How Hard is an Accelerated BSN Program – (10 Biggest Challenges & How to Overcome)
Written By:
Darby Faubion
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Darby lives in Louisiana and loves exploring the state’s rich culture and history. Darby has a passion for caring for veterans and a special interest in those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. In her quest to make a difference for veterans, she founded a non-profit called “Operation Battle Buddy.” Read Full Bio »» RN, BSN, MBA
Have you graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and now want to pursue a career as a nurse? Does the idea of committing several additional years to school make you wonder if nursing school is the right option? If you want to become a registered nurse but want to do so in less time than a traditional nursing program, you may be eligible to do so with an accelerated BSN program.
You may have heard of this type of program but wonder, “How hard is an accelerated BSN program?" You may question if an accelerated BSN program is worth the effort it takes to complete. If this sounds familiar, you have found the right article! As you continue reading, you will discover the 10 biggest challenges you will face in an accelerated BSN program and how to successfully overcome them.
What Topics are Covered in an Accelerated BSN Program?
When you decide to pursue your degree through an accelerated BSN program, you will complete the same requirements as a traditional BSN program. The difference is that because you already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you may reduce the time it takes to complete your degree by receiving credit for transferable prerequisite courses. In the accelerated BSN program, you will take core nursing courses, such as Pharmacology, Clinical Reasoning, Pathophysiology, Professional Nursing Transformation, Evidence-Based Practice, and Anatomy & Physiology.
Is an Accelerated BSN Program Hard?
Accelerated BSN programs are considered challenging. The rate at which you must complete the program, the course content, and the clinical requirements are a few of the things that make accelerated BSN programs hard. However, with dedication to your studies, you can succeed and become a registered nurse!
What Makes an Accelerated BSN Program Hard?
(The following are the 10 biggest challenges you will face in Accelerated BSN programs and ways you can successfully overcome them.)
CHALLENGE #1: Transitioning to a Nursing Mindset
About the Challenge:
Nursing students learn to develop a nursing mindset or way of thinking, which guides every decision regarding patient care. Because you already have a degree in an unrelated field, developing a new mindset is challenging, and that is one of the things that makes accelerated BSN programs hard.
How to Overcome:
I understand that learning new things and discovering new ways of approaching situations can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to something as important as caring for the health and well-being of others. Your nursing instructors understand that, as well. To overcome this challenge, keep in mind that your instructors and preceptors were once students. Their job now is to help you grow and learn and become the best nurse you can be. Know that it is okay to ask questions until you gain understanding and feel assured that your success matters. Developing a nursing mindset is something that takes time. Your instructors can teach you the fundamentals, but it will take time to cultivate and hone skills. Trust the process!
CHALLENGE #2: Accelerated BSN Programs Require A Lot of Your Time
About the Challenge:
Although accelerated BSN programs can be completed in a shorter time than traditional BSN programs, they require a significant time investment to accomplish them in a reduced time. The time you must dedicate to studies and clinical practicum can feel overwhelming, especially if you have other responsibilities, such as a job or family.
How to Overcome:
Something I learned in nursing school and later tried to pass on to students in my nursing and allied health classes was that you must prioritize study time to succeed in nursing school. Prioritizing study time means more than choosing a time each day to study; it also means making the most of that time. You can do this by getting organized, taking time to study each day, and joining study groups. Remember, everyone has a
learning style that is most comfortable for them. Once you identify the style best suited for you, you can create a study plan that works best for you, allowing you to make the most of your time to succeed in an accelerated BSN program.
CHALLENGE #3: You May Feel Mentally Overwhelmed
About the Challenge:
One of the main things that makes an accelerated BSN program hard is that you must learn a lot of content and complete clinical practicums in an accelerated time. For many students, the accelerated format leaves them feeling mentally exhausted.
How to Overcome:
To be completely transparent, I did not attend an accelerated nursing program, but I still felt mentally overwhelmed at times. The truth is any nursing program requires a lot of students, but it is possible to find ways to manage the challenges and succeed. I learned early on that a crucial step in overcoming mental fatigue is to practice self-care. While studying is essential for success, you can only apply yourself and do well if you are cared for. Creating good self-care habits while in nursing school is essential, as you can carry these habits with you after becoming a nurse and continue to practice
self-care as a nurse.
CHALLENGE #4: The Curriculum Is Rigorous
About the Challenge:
Although students in accelerated BSN programs already possess a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, there is still in-depth content to cover, which means a rigorous curriculum plan. You will receive credit for some, if not all, of the prerequisites from your previous bachelor's degree. Still, you must complete the nursing component of the curriculum, including classes and clinical practicums.
How to Overcome:
The only way to overcome the challenge of dealing with a rigorous curriculum is to dedicate yourself to your studies. Create a schedule that allows for plenty of study time and stick with it. As a nurse and healthcare educator, I cannot stress enough the importance of being intentional about your study time. It is always easier to create and maintain a schedule than to try and catch up after you have fallen behind, which seems like an endless cycle.
CHALLENGE #5: Clinicals Are Tough!
About the Challenge:
Not only are the classes in accelerated BSN programs hard, but you must also complete clinical practicums, which are also challenging. In clinical practicums, you will provide hands-on care for patients in various healthcare settings. Clinicals may be in hospitals, nursing homes, physician's offices, or other medical settings and are conducted under the direct supervision of a nursing preceptor or program instructor.
How to Overcome:
Although clinicals are challenging, it is for good reason. After all, this is where you will learn to care for patients experiencing health problems that may be severe or life-threatening. You can overcome the challenges of difficult clinicals by looking at everything you do as a learning opportunity. Also, remember your instructors and preceptors are there to help and guide you. Please take advantage of the chance to learn from them. Do not only ask questions but also volunteer to do any procedure or assist with any care possible while you can work with experienced staff and preceptors.
CHALLENGE #6: Accelerated BSN Programs Are Usually Only Offered Full-Time
About the Challenge:
Another reason accelerated BSN programs are hard is that the programs are usually only offered in a full-time format. If you have a job, family, or other responsibilities outside of school, committing to this type of program can be challenging.
How to Overcome:
You may not be able to change the full-time commitment required of accelerated BSN programs, but if this is the path you wish to pursue to become a registered nurse, you can learn to maximize your time and make the most of your busy schedule. The best way to deal with a full-time school schedule is to prioritize academic and personal tasks. Also, consider what resources you have for help, such as a spouse, friend, or family member who may be willing to help with household chores or non-school responsibilities, allowing you more time to focus on your studies. While adjusting to a full-time school schedule and the demands of an accelerated BSN program can feel overwhelming, especially at first, the long-term benefits far outweigh the temporary inconveniences.
CHALLENGE #7: Balancing Different Learning Environments
About the Challenge:
One of the benefits of accelerated BSN programs is that some of your classes may be offered online. Online learning is excellent, especially if you prefer to commute less. However, balancing the diversity of learning environments is also one of the things that makes accelerated BSN programs hard.
In accelerated BSN programs, you will likely have online classes, in-person clinicals, and campus-based laboratory simulations. When you add that all these requirements are met at an accelerated pace, balancing them all can be overwhelming.
How to Overcome:
As a nurse and healthcare educator, I understand how challenging it can be to acclimate to different environments, especially as a student. I want to encourage you to remember that your instructors and preceptors have been where you are and understand what it feels like to adjust to new places, rules, regulations, and situations. Keep in mind that the primary goal of your instructors and mentors is to help you succeed. Look to them for guidance and direction as you learn your way around the various learning environments. Develop a peer network among classmates and encourage one another as you learn together.
CHALLENGE #8: You Must Make a Financial Commitment
About the Challenge:
Accelerated BSN programs vary in cost, with tuition ranging from $11,000 to $80,000 or more. Several factors determine your total cost, including whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition and whether you have any financial aid. One of the reasons the financial commitment makes accelerated BSN programs hard is that most students find it difficult, if not impossible, to work, which causes even greater financial strain.
How to Overcome:
There are many resources to help with the expense of earning your degree through an accelerated BSN program. One of the first steps is to complete a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will help determine your eligibility for federally funded grants and low-interest loans. Additionally, various sources, including government agencies, professional organizations, and private foundations, offer nursing school
grants and scholarships.
CHALLENGE #9: Choosing the Right Nursing School for Your ABSN Program
About the Challenge:
If you are considering transitioning from a non-nursing career to a nursing career, finding the right school is essential. When you
choose the right nursing school, you can feel assured that the education you receive will prepare you to pass the NCLEX and become licensed as a registered nurse and that you will have the right classroom and clinical experiences to prepare you for independent practice as an RN.
How to Overcome:
If you do not know what questions to ask or what things are important to consider, choosing the right school to pursue an accelerated BSN program is hard. A few things to think about are how much time you can dedicate to school, the program's cost, whether you have financial aid, and the program format (online, on campus, or hybrid). Talk to an admissions counselor and ask to visit with the program director to get questions answered. Remember, this is your future and your choice, so do not settle for anything less than what you want to make those dreams come true!
CHALLENGE #10: Understanding that Learning Must Be a Lifelong Process
About the Challenge:
One of the things I love about nursing is that there is always something new to learn. Whether there is new ground-breaking technology designed to help in the delivery of care, a new medication to treat cancer or other diseases, or advanced methods for diagnosing illnesses and diseases, nurses have endless learning opportunities. Not everyone is as thrilled about learning, though, and if you are not, then you may find accelerated BSN programs are hard.
How to Overcome:
Accelerated BSN programs are designed to take you to another level of knowledge in a new career field, which requires extensive learning both in the classroom and in clinical settings. Because advances in medicine and healthcare occur daily, it is imperative that nurses adopt and maintain an attitude of continuous learning. If you are someone who studies only when you are required or when it is necessary to pass a test or get through an interview, nursing may not be the best option for you. However, if you genuinely desire to become a nurse, you can cultivate a mind for learning by staying engaged with new and diverse learning opportunities. Subscribe to
nursing magazines and other publications. Join
nursing organizations and get involved in opportunities for continuing education. You can do these things while enrolled in an ABSN program and continue them throughout your career.
My Final Thoughts
Deciding to transition your career from a non-nursing role to nursing is not to be taken lightly. One of the most critical decisions is the type of nursing program that is best to help you reach your goals. For many, an accelerated BSN program is an excellent option. If you are a bachelor's degree holder desiring to become a registered nurse, you may have considered an ABSN program and wondered, “How hard is an accelerated BSN program?”
In this article, I shared the 10 biggest challenges you will face in an accelerated BSN program and how to successfully overcome them to give you insight into this education path. If becoming a registered nurse at an accelerated pace is something you want to do, I encourage you to research
accelerated BSN programs and find the one best suited for you. There are endless opportunities when you earn your BSN, and the profession needs more passionate nurses!
Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Our Expert
1. How Long Does An Accelerated BSN Program Take?
Accelerated BSN programs typically take one to two years to complete, depending on the school’s prescribed curriculum and the number of credits you are eligible to transfer into the program.
2. Is It Normal To Struggle In An Accelerated BSN Program?
It is normal to struggle from time to time in an accelerated BSN program. Keep in mind that you are transitioning from a non-nursing role to a nursing role and doing so quickly. No matter how challenging the program is, you CAN succeed with hard work and determination.
3. Which Year Of An Accelerated BSN Program Is The Hardest?
Most students in accelerated BSN programs find the first year the hardest. The students I have talked to who pursue degrees in these programs state that, besides learning basic nursing fundamentals, the transition from a non-nursing way of thinking and doing things to a nursing mindset makes this year the most difficult.
4. What Are The Hardest Classes In An Accelerated BSN Program?
For students transitioning to nursing from a non-nursing profession, some of the most challenging classes are usually pathophysiology, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice.
5. How Many Hours Do I Need To Study In An Accelerated BSN Program?
It has been my experience as a nurse educator that students do well to dedicate a minimum of three hours per week for each credit hour for which they are enrolled. For instance, if you are enrolled in 15 credit hours, you should prepare to spend at least 45 hours each week dedicated to your studies. However, each student must evaluate their needs and what works, and if you need more time to study to help you retain the information, be sure to take the necessary time to do so.
6. Is It Hard To Work During An Accelerated BSN Program?
Accelerated BSN programs require a significant time commitment, which can make working while pursuing your degree quite challenging. If you must work while enrolled, find a job with a flexible, part-time schedule.
7. What Percent Of Accelerated BSN Students Drop Out?
The National League for Nursing reports the national attrition (dropout) rate for BSN students, including students in accelerated BSN programs, is 20%.
8. Is It Common To Fail An Accelerated BSN Program?
Although some students in accelerated BSN programs are unsuccessful, the retention and pass rates are higher than the failure rates.
9. What Next After Failing An Accelerated BSN Program?
If you fail an accelerated BSN program, all hope is not lost. Consider taking some time to weigh your options. Talk to your academic advisor and program director if you genuinely want to become a nurse. It could be that an accelerated program is too much of an undertaking, and a traditional program could be a better option for you. Also, you could consider earning an associate degree in nursing first and later earning your BSN. On the other hand, if you conclude that becoming a nurse is not in your best interest, there are many health-related fields to consider that do not require a nursing degree or license.
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).