What can I expect in Accelerated BSN Program?

DuluthMike · Apr 11, 2009

Where are you going? I'm starting my accelerated bsn at IUSB in May.

abismojo · Apr 11, 2009

Accelerated options are just what it says, accelerated! I just started a 13 month program in winston salem, nc and it moves al ong very quickly. We attend class tuesday to friday from 8-5 with an hour for lunch, which is usually spent reading. the classes entail an extreme amount of reading and there is not enough classroom time to cover all of the material that is subject for testing, so we have to be diligent "Adult learners" and learn a lot on our own.

In a typical week we will read 5 or 6 chapters per class and have at least one test per class. At some parts of the first classes we would have 3 tests in a row and class time afterwards for each class to learn new material. Within the four days of class you have labs mixed in where you practice all of your skills.

Some pointers:

stay organized, you do not have enough time to reorganize

come to class with lot of questions

stay ahead of the reading, get the syllabus early and start now if you can, seriously.

don't waste class time complaining to the teacher about how fast things move, it's accelerated

be prepared to make a B in a class if you are a typical straight A person, our school uses a 7 point scale and does not curve anything. there is just not enough time to read and remember everything.

really learn the assessment material, you will use this non stop in your clinicals.

We started the program in january and have completed 5 classes and have just finished our first round at the hospital. This is where you start putting things together, get to know your nurse and na's and ask questions. Since we just started clinicals, we will have two days a week in the hospital from 6am-6pm, and then two days of week for class on tuesday and wednesday from 8-5. most people in the program do not work, some have kids, so it all comes down to time management. You will have some people in your class that are NA's, and they are very good resources for skills such as catheters, toileting, bed making, enemas, so get them to work with you.

I can let you know more as i go along, but it is definately tough but doable. The people that just finished the program before us had a 97.8 pass rate on the NCLEX, so that says something.

Start an email chain with your class and invite everyone to work together on study guides, enabling objectives, and resources. At first this seems crazy, but everyone will start working together because there is just too much to take in and whatever can be split up among the class helps out a lot.

If you have any particular questions, just let me know.

AragornSkywalker · Apr 11, 2009

In my school, accelerated simply means you take a semesters worth of stuff over summer. So you get out in 2 years instead of 3. I would imagine the summer sessions to be hectic since they are cramming 16 weeks of stuff into 10-12, but the normal semesters shouldnt be much different.

Time management is crucial regardless of what you do. The more experienced classmates can certainly help you with your clinicals, but the book studying varies person to person. Some people like groups, others do better at 3am in the library alone in the corner. Its up to you.

billjeff1 · Apr 11, 2009

Hello everyone, I am going to Umass Boston starting in May. I was actually shocked to get into the Accelerated Program my first time applying. I have never worked in the medical field whatsoever, and I have been taking care of my Father who has been battling Colon Cancer. Helping with his Ostomy care and other medical related issues. I have been taking the Prerequisites for the Accelerated BSN Program such as A&P 1+2, Microbiology, Etc. My Grades were pretty good, and I guess my Interview went really well, the School called me the Next Day on the Phone to say Congratulation, that I had been accepted. I am getting nervous knowing that School is beginning soon, but excited to learn how to care for people as a Nurse. This is a huge change for me considering I have worked in Construction for the past few years. I went back to College in my Early 30's and received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and then as I stated started taking Nursing Prerequisites. Now I am the big 40 and my Life is going in an entirely new direction. Thanks for everyone who answered my Question. I would like to hear from Men ( Ladies as well:up:) who are coming from a Completely different field of work and entering the Healthcare industry as a Nurse. Look forward to hearing your responses. Thank You. billjeff1

HazeKomp, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2009

Some pointers:
stay organized, you do not have enough time to reorganize
come to class with lot of questions
stay ahead of the reading, get the syllabus early and start now if you can, seriously.
don't waste class time complaining to the teacher about how fast things move, it's accelerated
be prepared to make a B in a class if you are a typical straight A person, our school uses a 7 point scale and does not curve anything. there is just not enough time to read and remember everything.
really learn the assessment material, you will use this non stop in your clinicals.

... it is definately tough but doable. The people that just finished the program before us had a 97.8 pass rate on the NCLEX, so that says something.

... invite everyone to work together on study guides, .

This poster is very accurate.

I am a clinical instructor in an accelerated program.

Essentially, to get done with your BSN in 18 months, you will have NO time to do anything but school and school work. This type of program is NOT for slower students, NOT for students with poor study habit, etc. The students at my school work on nursing daily, often studying or reading until midnight daily. Example, last semester the students were in 8 hours of clinicals on Wed. for Med surg and 8 hours of clinicals on Thursday for OB/L&D/Nsy. Both clinicals require full careplans, patient workups, medications, labs, concept mapping, etc...to the tune of between 6-10 pages of paperwork PER CLINICAL. Plus students have lectures all day on Mon & Tues. Plus skills labs and testing on Friday. Whew!!!

It will be tough but it can be done, but be prepared.

Ex one student, an electrical engineer, decided to enter the program. He complained to a faculty member about how much reading and paperwork there was, and how little time he had for extracurricular activities. The professor then asked, "you are going for a Bachelors' degree in Nursing, right?" he of course said yes. She then asked "How long did it take you to become an electrical engineer?" 4 years. She then asked him how many assignments he would have been doing if he had gotten his 4 year degree in 18 months.... The light bulb went off and he acknowledged that the workload was appropriate! That's a good hint!

good luck

Haze

caliotter3 · Apr 12, 2009

Lately I've had trouble staying awake at midnight so I definitely know I could not put in the necessary hours to work at this pace. Those burning the midnight oil days are many years gone.

HumptyDumpty · Apr 12, 2009

I am just about a full year into my accelerated program. What to expect? It solely depends on you. Personally, I don't find it all that difficult. From what I have experienced and observed, most nursing students are extremely anxious, worried, and need to relax. Do not fall for their propaganda. It is stressful at times, but its quite simple. Do your assignments, study for tests, and treat clinicals as a job. Enough said. I often hear people talking about studying 6 hours a night and having no free time what so ever. This I do not understand. I have plenty of free time. Just get it done and don't let people discourage you and have them put their anxiety upon you.

I have a 3.7 right now, and at the end of this 18 credit hour semester, I expect it to stay about the same. Its really not hard. Be prepared to study a good 10-12 hours a day or 2 before a test. If you have no intentions going on to graduate school, you could skate by and earn an occasional A, Bs and Cs with little effort in my opinion.

mhmo9804 · Apr 12, 2009

I have a 3.7 right now, and at the end of this 18 credit hour semester, I expect it to stay about the same. Its really not hard. Be prepared to study a good 10-12 hours a day or 2 before a test. If you have no intentions going on to graduate school, you could skate by and earn an occasional A, Bs and Cs with little effort in my opinion.

Dang, I hope you meant 10 -12 hours a week!

Tozz · Apr 12, 2009

I think (hope) he was referring to cramming 10-12 hours before an exam.

Dang, I hope you meant 10 -12 hours a week!

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 12, 2009

What can you expect in an Accelerated BSN program?

You can expect to have no life because all you will be doing is studying and going to school. Good luck!

!Chris :specs:

UVA Grad Nursing · Apr 12, 2009

I am an assistant dean in a Direct Entry MSN program. My students report that between homework, clinical practica, clinical prep, and logbooks they are spending 40-50 hours per week outside of class on nursing. Added to taking 15 credits per term, this means 50-60 hours/week in total.

Needless to say, there is not much time for other activities. But they are going from being a non-nurse to a MSN in 24 months and completing over 1000 hours of 1:1 clinical practica.

Entering an accelerated nursing program (ABSN or DE-MSN) is a big commitment of time. As HazeKomp mentions, you need to be focused and directed.