Pursuing a Nursing Degree...Don't know where to start...

U.S.A. Illinois

Published

Hello,

I am interested in attending school for nursing. I have already received a Bachelors of Arts and I am hoping that some of my general education classes will transfer to cover some of the prerequisites for the nursing program. I wan't to try and take the most cost effective route so, I am considering going to a community college, where I can complete the prerequisites as well as receive a ADN in nursing. Following my ADN, I would like to complete my BSN. I basically would like to know of some accredited community colleges in the Chicago area, (I live in the city but wouldn't mind traveling to a near by suburb). I understand that a waiting list is a common factor when applying to a nursing program, what is the average wait list? What schools, if any, don't have a wait list? I'd also like to know, if I were to complete my ADN, how much longer would it take me to complete my BSN, (average credited hours)? What are the chances of being hired by a hospital with a ADN over a BSN? I know that reports say Nurses are in high demand but I have also read a lot about nurses having a hard time finding jobs, is there a large demand for nurses in the Chicago area?

If someone could answer a few of these questions for me, it would be of great help.

Kind Regards,

Melsv

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Welcome to the site.

Did you do some research on ABSN programs?

I'm taking my prerequisites at a community college, but I plan on transferring to a university because of the waiting list and the slim chance of getting into the nursing program. The nursing program at a community college is cheaper than an university, but the chance of you getting in is slim because they have way too many applicants and not enough spots in the program. The majority of community college won't accept out of district students.

You should get your BSN, instead of getting your ADN because it might take you 3 years to get your ADN and you can get your BSN in 3-4 years.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.

There are also a couple of Master's-entry programs in the Chicago area that take students with non-nursing bachelors. They'll spit you out with your MS and your RN. DePaul has one, Rush has the other. UIC's master's-entry program will spit you out with your MS and your APN certification of choice, but it's really hard to get into.

For all three programs, you're elligible for GradPLUS loans from the Federal government above and beyond the Stafford Loan amounts, which makes paying for school a lot easier.

Full disclosure: I attend DePaul's program.

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Infusion, Telemetry.

If you have solid grades from your BA, you could apply to the program at Truman or one of the other city colleges like Wright. Truman used to go by lottery, but switched to a point system. Having a BA will net you some extra points, having A's in key pre-requisites will also give you some points. Even attending one of their information session gets you points. I wouldn't discount applying to Truman if you have solid undergrad grades. I know a few people who applied to their program with Bachelors degrees and if they don't get in, I'll be shocked.

Another route you could take is Loyola's ABSN program. It's 15 months in length and designed for people with a bachelor's degree in something other than nursing.

If you aren't married to dead-set on staying Chicago and would be willing to move for 16 months 2 hours away from Chicago, I'd try Illinois State. They seem to have a great program, the cost of living is dirt cheap in Bloomington, and their tuition rates are great. Half the price of Loyola. I think the 2011 program will cost $23,000 in tuition, versus $42,000 at Loyola and close to $60,000 at Rush and Depaul. Sure, Rush and Depaul give you a Master's, but it is a generalized Master's and you aren't a NP when you finish.

As for your pre-reqs, take them at the City College. Can't beat $72/credit hour. Schools don't care where you take your pre-reqs.

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Thank you for all the great information. It's really nice to be able to get different perspectives from the filed.

I have considered the ABSN route however, I will need to be working while pursuing my degree and I don't feel that I would be able to achieve both.

@ redchicago, I'm considering completing my prerequisites at a city community college but I have noticed that the prerequisites are different for each school, i.e, Rush, UIC, DePaul, Loyola etc. Since I haven't chosen a school to complete the degree at, do you have any pointers on determining what prerequisites I will need to complete for the program, regardless of what school I decide to attend?

Thanks again for the info!

Melsv

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Infusion, Telemetry.

If you need to work while pursing your nursing degree, you won't be able to go to Depaul, Rush or Loyola, unless you only work part-time and at night. Are you intending to go to nursing school while working a full-time job during the day?

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As of right now I work part-time as a cocktail server, typically I start at 3:30 but I have the option of starting at 5:30. I am able to make and save money so, I'd like to continue working there while going to school. It's pretty flexible and I think I'd be able to pull both off.

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Infusion, Telemetry.

Well, ABSN programs aren't heavier loads than the programs at depaul and rush. They are all about the same. If you intend on working more than 2-3 nights a week, I'd go for UIC's BSN program or try an ADN program at one of the city colleges.

I'm not familiar with Depaul's pre-req's, so I'll speak for the schools I do know. Basically, Loyola, Rush, and UIC all have the exact same pre-requisites. I think West Suburban College of Nursing is the same too, but I'm not positive. They might not require Organic Chem or nutrition. UIC's BSN program pre-requisites only differ in that they require a developmental psychology class or human growth and development class that covers the entire life-span instead of just childhood and adolescence. An easy way to satisfy any developmental psychology pre-requisite would be to enroll in the human development course (Psychology 120) at Oakton Community College. For their distance learning courses, you don't need to live in district to get in-district tuition rates. I think only Wright College offers a developmental psych class that covers the entire life-span in one course and it isn't offered online.

IF you are going the ADN route, you don't need as many pre-requisites as the other BSN, ABSN or MSN programs. All you need is General Biology, a math or statistics credit, and chemistry. The Truman program has you taking A&P I and II during the first year of the program. I think a lot of their nursing students (especially ones with previous degrees) take these 2 courses ahead of time, so they have less classes during the first year of nursing program.

For the math credit at Truman, I think you need to take Math 118 or Math 125 (statistics). Depending on what you took in undergrad, if you need a math credit, I'd take Math 125 since it will satisfy the statistics requirement for the Generalist Entry MSN program at Rush, as well as the pre-req for Loyola and UIC's BSN program.

Truman also requires a full year of the lower level chemistry or 1 semester of a higher level chemistry. For that pre-req, I would take the higher level chemistry and take Chem 201 so you satisfy the city college requirement and the chem requirement for loyola, rush, and uic.

For the nutrition requirement at loyola, rush and uic, take it online through one of the city colleges.

I'm almost done with all of my pre-reqs and am awaiting to hear back on my applications to schools. If you want more suggestions, feel free to PM me.

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Wow, thank you so much for the details, it's greatly appreciated. If I have more questions, i'll def. PM you. Thanks again, and good luck with the school applications, where are you hoping to go, if you don't mind me asking.

melsv

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A note about the chemistry class at Truman. I took my pre-req's there.

I have a BS in Finance and had not taken chemistry since high school. Truman told me I needed to take chem 121 and them chem 201. I ended up testing out of chem 121. The test was really easy. I bought and read Chemistry for Dummies ($30), and studied for a weekend. I passed the test and went right into chem 201. And I got an A in chem 201. So, save yourself the time and money if you can pass the placement test!

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Infusion, Telemetry.

I applied to Illinois State's program. Applying in a month or two to Loyola and Rush if for some reason I don't get into ISU.

If you don't mind living in Bloomington/Normal for 16 months and aren't tied to Chicago due to a spouse or children, I'd consider their program. They had a 100% NCLEX pass-rate this past year, the in-state tuition rates are super reasonable and the cost of living in Bloomington/Normal is dirt cheap compared to Chicago prices. The money you would save in tuition versus other the Loyola program or the one at Rush or Depaul would mean you wouldn't have to work.

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Specializes in Med/Onc, Infusion, Telemetry.

If you have a bachelors degree already and took high-school chemistry (which I assume you did), you can get the chair at Harold Washington College to let you enroll in Chem 201 without taking the placement test. That's what I did and I hadn't had chemistry since 1993. Truman will require you to take the placement exam to get into chem 201.

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