I am a foreign student studying in MS Pharmacology program in USA. I would be finishing in few months. I also have a BS in Pharmacy from my country. Looking at the lack of job opportunity and money in biomedical research, I came to consider the option of switching to nursing.
I am 30 and would like to enter into an accelerated nursing program (accelerated entry-level MSN or accelerated entry-level BSN). I was wondering if there are any entry-level nursing programs for people like me who have a non-nursing BS. I am willing to spend upto 2 years to get a degree. (though I would prefer to get it done in a year). Having said this, I would also like to know what specialty of nursing can get me a degree and job in shortest amount of time.
I am wondering if anyone can advice me where to find such programs.
I'm new to this field, so any advice, suggestion is very welcome and much needed.
Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.
I am 30 and would like to enter into an accelerated nursing program (accelerated entry-level MSN or accelerated entry-level BSN). I was wondering if there are any entry-level nursing programs for people like me who have a non-nursing BS. I am willing to spend upto 2 years to get a degree. (though I would prefer to get it done in a year). Having said this, I would also like to know what specialty of nursing can get me a degree and job in shortest amount of time.
I am wondering if anyone can advice me where to find such programs.
Hi Tinu! I have a BA in Spanish and will begin an Accelerated BSN program in the Fall. The program is called ACE (Accelerated Career Entry) Nursing and has an NCLEX pass rate of 100% for the 2005-2006 school year. It is a highly intensive program, 11 months in duration. This accelerated BSN program is offered by Drexel University (www.drexel.edu) in Philadelphia, PA. I will begin the program in September and graduate in late August, 2008. At that point I will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. ACE students complete 86 credits in 11 months. Drexel runs on the quarter system, not semesters...therefore, students take either 21 or 23 credits each quarter. Before beginning the program students must have completed a previous Bachelor's degree in any subject and the following additional courses: Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Sociology, Phsychology, Developmental Phsychology, Ethics, Nutrition, English Comp. I, English Comp. II, Public Speaking (or a Computer Science Course) and Statistics.
Do I sound like an advertisement for Drexel??? Sorry, I'm just really excited to be entering this program.
Hi Tinu! I have a BA in Spanish and will begin an accelerated BSN program in the Fall. The program is called ACE (Accelerated Career Entry) Nursing and has an NCLEX pass rate of 100% for the 2005-2006 school year. It is a highly intensive program, 11 months in duration. This accelerated BSN program is offered by Drexel University (www.drexel.edu) in Philadelphia, PA. I will begin the program in September and graduate in late August, 2008. At that point I will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. ACE students complete 86 credits in 11 months. Drexel runs on the quarter system, not semesters...therefore, students take either 21 or 23 credits each quarter. Before beginning the program students must have completed a previous Bachelor's degree in any subject and the following additional courses: Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Sociology, Phsychology, Developmental Phsychology, Ethics, Nutrition, English Comp. I, English Comp. II, Public Speaking (or a Computer Science Course) and Statistics.
Do I sound like an advertisement for Drexel??? Sorry, I'm just really excited to be entering this program.
I hope this info. is helpful!
~Cathy
21-23 credits a quarter? MAN that's a lot. I take 18 (15-month program) and that is PLENTY for my taste! Good luck with the program -- it sounds brutal! (And Yay for Spanish BA's in nursing -- that's my previous degree too!)
Just to be clear, there are acceleracted RN programs that can be completed in 1 to 1 1/2 years. You do need to have prerequisits completed (and often a prior degree), but you don't need any prior nursing experience and you are eligible to take NCLEX at the end. The Univeristy of Minnesota has a 16 month Masters of Nursing program, but it is taking me 2 years to complete the pre-requisits, but I can work full-time while I'm taking them. You can see the program at:
There are a couple of year long programs in Chicago and throughout the US. The thing to keep in mind is that you are still doing all of the work of a 2 year program (traditional time for a BSN when you already have a bachelors degree), just crammed together. I looked at the 1 year programs and the schedule is just too crazy for me. I thought the 16 month program was a little more sane. There is no way to do anything but nursing school for the 1 year programs, which can make it difficult to maintain personal relationships. So, just think about what is going to fit into your life best.
I would suggest calling 4 year colleges in your area to find out about the programs they offer. Often the accelerated programs are new and it can be difficult finding information on them.
Specializes in Trauma, Critical Care, Orthopedics.
21-23 credits a quarter? MAN that's a lot. I take 18 (15-month program) and that is PLENTY for my taste! Good luck with the program -- it sounds brutal! (And Yay for Spanish BA's in nursing -- that's my previous degree too!)
It is alot, but I've heard from other students that made made it through the program over the last couple of years that it is doable and extremely well worth it...so I'm gonna take their word for it. The university insists that students do not even attempt to hold a part time job during the program, and fortunately, I have worked my butt off over the last couple of years and put away enough money to make that financially feasible. The program has a 100% job placement rate & 100% NCLEX pass rate, which hopefully will make it worth the sacrifice of a year without a life outside of school.
Spanish was a great major, but I just found it to be pretty dead end in terms of a career. I've been told it will make us more marketable. Have you encountered this at all so far in your experience?
Tinu, Dispensing medications and hands on bedside and clinical nursing are two different animals... You first have to explore if a nursing career is right for you. I've seen student nurses decide at some point it was not for them. The question is do you want a job or do you want to become a nurse?... Good Luck to you whatever you do.
Spanish was a great major, but I just found it to be pretty dead end in terms of a career. I've been told it will make us more marketable. Have you encountered this at all so far in your experience?
Yeah, I agree. All anyone ever said was "You could teach" or "You could work for the government". People always tell me I will be more marketable, but I have not had a chance to use it much since getting out of school. We'll see once I start working, I guess.
I see from your posts that you would like to start in Fall 2007 or Winter 2008. Most or all of the application deadlines have now passed for programs starting then, and you would have to have completed your prerequisites before applying to most schools. First things first. Do your homework. Find out if nursing is really for you. Find out what accelerated programs exist in your area by contacting local nursing schools. Most accelerated programs exist in 4-yr universities but some community colleges are offering them now too. There are many routes to become a nurse.
Hi! I was wondering if any of you had taken the TEAS test and if you are willing to sell me the manuel. My test is on Friday and I was pretty confident w/o the manuel and now im worried and its too late to order it online. Thanks ps. I live in Philadelphia
The program has a 100% job placement rate & 100% NCLEX pass rate, which hopefully will make it worth the sacrifice of a year without a life outside of school.
Qtp2t RN
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Hi Tinu! I have a BA in Spanish and will begin an Accelerated BSN program in the Fall. The program is called ACE (Accelerated Career Entry) Nursing and has an NCLEX pass rate of 100% for the 2005-2006 school year. It is a highly intensive program, 11 months in duration. This accelerated BSN program is offered by Drexel University (www.drexel.edu) in Philadelphia, PA. I will begin the program in September and graduate in late August, 2008. At that point I will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. ACE students complete 86 credits in 11 months. Drexel runs on the quarter system, not semesters...therefore, students take either 21 or 23 credits each quarter. Before beginning the program students must have completed a previous Bachelor's degree in any subject and the following additional courses: Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Sociology, Phsychology, Developmental Phsychology, Ethics, Nutrition, English Comp. I, English Comp. II, Public Speaking (or a Computer Science Course) and Statistics.
Do I sound like an advertisement for Drexel??? Sorry, I'm just really excited to be entering this program.
I hope this info. is helpful!
~Cathy