What are Accelerated BSN programs like?

CrazierThanYou · Jul 6, 2010

we only have one in our area and it is described as "hell on earth"

Izzy11, NP · Jul 7, 2010

How accelerated is it? I'm in one that is 17 months (4 semesters) and so far it hasn't been too bad. We're in the middle of the second semester. This is the first year they've done it over 17 months, it used to be 13 months and they decided to lengthen it because of student and faculty feedback.

We had 18 hours in the spring semester and 14 hours this summer. It's definitely busy, but not too bad. Right now we have classes two days a week (plus an on-line class) and two days of clinical a week. A lot of students do work.

HelloKitty123 · Jul 7, 2010

How accelerated is it? I'm in one that is 17 months (4 semesters) and so far it hasn't been too bad. We're in the middle of the second semester. This is the first year they've done it over 17 months, it used to be 13 months and they decided to lengthen it because of student and faculty feedback.
We had 18 hours in the spring semester and 14 hours this summer. It's definitely busy, but not too bad. Right now we have classes two days a week (plus an on-line class) and two days of clinical a week. A lot of students do work.

It is 15 months. I will take 10-13 hours per term, each term is 8 weeks then we start classes.

Glad to hear it is not TOO bad... how many hours are you in class/clinical everyday?

Nursewannabe2012 · Jul 7, 2010

I started in a 15 month program (as much as 12+ hrs in an 8wk session) with about 25 students; a program that was well known to be difficult to get into. It was very intense. What I will tell you is that if your head is truly in the game, you can do it. If it isn't, you probably will not make it. Myself and one other student bailed within the second 8 weeks. We felt like it was coming so fast that we couldn't do the coursework justice. I already have a Masters degree and this wasn't like anything I'd ever experienced. Personally, I am going back in the fall to give it another try (same school but a regular pace). It will take me 4 full semesters now instead of 15 months, but I think that's what might work for me. I just wasn't ready for an accelerated program. Just because you get in, doesn't mean you are truly prepared. I didn't work while going to school, but the time commitment was still intense....unless you are one of those lucky few who have a photographic memory; I however did not. I have to work very hard for my grades. I still would like very much to be a nurse, but I guess time will tell. You have to have confidence in yourself and love what you're doing (at least enough to persevere). Good luck to you in your endeavours. I think that anything you desire strongly enough is attainable. It all really is....."in your head".

piinkk · Jul 8, 2010

i really just try to stay as positive as possible. i have classmates who just love complaining.. even go to dean and all.. but i just focus on learning my material..

my program is just over 3 years and it is a bsn program. it really is hard.. a normal day for me is basically go to school in the morning.. study at school for about 2-3 hours (even long during mid term and finals) .. come home and sometimes i take a 1 - 2 hour nap (if i didn't get enough sleep last night) and study for the rest of the day until 3am.. usually i get 5-6 hours of sleep.. but during finals i definitly get wayy less sometimes none at all.. but it doesnt bother me hehe i can stay up all night n study woahhh im making myself sound crazy lol

but it does depend on how many classes your taking and how long your semesters are.. my school is 9 weeks long.. we meet once a week and i have about 3 classes.

you'll do okay though don't worry.. as long as your in it to win it! you just gotta work as hard as you can while at school and youll be soo proud of yourselff once yyour done with it! think positive :lol2:

HelloKitty123 · Jul 13, 2010

Thanks for the replies everyone.

linRdsNay · Jul 13, 2010

I just graduated from an ABSN program last December, so I'll try to answer your questions from my experiences.

What are Accelerated BSN programs like?

Expect a quick pace. I'm assuming you already have a bachelors degree and whether you came from the quarter system or semester, this will go much faster. My program was 12 months. Each course was around 5 weeks long (a few were longer) and there were two courses per every 5 week period. Usually the first midterm was in the 2nd week, the 2nd midterm (if there was one) was in the 4th week, and the final was in the 5th week. And the days we didn't have class we had clinicals.

What is a normal day like?

A normal class day was as follows: class one would be from 9-12am, lunch from 12-12:30, class two from 12:30 to 3:30. Some days went longer if we were doing presentations or if there were meetings or what not.

How much time did you put in for classes/studying? Clinicals?

Usually every evening I would have something to do for class whether it was reading, going over lectures, preparing presentations, studying for a midterm/final, writing papers. Then theres also homework for clinicals including writing care plans or case reports. Many weekends were spent at the library reading more or preparing for an exam.

Did you work at all?

Nope, I had to quit my job in order to go to school full time. There were plenty of people in my class that did work part time while in the program however, so it is possible. It really depends on what you think you can handle as a student.

Are you able to take out extra loans to pay rent, etc?

I was able to get some federal financial aid (not much). The rest of the money came from an Alternative student loan, which actually came with a lower interest rate than the stafford loans (which is great considering it's a big loan).

All that said, an accelerated BSN program is certainly do-able. Everything I've said is just my experience with my 12 month program.

And yes, I actually did have a life while I was in school. I did go out on some weekends, went on a few weekend trips and I didn't study every single evening. It is possible to still have a life while in nursing school, you just have to make sure you are diligent with your studies because the classes go by quick and if you fall behind, you'll quickly drown.

Good luck to you!! :nurse:

S22006 · Jul 13, 2010

I'm glad to hear alot of people worked or knew someone who worked while in the Accelerated program..if it gets too hard I may have to quit my job though

JenforRN · Jul 14, 2010

I'm told it's like getting a lobotomy. So, peaceful and not-too-painful.

Izzy11, NP · Jul 15, 2010

It is 15 months. I will take 10-13 hours per term, each term is 8 weeks then we start classes.
Glad to hear it is not TOO bad... how many hours are you in class/clinical everyday?

It varies. Last semester we had class about 6 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 hours on Mondays, and then a few labs scattered about. We had 6 clinical days of 8 hours the last 3 weeks of the semester.

This summer we are in class for 4 hours Tues-Wed, a 4 hour lab either Monday or Tuesday, and 12-hour clinicals Friday and Saturday for 8 out of 10 weeks.

Royalcherrydust · Jan 20, 2014

Where are you all going to school for the accelerated BSN program? I'm trying to find somewhere to go.