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Discussion

Accelerated Programs? Need to Get Thru Quickly

I'll give you the abbreviated version of my story. At almost 44 I've decided I want out of my social services career. My sister has been a nurse for twenty years and really likes it. I think I would enjoy the flexibility and having the same opportunity to help people as I do as a social worker, only with better pay and fewer lay-offs.

Here's my problem: I already have a Master's in criminal justice. I thought I would just get an AND and get on with it. But because of prerequisites it would still take me three years to get an Associate's degree. I need to take A&P, but it has a Chemistry prerequisite. I've taken everything else in the curriculum except the science courses.

Two years was really a stretch from a financial standpoint and three is out of the question.

The community college I'm thinking about attending will have a meeting on July 14 for those interested in the nursing program. What is the likelihood of them waiving the Biology requirement and allowing me to enroll directly in the nursing program? Or at least waiving the chemistry pre-requisite. (I know I'd still have to take chemistry at some point.) I had Biology in undergrad, but that was more than twenty years ago.

I've looked at the accelerated BSN programs in my area (Atlanta) and they all seem to require six science course prior to admission. (Five for me since I had statistics in grad school).

It seems like I can't get through any of these programs in less than three years. Am I missing something? Thanks a lot for your help.

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The sad thing is ADN is considered a "two year degree" that usually takes three or more years. I'm sure you've had plenty of experience with colleges to know their rules are black or white, without grey. Maybe you can meet with an advisor in person to discuss your situation. Anyway you can take some of the pre-req classes at night while working a social worker during the day?

Anyway, good luck to you!

Yes, it is likely you won't get waivers.

Plus, as someone who took my core sciences over 20 years ago; I am grateful that they made me take them again. After going through them again, I realized that there is no way I could make it through Nursing School on the residual knowledge I had left over. They don't slow down for you and expect you to know this stuff inside/out when NS begins. I took mine at night, and it was hard on my family but I got those done in one year.

If your major concern is how long to be out of work full time, how long would it take to do the pre req classes for an accelerated program at night? I live near Baltimore, and one program here requires 6 pre req's for their second degree accelerated program. If you can get accepted, the program itself can be done in 13 months! (Johns Hopkins) Another local program is 16 months. As you said the CC route is economical and 24 months. Plus, you may be able to get a position as a nurses aide and work part time during the year and on holidays.

if you really want it, don't be discouraged. I remember starting out. I thought "No way can I spend two years in school!" then, as I realized I would have to and that I would have to do pre req's again "NO WAY can I go back to school for 3 years!!!" It has gone quickly though and I am feeling prepared to begin. If I had tried to do it a faster way, I feel I wouldn't be able to pass the Nursing Classes and nobody wins that way.

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