Accelerated BSN

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appelsoranjes

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So I'm wrapping up my PhD in clinical psychology. At some point I would like to gain RxP, so I'm thinking of going for a Psych NP down the road. I was lucky to get funded for my PhD, so have little debt... I was looking into accelerated BSN programs and I'm pretty turned off by the costs (50k??)... what programs have the best bang-for-the buck?
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Most public schools I have seen are around $30,000 or so.

I was originally planning on attending one, but I am considering going to a community college to get my ADN. It is only 3 semesters designed for those already with a degree. It is only $80 per credit hour and you do rotations at top hospitals in the country. I don't need my BSN like you do, but I think putting up with a RN-BSN program while working is worth the savings.

Another option is a Direct Entry MSN program. 3 years and you get your MSN and can pursue the psych NP during the 3 year program. It is pricey because only 4 year universities offer them, but it would be a much quicker route (although I don't typically like the direct entry program because of the lack of nursing experience before being a NP)
 
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foreverLaur said:
Most public schools I have seen are around $30,000 or so.

I was originally planning on attending one, but I am considering going to a community college to get my ADN. It is only 3 semesters designed for those already with a degree. It is only $80 per credit hour and you do rotations at top hospitals in the country. I don't need my BSN like you do, but I think putting up with a RN-BSN program while working is worth the savings.

Another option is a Direct Entry MSN program. 3 years and you get your MSN and can pursue the psych NP during the 3 year program. It is pricey because only 4 year universities offer them, but it would be a much quicker route (although I don't typically like the direct entry program because of the lack of nursing experience before being a NP)
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where is this 3 semester ADN program for those with a prior BA/BS?
 
Tri-C has 4 semester program but they'll let you condense it into 3 semesters (do 2 clinicals at the same time). Mt Carmel in Columbus has a 13 month program, but it is pricey. Most I have seen are 4 semesters.
 
does anyone know why there are so many different nursing titles? rn, lpn, bsn, msn, cna, adn...and about 10 different ones i see on nurse's white coats. is there a historical reason there were so many different titles? or do you feel all these different titles are actually necessary?
 
elr1983 said:
does anyone know why there are so many different nursing titles? rn, lpn, bsn, msn, cna, adn...and about 10 different ones i see on nurse's white coats. is there a historical reason there were so many different titles? or do you feel all these different titles are actually necessary?
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of those you listed:
cna= certified nursing assistant= 80 hr course
lpn= licensed practical nurse= 1 yr post high school
rn= registered nurse= 2yrs for associates, 4 yrs for bs
bsn= bs in nursing
msn=ms in nursing
adn= assoc. degree nursing

so basically there are titles and academic credentials and since you can be an rn with several different degrees folks frequently list both, ie rn, bsn to show they have achieved a certain academic level.

the extra titles beyond these are usually specialty certs like cen for certified emergency nurse, ccrn for critical care, etc
I have no problem with listing them all on a cv but several on a lab coat is just silly. anything beyond 2 on a labcoat is just ridiculous.
we could all play this game. can you imagine every doc with md, bs, facep, etc
I would be
emedpa, pa-c, ms, ba, bs, emt-p, Dfaapa, pgcf/em
 
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elr1983 said:
does anyone know why there are so many different nursing titles? rn, lpn, bsn, msn, cna, adn...and about 10 different ones i see on nurse's white coats. is there a historical reason there were so many different titles? or do you feel all these different titles are actually necessary?
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differentiating between cna vs lpn vs rn is justified because there are different levels of nursing with different levels of responsibility.

"titles" such as ADN, BSN, and MSN are mostly ridiculous and serve no useful purpose. RN, alone, would be sufficient.
 
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gonj said:
differentiating between cna vs lpn vs rn is justified because there are different levels of nursing with different levels of responsibility.

"titles" such as ADN, BSN, and MSN are mostly ridiculous and serve no useful purpose. RN, alone, would be sufficient.
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Please elaborate.
 
fab4fan said:
Please elaborate.
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I think they mean RN alone is sufficient on a name tag.
no one really cares if you are an adn, bsn, or msn so why list it....
I can see adding 1 specialty cert if working in the applicable specialty at the time;
rn, cen(in the ed) or rn, ccrn (in the icu/ccu) but rn, bsn, cen, ccrn if working in an outpt peds clinic is a bit overkill, don't you think?
 
yeah, that's exactly what i mean.

on name tag, on any ID, etc: go by degree or license, not both.

RN BSN (as well as RN ADN and RN MSN) is as ridiculous and unecessary as CNA HSDip (hs diploma) or LPN VocCert (vocational certificate), when RN or LPN or CNA will do. similarly, if nurses as a profession want to minimize the license, just drop the license already and only ID yourselves with HSDip, VocCert, ADN, BSN, MSN, etc. you don't need both. and you certainly don't need more than those two tacked on.

see, i would take it further than emedpa and say you don't need to list your certifications either. eg, use RN, not "RN BSN CCRN CEN ACLS BLS blah blah blah other letters best reserved for your resume." you dont need your entire resume on your name tag. or your signature.
 
gonj said:
yeah, that's exactly what i mean.

on name tag, on any ID, etc: go by degree or license, not both.

RN BSN (as well as RN ADN and RN MSN) is as ridiculous and unecessary as CNA HSDip (hs diploma) or LPN VocCert (vocational certificate), when RN or LPN or CNA will do. similarly, if nurses as a profession want to minimize the license, just drop the license already and only ID yourselves with HSDip, VocCert, ADN, BSN, MSN, etc. you don't need both. and you certainly don't need more than those two tacked on.

see, i would take it further than emedpa and say you don't need to list your certifications either. eg, use RN, not "RN BSN CCRN CEN ACLS BLS blah blah blah other letters best reserved for your resume." you dont need your entire resume on your name tag. or your signature.
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I don't get the RN,BSN nametags either. Sorry. Yes, I know there are educational differences between diploma, ADN and BSN-prepared nurses but there is no functional difference in the workplace between the roles of all when acting as RNs. I have a background in teaching and while all teachers have a teaching certificate and a BA/BS as a minimum, many also have optional advanced graduate certificates (called a C.A.S.E. if anyone cares), MEds, post-master's certificates and even doctorates in addition to having various classes of teaching certificates (provisional, standard, advanced, etc.). But we certainly didn't go around in the workplace signing our e-mails and letters home with every individual degree and level of certificate we've earned (Jane Smith, English Teacher or Jane Smith, Department of English sufficed) because we were all members of the teachers' unit and all had the equal roles in the school. Actually, I take it back... there were one or two teachers I can recall who always signed even their most informal e-mails with their "BA, MEd, APC" credential, but they were snickered at behind their backs about it for sure. It looks pompous.

Save all that alphabet soup stuff for your resume, IMO.
 
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Why does the length of the title bother you guys?

Just let it be.
 
DNPDoctor said:
Let me guess - you want to make an immature joke or insult about a nurse's title?
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It was just a question. I don't have a problem with nurses. No need to get defensive.
 
what???



RAMPA, BSRC, RRT-NPS, BLS, PALS, NRP :laugh:
 
foreverLaur said:
Let me guess - you're a nurse with lots of things to put after you name?
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Yeah. Just try retreating from that statement, BSN-student-to-be. But you're never going to use that degree to your benefit, right? 🙄

I have no problem with a nurse having a degree on his/her badge. Docs go around with MD, PhD or other additional degrees on theirs. Where's the outrage over that? Oh, wait, is that different?

In a way I understand the certifications. We don't get any respect from physicians; the certifications are a way of at least telling other nurses what we've done. It's shorthand within our own profession. Don't like it? Don't look at the badge. Most of you never bother learning the names of the nurses you work with, anyway.
 
fab4fan said:
Yeah. Just try retreating from that statement, BSN-student-to-be. But you're never going to use that degree to your benefit, right? 🙄.
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MD needs to be put after Dr. Xxx to differentiate between a physician, dentist, optometrist, etc. I just don't think there needs to be any additional information beyond what patients need to know to understand who is treating them.

Dr. Xxx, OD is necessary. Dr. XxXX, DNP is necessary. Xxxx, RN, CCRN is necessary. Dr. Xxx, ADN, BSN, RN, CCRN, MSN, FNP, DNP is a bit unnecessary.

And how would my future BSN not benefit me? The knowledge will be very valuable for a future career in health care. I was also accepted to a 3-semester ADN program for those with bachelors degrees and I'm thinking about pursuing that one since I already have a bachelors degree and it'll save me a lot of money ($80 per credit hour versus $380)
 
foreverLaur said:
MD needs to be put after Dr. Xxx to differentiate between a physician, dentist, optometrist, etc. I just don't think there needs to be any additional information beyond what patients need to know to understand who is treating them.

Dr. Xxx, OD is necessary. Dr. XxXX, DNP is necessary. Xxxx, RN, CCRN is necessary. Dr. Xxx, ADN, BSN, RN, CCRN, MSN, FNP, DNP is a bit unnecessary.

And how would my future BSN not benefit me? The knowledge will be very valuable for a future career in health care. I was also accepted to a 3-semester ADN program for those with bachelors degrees and I'm thinking about pursuing that one since I already have a bachelors degree and it'll save me a lot of money ($80 per credit hour versus $380)
Click to expand...

Yeah, and when you find a doctorally prepared nurse who lists her bachelor's degree and her master's degree in addition to her PhD on her name badge, let me know. Because I've been around nurses probably as long, maybe even longer than you have been alive, and I have never seen anyone do that on a badge. I've seen lots of certifications in articles written by nurses, but I have never seen anyone sign their name, RN, ADN, BSN, MSN. Never.

Three semester program? Good thing you went to that "LPN" program. It terrifies me to think that any program would turn out nurses in three semesters. No wonder nursing isn't respected anymore. Next thing you know you'll be able to get a diploma in a Cracker Jack box.
 
fab4fan said:
Yeah, and when you find a doctorally prepared nurse who lists her bachelor's degree and her master's degree in addition to her PhD on her name badge, let me know. Because I've been around nurses probably as long, maybe even longer than you have been alive, and I have never seen anyone do that on a badge. I've seen lots of certifications in articles written by nurses, but I have never seen anyone sign their name, RN, ADN, BSN, MSN. Never.

Three semester program? Good thing you went to that "LPN" program. It terrifies me to think that any program would turn out nurses in three semesters. No wonder nursing isn't respected anymore. Next thing you know you'll be able to get a diploma in a Cracker Jack box.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying they do - I was just stating what the previous posters were trying to get across.

There are actually a few 11-13 month BSN programs, which makes it possible to get your BSN in less than a year. Students take 21-23 credit hours per semester and 43 hours of specific prerequisites plus a bachelors degree. If they have been accredited by the Board of Nursing then clearly the curriculum is up to par (which this program has been).
 
foreverLaur said:
I'm not saying they do - I was just stating what the previous posters were trying to get across.

There are actually a few 11-13 month BSN programs, which makes it possible to get your BSN in less than a year. Students take 21-23 credit hours per semester and 43 hours of specific prerequisites plus a bachelors degree. If they have been accredited by the Board of Nursing then clearly the curriculum is up to par (which this program has been).
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Link please.
 
http://www.drexel.edu/CNHP/nursing/undergrad_bsn_ace_essentials.asp

Note FAQ #2 and #4

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]II. How long does it take to complete the program?
The ACE Program is 11 months in length, the shortest accelerated program in the country. We accept 2 cohorts per year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Drexel is on the quarter system; therefore you attend classes and clinical rotations over 4 quarters.

.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]IV. Is the ACE Program accredited and recognized as a top nursing school?
.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yes, the ACE Program is accredited by CCNE and the NLN. Drexel nursing programs are highly recognized locally as well as nationally. Our NCLEX pass rate is currently 98.6%, one of the highest in the country.

Mt. Carmel in Columbus, OH has a 13 month program.
.
 
foreverLaur said:
http://www.drexel.edu/CNHP/nursing/undergrad_bsn_ace_essentials.asp

Note FAQ #2 and #4

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]II. How long does it take to complete the program?
The ACE Program is 11 months in length, the shortest accelerated program in the country. We accept 2 cohorts per year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Drexel is on the quarter system; therefore you attend classes and clinical rotations over 4 quarters.

.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]IV. Is the ACE Program accredited and recognized as a top nursing school?
.[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yes, the ACE Program is accredited by CCNE and the NLN. Drexel nursing programs are highly recognized locally as well as nationally. Our NCLEX pass rate is currently 98.6%, one of the highest in the country.

Mt. Carmel in Columbus, OH has a 13 month program.
.
Click to expand...

and links to others?

Here's the prerequisites required to gain admission into that program along with a bachelor's degree

PREREQUISITES TO PROGRAM:
English
Sociology
Psychology
Dev/Psych
Ethics
Nutrition
Chemistry
Microbiology
Anatomy
Physiology
Computer Science
Statistics




From looking at the curriculum below, they took out a lot of nursing theory courses (if not all)

First Quarter
Credits​
NURS 101
ETHICS, ADVOCACY, AND PROFESSIONALISM IN NURSING I
2​
NURS 102
HEALTH PROMOTION, TEACHING AND SELF CARE
3​
NURS 200
PRINCIPLES OF NURSING PRACTICE
6​
NURS 201
HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
4​
NURS 204
NURSING INFORMATICS
3​
NURS 337
GENETICS IN NURSING & HEALTH
3​


Total
21​


Second Quarter
Credits​
NURS 300
COMPREHENSIVE ADULT NURSING I
6​
NUR 301 PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING I
3​
NURS 303
WOMEN'S HEALTH NURSING
6​
NURS 308 MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
6​

Total
21​


Third Quarter
Credits​
NURS 103
ETHICS, ADVOCACY, AND PROFESSION-ALISM IN NURSING II
1​
NUR 304
NURSING OF CHILDREN
6​
NURS 305 COMPREHENSIVE ADULT NURSING II
6​
NURS 306 PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING II
3​
NURS 403 PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
6​

Total
22​


Fourth Quarter
Credits​
NURS 104
ETHICS, ADVOCACY, AND PROFESSION-ALISM IN NURSING III
1​
NURS 330 RESEARCH BASIS OF NURSING
4​
NURS 400 LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, & ENTREPRENEUR-SHIP IN NURSING
3​
NURS 401 COMPREHENSIVE ADULT NURSING III
6​
NURS 450
CONTEMPORARY GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
6​
NURS 492 SENIOR SEMINAR IN NURSING
3​

Total
23​
 
foreverLaur said:
http://www.mccn.edu/academic-programs/second-degree-accelerated-program.html

This it Mt Carmel. I haven't taken the time to research any others. I only know of Drexel & Mt Carmel because I know graduates of those programs.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link.

Most of the accelerated baccalaureate ones I know are at least 2 years.
They already you require you to have a degree and pre-requisite courses.

For the link listed above, here are the pre-requisite courses along with a bachelor's degree

Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Microbiology
Organic Biochemistry
Human Nutrition
Human Growth & Development
Statistics
Cultural Anthropology
General Psychology
Sociology
Humanities

Here is the curriculum:
http://www.mccn.edu/pdf/SDAP%20Curriculum%20Plan.pdf

7 courses or more per semester.
Rigorous schedule.
 
Majority of the other programs I am aware of are 15 months (4 back to back semesters).

The one I am most likely going to attend starts Aug 31, 2009 and I would graduate in December 2010. That seems to be a fairly common pattern, at least around my area.

I guess it is good there are options. People who don't have 110% of their time to devote to nursing, they have less rigorous options.
 
I've never seen a nurse with more than two items after his/her name. Mine just says my name and below it "Registered Nurse." Of course, it's in tiny print--heaven forbid patients know who is staffing the hospital. Sometimes there will be "RN, BSN" or "RN, MSN." Some nurses who are certified in their field will replace RN with CCRN or RNC. So, at most you've got "CCRN, MSN" and I just can't get worked up over that. I think the nurse with alphabet soup on the nametag is more mythical than anything else.

CNAs and their various names in various institutions (such as PCA, PCT) are not nurses so it makes zero sense to ask what we think about their titles.

RN and LPN (but as I've pointed out before, rarely do LPNs work in hospitals anymore) are licenses. ADN, BSN, MSN are the degrees that allow one to get the license.
 
Farmer Jane said:
but as I've pointed out before, rarely do LPNs work in hospitals anymore
Click to expand...

this must be a regional thing. on the west coast we still use lots of lpn's in all depts of the hospital and there are still many lpn cert programs out here. a fairly common pattern out here is for folks to do the first yr of nursing school, take their lpn boards, work for a yr or 2 then return for the second yr to complete the rn.
 
appelsoranjes said:
So I'm wrapping up my PhD in clinical psychology. At some point I would like to gain RxP, so I'm thinking of going for a Psych NP down the road. I was lucky to get funded for my PhD, so have little debt... I was looking into accelerated BSN programs and I'm pretty turned off by the costs (50k??)... what programs have the best bang-for-the buck?
Click to expand...

Let's get back to the topic for the OP.
New Mexico allows certain psychologists to prescribe. I do not know the educational requirements and limits/certifications that must be met for this but here is a link.
http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se...agement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8375#law
I think the law became effective in 2001/2. If still interested in Psych NP, try New Mexico State University. The program is a combined NP/CNS Master's in Psych/Mental Health but you would need the BSN.
http://www.nmsu.edu/~nursing/mind.html

There is also an accelerated BSN program that is 15 months. It is nicknamed Roadrunner.
http://www.nmsu.edu/~nursing/roadrunner.html

😀 ANd as to the titles, I do not sign RN (must be an RN to be NP) and yeah, MSN is my degree and FNP is my specialty as NP. Only use the MSN in academia. Only sign FNP on patient charts.
 
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DNPDoctor said:
and links to others?
Click to expand...

There are too many to list, but here's a link that'll point you to over 260 and the number of accelerated nursing programs all over the country is just exploding!

The competition has created a race by educational institutions as to who can offer the shortest accelerated program that is accredited.

By us there are two programs that come to mind and several Community College programs that lead to being able to take the RN NCLEX in CA.

Sacramento State has a 30 unit option non-degree program for the RN license.

Samuel Merritt College by us offers an accelerated BSN, MSN CRNA/FNP
samuelmerritt.edu

UC Davis is in the process of developing their own program as well.

Prereqs (must be completed with a C- or better):
English Comp or Lit
Sociology or Anthropology
Social Science elective
Statistics
Life Span Psych
Nutrition
Human Anatomy & Physiology
Chem
Microbio
Pharmacology
Pathophysiology

For those that have a BS and were pre-med undergrad this would be a walk in the park. I wasn't pre-med so I'd have to take 7 courses.

I'd be hard pressed to know anyone with a bachelor's degree in most subjects that don't already have the coursework bolded above.

My wife has an architecture degree and is retraining to be a nurse in her 40s, and so far she has be acing every class. Currently taking a 6 week microbiology class and half way through at the top of her class.

As she often puts it. It's just nursing. Not as difficult as the physics, engineering and architecture coursework she had to take as a B.Arch

I have an MBA in IS and have been considering it myself.

Jan Term 1 (5 weeks)
Term 2 (11 weeks)
Summer Term 3 (16 weeks)
Fall Term 4 (10 weeks)
Term 5 (5 weeks) RN test and done!
 
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