How long did it take?

Nurses General Nursing

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For those of you who completed an ADN program how long did it actually take to finish the degree?

My wife is thinking about attending one of these programs but a few people have suggested it will be more like 2 1/2 to 3 years including the prerequisites.

Specializes in Acute Care of the Elderly.

These folks are correct if she does not in fact have any prerequisites. I had already gotten a 2 year degree in education when I began so I did not have many classes to take. Look at it this way though even if it takes 3 years it is worth it if that is what she wants to do:twocents:

Specializes in LTC, Med-SURG,STICU.

It took me about 3 years. I had no college classes up to that point. I went to school 3/4 time for the first year and then went full time the last 2 years. Like the other poster stated it is worth it in the end if nursing is what she wants to do.

Specializes in NICU.

Way longer for me. I was on BSN track at one school, but when I figured out that I wouldn't make the cut to the 100 accepted ones, I switched to another and in the spring, I got admitted on an ADN spot (only place they had openings) and it took about 2 1/2 years or so to complete the program. It was a pretty long time overall, but I got my degree in the end and will upgrade soon enough.

With prereqs, it may take longer to complete - possibly up to 4, depending on how many she needs to do. But, if it's something she truly wants to do, a little bit of extra time isn't too terrible.

It is possible to do it in two years, but you first have to be accepted into a program, which can take a while. Then if you need all the courses, the credit load is quite large. I think the load is better split up into three years.

Specializes in LTC, geriatric, psych, rehab.

I got my ADN in 2 yrs, but I already had my prerequisites. I had been going to a community college for 1½ yrs taking general courses, then got accepted into the university's ADN program. If I had not had the prerequisites, it would have taken me 3 yrs to complete the program. It was a tough course, and I had 2 small children. I just could not have taken general classes and nursing classes at the same time considering my home responsibilities.

Thanks for the replies. I guess the real question now is whether she should go for the BSN if its just one year longer and get it over with.

It's taken me 7 years to get my BSN.

Took 5 years to get Associates of Science Degree which included all of my pre-reqs. I was working full time and my job at the time paid for my classes. I was taking one hard core science class at a time and I took 2 classes in the summer.

I left my job 2 years ago when I got accepted to nursing school. It was another 2 years and I'll be graduating with a BSN on May 16. Yeah Baby!

I was gonna go the ADN route, but all the community colleges in my area had a 2 year waiting list just to get in. Then once you are in, it's STILL 2 years. So I said I may as well knock out two birds with one stone and get my BSN if I'm gonna be going for 2 years anyway.

Good luck to your wife!

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.

it will also depend on when she gets accepted... many people do not get accepted into schools right away even with 4.0s. tell your wife that there is no shortage of students trying to go into nursing; it is highly competitive. she will need to talk to the counselors of the schools she is interested in attending to know more about the competition she will face and what the requirements of those schools include. plus, she should become an avid reader/participant of the pre-nursing forum to get support and gain more insight on what she will experience.:twocents:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/

it will also depend on when she gets accepted... many people do not get accepted into schools right away even with 4.0s. tell your wife that there is no shortage of students trying to go into nursing; it is highly competitive. she will need to talk to the counselors of the schools she is interested in attending to know more about the competition she will face and what the requirements of those schools include. plus, she should become an avid reader/participant of the pre-nursing forum to get support and gain more insight on what she will experience.:twocents:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/

thanks for the reply mba2brn,

i know many parts of the country have waiting lists for nursing school but around here a 4.0 gets you in. maybe not the 2 large state universities but the smaller regional universities are sure bets. i was accepted into the 2nd largest bsn program in the state. the lowest accepted gpa was believe it or not a 2.6 and in case your wondering the first time nclex pass rate last year was 94%. i feel sorry for those who have great gpa's and have to wait so long to get into a program. they can always move to oklahoma if they want it bad enough....

Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

For no fear of my appearing lack luster and tarnished,

It took me 2.5 years to complete prerequisites, and 5+ years to attain my ADN.

I bobbled from University to Community College and took a Semester off and had to repeat Peds....I am a Re Peder :-) (most tedious tedium lectures I had to sit for a second time around)

I resent those that had amazing lecturers for Peds. My clinical instructor was phenomenal to make up for the lecture shortcomings.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

It took me 3-1/2 years to earn my ADN. I didn't have to take many prereqs because of my previous degree. I took 2 night classes a semester for 5 semesters, including summers. I started my nursing program in September 2006, and attended 3/4 time until I graduated.

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