What is the fastest way to become a RN? (cheapest if possible)

U.S.A. Arizona

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I want to become a RN. I was wondering if YOU GUYS can share your ideas on how to become a NURSE.

Thanks Gang

Glina

269 Posts

Well, this is how I am going to do it. I am taking my pre-reqs now and I will go to Maricopa Skill Center next year, probably in June. I will get my LPN first, find a job, and then I will bridge to the RN program. I hope that I will find an employer who will pay for my RN license...if not, it doesn't matter, I'll do it anyway. The LPN program at MSS costs about 8.000$.

Specializes in Cardiac.

The fastest way may be through the LPN route. You may be able to find a nursing home to sponser you, and then it would be free--but you'd have to give them your time.

The problem is that's it's hard to find both fast and cheap.

I was super, super lucky and found that, but now my school has a 3 year wait list. Before it was lottery.

So fastest may be a private school. (apllo, EBSN, etc)

Cheap would be the CCs.

rn/writer, RN

9 Articles; 4,168 Posts

Check out community colleges for an ADN-RN degree. If you can find one even semi-close, it could save you a bundle. Then when you have a job, you can consider going for your BSN on your employer's dime.

If you can find a CC nearby, even if it has a waiting list, you can work on prereqs while you wait.

The difference in cost can be astronomical. Like one tenth as much as a BSN right off the bat. When I graduated, I paid off every penny of my schooling costs for the ADN (including books, uniforms, etc.) by the end of three months working a .6 FTE. I've not felt the need to go after my BSN, but if I ever do, I can get tuition reimbursement for most of it.

I wish you the best.

RobynBobbin

58 Posts

What school has a 3 year wait??

Knorremeisje

161 Posts

Specializes in OR, Telemetry, PCCU, Med/Surg.

Here's how I'm doing it...

I'm currently working as a PCT (CNA but with some extra's) at John C. Lincoln. I currently work 3 shifts a week so a total of 36h/week. In the mean time I have John C. Lincoln pay for my pre-reqs which I am taking online at Rio Salado Community College at $65/credit hour. Classes start every two weeks, so you don't lose any time. I started in May and I will have all my pre-reqs finished by May next year.

When you start your last semester of pre-reqs, which will be January for me, you can apply to nursing school that semester. Then there are a couple of options. The cheapest of course is still CC. There are 4 accelerated programs in the Valley, which will get you through the program in 16 months (compared to 24 otherwise). These include Rio Salado (all didactic classes are online with clinicals at different hospitals and health facilities throughout the Valley), GateWay Community College, Phoenix College and Scottsdale CC. There is also a part-time option at Glendale CC and GateWay CC. This means only classes during the weekends.

The approximate cost of nursing school at a CC in Phoenix is $4680. This includes tuition, textbooks, fingerprint clearance card, nursing pin, uniforms, immunizations and drug screen. Compared to the cheapest private school, which is Ethel Bauer, for about $18,000.

Everything included, if you do it this way, through Rio Salado and then an accelerated program at a CC, you'll be done in about two and a half years. One year of pre-reqs and a year and a half of nursing school. You probably should count on waiting a couple of months to get into nursing school, but while you wait, you can take those co-reqs, such a medical terminology, ENG201, humanities and PSY101. If you're thinking about a BSN, you could also take your pre-reqs for that program while waiting to get into the AAS program.

Just some thoughts! I hope you figure it all out!!

experiencedrn

41 Posts

All of these suggestions are great, but if you are going to work while in school dont mess with an LPN program. Go directly into an RN program four months into it you can work as a nurse exturn and make the same as an LPN start, here in the Valley. If you are looking to complete fast, I personly would go with an excelerated BSN program done in 18months. that way you have your BSN if you choose to move on with your degree, you will earn a bit more, (the trend in the valley now is to compensate at least a dollar more an hour for BSN). Many of the local hospitals will cover the total cost of the RN program as long as you are willing to give them a few years post grad. There are many options.

Cursed Irishman

471 Posts

If your really dedicated to being a nurse...join the army, they'll pay for you to be whatever kind of nurse you want...of course there is a down side somewhere in there

Specializes in Cardiac.
RobynBobbin said:
What school has a 3 year wait??

You may find it suprising to know that there is another city in this state other than Phoenix!

Lots of other cities and their nursing schools have very long waits.

smith.n890

7 Posts

I am currently trying to find a route that is quick and inexpensive for myself as well but here is what i have heard about CAs waiting list.. do your pre reqs, get on the waiting list and fulfill your gen ed reqs for your as and ba while on the waiting list. then you only have your technical credits to fulfill. good luck!

resilientnurse

269 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, International Health, Psych.

If you are looking for a cheap, fast way to become a RN consider the InterAmerian University in San Juan, Puerto Rico (a US territory). There are a lot of mainland Americans there studying in the English program. Also, the prereqs are integrated into the courses and there is no waiting list. It is $150 per credit.

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