12 Month ABSN Program vs 17 Month ABSN

Does anyone know why some accelerated nursing programs are different months in total for school? I thought there was a minimum for school hours/courses and clinical hours in order to take the NCLEX? I'm in the process of picking between a 12 month ABSN program and 17 ABSN month. I did look at the semester course guide and it looks like some classes are not included. Other than spending an extra 5 months of money and time is the only benefit experience? Is there any reason I should pick the 17 month program over the 12 month program? Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated!

I can provide the course guide showing classes for both if it helps!
Between the two I compared, the longer had a month long summer break and week long breaks between each section (8 total). The 12 month program literally had only the major holidays off, and a handful of other days scattered in there.
The two programs I'm comparing are (University of Rochester & University of New England in Portland, Maine). Please see links below.University of Rochester School of Nursingand University of New England - Catalog - University Catalog 2013-2014 - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (17 Months)Looks like there's extra classes missing from the 12 month program?:Maternal/Child CareNursing Research
You walk out with a BSN either way.... Do it as quickly as possible. Mine was 12 months.
Hmm - I wonder how they are meeting the requirement for Maternal/Child clinical education & rotation? Thought that this was a requirement for all accredited BSN programs. In education, "rapid" does not = better outcomes. No matter how fast I deliver a lecture, the students can only absorb what the can adequately process. A nursing education should not only provide you with knowledge, but also facilitate your acculturation into the profession & the ability to apply that knowledge in the appropriate context. This requires exposure and interaction over time. Hiring managers in my organization are avoiding "accelerated" grads due to issues with adapting to the work environment if they have no previous clinical experience. I often wonder why nursing is the only profession that has jumped headlong into "accelerated" education? What about those other lengthy educational programs? Engineers? Architects? Surgeons? What does this say about nursing?
Quote from HouTxHmm - I wonder how they are meeting the requirement for Maternal/Child clinical education & rotation? Thought that this was a requirement for all accredited BSN programs. In education, "rapid" does not = better outcomes. No matter how fast I deliver a lecture, the students can only absorb what the can adequately process. A nursing education should not only provide you with knowledge, but also facilitate your acculturation into the profession & the ability to apply that knowledge in the appropriate context. This requires exposure and interaction over time. Hiring managers in my organization are avoiding "accelerated" grads due to issues with adapting to the work environment if they have no previous clinical experience. I often wonder why nursing is the only profession that has jumped headlong into "accelerated" education? What about those other lengthy educational programs? Engineers? Architects? Surgeons? What does this say about nursing?
To answer your question, I would personally do the 17 month program over the 12. I am all for accelerated programs because they give great opportunities for people wanting to change professions, but I do think 12 months is too intense...well for me it would. Mine is 15 months, and I feel 15 to 17 months is a perfect time frame for an accelerated program. In fact, my university used to have a 12 month program, but they did a survey for one of the graduating classes and they recommended the program be longer. So they extended it from 12 to 15 months.
I graduated from a 12 month ABSN program and strongly recommend you take a 2 year program. I felt everything was rushed and I had to cram for all the exams every term (roughly 1.5-2 months). Of course I was able to adjust to the pace but I didn't feel I was able to absorb all the information being thrown at me. I graduated w/ a 3.6 GPA for my first bachelors, and I graduated the ABSN program w/ a 3.4. I believe I could have done better, but I felt that I would have lost my mind if I did. 12 month programs are very intense.Besides, there aren't many jobs out there anyway. It took me 5 months after obtaining my RN license to finally land a job. It's pretty tough out there and the market doesn't look good. However, I do believe the floodgates will open, but not for another 2-3 years anyway.
Hey leroy221! Omg! I'm sooo late on responding to your message. I haven't been on this page a long time and can not send private messages. I actually declined the offer to Utica because I was accepted to NYU accelerated program and it was closer to home. Also, Utica's program (then) was a brand new program and cohort so I was a bit skeptical. They weren't giving any financial aid because they had not yet recieved support for their nursing program. Its not all online. There are classes at a building that I did go visit built for the program where you would complete simulations and have tests and you also do clinicals at the surrounding hospitals. Again I'm so sorry for replying so late. I see youve moved on and are choosing between two schools. Good luck with your futur endeavors!
Hey leroy221! Omg! I'm sooo late on responding to your message. I haven't been on this page a long time and can not send private messages. I actually declined the offer to Utica because I was accepted to NYU accelerated program and it was closer to home. Also, Utica's program (then) was a brand new program and cohort so I was a bit skeptical. They weren't giving any financial aid because they had not yet recieved support for their nursing program. Its not all online. There are classes at a building that I did go visit built for the program where you would complete simulations and have tests and you also do clinicals at the surrounding hospitals. Again I'm so sorry for replying so late. I see youve moved on and are choosing between two schools. Good luck with your futur endeavors!
Thanks Smichaud!
Hey leroy221,I'm happy for you. I would say the best advise is to always be ahead of the game. All the accelerated programs my friends are in comparef to NYU are relatively the same. Its not easy nit its very do-able. Go over all your syllabi and see if there are any assignments you can get of the way. I personally had to complete modules online and kaplan review quizzes as part of my grade for more than one course. So I would do them all asap. During your clinicals you will probably have nuraing care plans due. Do those right away also. There's nothing worse than having one of those due when you have two exams to study for. A great tip is to check your school library for textbooks. Most of the books will be put on reserve by your professors, so if your low on cash or just want to be cost effective, only buy the books you feel you will need by your side. Otherwise make time in your schedule to spend maybe 2 hours per class studying at the library. if I can think of anything else, ill definitely let you know. Again, congrats on your acceptance and the best of luck!!
I did a 13-month ABSN and I did mediocre in it---my grades were not spectacular (nor were they horrible; but I've usually been one to do well in school). I really feel like I would've benefited from a program stretched over a longer length of time. I realize, as you say, that most programs have the same courses and clinical hours and that the only huge difference that is the time-changer is the length of break. Understand though that these breaks may be sanity-saving: My situation is a bit unique in that I had a some family difficulties over the beginning of my 1st to the middle of my 3rd semester, a span of about 7 months. Such a short nursing program was not as forgiving of my difficulties (and the stress made a mess of my health---I had a constant cold and got pneumonia twice ...) Thankfully, my program worked with me to keep me going and moved one of my classes during my most difficult period over to the next semester. (My academic dean and advisor were saints.) Even still, at the time I was considering dropping down to the slightly longer BSN option that my school also offered. It just gives you a little more time to breathe, a little more time to process, plan, and prepare for the next steps. That said, if you have a solid support system and trust in your ability to keep going, go for the shorter program, why not? Best of luck deciding.