Get RN in 2 yrs or less!

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I am brand new to this site and brand new to nursing. I need to get my RN as quickly as possible. I am pretty set on going the private school route as they don't require any prerequisites and no waiting lists. I am a really good test taker so I think I will be able to score pretty well on the NET entrance exams. My question is, where is the best private school in the nation? I am willing to move to get this done fast. I have three kids and need to provide for them ASAP. I have been in real estate for the past ten years and need a change of profession. I will have to live off savings while I go and I don't have enough money to wait years and years to get into a CC and go through their program. I have always wanted to be a nurse so I'm going to go for it. Any of you attended a private school and could get your RN in less than two years? Where? What schools? Any prerequisites? I know some schools are better than others but I am a hard worker and will make the most of my situation. Thinking maybe Apollo?... Price is not as much an issue to me as time. Time is money... Thanks!

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I don't know what state you live in, but I'd first go to your state's Board of Nursing. See what schools offer RN programs. The BON should also have stats on the NCLEX passing rates for each school. I'm looking at the "career" college route myself mostly because I'm now in my "late 50's" and a career changer (this would be a major career change for me). For myself, if I'm going to do it, I'd like to do it at a fast pace too. I feel that if I follow the RN path, I'd still have a lot to offer people.

What made you decide on nursing as a career change? From what many others have said, I think it's something you have to feel passionate about because it's very hard work.

I'm very much a newbie at this career change, but if I can be of any help, just ask. This forum is a great place for information and support.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

even though i am temporarily taking a break from posting here all nurses, i had to comment on this post. you need to slow down, nursing school is a huge commitment and not something you want to just get through with. i am going to say you will have a hard time finding a rn program that can be done in less than 2 years unless you are a nurse already. you need to research the schools you are considering, make sure they are properly accredited, make sure the board has approved them and for goodness sake look at their pass rate. the majority of private schools do have prerequisites and there are still some that have waiting list so you’re going to have to look around. another thing is private schools are also more expensive. it is very hard to get into nursing school and you should not limit yourself to just private schools…apply everywhere even though it will take you longer than 2 years. ok , now i will go back into hibernation....

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Do you have any college credits already?

Since most nursing programs require at least 20 monthes of nursing course work, and you MUST have a certain amount of microbiology, anatomy and physiology, math and english credits prior to acceptance, finding a program less than two years, without prior college will be difficult. You need the prior course work as nursing school (like many healthcare professions) build in prior knowledge and one needs to learn the basics before learning how to nurse using those basics.

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Specializes in SRNA.
I am pretty set on going the private school route as they don't require any prerequisites and no waiting lists

I would be wary of schools that don't require any core science pre-requisities, if you can even find them. Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology (and sometimes Chem) are the bare bones pre-reqs, and if you have not completed those, you would likely be in a world of hurt upon entering a nursing program. These very classes are essential to a thorough understanding of nursing course content and many schools do not allow you to take them simultaneously (nor would most people ever want to).

As you will see on many of the AllNurses forum threads, many of us work full time and have spent 1-3 years completing various pre-reqs for different types of degree programs (AA, BSN, direct-entry MSN).

You didn't mention if you have a previous BA or BS degree, but there are several Accelerated BSN programs for previous degree holders that offer a 12-13 month curriculum after you cover the pre-reqs, which are typically required to be completed before entering a program.

As a previous poster had said, it is easy to get caught up in the excitment of pursuing a new profession, however it will benefit you more to slow down a bit and research the various paths that you may be able to take to become an RN.

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Thanks to all who have responded. Yes, I do have 56 college credits already in just the basics but that was 11 years ago and most of these places say they will only credit you if you've taken the credits within the past 5 to 10 years. (Although I could probably test out at a few schools.) Thanks Gizmosmom. I did check with the state's Board of Nursing to find stats on the NCLEX passing rates for the different schools. It was very helpful. I haven't entered this decision lightly. I have researched the different CC's in my state and even attended information sessions and met with counselors. I know that long road is not for me. I really appreciate all the advise, I do. Do any of you have any info on specific private schools? I have found four in my state that are potential candidates but I'd like any information anyone else has on these schools (Apollo, Pima Medical, Everest and Maricopa Skills Center) or on any other similar program in any other state. I am willing to relocate. Thanks.

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When you say private school are you looking for private, technical schools or private universities? As others have said, with a previous degree and a good GPA in that degree, you can look into accelerated second degree programs at schools like Yale, Penn, John's Hopkins, et cet. JHU (in Baltimore)has a shorter list of pre req's than some but is a very competitive program and will run around 60k for the accelerated course.

I can say that I spent close to six months researching, visiting places, more research, talking to people, more research on varying possibilities before finally coming to a conclusion. Ofcourse, I still have a back up plan on that too! :D

Check out the AACN web site http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Students/index.htm and also google the NLNC web site. Both are accrediting bodies and have lists of accredited programs all over the country.

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I have found four in my state that are potential candidates but I'd like any information anyone else has on these schools (Apollo, Pima Medical, Everest and Maricopa Skills Center) or on any other similar program in any other state. I am willing to relocate. Thanks.

Simplyme: You've started doing your research (researching CC's, attending info sessions, etc.). Sounds from the list of school names above that you're in Arizona. Have you done a search on allnurses for those school names? I know you'll find posts about them. Also, check out the Arizona state forum here at allnurses.

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Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia has a 2 year *ASN* program that has no pre-reqs. They teach you anatomy, etc. as part of the curriculum. This is NOT the same as their 2-year BSN, or their APW or FACT programs. I was told by an admissions counselor that it was really designed for younger students who have no college, but bottom line, there are no prerequisites. The cost is roughly $17,000 per year (which is a LOT cheaper than the BSN program), and Jefferson is one of the most amazing places to go to school. (I'm prejudiced; I just got accepted to their APW program. LOL!) If you get into the ASN program, you can move right into their BSN program after you finish.

It's weird. All their other nursing programs have a long list of the usual suspects, in terms of prerequisites, but the ASN program does not. I believe, but I am not positive, that this ASN program is only a few years old. You can read more about it here:

http://www.tju.edu/jchp/nursing/asn.cfm

The program is also offered in Danville, Pennsylvania. Last year, they didn't finish filling up the class until April or May, but I don't know what it looks like this year.

Good luck!!

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Specializes in LTC, cardiac, ortho rehab.

hmmmm i went to acc in anaheim california. i got my lvn there and then i was supposed to do the lvn-rn program that they offered but their price was a little to high for me. total time would be about 2 and a half years for everything. the prereqs are built into the lvn-rn program so you dont need to take any before hand. its really pricey but if you can afford it, then why not. look up west coast university and they should have a link to acc. hope this helps you in your quest.\\ jon lvn

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What is a ASN? Is the school accredited? I would be suspicious, myself. It seems too easy to me.:bugeyes:

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ASN - Associate of Science in Nursing

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