Applying and entering Nursing Shool

leenak · Nov 15, 2011

I'm also in IT. There are no online schools to become an RN. Once you get an associates, you can possibly due a BSN bridge program but you need to become an RN first.

Also, many of the pre-reqs for nursing can't be done online. Many schools won't take the online classes if you do find them.

What you may do though is find night classes for pre-reqs and a part time or night time/weekend nursing program. Then you could work, at least some, while going to school.

I personally plan to quit my job to go to nursing school but I'm doing my pre-reqs while working full-time.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2011

Greetings -
I have been considering applying and entering an online college to study for an Associates Degree in R.N. I have been reading various posts here which are very informative. I am 46 yrs old, and currently work full time supporting myself in the I.T. field. I would need to continue my full time career, paying the mortgage, etc. Can anyone suggest an online school/college to achieve an Assoc. in R.N.? My search on the site filtered zero results. My interest in nursing was sparked by some recent medical issues of my own - but nothing serious, and the desire to learn about medicine and help the ill. I graduate HS in 1984 and have some college credits. I am wide open to advice and any information.
Thank You!

The reason you're having trouble finding an online Associate Degree Nursing program is there aren't any that are legit. One of the largest components of nursing school is clinical, and you can not do those online. I have heard of a couple schools that are online, but you have to schedule your own clinical and from what I understand, finding hospitals willing to do this is difficult. There are a lot of pre-requisites and perhaps even a couple theory courses you can take online, but once you're in an actual nursing school, that requires you to be in person.

VIMom · Nov 15, 2011

The college I'm attending is directed towards non-traditional students. They offer mostly afternoon/night classes and most of the classes are either online/hybrid or blocked scheduled. I'll be taking 13 credit hours this coming semester, but I'll only be on campus two days a week. Of course, that's only for the pre-reqs. Once I'm actually accepted into the nursing program it'll be more difficult but they still try to work around real life schedules. Maybe there is a school around you that might offer a more flexible schedule? It would be worth checking into.

juneb65 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanks! Makes sense. Rowan University is about a stones throw away from me in New Jersey. Also, Univ. Of Penn, Camden County College.

winterlights08 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanks! Makes sense. Rowan University is about a stones throw away from me in New Jersey. Also, Univ. Of Penn, Camden County College.

I'm taking classes for Camden County College's pre-nursing program right now. CCC does offer a 2 year RN program through Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, but when I looked into it I wouldn't have been able to start for another year because of all the entrance requirements. And it's a full time day program (for the clinicals) so that wouldn't work well for me anyway. I hope to transfer to a BSN program for this upcoming fall since I'm finally done at CCC this upcoming spring. I've been able to schedule my classes pretty easily around my life (4 kids and a husband who works 50 hours a week). Some classes don't start until 8pm, and there are weekend classes and online. I'm happy with my experience at CCC so far and doing very well.

Oh, and Rowan only offers a RN to BSN program right now, which stinks because that would have made for an easy commute!

juneb65 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanks. I was wondering how online classes would be possible with a RN Degree. I am in the South Jersey area, if anyone else has some college names to suggest, I am open to suggestions. For now I will look into CCC.

juneb65 · Nov 16, 2011

Winterlights08: Do you have an idea where to go after CCC to get your RN? I found a link on CCC's site: http://www.camdencc.edu/html/departments/nursing/infosessions/RNINFOSESS11FANovember10.26.11.pdf.

which are daily sessions that explain the RN Degree @ CCC. I am on vaca from work this week so Im gonna check out tomorrows session.

The major thing I am scared of is the fact that I cannot quit my job. I support myself and am on my own with a mortgage. And with IT always changing, I have to keep up with courses for my field as well. So I would have to work 40 hours a week and make time for classes and studying.

winterlights08 · Nov 16, 2011

I've applied to schools that have evening and weekend programs like La Salle and Neumann University. I'm sort of limited because of my kids...but I've also applied to Widener and Drexel just in case.

The info session is probably focused on the RN program rather than the pre-nursing transfer program, but I'm sure they'll able to answer any questions. The RN program is definitely daytime only and I think they have a waiting list.