Four years to earn an ADN :/

Stitch3296 · Jan 3, 2015

Probably the only one who can answer that is you. If it's something you truly want to do, then the amount of time it takes to accomplish your goal shouldn't matter. I started school Spring 2010. I will graduate with my ADN in March. It's taken a long time, but I am so excited about what I have accomplished. A lot of my cohorts it has taken this long as well. Good luck to you with all your schooling.

caliotter3 · Jan 3, 2015

You are working to pay for school without loans. That is commendable. Instead of getting depressed, pat yourself on the back for having the foresight to start your new career debt free. That puts you one step ahead of others who will be looking for work with a debt burden on their back. Good luck.

dizy · Jan 3, 2015

I believe it will be worth it. I wish I were 25 and doing this instead of 50, It's also going to take me almost four years. I work 40 hours a week and have to use my student loans to help subsidize my income, raising a family on my own. I'm scared to death but don't know what else to do. I'll be 55 or so by the time I'm done and in the kind of debt that scares the heck out of me, I also worry about age discrimination at 55. So I would say, your future is looking pretty peachy right now.

LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN · Jan 3, 2015

How about 7 yrs.

I placed really low in my math placement test so I did 2 yrs of math classes, every Saturday morning for 4 hrs, 2 yrs in a row, to get through math 60 to statistics

Then 2 yrs of all the pre-req classes, then I didn't get in the 1st time I applied to the program, so I did another yr of school got an AAS and AA degrees then got into the program for 2 more yrs.

So far 7yrs 3 associate degrees

Then 2 more years for the BSN.

All total 9 years, granted the 1st 2 years I only did 1 class at a time same with the last 2 years with the BSN only 1 class at a time, so 5 yrs full time.

So OP, no you are not alone

And worth it! Now 5 yrs of nursing experience I have my dream job in a children's hospital working in the ER

dorkypanda · Jan 3, 2015

It does make sense since it takes people 1-2 years to do prereqs and a typical cc adn program is 2 years. And if you add on RN to BSN that's another 1-2 years. It's fine, age doesn't really matter in the long run if this is your goal you know?

Theres a youtuber who is now a great nurse and she didn't start college till years after finishing hs!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 3, 2015

Yes, that's about the time it takes; TBH, ehen I found that out when I was in an ADN program, I got disheartened; then I ended up not doing well; skipped read mission and set my sights on a BSN program; re grouped and went to PN school, got my associates, worked and got my BSN and circumvented the ADN process because I wanted a BSN.

Total schooling time-8 years. :blink:

Wouldn't change it for the world though! :up:

My take is this: if you want a 4-year degree, then get it; it still may take you more than 4 years; it will be up to you to make that decision-whatever you choose, choose what's BEST for you.

mdiada · Jan 3, 2015

Thank you all so much. Nursing is my dream, and i have come so far to just quit. Sometimes i think the pressure i put myself under just exacerbates the issue. The people who are married with kids, work full time and STILL manage to earn a nursing degree are my heroes! And here i am worried about how long it will take to earn the degree! You're all right, it doesn't matter as long as it's my passion. Thanks again for the kind words! :-)

babeinboots, MSN, NP, CNM · Jan 4, 2015

I don't know what state you're in but have you considered a BSN program? Many take 2 years to complete once all pre-reqs and general eds are done. Some are expensive but there are some reasonable priced programs out there.

I understand your frustration, for a long time I refused to even consider an ADN program because of the length of time it took to receive an associates compared to a bachelors. Eventually I came to a point where I knew I wanted to be a nurse no matter which route I had to take or how long it took me. It seemed as soon as I expanded my options, I got into both an ADN program and a BSN program.

If this is really what you want, yes it will be worth it in the end. I wish you the best of luck!

Bbett, MSN, NP · Jan 4, 2015

I don't think that's depressing. It's the same license as a BSN nurse except you will be getting it for WAY CHEAPER.

Bbett, MSN, NP · Jan 4, 2015

AND by the you get your associates it only takes a year to get your bachelors because of all of the credits required for an ADN

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jan 4, 2015

I just finished an ADN program and it took me that long between pre-reqs and then the nursing program. I also worked full time while doing it because I can't afford not to work but I graduated debt free. It was worth it to me!