"    My suggestion is when advising whether they should look into the program is to find highly self-motivated students. Extremely fast pace, no teacher. You learn by reading or you don't learn at all. That has been something that I struggled with. I was always a [person] who liked to hear the professor talk, worshipped the notes, and hardly ever read the assigned text readings (no offense). So getting used to no lectures, all reading assignments, and no face time with a professor was a challenge for me, but I have gotten used to it.

    There is a nursing class, Nursing 200 I believe, Growth and Development. It is offered to anyone as an online option. If they haven't taken that class yet, have them take it online and see if they can handle that environment. It's not quite the same considering it would be done in 14 weeks and we would do it in 2 (no joke).

    Finally, try to find 'stable individuals'. What I mean to say is that this program is stressful. It takes a toll on you, your personal life, your hobbies, and your family. The person has to be willing to fully, and I mean fully, commit to this thing or they will drown.

    On another note, it's 30 grand and contractually you can't work for the entire year and FAFSA doesn't give grants to those who already have a degree. So unless you have a rich parent or something, you'll be taking some loans. I'm married and have a wonderful sugar [spouse] and took over 16 thousand in loans. The rest I couldn't have done without my [spouse], not easily at least. The program isn't for everyone.

 

   I mainly harped on the sour points here but if you can get beyond all of that it really is a neat program. Sometimes I feel swept up in it all and wonder if it all will sink in since we're going so fast but I seem to be learning so hopefully it will all pan out. They claim Accel students score higher on the NCLEX (our boards) then the traditional students.

    Other benefits is that overall, you spend 80 more hours than traditional students in clinicals, which is where you put all that knowledge to use. Also, in the traditional program at clinicals, there is one preceptor to 4 or 5 nursing students who follow them (the mother hen approach). Whereas with the Accel program, we get one on one time with our preceptor, which is really nice. We work when they work though. If your preceptor works nights- tough rocks, you do too so you have to be very flexible with your schedule. No major vacations or life-changing events for a whole year if at all possible.