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 ADN 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 before I can be accepted into my community college's program. But it has a Chemistry prerequisite. So, if I take Chemistry this fall, I can take A&P in the spring, but then I'll still have four semesters of nursing school. So a two year program will, in fact, take me three years.
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.
No waiving of courses at my school. I tried to get Biology waived because I had three Biology including and AP class in High School. I still had to take it.
No waiving of courses at my school. I tried to get Biology waived because I had three Biology including and AP class in High School. I still had to take it.
I think it is more likely to get it waived if you took a college level biology or chemistry just outside the time frame they want. That is more equivalent to what they are looking for. I can see not waiving a high school level class to be equal to a college level.
I know you want to get it done as quickly as possible, but are you able to continue to work and go part time to NS? I'm in an ADN program part time and go mostly at night. It will take 2x's as long, but you can still contribute to the household by working. Just a thought.......
From the way I see it, and again, I may be going insane, it might actually make more sense for me to go to one of the BSN programs. It'll take the same amount of time. I can take Chemistry this fall, A&P I/II on split semester in the spring and either Chemistry II or Microbiology in the summer. I'll be good to go fall of 2009.
My sister is encouraging me to go the BSN route because she thinks it'll be easier to get into a program and at least two in my area have special programs for people who have degrees in another field. One of them is even an accelerated 16 month program. If I go the BSN route I'll have to have had both Chemistry II and Microbiology before I can start, so that may put me a semester behind. She says that getting into the community colleges is crazy competitive as most people prefer the ADN because they know they can go to work quickly and get their BSN on the hospital's dime. But if the time is the same, and I'll have an easier time getting in, I think I'd rather go for the BSN.
I think I can work nights while I get my pre-reqs done, though I doubt I can once I actually start the program since I'll have clinicals as well, but we'll see. I thought my husband would freak when I told him it would take three years, but he seemed okay with it. Now I've just got to find a job on nights and weekends.
From the way I see it, and again, I may be going insane, it might actually make more sense for me to go to one of the BSN programs. It'll take the same amount of time. I can take Chemistry this fall, A&P I/II on split semester in the spring and either Chemistry II or Microbiology in the summer. I'll be good to go fall of 2009.
My sister is encouraging me to go the BSN route because she thinks it'll be easier to get into a program and at least two in my area have special programs for people who have degrees in another field. One of them is even an accelerated 16 month program. If I go the BSN route I'll have to have had both Chemistry II and Microbiology before I can start, so that may put me a semester behind. She says that getting into the community colleges is crazy competitive as most people prefer the ADN because they know they can go to work quickly and get their BSN on the hospital's dime. But if the time is the same, and I'll have an easier time getting in, I think I'd rather go for the BSN.
I think I can work nights while I get my pre-reqs done, though I doubt I can once I actually start the program since I'll have clinicals as well, but we'll see. I thought my husband would freak when I told him it would take three years, but he seemed okay with it. Now I've just got to find a job on nights and weekends.
I don't know if money is an issue but it will cost a LOT more to get a BSN. That is partly why community college programs are so hard to get into (much cheaper). I looked at an Accelerated BSN but it was about 25K and that was years ago. I got my ADN for under 10K. For me, it was more practical.
Specializes in no specialty! (have to graduate first!).
If finances are an issue, don't rule out scholarships. My financial advisor told me that when he was in college he applied for every scholarship he could find, even if he knew he didn't qualify. He applied for a scholarship that you could only get if you are Native American. He is French. And when I say French, I mean he immigrated to the U.S. from France. There isn't an ounce of Native American in him. But he ended up getting the scholarship because not one Native American applied for it. So they gave it to him.
So my advice is to go to the financial aid office and apply, apply, apply!
The only thing i can think to add to my previous post about my choosing the BSN program is that I have been hearing more ad more about negotiating with employers to pay your school expenses. You might want to find out if that is common in your area right now.
I agree with Daytonite. You need the chem courses to fully understand other concepts in the program.
Nursing is not a "get in and get out quick" type of degree. If this is what you want, go for it and know it will be worth it in the end!!!
I agree with going for the BSN program....my tuition is under $5000/year, and many jobs are now requiring a BSN in order to get hired. The waiting time to even get into ADN NS is ridiculous!
**I am in no way, shape, or form bashing ADN programs....I think they're great ....but if you have an opportunity to get a 4 year degree, you should take it.
Weigh out all of your options and see what is best for you!
The school that has the accelerated program for college grads would be less than $10k for a BSN, so I don't think that's bad. It's roughly $134 per credit hour. Of course, that's not factoring in various and assorted fees, but looks like about $2k per year.
I would probably take my pre-reqs at a community college. They're even cheaper. I'll apply for all the nursing programs in my area, even crazy expensive Emory! That way I have a better shot of getting into SOME program, somewhere. I'd prefer the community college program, as it's closer, but not by much. Either way, I'll be thrilled to get into a program.
Taking 3 years to complete a 2 year ADN is actually quite standard. It's taken me three years at 9-13 credits per semester plus summers to complete it in 3 years, and I transferred in 15 credits from my first degree!
Unless you are able to take the 15-21 credits per term, there's no other way to get it done in 2 years!
It has been a struggle financially the last 3 years so I understand where you are coming from but there are student loans and other financial aid available. :)
Look into taking the pre-requisites online. I am in the Atlanta area and took them from Ga Perimeter College. You still have to go to campus for lab, but you can do it at night. That gives your schedule some flexibility for work and family. And the tuition is reasonable. I did not have to re-take chemistry and biology, just A & P I & II, micro, and psych to be admitted. You can apply while you are completing the pre-reqs. Good luck.
@rtbscu: I'm hoping to enroll there as well. I got my application in last week, now I'm just waiting. They're having an informational meeting on the 14th at GA Perimeter that I'll go to. I'll definitely take some online classes, but since it's been nine years since I was in school and I haven't had Chemistry since high school it would probably be in my best interest to take it alone and in a physical classroom. I have a Master's in social sciences and I hope I don't have to take psychology or any of the other social science classes.
I think I will take A&P online in the spring, of course, depending on how chemistry turns out. I think GPC charges about $20 more per credit hour for online classes, but that's totally worth it.
Glad to see someone in my age range on here. How far along are you?
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That way I have a better shot of getting into SOME program, somewhere. I'd prefer the community college program, as it's closer, but not by much. Either way, I'll be thrilled to get into a program.
Ang_RN
191 Posts
No waiving of courses at my school. I tried to get Biology waived because I had three Biology including and AP class in High School. I still had to take it.