bottom of the totem pole-new student

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Hello, I am new in this forum. and I am also a new student at our community college. I have been a homemaker raising my kids all these years. My youngest is in high school and I am now 43. I want to pursue my career as an RN hopefully as Practitioner specializing in Neonatal. This is a big dream for me. Right now I will be attending my second semester this spring working on my gen ed courses. After looking over my college's ADN requirements, I realized that I am at the bottom of the totem pole before I can even start enrolling on the pre-req courses. It will take my 2 years before I can even get started on my pre-reqs and another 2 for the nursing program which will give me 6 years for ADN. My question is: is there an accelerated path to get my gen ed completed so I can start working on my pre-reqs. Would there be any colleges that offer this type of program? I feel I don't have much time here. My 2nd question is: If its' going to take me 4 years to getting my ADN, I might as well go for a BSN since its going to take the same amount of time. From my BSN, I would like to continue my educ for my masters in order to reach my ultimate goal. That is a long stretch but I just want to concentrate on which is the fastest way to get my degree and start working as an RN. I am giving myself 4-5 years to get my ADN. I think this is reasonable. Any advice is appreciated.

Are you in So cal too?

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Specializes in Pedi Rehab,Pediatrics, PICU.

if that was directed to me...nope. I went to school in PGH

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And how will going for your BSN take the same amount of time as ADN? It is my understanding that ADN comes before BSN and that if it will take you 4 years to get your ADN then getting a BSN will take 5 or 6 years, depending on whether or not you enter an accelerated BSN program.

Sorry if it sounds like I am grilling you, I just feel as though you have been misinformed. You said you were new and I just want to help.

A lot of my classmates spent two years taking English, philosophy, etc. - the requirements for any associate's = before being accepted itno the nursing program. I got in on my first shot, but I had a lot of college credits, including math and sciences.

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
And how will going for your BSN take the same amount of time as ADN? It is my understanding that ADN comes before BSN and that if it will take you 4 years to get your ADN then getting a BSN will take 5 or 6 years, depending on whether or not you enter an accelerated BSN program.

Actually ADN can be INSTEAD of a BSN...I think you'll see a LOT of RNs with a ADN only.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong (and I *know* you will..hehe) but don't you have to have a BS in something before you can do an Accelerated BSN program? Sounds like the OP is taking gen ed classes so probably doesn't have a BS already.

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Specializes in Pedi Rehab,Pediatrics, PICU.

nope. Some programs are accelerated, some you must have a BS in another field, some are RN-BSN needing only a diploma, and others are RN-MSN where you get yur BSN first and a portion of the credits count towards your MSN degree. Length in programs still depend on how many credits you can transfer in though you usually get at least 30 credits just for being an RN.

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Specializes in n/a.

Sorry if it sounds like I am grilling you, I just feel as though you have been misinformed. You said you were new and I just want to help.>

It's okay, I am probably wrong about my planning. The way I see it, after I get all my pre-reqs done at the CC based on the UC's articulated courses, I can then transfer to that particular UC as an undergraduate to work on core requisites as well as their BSN program. This may take another 4 years so it will likely be the same amount of time if I were to get my ADN at the CC. Like I said, I may be wrong but this is how i understand it. I did make an appt with the nursing advisor at the cc to draw out an executed plan. I just like to plan ahead to see where I'm going, just not sure how to get there. But like all things, it's a learning process. Thanks for everyone's post. :typing:typing

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Yes,ADN can be instead of BSN, but many people get their associates before BSN. Typically, ADN is a 2 year degree, BSN is a 4 year degree, and Masters is 6, Doctoral/PhD is 8.

Many people that that plan to get their BSN start out at community colleges and work toward the Associates/General studies transfer degree, and then go on to the BSN program that takes about 4 years on average. Of course everyone's situation is different, so it can take several years just to get an ADN. Like me, slow poke!

There are accelerated programs for both people with ADNs and BSNs.

I think it is really good that you are meeting with an advisor. Ask lots of questions and write them down before hand so you don't forget anything while you are there.

I have had a rough time with my school because they don't assign you an advisor until you are accepted into the nursing program so you are pretty much all alone in figuring out your plan of attack. It has been very upsetting for me because I just found out a month ago that I was missing an entire class and it was a major set back for me. I was going to apply for the 4 consecutive term nursing program with my school and now I can't because I made a mistake that an advisor could have caught within seconds of looking over my checklist. :banghead: I was going to graduate in August 2010, and now I graduate May 2011. Better late than never right?!

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Specializes in Pedi Rehab,Pediatrics, PICU.

BSN programs only take 4 years. You take BIO, A&P, etc all within that time frame. Some schools don't even have a clinical portion until after the 1st year. You have more time to complete other non-nursing courses that make up your degree.

ADN programs say they are 2 years because once you get into them, you have 2 years of coursework. It takes longer because prior to admission you must have a semester of BIO and CHM, sometimes math and ENG are required before you can apply. A&P, MICRO and other non-nursing courses are not included in the prereqs. So when you figure in the semester for BIO and CHM etc., then you apply and wait another semester to start (after you get accepted to the program). Your 2 years has now turned into 3yrs, and that's if everything goes right (not counting their clerical errors, waiting list, etc).

You also have to keep in mind that not all of your ADN courses will transfer, and the college/university where you'll get your BSN may require more courses than you've taken to "catch up" to their sophomore level, so the 2 yrs could turn into 3 after you transfer. Accelerated programs sometimes require more prereqs that may take an additional year so it still= 4yrs. This is not always the case, but you have to be careful and make sure you research the colleges you might attend for your BSN. Sometimes it's really all in the wording. Try and take electives that will transfer and count towards your BSN. Also if you want a MSN, look into RN-MSN programs. They typicall take about 3-4 yrs BUT you get your BSN first and a portion of the credits (15 or so) count towards your MSN rogram so you get both done faster.

I still believe there are pros to getting an ADN first for some people. You'll be able to take the NCLEX sooner and start working as a nurse which means you won't be as broke for the rest of your schooling. The hospital you work at may cover some of your tuition. Work experience may aid your schoolwork.

Cons: It takes longer. Finding a job right away may be more difficult than you thought. And you may be more stressed while getting your BSN and working as a nurse.

Hope this helps. :)

:smiletea2:

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I still believe there are pros to getting an ADN first for some people. You'll be able to take the NCLEX sooner and start working as a nurse which means you won't be as broke for the rest of your schooling. The hospital you work at may cover some of your tuition. Work experience may aid your schoolwork

This is exactly my plan! We can't afford for me not to work. I have to get one degree at a time. I feel both guilty and very blessed at the same time that my only responsibility from 8am-5pm is school. My husband deserves a medal!

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Specializes in n/a.

You guys are great! All this info helps me to figure out how I am going to plan this out. Even though we just never know how things pan out in the future, its still good to have some kind of scope and direction.

This is a very good point to consider. If I am in it for the long haul, I guess BSN could wait while I work, right? At least I am able to weigh the pros and cons in the school of nursing. So thank you for all of your posts.

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You have truely motivated me today. I am 32, a homeschooling mum as well and I have been putting off my dream of becoming a nurse for years. I always thought the pre-reqs will take too long. From this forum I have learned that long is okay. As long as I get my nursing degree in the long run. Thank you. I live in Lawrenceville, GA. I am going to start researching on how I can do my pre-reqs online. Please let me know if you have any ideas that would help.

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You are not too old to go back to school! I went back to school almost 2 years ago (just turned 40) and have been taking 2 classes at a time (since I pay out of pocket). I really makes you feel good about yourself when you accomplish something. It will take me about 4 1/2 years once I am done with everything to get my Associates.

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