Is getting my RN at a technical college a bad idea?

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · May 14, 2015

Also most online schools such as Kaplan, WGU, University of Phoenix will accept you (and they are CCNE accredited) but it would be more expensive then public school.

Once more, since your plans have CRNA school up there, you will need to make sure the BSN program you choose has a good success rate where you apply. WGU poses issues for some graduate programs as it only issues pass/fail grades. Just things to consider. They are however, at least potentially, one of the cheapest options out there.

seanynjboy, BSN · May 14, 2015

It is not so much that it is a tech school. That is not the big deal. What you care about is their specific accreditation. Better to look for a tech school that is REGIONALLY ACCREDITED. Regionally accredited schools are able to transfer more credits. I went to a Nationally Accredited school (and I was aware of the lack of higher ed schools that accepted transfers. I was ok with that. I'm more limited as to who I can transfer credits to. I did start my BSN last year but had to stop due to work.

Just find out if they are NATIONALLY or REGIONALLY accredited. (You want to try to find one that is NLN (or whatever the new one is called ) or CCNE - (CCNE is typically 4 year schools).

I worked for a tech school as well as went to one.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · May 14, 2015

That's news to me!!! I've never heard before what you just said here. Maybe it's regional, but certainly is not the case around me.

I'm a recent VN graduate and have been diligently searching high and low for the smoothest and fastest transition into an ADN program. As you all may know, the community college system is lacking and it can take years just to finish prerequisites. I'm now in my 30's and am willing to sacrifice paying a premium for quick admission into a program. American Career College here in CA now offers a 20 month all inclusive ADN program. This means all prerequisites and general coorifice work are included in this time frame. I have hopes of getting my BSN at Mt Saint Mary's university, then moving on to get my masters and become a CRNA. I'm afraid my plans will be ruined because traditional colleges may not accept my units from a technical college. Has anyone considered or gone this route before? For RN to BSN most schools will advertise you only need an active non restricted License, but I'm afraid there may be more to the story. PLEASE HELP ME MY FRIENDS!
Thank you,
Daniel Stern

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 14, 2015

I realize you may be hearing things you don't want to hear, but if you're in the business of not wasting time, listen up. Not everyone responding is an experienced RN, but everyone responding is knowledgable about what a good nursing program looks like. I spent a year researching nursing programs before even applying to take pre reqs. I toured one particular technical school that would have cost me 60k for my RN. Their credits did not transfer to ANY college, meaning I would have had to take all those courses over again for my BSN. Now, as a pp stated, you can have a successful experience at a technical college. The key here is to research it very well so that you don't waste time on a school that won't help you reach your goals.

I have to agree. Technical colleges are not necessarily bad programs. They tend to be for-profit and as such, will charge you an arm, leg and your firstborn for your diploma/degree. But they tend to be more lenient in their admissions criteria, so students with less-than-stellar academic records have a better chance to get admitted. But again, you'll be paying heavily for that privelege...and considering that in this uncertain job market, starting your career in major debt is a very bad idea. Especially if you're graduating with an ADN in a trending "BSN preferred/required" market.

You have to do your research to ensure that the program is fully accredited with both the BON as well as with the NLNAC or CCNE (or whatever it's called now). A lot of employers won't accept someone who graduated from a school that wasn't accredited by either NLNAC or CCNE.

Even if the school is accredited, some technical colleges have less-than-savory reputations, and so employers avoid their graduates like the plague. Do a little digging to see what the reputation is of the program that you are interested in. Also look at NCLEX pass rates (on the BON website) as well as any data about how many of their graduates get hired each year. If the NCLEX pass rate is low or you hear about a lot of their graduates having problems finding that first job, you may want to reconsider.

Also, if a higher degree is part of your career plan, keep in mind that there is a very real possibility that credits/coursework from a techncal college may not transfer over to another program. For example, commericals for ITT Tech in my area have the notice--in very small print on the screen, mind you--that credits earned at ITT Tech will NOT transfer to other programs. This may be a regional thing or an ITT Tech-wide thing, I don't know. But it is something you need to bear in mind, especially if you don't want to waste time repeating courses whenever you decide to go for your BSN/MSN/NP.

Long story short: do your research before you write any school a check.

That is the reality. It may not be what you wanted to hear, but it's far better--and kinder--that you hear the truth now, instead of my offering false reassurances and then letting you get smacked in the face by reality after you've invested major time and money in an education that doesn't let you move past Square One.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 14, 2015

I think many members of the commentariat are confusing the terms 'technical college' and 'investor-owned school.' These educational entities aren't the same.

A technical college is a publicly funded school that focuses on affordable career training in the trades and technical occupations. The Texas State Technical College system is an excellent example. The California Regional Occupational Program system is another shining example.

American Career College, the school that piques the interest of the OP, is not a technical college. It is an investor-owned private for-profit school owned by the same celebrity that owns the notorious West Coast University. American Career College charges $66k for the ASN degree and WCU charges $132,000 for the BSN degree.

Conqueror+, BSN, RN · May 14, 2015

I think many members of the commentariat are confusing the terms 'technical college' and 'investor-owned school.' These educational entities aren't the same.
A technical college is a publicly funded school that focuses on affordable career training in the trades and technical occupations. The Texas State Technical College system is an excellent example. The California Regional Occupational Program system is another shining example.
American Career College, the school that piques the interest of the OP, is not a technical college. It is an investor-owned private for-profit school owned by the same celebrity that owns the notorious West Coast University. American Career College charges $66k for the ASN degree and WCU charges $132,000 for the BSN degree.

Is that a typo? Now I see where I went wrong. I should not have gone to nursing school I should have opened one instead. I could have made a killing over the last 20+ years.

Spangle Brown · May 14, 2015

I'm a recent VN graduate and have been diligently searching high and low for the smoothest and fastest transition into an ADN program. As you all may know, the community college system is lacking and it can take years just to finish prerequisites. I'm now in my 30's and am willing to sacrifice paying a premium for quick admission into a program. American Career College here in CA now offers a 20 month all inclusive ADN program. This means all prerequisites and general coorifice work are included in this time frame. I have hopes of getting my BSN at Mt Saint Mary's university, then moving on to get my masters and become a CRNA. I'm afraid my plans will be ruined because traditional colleges may not accept my units from a technical college. Has anyone considered or gone this route before? For RN to BSN most schools will advertise you only need an active non restricted License, but I'm afraid there may be more to the story. PLEASE HELP ME MY FRIENDS!
Thank you,
Daniel Stern

I don't think just having an ADN will get you in for a BSN. The college I am looking at after I finish my ADN still has a list of requirements in order to graduate. Most of them I took as those prereqs you was talking about. Only 2 classes that wasn't required for my ADN, and I will be taking it at the community college level, cause it will be cheaper there. I am much older then you. And from my experience, I am glad I took those classes before I did my nursing, rather than take them with my nursing classes. IT's tough enough as it is. Plus, you can see how you are in your sciences. If you have a ruff time in the sciences, you might want to reconsider going into nursing. Better to know sooner, rather then later.

SteelGrey · May 14, 2015

I'd definitely do your research regarding accreditation! Don't forget to consider the economics, especially if your doing loans...there are max limits and I know CRNA plus doing technical/accelerated programs can add up.

EDIT: Oops I see you graduated from a VN program :)

Just my two cents.. from a formerly impatient girl who wasted a lot of time and money/debt on degrees she is not using

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2015

Is that a typo? Now I see where I went wrong. I should not have gone to nursing school I should have opened one instead. I could have made a killing over the last 20+ years.

And your grads could be killing people as we speak.

:: ducking and running ::

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 14, 2015

I don't think just having an ADN will get you in for a BSN. The college I am looking at after I finish my ADN still has a list of requirements in order to graduate. Most of them I took as those prereqs you was talking about. Only 2 classes that wasn't required for my ADN, and I will be taking it at the community college level, cause it will be cheaper there. I am much older then you. And from my experience, I am glad I took those classes before I did my nursing, rather than take them with my nursing classes. IT's tough enough as it is. Plus, you can see how you are in your sciences. If you have a ruff time in the sciences, you might want to reconsider going into nursing. Better to know sooner, rather then later.

I had my ADN and a BA, and I still had to take a few pre-req/required classes to graduate with my BSN. I did a few classess at my local CC and the rest with the BSN school.

It's very likely that even with the ADN in hand, you'll end up having to take a few more classes for the BSN (MSN, NP, CRNA, whatever) program you are looking at doing afterwards. Exactly what those clases will be depends on the program itself.

NICUmiiki, DNP, NP · May 14, 2015

It really shouldn't cause many issues as long as the nursing program is ACEN accredited and approved by the board of nursing. Most RN-BSN programs are only concerned with your prereq/coreqs and whether you are licensed as an RN, not the specific RN courses. If the school is nationally accredited instead of regionally accredited (like most universities and community colleges), any prereqs and coreqs taken there may not transfer and you might (let me stress MIGHT, its highly dependent on the school) have to retake them over again.

I recommend calling a couple of RN-BSN programs and asking them if they accept credits from the school you are looking at.

amzyRN · May 14, 2015

If I were in your place; I'd apply to a BSN program out of Cali and get a job there. You might find that you won't get a job when your done with your studies unless you leave the state. Why not go to a cheaper legit BSN program, work as an RN for a few years then get your masters.

To be more specific, I think it is a bad idea to get a degree from a technical college in CA. I'd get my education where I could get a job if I had to choose. I happened to get my education in CA, a BSN from a good school and couldn't get a job here.