moving to Pensacola area

U.S.A. Florida

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hi! My husband and I along with our 2 children are relocating to Pensacola in June. I can not find an accredited 2 year RN program in that area. Is it okay to go to the Junior College there and get my associate's even if it is not accredited? What does it mean if a school is not accredited? Is it not as good? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hello -

From what I read on the website for Pensacola Junior College, the program is accredited by the NLN, and graduates are able to sit for the NCLEX for licensure upon successful completion. That is all you would need to become an RN, and the Associates degree would allow you to continue towards a bachelor's/master's should you choose.

Here is a link to information about their nursing program:

http://www.pjc.cc.fl.us/registration/docs/0304cat/AS.pdf

I hope that this helps.....

John

Hi! My husband and I along with our 2 children are relocating to Pensacola in June. I can not find an accredited 2 year RN program in that area. Is it okay to go to the Junior College there and get my associate's even if it is not accredited? What does it mean if a school is not accredited? Is it not as good? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Sonja24!

My name is Shirwin, 23 yrs. old. I am currently a nursing student at the 2-year PJC RN-program here in Pensacola, FL. I am actually graduating this August 2004. You can still attend this college although it is not accredited, and earn your associates degree in nursing. However, to earn your license, all you have to do is pass the NCLEX board exam. I am planning to take the NCLEX after I graduate. If you want to get into this program, I suggest that you look into it immediately. The waiting list is long. I had to actually wait a year before I got in, but that was okay because during that time I fufilled the pre-requisites like anatomy, psychology, college algebra, etc. I suggest you do that too before you get in. It will make life much easier. Apply as soon as possible too! When I got in August 2002, 80 students were accepted into the program. I'm not sure if the number has changed. Anyhow, after your earn your RN degree, you can transfer to a university and earn your Bachelor's degree. That is what I plan to do eventually also, after I get some experience working as an RN.

I know some people here are downing the school, but my opinion is you do what you have to do to get to where you want. Those people may not be in the same situation as you and me or somebody else, so they can say whatever. PJC is the only 2-yr RN school here in Pensacola, unless I want to travel to the other nearest RN school, which is in Alabama, about an hour-or-so drive away. Umm ... no. Why travel when I already live here ... lol! It's too much of a hassle. I agree that PJC may not be the best school compared to other ADN schools, but nevertheless, you do learn things. Like my OB teacher says, "You learn a lot more the first year out of nursing school than you do in nursing school ..." She is right, and that is how I'm going to take it, one day at a time. Anyway, when are you moving out here? I think it's cool. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck to you! :)

-Shirwin

Hi Sonja24!

My name is Shirwin, 23 yrs. old. I am currently a nursing student at the 2-year PJC RN-program here in Pensacola, FL. I am actually graduating this August 2004. You can still attend this college although it is not accredited, and earn your associates degree in nursing. However, to earn your license, all you have to do is pass the NCLEX board exam. I am planning to take the NCLEX after I graduate. If you want to get into this program, I suggest that you look into it immediately. The waiting list is long. I had to actually wait a year before I got in, but that was okay because during that time I fufilled the pre-requisites like anatomy, psychology, college algebra, etc. I suggest you do that too before you get in. It will make life much easier. Apply as soon as possible too! When I got in August 2002, 80 students were accepted into the program. I'm not sure if the number has changed. Anyhow, after your earn your RN degree, you can transfer to a university and earn your Bachelor's degree. That is what I plan to do eventually also, after I get some experience working as an RN.

I know some people here are downing the school, but my opinion is you do what you have to do to get to where you want. Those people may not be in the same situation as you and me or somebody else, so they can say whatever. PJC is the only 2-yr RN school here in Pensacola, unless I want to travel to the other nearest RN school, which is in Alabama, about an hour-or-so drive away. Umm ... no. Why travel when I already live here ... lol! It's too much of a hassle. I agree that PJC may not be the best school compared to other ADN schools, but nevertheless, you do learn things. Like my OB teacher says, "You learn a lot more the first year out of nursing school than you do in nursing school ..." She is right, and that is how I'm going to take it, one day at a time. Anyway, when are you moving out here? I think it's cool. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck to you! :)

-Shirwin

well, you are commended on just finishing the program. When you pass the NCLEX--it does not really matter where you graduate from, so good luck. I used to live in PNS--miss it! I looked at UWF's new BSN,...too much prereqs though....I got into another BSN that accepted everything I had--best to you, heather/

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

some very good golf courses in the area there

well, you are commended on just finishing the program. When you pass the NCLEX--it does not really matter where you graduate from, so good luck. I used to live in PNS--miss it! I looked at UWF's new BSN,...too much prereqs though....I got into another BSN that accepted everything I had--best to you, heather/
Yea, that's how I think too, Heather. It does not really matter where you graduate from, just as long as you pass the NCLEX and earn that license so you can work! That's all that matters :-) So how old are you and what school do you go to now? Did you try getting into the PJC-RN program ... what made you change your mind? Yea, after PJC I'm plan to transfer to UWF to get my BSN. I'm sure all my credits will transfer. I will apply for the August 2005 school year. In the meantime, I will work for the year after I grad and most likely work while getting my bachelors.
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