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

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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 think your rush to get it done NOW will bite you in the butt. Your perception of community college programs is a bit dated. My CC is one of the highest respected in the area. We're almost always hired over the local state university graduates. When we attend clinicals, there is a sigh of relief from the floor because of our schools reputation! We have the best NCLEX pass rate for the past 3 years for the county. Though CC isn't RIGHT NOW, you can bet your bottom dollar you'll be able to pay off the debt, and any continuing school will welcome your credits with open arms! I highly suggest you re-consider $66k tuition and no transfer guarantee, as that is most likely more than an entire year of your salary, assuming you secure a position without a BSN.

I feel I can really relate to this, having lost both of my parents to horrible illnesses (Alzheimer's and Cancer). Bravo for working hard and finishing what you set out to do! I'm in the beginning stages of my schooling and the work ahead of me feels so daunting. It makes me feel better knowing others have gone through it and made it out stronger!

What I meant was..

I had 1 semester left to obtain my BSN when I failed. I failed because my Mom had been diagnosed with cancer, and I was taking a three hour (one way) trip to be with her each Wednesday night and coming home late Friday night or early Saturday morning, working 12 hour shifts on the weekends, and doing it all again.

I failed by 2 points and was told by the Dean, that I could come back and reapply in three years if I wanted to.

No, I did not want that. At all. I went to the local technical college and obtained my ASN in 9 months, went on to Indiana Wesleyan (on line) for my BSN and am now in classes for my NP with them.

It was a hard route, but one that suited me, and frankly, I wouldn't trade a thing. The technical school was (is) an excellent school that gave more personal attention to their students. I know I wouldn't have failed had I been there, they would have worked with me instead of booting me out and very coldly telling me that i "could reapply in three years".

I loved my technical school. They cried with me, literally, when I dedicated a graduation project to my parents (who passed within 9 months of each other of cancer).

I feel I can really relate to this, having lost both of my parents to horrible illnesses (Alzheimer's and Cancer). Bravo for working hard and finishing what you set out to do! I'm in the beginning stages of my schooling and the work ahead of me feels so daunting. It makes me feel better knowing others have gone through it and made it out stronger!
Specializes in Adult, Trach and Vent.

That's very good point . Desperation is real...Because the lottery is brutal.

I thank God for getting into mount saint mary.

Specializes in Adult, Trach and Vent.

Please do not go to Tech schools who does not have proper Regional such as WASC. Just apply to community or school with good standards...I waited almost year on getting to schools ...I really wanted to go to those tech school, because I was desperate...but got my accepted letter from mount saint mary.

Specializes in Adult, Trach and Vent.

Beware school like AUHS and West coast who are either to expensive and doesn't have proper WASC provals.

Specializes in Psych.

I loved my technical school. They cried with me, literally, when I dedicated a graduation project to my parents (who passed within 9 months of each other of cancer).

I'm so sorry for your losses.

"It never gets easier. You just get stronger."

Great Googly-Moogly.... $66k for an ADN? And people are jumping into this? Why in the world would anyone pay 10X the cost of a well-organized CC program that does include courses that will transfer to a BSN? I really am getting old.

I contacted Everest College (before they closed obviously) to ask the price of their ADN program. When the guy said $54k I laughed and laughed and hung up the phone. All of my education up to FNP is probably going to cost about $70k. That is just ridiculous.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Technical school to traditional university and/or online university is a pretty common way to achieve your goals as it it usually a much more cost effective way to get where you want to be. So take a deep breath and relax. As long as the technical school you are considering is fully accredited and the university you plan to finish up at is also accredited transferring credits shouldn't be a problem.

Now I've read a few responses that are pretty negative of technical school, suggesting community college as another option. Maybe it's a regional thing but in my area the ADN programs are at schools that have technical college right in their names but it sounds like they are actually more the community college type programs. Whatever you decide to do OP, just make sure the schools you choose are nationally accredited or you will run into problems later on.

Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

I realize what it is to be in a time crunch, I really do. But in all honesty, paying this kind of premium for an ADN program seems very extreme. For context, I attended a private Jesuit direct entry BSN program and it was far less than price quoted above. If you have any other options, I would encourage you to utilize those. My understanding of the California market is that it is very tough for new grads, particularly those without a BSN. Additionally, not all nursing schools are created equal. Clinical experiences, teaching model, experienced faculty, support, NCLEX prep....they all matter... Especially if you're hoping to get in to the ICU in order to pursue your goal of CRNA.

Surely there has to be other options besides the long waits for community colleges and this type of for profit institution? If you have long term educational goals, I would strongly encourage you to extensively explore your options, even looking out of state. I have nursing friends and family in California right now, and I know it's tough....but it just seems that there has got to be a better way to achieve your goals. Good luck to you.

I am starting late, I have a Bachelors of Science but we are also constantly moving so I am wondering if going through a technical school to do the 12 month LPN and then doing Indiana LPN to BSN online program who be wiser than trying to do the accelerated BSN? Due to the constant moving my GPA suffered that was another factor I have to consider. Any advice would help a granny who always wanted to be a nurse.

Thanks and best wishes!

I graduated from a technical college and will be getting my BSN this fall from a big university. I didn't have to take extra classes or anything.

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