Fast Track Option for ADN program

Everline · May 19, 2014

I don't recommend trying to rush through nursing school.

But to answer your question, I've never heard of a program that you can take courses at your own pace. The nursing program I am in is a five semester program and you take courses as they dictate. You can't take a course in less time than it is scheduled for and you can't take courses ahead of time. The only way to shorten how long it takes you to ultimately graduate is to go through your pre-reqs faster somehow. Once you are in the nursing program, you take the courses for which they register you and you stay in those courses until the semester is done, unless you withdraw. Then if you pass, you can move on. I have heard of accelerated ADN programs but don't know the details about them.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 20, 2014

To answer your question, no. Once you are in a nursing program it is 4 semesters. You have to probably devote at least 2 semesters to the prereqs. 12-15 credits is not a fast track. That is full time. I took 16 credits this past semester and 13 before that. For financial aid 12 credits is considered full time. There is no fast track in nursing. It is hard work to get there. Plus you are in a severely impacted area. It may take you a few years just to get in the program itself.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · May 21, 2014

Ah, it makes sense the more I read. In most cases there are no fast track options for ADN. Most classes are pre-reqs or co-reqs of each other like Adult Health I must be finished before Adult Health II and Adult Health II needs to be finished before taking OB, etc. So you wouldn't be able to schedule the 2nd semester and 3rd semester classes together.

Officially that's the way it is in most schools. My school did have a special option that was kind of secretive but it required signing about a dozen waivers and fitting certain criteria including having a high enough GPA. I was able to complete two semester classes at the same time because I was dropped from one for a stupid reason of not doing a basic handwashing/body mechanics/isolation test. I literally signed 3 waivers and had to have a meeting with several head honchos. I was also advised not to work more than 10 hours a week while doing the two clinical classes at the same time. They also told me it was likely I would fail at least one of them (I pulled through with a B in one and a C in the other but it was very, very close). Oh and I also had microbiology to take because I put it off and put it off. I had a B in that class which would have been higher if I wasn't scrambling with the other two.

Oh, and I also worked on average 44 hours a week during the two clinical classes and I was still volunteering. It made me cry and I almost failed one of the classes.

Also, the issue with classes and clinicals is that just because it's a 4 hour class does not mean you're only spending four hours. Usually there are other requirements like we had an EKG class, a sim lab, and a 10-12 hour clinical.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 21, 2014

Hi, can you can PM me about the special option. I'm curious about taking two semesters in one. thank you

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 21, 2014

Are you already a mental health nurse? It says you have 5 years of experience. So are you a LPN looking to bridge over to a RN? In nursing school you cannot put 2 semesters in one. They go in an order. Like first semester is Nursing fundamentals and Med Sug I, then the second would be Med Surg II with pharmacology or patho. They have to go in an order because each one is a prereq for another. There is not fast track on this. You can't just wake up and say, I think I'll be a nurse today so give me a degree in the next couple of months. That is not how it works.

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 21, 2014

Yes, I'm a mental health worker but not a LPN. I tried to challenge the LVN. Board, but rehab scute hospital doesn't qualify as med/surg hours requirement.

The reason I ask is because I know their are different options available and was curious as to any available options for a ADN program. :)

For example, their are science classes that have all 3 classes in one semester and give a great opportunity for those interested in a fast pace setting. I figure that their are more classes like that besides online classes.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · May 21, 2014

Well the special option was for that school only. Are you in Ohio? Otherwise it wouldn't apply. Plus it wouldn't really cut down on time. it would be like 3 and a third semester if you were able to do it successfully and the school could refuse to send in your board information early.

I didn't graduate early but I graduated on time otherwise I would have been a full semester behind.

Since you're challenging, I would have guessed CA right?

RunBabyRN · May 21, 2014

Hi, can you can PM me about the special option. I'm curious about taking two semesters in one. thank you

Maybe you can PM her instead of expecting her to initiate contact to help you? A good lesson in nursing- don't pass the buck. :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 21, 2014

Yes, i'm in california and congrats on graduating :)

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · May 21, 2014

RunBabyRun

thanks for the tip :)

mrsboots87 · May 21, 2014

You CANNOT quicken your nursing programs pace. The situation where one student was able to is an exception to a rule and sounds like it is very rare to be approve for. Until that person commented I would have thought it impossible. Plus it sounds like it was a class she already took as failed for somethin minute. So it wasn't that she woul be newly learnin the subject matter for both classes. Nursing programs are structured in a way that is in accordance with the BON requirements. Part of this is concurrency. You can't take the theory portion of a class one semester and the clinical portion of it another semester or you wot be aloud to sit for boards. And it would be too difficult to take 2 clinicals at once while learnin new subject matter from both classes.

Nursig if school is hard. Most programs fail quite a few students each semester due to the student just not keeping up, or not passing tests, or whatever. Tryig to doultiple semesters in one would all but guarantee a fail. You can't rush through material to become a nurse. You need to take time to learn. My ADN program had a "fastrac" option. But it is not combining semesters. The program just runs through summer so they graduate about 4 months sooner. The only other accelerated options for degree holders applying for secon degree in nursing. Ad even then, they don't do multiple semesters at once. Their semesters are just shorter so they cram the full 2 years into like 15-18 month programs.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · May 21, 2014

I wouldn't WANT to double up on courses in nursing school. It's hard enough as it is!