Ft. Lauderdale RN program recommendation

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the south!! OK - I have been out of school for a long time, but lets see if I can help. There are no more diploma programs down here (I went to a great one, but they closed years ago). From what I hear, there are waiting lists to get into nursing school. Alot of people that I work with went through BCC (Broward Community College) - there are lots of campuses. There is Miami Dade COmmunity College - if you want to go to Miami (got my Associates from them). There is FIU, not sure about FAU. University of Miami if you have scads of cash.

I'm sure that someone more helpful will be coming along. Anyways, welcome!!

Hi Jill - Thank you very much for your reply. Thanks for the welcome also. I was hoping to not have to get an Associate's Degree, as I already have my Bachelor's in an unrelated field. But, if there are no more diploma programs, I guess there's no other option. If anyone knows of any evening or weekend programs, I'd appreciate it. Thanks again - Mike.

Hi Mike

I'm living in West Palm now - about 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale. I didn't have a lot of the pre-req's either for an accelerated BSN, but I have a BA (was pre-med in college so I had a lot of the science pre-req's except A&P and micro), and I had to take nutrition and human growth &development. The community colleges do have an associates level RN program (2 year program I believe) but they also have long waiting lists for them. I just sucked it up and took my pre-req's at the community college here and will be applying for the accelerated BSN program at FAU. It's only a year program and if you are a FL resident it's cheap. Since you have a bachelor's already it may be better for you to take some classes at a community college, it may take you a year to take them but during that year you can also establish FL residency and get the FL rate at the accelerated BSN program at FAU if you want (it's about $100 credit for instate). That would be my suggestion - I was in the same boat as you - I am changing careers now and I just want to get my degree - but this was the route I'm taking. I hope I helped a little. Good luck.

Thanks FLAgal,

I really dislike the idea of having to waste a year taking pre-reqs. before even being accepted into an RN program. I probably don't have any more then 1 or 2 of them. The 1 year may turn into 2 years of just pre-reqs., since I also need to go part time. I don't know whether that would make sense for me. I wish there was a program that allowed me to do it all at once. Thanks for your reply. It definetely helped.

Mike -

I had written a whole page for you but unfortunately this thing logged me out and it all got erased...I am going to try my best to give you as much feedback as possible!

I am also from South Florida and live out here in NYC. I was considering moving back home, so I dont have to worry about room and board since my parents can help me out. I have been taking pre-reqs for a year and a half and have had a hard time getting into the BSN programs out here cause I dont have all my pre-reqs which means I would have to sit out another year and apply next year. Just like yourself, I dont want to quit my job and be in school full time cause it cost A LOT of money. I would have to be taking out at least 40-50K loans to do my BSN or ABSN (accelerated BSN)

Now my advice to you. Take your pre-reqs, whatever you need through a CC in your area and I am sure they have classes on Sats cause thats what I did out here in NYC. If you need to retake classes that do not require lab work, take it online at www.und.edu or any other schools that have correspondence courses. And then apply at BCC or MDCC and start your nursing school.

I know its a pain to be in school for a year or so before going into the program. Once you are an RN, you can work on your BSN online and bill the hospital or you can take a semester's worth of classes to get into the MSN program. They have those things for people who already have a BS or a BA like you and I have... This is cost effective and the best route for you!

If there is any other information I can help you with, please let me know.

All the best...and dont give up!!

Hi Purdue,

Thanks very much for your reply. It really helped. It seems there's no way out of taking at least a year or two of prereqs. I will have to decide if this is something that makes sense for me.