4 years in a CC??!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I've been in a CC for 2 years and If i don't want to take 2 science classes on top of other required classes in one semester it's going to take me another 2 years!! Is this normal or are all of you guys out within 2 or 3 years?

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

It's definitely common. It took me longer than 4 years, but because I worked full time during the prereqs. WIth the time requirement alone of the A & P and micro classes, I couldn't fit any other classes in and maintain a job. :)

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It often takes people longer than 2 years to get a degree. But it's not the fault of the degree program if you go part-time or take extra classes.

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

Lets not forget that "most" folks who take 4+ years to finish their ADN was also working, going PT, had waitlists or a combination of both. While "most" people who finish their BSN (4 year program) attended FT and didnt work. Also as mentioned, every state tends to have different protocols for their BSNs. In DE, a standard BSN is 4 years; no less. No 2 years CC then transfer and the CC's dont have waitlists (apply one semester, start the next) i.e. not comparable in some cases

Simply put, there are a variety of scenarios that can affect when people graduate. I know it could take over 4 years for a BSN if they attended PT.

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Most ADNs take 4 years, if you go full time, in my experience, without any waiting. If you go on for bsn after it ends up 5 years. If you go straight to bsn it's likely 4. The bsn school in my area is actually 4.5 years.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm mistaken then about the BSN. I thought that BSNs required pre reqs before acceptance to the nursing program as well. But from these posts I see the prereqs and gen eds are the first two years. I thought that for a BSN you had to get pre reqs and gen eds out of the way, get into the nursing program, spend two years on nursing clinicals/skills/theory then two years on higher level humanities and arts. So, for sure, if it's possible, go for the BSN. Seems like you are spending the same amount of time for a higher degree. Isn't that something though how ADN and BSN degrees are nearly equal in the education but not the degree? Bummer.

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Specializes in Oncology/hematology.
I'm not trying to discourage or sway you or anyone else from pursuing an ADN, but this is why I decided to go for a BSN instead. It takes about four years to get an ADN, even full time. For me personally, I figured I might as well do the two years of prereqs and two years of nursing school and get a BSN instead since it would take the same amount of time.

Its totally normal.

My 4 year ADN was FULL time (15-18 credit hours per semester plus all summers), so I understand what you are saying. But, I paid for my ADN with a merit scholarship, am getting a job, and will get my BSN bridge almost paid for with tuition reimbursement from my job. They will pay all but $2,000 towards that degree. So, I am going to end up with a BSN for a total, including all books, supplies and everything, of about $3,000. I don't mind that it will take me an extra year. ;)

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Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

My BSN was a 6.5 year but its because I was a slacker

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Lets not forget that "most" folks who take 4+ years to finish their ADN was also working going PT, had waitlists or a combination of both. While "most" people who finish their BSN (4 year program) attended FT and didnt work. Also as mentioned, every state tends to have different protocols for their BSNs. In DE, a standard BSN is 4 years; no less. No 2 years CC then transfer and the CC's dont have waitlists (apply one semester, start the next) i.e. not comparable in some cases Simply put, there are a variety of scenarios that can affect when people graduate. I know it could take over 4 years for a BSN if they attended PT.[/quote']

There are BSN programs that one could go part time and go through two including summer semesters, effectively completing two years-at least in my area. :yes:

When I went to the ADN program; the head of the program stated to the class the program is a total of four years, and it was full time. Without breaks and if my life was uncomplicated, I would've gotten my BSN in five years if I went through a BSN program the first time.

When I returned to school, I had three prereq's left and was able to complete the program and the pre req's in 2.5 years-I took the rest of my pre req's online, and an accelerated course, all while maintaining 30-40 hrs a week at my job. The cohorts in my program had jobs, children, etc; so there are people who are attending BSN programs part time; I am sure if the option was widely available more people would enroll.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
*** Yes it is. I searched for, and attended an ADN program did not have pre-reqs. A traditional HS grad can be in and out of an AND program in 2 years, if you choose a program designed to be done in two years. Many of course are impossible to finish in two since they require pre-reqs and only then can you apply to the nursing programs.

This is because the ADN programs have been shifting towards the BSN curriculum until thee is really very little difference between them.

HI there PMFB-RN:

This would be a more appropriate forum to discuss my preference for BSN as entry level as it addresses one of the reasons I feel this to be true. When I attended my ADN course, it was not a coordinated effort, there was little attempt to assist students to transition. The ADN and BSN tracks were quite different. Therefore, I (like most of my cohorts), took many extra courses along with pre-reqs for ADN in an attempt to fulfill the requirements for both my ADN courses as well as the ones on the pre-BSN track.

As a consequence, my ADN college experience consisted of 3 straight years of study, full-time hours every semester only skipping one summer semester (that's 11 straight semesters). I wound up with an ADN, sat boards and started working. When I was evaluated by the local BSN program (all State programs in Florida), I still would have required another 2 semesters, full-time before I would qualify as a Junior and start BSN nursing courses.

I know you found a program with few pre-reqs and I'm happy for you. Most ADN nurses I speak with require no less than 2 semesters before they qualify to start. This means most need 3 years to get a "2 year ADN". That's my issue. If these programs are going to require 3 years (of extremely robust courses), I feel the students are being cheated to wind up with only an ADN. I did 11 semesters work and still only had an ADN to show for it (and there is no basket-weaving on my transcript).

There would still remain the issue of accessibility. My original city had not had the CC, there wouldn't have been any kind of nursing school. The BSN program required one to drive a couple of hours to another city to do Junior/Senior years. Having said that, who around here thinks there is a lack of nursing programs churning out new graduates?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
HI there PMFB-RN:

This would be a more appropriate forum to discuss my preference for BSN as entry level as it addresses one of the reasons I feel this to be true. When I attended my ADN course, it was not a coordinated effort, there was little attempt to assist students to transition. The ADN and BSN tracks were quite different. Therefore, I (like most of my cohorts), took many extra courses along with pre-reqs for ADN in an attempt to fulfill the requirements for both my ADN courses as well as the ones on the pre-BSN track.

As a consequence, my ADN college experience consisted of 3 straight years of study, full-time hours every semester only skipping one summer semester (that's 11 straight semesters). I wound up with an ADN, sat boards and started working. When I was evaluated by the local BSN program (all State programs in Florida), I still would have required another 2 semesters, full-time before I would qualify as a Junior and start BSN nursing courses.

I know you found a program with few pre-reqs and I'm happy for you. Most ADN nurses I speak with require no less than 2 semesters before they qualify to start. This means most need 3 years to get a "2 year ADN". That's my issue. If these programs are going to require 3 years (of extremely robust courses), I feel the students are being cheated to wind up with only an ADN. I did 11 semesters work and still only had an ADN to show for it (and there is no basket-weaving on my transcript).

There would still remain the issue of accessibility. My original city had not had the CC, there wouldn't have been any kind of nursing school. The BSN program required one to drive a couple of hours to another city to do Junior/Senior years. Having said that, who around here thinks there is a lack of nursing programs churning out new graduates?

Your concern that the ADN nurses are doing too much work to only earn an ADN is very valid. I agree. I do think your experience in Florida is not typical. Most places, including where I live attempt to make it a much more seamless transition. Here one can do ADN in two years, and BSN in a further two years for a total of 8 semesters to earn a BSN. One can easily do some of the online RN to BSN programs in only a year. Many people do.

My main concern is maintaining the ADN as a valid entry point is the diversity it brings to nursing. Diversity do not see in other health fields like PT, pharm and medicine.

It is my opinion that nursing benefits tremendously from bring in housewives, military vets, farmers, as well a host of professionals into our field. I think it makes us special and is a strength for nursing. Most of these people enter nursing through ADN programs due to their easy availability at local community colleges that often offer flexible learning plans.

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