Accerlated BSN and sleep?

Are accelerated BSN programs really that sleep depriving? I was a straight A student and had my fair share of sleep (3 and 4 hrs) deprivation and regularly functioned on 6 hrs of sleep but I am boggled at how it is realistically possible to memorize, listen, and function safely (ie. clinicals) after a week of 4 hrs of sleep per night. At the 4 hr mark I could tangibly feel myself all but stop retaining no matter how hard I tried. I could do several days in a row but after 3 or 4 nights I felt stupid. I may have the memorized answers but I could no longer extrapolate with them. I functioned best with an all day study schedules (weekends too) and 6 hrs of sleep with frequent breaks in undergrad but I wonder if even that can prepare me for what I am about to endure.

What is a firm and very possible sleep schedule going to be for the average week? hard week? easy week?

Your thoughts? Thank you for your time guys.
Nursing programs are hard, but maybe not as tough as you're imagining.Everyone is different. You will have to figure out a schedule that fits your lifestyle and your life needs. It's doubtful that anyone else's needs are the same as yours. Work schedule, school schedule, family life, sleep....all will have to be taken into consideration and ranked.

I guess I'd want to know first of all why you are not sleeping.

If you were a straight A student you should really not have that big of a problem in an accelerated program. I am about to complete my program in August. The program was not that difficult content wise, it is the workload that is difficult. If you are organized and keep on top of assignments then there is no reason to lose a lot of sleep. You need to be prepared to cut out everything else in your life (friends and family) at times to stay on top of the workload.

I'm about halfway through with my accelerated program and pulling As consistently. But, I have to admit, I am definitely sacrificing sleep to keep up with the mountains of busywork. None of it is overly difficult, just really time consuming. Definitely doable, and I should note that I have a 3.5 year old who does eat eat into my study time

once you get a routine down it's fine, I don't deprive myself of sleep period, I get at least 8 hours a night, its one of my priorities

I'm in an accelerated program right now and generally the only time I don't get 8 hours of sleep is the night before an exam (because I study best under pressure so it's my own fault) and the night before a clinical (only because we have to get up so early and I have trouble falling asleep before 10). I also work 1-2 days a week and am pulling As so far (but I don't have a spouse or children and the obligations that come with that). If I need to I take naps and caffeine is a necessity . None of my friends from school seem to be depriving themselves of sleep regularly either, so I definitely think it's possible to do an accelerated program and not kill yourself!

Yea, it is definitely possible to do the accelerated program --- that is, if you don't mind getting the matching eyebags to go with it!

My accelerated program is pretty hard, but not more than I can handle. I was only a mostly A student in my pre-nursing days; I got a few B's, too. I have one and a half semesters left of a four semester program and I get A's and B's, almost enough sleep, and some "me/family time" (I have a husband and six kids that keep me busy). The stress level is high, but manageable. You'll be able to do it. Use a calendar and a few annoying alarms and you'll be fine. It'll be over before you know it!

I think the only concerning thing is that you've gone times without sleeping BEFORE even being in a nursing program. What was your other degree, because if it was something that you would consider less stressful than nursing, then it might be of a concern and you might find yourself having more long nights than most people.

i just gradauted from an accelerated program. I actually think its easier than what a traditional program would be....you are taking classes so fast and building on info from previous classes a lot of the time. i had plenty of time for sleep. Good luck

Wow, thanks for the input everyone. I am much more relieved. I just assumed that if I could imagine how difficult it was then it must be even more difficult. Silly of me. And to answer someone's question my major was biology with a minor in chem. I found out that I am more of a people person than I assumed and thus could not stand the idea of being in a lab for good but still wanted to use all of that fun background knowledge.You guys rock! Thank you!

Quote from mammac5I guess I'd want to know first of all why you are not sleeping.