Choosing A Nursing Program
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Hi I am Gene, an RN and author of the Brute Force Study Guide. I received the following comment from "WorriedStudent" on my main nursing page. Becoming a nurse
"... My question is, what do you know about accelerated nurses and the programs? I decided to change medical majors from physical therapy to nursing and so I will have a bachelor's in Integrative Health Science first and then do accelerated nursing for a year and be a RN. In my years of college, I feel I have learned a lot about medicine but nowhere near enough to be able to be of much help in the hospital setting. What's going on? In just one year of nursing, will I be able to identify diseases, know what to do to treat them, etc? In just ONE year? Is this the type of situation where you'll learn as much of you can and then be trained accordingly to whatever hospital/place you work at? "
I have received emails asking much of the same thing so I am going to try and address these issues here in a more complete form than simply replying to the comment.
Accelerated nursing programs vs traditional nursing programs.
Traditional nursing programs are either degree program, associate degree programs and bachelor degree programs. They generally have the same schedule as other majors with 16 week (more or less) semesters and time off between the semesters. An accelerated program can also be a BSN, ADN, or a degree program but will not have breaks between the semesters and have more days per week in the classroom. The accreditation agencies and the state boards of nursing set up minimum lecture time and clinical hours the school must provide you with and that you must complete. So all programs must meet those minimum for you to be able to sit for your licensing exam (NCLEX).
The advantage of the accelerated program is that you will be done faster. The disadvantage is you will have less time to study and other obligations in your life. If you choose an accelerated program you will have less wiggle room and being sick for a week might do you in.
I know nurses that have become an RN from all the above methods and will tell you that some are strong nurses and others are weak and there is NO correlation with the method they chose in becoming a nurse and your performance of a nurse. I even know a diploma LPN that can run circles around the the best RNs I have had the pleasure to work with.
Things to ask when choosing a nursing school.
What is your program competition rate?
What percentage of your graduating students pass the NCLEX on their first sitting?
Demand real numbers and do not accept "We have a very high number."
"In just one year of nursing, will I be able to identify diseases, know what to do to treat them, etc?"
Short answer. No
Nurses do not diagnosis illnesses that is outside our scope of practice. There are nursing diagnosis but they are, to be honest, mostly academic bullshit. We use them because some people in a committee decided we have to. We do treat patients, this is based on doctors orders and good nursing judgment. The other skill that is important is assessment and critical thinking. For example, if the blood pressure is low do not give metoprolol and call the doctor. Not exactly rocket science, but the wrong decision can kill someone.
The goal of nursing school and the what the NCLEX tries to judge is one thing, can you practice safely as a new graduate in the proper setting. "The NCLEX has only one purpose: to determine if it is safe for you to begin practice as an entry-level nurse", from http://nursing.unc.edu/current/counseling/nclex.html. What you learn in school is very important, but will not "come together" for at least a year after you start working. It is very important to choose your first job wisely(if you have a choice). Find a hospital with the longest new grad orientation and training even if in means a lower wage. I also strongly recommend you work in a hospital before starting nursing school for both the experience and to find out if it is really what you want to do.
How To Get Into Nursing School
