Do NYC community college RN programs really take over 2 years??

You would have to look at the deadline for Fall 2011, which is usually around. January. U then have to see whether those Chem and other courses you will need to take after this upcoming Fall must be completed Before u apply to the program or whether they just have to be completed by the time the Nursing Program starts in the Fall. I'm not from around the Bronx but typically with Community Colleges you must complete ALL the pre-requisites, and you can then apply once your grades are received. They look at these grades when determining your acceptance, especially the Science courses. The sciences are the most important classes when it comes to your pre-reqs. You should contact the Nursing Department and ask them, they can tell u exactly what you need to have to be considered for the program

But based on what you said about you first have to take a Chem class, and Bio and the other one before you cann apply, I'm assuming you will be taking these courses in the Spring semester and I do think you will miss the deadline for the Fall 2011 entrance. You would more than likely be eligible for the Fall 2012 entrance

Technically you're already taking more than 2 years because you have a year of pre-reqs and nursing is 2 years. But yes, a lot of the community colleges here in the city have waiting lists because of their competition. There are people with a 3.6 gpa on the waiting lists. You will be allowed to apply for Fall 2011 even with those other classes in progress.

Also if you are placed on the waiting list, you do not get a preference in the next year, you get thrown back into the applicant pool as if it were your first time like everyone else and you still may not make it. Unless you have a very good GPA and entrance nursing exam score, there are absolutely no guarantees of getting in your first try. Since most of the schools only have fall semester admission, you'd have to wait an entire year before you can be considered again.

Getting into the pre-reqs are pretty much a lottery themselves, getting accepted into the nursing program is just as difficult.