepared clinically to begin work as GN's. I would call the hospital(s) you plan to apply to NOW to see how the grads of the accelerated program are working out.

DeSales is about to graduate their first class this year and its wait and see to see how they work out. Just wanted you to be aware. Is there a reason you're choosing accelerated? A more traditional program will generally provide you with better preparation for your role as a professional nurse.

Good luck!

Works2xs · Mar 7, 2006

I was told that we won't have any time to work or have a social life. I am perfectly fine with that. I was just wondering how everyone that went through an accelereated program juggled everything. I really appreciate your responses.. keep em comin :)

Try not to get too overwhelmed with the thought of how much stuff you'll have to do over the next xx-months. Just concentrate on what's going on in the classes you are currently in and you'll find that the calendar days will fly by. It's like that old sports cliche - just play 'em one at a time.

Network with your classmates. Share ideas, tools, study strategies, whatever. Someone will undoubtedly have an approach that can help you with any particular class (and vice versa). Besides the academic support you'll get/give, you'll get the emotional comfort in knowing that you aren't the only one feeling like your head is going to explode.

Understand the requirements of your assignments. Do what you need to do to get the grade you want and STOP. If your program is anything like mine, it attracts over achievers. It's real easy to let entheusiasm run away with good ideas that end up pinning extra hours onto each of your assignments. These will be hours that you really can't afford to spend. In the end, you'll need the hours you didn't foolishly spend on adding bells and whistles to your assignments so you can take care of the "life" issues that will undoubtedly occur. This will be ESPECIALLY important when you are working on group projects.

Plan your work and work your plan.