How long will it take you to get your 2-yr degree?

Published

I am in my first semester as a nursing student, pursuing my associate's degree. Finishing my prerequisites and general education requirements has already taken four semesters, so by the time I get my degree I will have four years invested in a community college.

At the community college I attend, they only accept 40 nursing students twice a year, so it takes on average a year of waiting after the last prerequisite is passed before you actually start the nursing classes. I'm not saying it is wasted time on my part, but I wasn't prepared for it to take this long. Is this situation common?

Specializes in Adult Med-Surg, Rehab, and Ambulatory Care.

It has taken me 6 years just to get this far, but then again, I have gone part-time the whole way and took 3 semesters off...one because my vehicle transmission went toes up and I couldn't afford to go, and two because I had a baby and decided not to go. :)

However, my personal story aside, at my school to get an ADN it generally takes 4 years...2 for pre-reqs and 2 for nursing classes...unless you take co-reqs at the same time, in which case you might be able to finish in 3 years...I don't think I know anyone that has done it that way, not that it hasn't happened...

Geez I ramble.:rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

for some who are in my class, they are taking pre-reqs along with the nursing courses, therefore, it will only take them 2 years.

i took my pre-reqs and some bsn requirements before starting last fall and have 13 months left to go in the program.

all i know, i am closer than i have been. will give it all i got while i have this chance. and, will not forget this long trip toward reaching my goal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU/ER.

I started pre-reqs January of 2000, took classes through the summer semesters and will finish May 2, 2003!

So just over 3 years to earn a 2-yr ADN ~ doesn't make sense does it? Oh well, at least it's almost over!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hope to finish my BSN in exactly 4 years. I will have gone every semester possible taking an average of 5 courses during the regular semesters, 2 in summer. It is a hectic schedule but since I waited so long, I don't want to drag it out.

I'm excited that in 3 weeks I will be about 1/2 way to my goal! I'll finish 2 classes this summer and start an Accelerated BSN in the fall.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It took me 4 years to do prereqs because I worked full time and took one class at a time starting with the sciences and then tripled up after that. Then I had them all done in time to start clinicals=2years. Altogether it took 6 yrs to get my ADN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Originally posted by Nessa1982

I dont think ANYONE gets it done in 2 years. At least I've never met anyone who did it. By the time I'm done with my ADN nursing program I will have been at a JC for 4 years. But at the same time I received all of my transfer classes it might only take me 1 year to 1 1/2 years to get my BSN. I hear it takes most people 3 years for a regular associates and 5 years for reg BS or BA so i guess I', not too behind. But sometimes it feels like it !

Well, I did my ADN in 2 years. But I think it has to do with the person. At the school I attended, they advertise completion in two years as POSSIBLE, and they do advertise a schedule that looks like it is possible. But I think that as a person, you have to be really in a "perfect" time & place in your life.

I was older than a lot of the students (I was 44 when I started) which means I was more mature. My children were both adults, so I had no babysitter probs or other types of conflicts involving kids. I did not have to work while I went to school (Hubby supported us)...I really don't think I could have done it if I had had to work. I had no money problems, as Hubby had a great job and we were able to not have any real change in our lifestyle. (Of course, when you are in school, who has the time to go out to a movie ??? :eek: )

By completion in 2 years, this also means I took Anatomy & Physiology at the same time I was taking Nursing courses. (Only crazy people do this...) I was taking 12 to 19 credit hours at a time. So I think you also have to be really organized and a good student, too.

So: Possible? Yes. Usual? No. I think 3 years is a better time frame. But I was "old" and I didn't want to waste any time getting my degree. I did fine. I also got credit for three of my courses by taking an exam and testing out of the class. THat saved some time, too.

Good luck! 2 or 3 or 6 years.........it IS worth it!:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

for the ones who say they finished in 2 yrs or less they are not including the prereqs in the total time.

the adn programs here tell everyone it is two yrs. but they fail to mention is the time it takes to get the prereqs out the way:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an AA but it will still take me 3 years to go through the prerequistes and then the nursing program. Not including the one to three semester wait to get into the program. I see that the three years seems to be a normal length for the program though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am doing my program in two years. It includes

1st semester

6 credit nursing

A&P1

Health and nutrition

2nd semster

med/surg 8 credits

A&P 2 3

microbiology 3

summer semester

this is what I will take

psyc nursing 5 credits

eng 3

soc 3

fall semster

advanced med surg 13 credits

spring

maternal/child nursing

pharmacolgy

I did complete my elective course ahead of time but that was it. I am doing the whole program,less that one course in two years

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm finishing up my 2nd, and last, semester of pre-reqs. I'm starting an Accelerated BSN program in the fall that lasts 16 months. There's another here in town that is only 13 months, but I was wait-listed for that one.

If I had gone for my AA, it would have taken 2 years, so for me getting my BSN was the better option. Also I think the competition is higher for the AA programs, because they get a lot of applicants.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My ADN program is "suppose" to take 2 years.... but I will have 3 1/2 ( I sat out a semester) years invested by the time I am finished. I have to finish up 2 more pre-req's in the fall and take the NET test to get in the program. IF I'm accpeted I will be able to complete the actual nursing classes in 4 semesters.

I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end. :nurse: :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuroscience ICU, CNRN, SCRN.

I started my prereqs in March 2002, and will finish them during the upcoming summer semester (taking two or three classes a semester, while still working full time). If I'm accepted to the Fall 2003 program, I'll finish my nursing core classes in time to graduate in December 2004 (its a 16 month program). So that will make mine a 3 year ASN program too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion