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.
Roz, I am also in the Atlanta area and about to begin my journey of nursing school prereqs. I've got 2 degrees already (incl a masters) and have decided to learn more about nursing. I start my first [online] course tomorrow :-) It's an online Psych course at Chat Tech. It does seem like it will be a very long journey, especially for those of us with responsibilities like kids, familes, etc, but i say you gotta start somewhere. Once the process gets going I'm sure that though it will be very very tough at times, the time will seem to have flown by once it's all over in God knows how many years *smile*
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.
also- cc don't usually do stafford loans but 4 year univ do-just another perspective- but I do attend a cc @$42 per credit hr (vs the $950 @ Vandy )- good luck!
oh also get you CNA now- you could work and the experience is good! Alot of schools/cc here in NC require it- you could get tuition reimbursement from the hosp you are employed with!
I don't know if this was answered yet but there any many programs out there for second degree Bachelor's students which condence and eliminate most of the prereqs. From what I've seen they say that those type of programs from start to finish can take 2-3 years to complete the prereqs as well as the clinical curriculum.
I feel your pain. I considered nursing long before I actually made the leap but precisely those kinds of issues slowed me down.
For me it's going to be 30 months from the time I made the decision to getting my degree. I looked around and that was the fastest that I could do it. My program is 18 months and there is a 14 month program nearby but it started 4 months after mine did so it was a push.
I don't know if it's been mentioned before but you could see about taking some online classes for your prerequisites (check, though, because not all schools accept all online classes) and continue working right up until you start the nursing program.
Having a BA/MA already you should certainly look at accelerated programs, either BSN or MSN. You'll definitely be a little ahead of the game out of the gate and it's likely to actually take less time.
@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?
To rozlips,
I will start the BSN program at Clayton State U. in mid August. I can't say enough good things about online classes, especially for students who work full-time grown-up jobs. I would not have been able to stand leaving work on time to fight traffic to sit and listen to some professor drone on for a couple of hours. If you already have a degree, GPC accepts you for pre-reqs. Good luck.
Do you have any private diploma (RN) programs in your area? The waiting list at my local cc was 1-1 1/2 years, but the I was able to get into a diploma school immediately, no pre-req's needed (they take theirs along with nursing classes, and you graduate in 22 months). Just thought I'd throw out the option.
After much consideration I've decided to do health information management instead. I think I'm more suited to that field for a variety of reasons. I was concerned about the physical aspects of nursing as I've developed arthritis in my neck and back over the years. With HIM I can still work in the medical field (my dream), but won't have to deal with the physical aspects.
Oh, I forgot to add, I'll have to take three pre-reqs Statistics, Accounting and A&P. Fortunately, the school I'm attending has an A&P class specifically for HIM students. There's no lab and no chemistry pre-requisite.
GaMBA
161 Posts
Roz, I am also in the Atlanta area and about to begin my journey of nursing school prereqs. I've got 2 degrees already (incl a masters) and have decided to learn more about nursing. I start my first [online] course tomorrow :-) It's an online Psych course at Chat Tech. It does seem like it will be a very long journey, especially for those of us with responsibilities like kids, familes, etc, but i say you gotta start somewhere. Once the process gets going I'm sure that though it will be very very tough at times, the time will seem to have flown by once it's all over in God knows how many years *smile*