I tried resurrecting the old thread, but it was idle for more than 90 days.

I am looking at NC Central's ABSN program, because I could complete it full time in 16 months (I am currently taking my pre-reqs for it.) Any thoughts on an ABSN program? How common is this?

What are the best public programs for becoming a nurse-practitioner? I'd like to do a combination of midwifery, direct patient contact, and sex and contraceptive education, so was considering the women's health care option.

1/7/2009 5:43:28 PM

personally i don't think 16 months is nearly enough time to become competent in clinical skills or knowledge

i think you would get a lot more out of an actual BSN program at somewhere like ECU or UNC

ECU offers a distance ed pathway to MSN if i recall correctly. you can do an ANP, FNP, or CRNA concentration as well as a few others.

[Edited on January 7, 2009 at 7:20 PM. Reason : http://www.nursing.ecu.edu/msn_concentrations.htm]

1/7/2009 7:18:37 PM

if you're worried about clinical skills, you could just do a diploma program instead

1/7/2009 8:51:43 PM

^^ ABSN programs are designed for students already with bachelor's degrees, who are coming to nursing as a second career. I already have one in science, and would like to switch at some point to nursing from research, and would get a BSN when done. Full time, the program could range from 16 months min. to 24 months max.

It seems like the majority of MSN programs accept mainly practicing RNs into their programs, so I would have to gain clinical experience anyway before this. I'm eyeing Carolina for their WHCNP option, and think having RN experience under my belt would make me a more competitive candidate.

I'm curious what educational pathways current RNs took to get their degrees?

1/7/2009 11:32:35 PM

^yes, i know what ABSN programs are designed for. read what i said again. a BS in some other science doesn't teach you clinical skills. those come with experience.

my advice: go get your RN (or BSN), work for a few years until you feel comfortable operating independently, and then go for one of the RN/BSN to MSN programs. ECU has one.

1/8/2009 1:53:39 AM

<mandatory sleeping with doctors reference here>

1/8/2009 2:16:16 AM

I too have been thinking about doing this when i graduate ncsu later this year. However I have been looking at Duke and UNC's ABSN programs. I have been looking to see if I could find a program that would let me get my BSN and MSN or NP license at the same time.

1/25/2009 1:12:39 PM

there are RN to MSN programs that let you get a bsn and your MSN/ fnp crna etc


there are no absn programs that let you go right ahead and get your msn and start working as an advanced practice nurse


advanced practice nurses with no real nursing experience.......come on! how safe would that be.


after completing whichever program you choose expect to work AT LEAST one year in a hospital. most programs arent going to consider candidates with less than 2 years of experience.

you wont be exposed to nearly enough critical situations to make you a competent practicioner in one year's time.


my experience with absn grads.............you cant teach them anything when they graduate because they think they know it all already. They dont know what they dont know.

1/25/2009 4:58:04 PM

^i'm glad we agree on this

1/25/2009 8:03:52 PM

my wife got her bs in biology at state. she worked as an na all of college. she then entered the absn program at duke. she worked as a nurse for two years and then began the np program at duke and graduated this past may. she now works as an np at duke. we're both incredibly happy that she is no longer a nurse.

i think the absn is fine as long as you already have some clinical experience. there are so many varying degrees of an actual 'nurse' though. the certificate programs are a little scary, imo.

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM. Reason : d]

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 12:13 PM. Reason : sp]

1/26/2009 12:12:55 PM

Quote :

"personally i don't think 16 months is nearly enough time to become competent in clinical skills or knowledge "

duke and unc also have the accelerated program. didn't know if you were aware. i had no idea nccu had the program!

i was thinking about the absn program at some point in my life to go with my law degree. but i doubt i would do much actual nursing with it. i would want it more for healthcare law, administration, etc. i dunno. the program seems enticing. who knows. there are also just hospital admin certificates that a lot of lawyers get. i just feel like having the nursing background is preferable (from what i have heard, anyway)

[Edited on January 26, 2009 at 10:21 PM. Reason : oops jen already pointed it out...my badddddd]

1/26/2009 10:15:08 PM

Quote :

"we're both incredibly happy that she is no longer a nurse."

no, she is still a NURSE


she is a NURSE practicioner

an advance practice NURSE


CRNAs are NURSE anesthetists



i plan to get my masters and do some sort of advanced practice nursing


but i am going to try like hell to never forget that i am a nurse first.


i've seen what happens when nurse practicioners forget that they were nurses first.


they become just as arrogant and assholish as a first year resident who hasn't had his ass handed to him yet.


that kind of remark really feels demeaning

its probably for the best that she is no longer working the floors. I am sure it was horrible 2 years for her especially if she was just "using" the profession to springboard her up the food chain.


anyone can "do" nursing......only a few can "be" a nurse

1/26/2009 10:52:41 PM

i chose my words poorly, clearly she is still a nurse.

i should have said, she is glad she no longer has to work twelves, weekends, and clean up shit.

she is also happy that we now have more similar schedules, can spend more time together and hopefully start a family.

she doesn't mind the higher income either.

that better?

[Edited on January 27, 2009 at 8:56 AM. Reason : ; )]

1/27/2009 8:51:32 AM

Quote :

"i've seen what happens when nurse practicioners forget that they were nurses first. they become just as arrogant and assholish as a first year resident who hasn't had his ass handed to him yet."

i couldn't have said it better myself.

1/27/2009 10:46:52 AM

Quote :

"i chose my words poorly, clearly she is still a nurse. i should have said, she is glad she no longer has to work twelves, weekends, and clean up shit. she is also happy that we now have more similar schedules, can spend more time together and hopefully start a family. she doesn't mind the higher income either. that better?"

oh much better

shit, in its many forms, does get old after a while

1/27/2009 11:35:16 AM

I am mainly examining Central for the BSN because it is nearby and I can commute there on bike (at least for on-campus classes), it's cheaper, and I feel like the program is geared for older, currently working adults.

Also, practically speaking, it makes more sense to me to spend the money on a higher-quality Masters program that I could get also get tuition reimbursement for, then blow my money on a 2nd Bachelor's.

I'm currently taking this same approach by getting my pre-reqs at Durham Tech. I have to take anatomy and physiology (human), pathophysiology, psych, and human nutrition (may take at Central). Any ones I missed? (I've got all my basic sciences down.)

1/27/2009 12:08:07 PM

^^glad you agree!

^ i actually work at central too. good luck if that is what you decide to do.

1/27/2009 12:21:13 PM

i thought bout posting a second topic but it would probably fit just fine in here.


I am probably applying to an ABSN programs next year and would like to do some things now that would better prepare me. I have thought about volunteering or enrolling in some emt courses but I have no idea how this works, what I need/should/ could be doing so hopefully yall may provide some direction. Nursing isn't for everyone so what I would hope to gain from the experience is enough exposure to be able to make an informed decision about entering an ABSN program.

1/27/2009 1:50:30 PM

^ Along the lines of what Jen said, were there any particular things that the current RNs did that made
them stand out from the field for their programs?

I've done clinical volunteering with Planned Parenthood and more informal campus volunteering and community organizing with the Women's Center and PPHS, respectively.

1/27/2009 3:28:49 PM

take a NA (nurse aide) course, and do some pt work as a CNA. most nursing programs require that certification prior to enrollment anyways, if i'm not mistaken.

it preps you on the most basic nursing skills. you can find work in hospitals/nursing homes fairly easily with it.

it's offered at most community colleges and/or hospitals with nursing programs.

[Edited on January 27, 2009 at 3:37 PM. Reason : ad]

[Edited on January 27, 2009 at 3:39 PM. Reason : ad]

1/27/2009 3:36:36 PM

talkin' 'bout you gonna be a nurse
BITCH, TO BE A NURSE
YOU GOTTA GO TO SCHOOL FIRS

1/27/2009 7:42:31 PM

I would seriously consider programs other than NCCU.

My mother consistently recruits new nurses and teaches advanced nursing seminars and what-not.

She repeatedly complains about NCCU's nursing program, and has, on more than one occasion, threatened to stop recruiting there entirely. She would have, until she realized that when you work for a university/hospital/the state, that insulting or pissing off a large group of black people is a fantastic way to get fired.

The fact that such an action is justified is entirely irrelevant.

[Edited on January 27, 2009 at 8:00 PM. Reason : a]

1/27/2009 7:59:07 PM

personally the only in state programs I was only considering are the programs at duke and UNC.

1/27/2009 10:59:57 PM

if considering an ABSN program you need to honestly answer this question.


how much do you value your social life.

if you do a 2 year BSN or a 5 semester ADN you get to have a somewhat limited social life.


accelerated programs you stay in the classroom and you get your clinical hours in. the rest of the time you spend studying and researching. Regular nursing school is HARD harder than anything ncstate threw at me. i cant imagine compressing it into 14-16 months. dont do this unless you can devote your life to nursing school. dont plan on having a job. plan on living off of your student loans.


This is why i chose the ADN route into the profession... I can get my BSN online. WHILE working full time as an RN.

[Edited on January 28, 2009 at 12:38 AM. Reason : allnurses.com can also help with questions]

1/28/2009 12:36:52 AM