HELP! I need an RN by Jan. 2013 in Hampton Roads area!

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Okay here's my situation:

I am at ODU taking pre-req's for nursing. I couldn't apply to the nursing program last Feb. because i have too many pre-req's too take to finish by then. So i will be applying in Feb. 2011 for the Fall 2011 program. However I only have 9 classes to take in that time (4 semesters, including the summers). I'm really gung-ho about getting my nursing school finished, as i'm sure you all can relate to. But my timing with ODU is bad because I would not finish their accelerated BSN program until Aug. 2013 and my husband gets out or re-enlists in the Navy in Jan. 2013. So there's a 9 month gap of me being obligated to stay in Virginia, while he might be sent somewhere else, or be jobless. I really don't want us to stay another 4 years in VA. (Sorry Virginia!) Anyway, living in two places, or having me finish 2 semesters of nursing school when his employment situation is unknown - is not ideal.

So i've been trying to think of alternative solutions. Here's what I have...

A.) Finish some more pre-req's at ODU. Go to TCC for their RN program. Also, if I apply by May 15th, will I be applicable to enter in THIS fall 2010? There schedule shows their pre-req's being included in the 5 semesters. Anyway - After TCC, I would transfer back to ODU and finish my pre-req's Summer 2012. Then Fall of 2012 I could enter ODU's RN-BSN program (which I believe is a full year, but it's online, so wherever the Navy takes us, I will get my BSN.) Do you guys see any problem with doing it like this?

B.) Do you guys know of any accelerated RN programs anywhere around here? I know most of the RN programs are 5 months + pre-requisites. Are there any without requiring pre-req's? Do you guys know anything about PDCCC? TNCC? NSU? Does Bon Secours or any other hospitals offer JUST an RN program (not a BSN.)?

Please let me know what you guys think! I really appreciate it! :) Also, feel free to email me. [email protected]

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Option A sounds doable. :) Good luck!!

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it may be a bit of a stretch in distance (since I don't know where in HR you live) , but if you already have a BS or a BA you can try for VCU's accelerated BSN program. It's in Richmond but you could apply to start in May 2011 and you would be finished Dec 2012. There are only 4 pre reqs and they only need to be completed prior to enrollment so even if you don't have them you would have plenty of time to take them. They are stats, microbio, developmental psych, and human a & p (8 hrs).

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it may be a bit of a stretch in distance (since I don't know where in HR you live) , but if you already have a BS or a BA you can try for VCU's accelerated BSN program. It's in Richmond but you could apply to start in May 2011 and you would be finished Dec 2012. There are only 4 pre reqs and they only need to be completed prior to enrollment so even if you don't have them you would have plenty of time to take them. They are stats, microbio, developmental psych, and human a & p (8 hrs).

Oh mann, this would be perfect! We live in VA Beach right now... Looking to move in Norfolk. But Even if we lived in Hampton it would still be a 1.5 hr drive for me. Do you have any suggestions? How impossible do you think this is to work out? :confused:

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The commute to Richmond isn't a terrible one. I live in Williamsburg and my mom drives to MCV for work. Its about a 35-40 minute drive for her. The commute isn't bad traffic wise. I think from Hampton you could make it in an hour and fifteen minutes, because it only took me about 30 minutes to get to TNCC from my house. And I'm not a super fast driver, I rarely ever go more than ten mph over!

It'd really depend on how much you mind driving/can afford the gas. I think its doable especially if it means finishing up a lot quicker. Granted, the program includes two summer sessions so Friday's coming home from Richmond during the summer would probably be a miserable drive. The driving would also cut into your studying time, and it being an accelerated program you'll need all the studying time you can get. But you could always record your notes and play them during the drive! If you are really committed to it, don't have to work while going to school, and can afford the gas I think it is very possible to do.

I've heard a lot of good things about VCU and the quality of the accelerated program. Its also very affordable--about 20k for the whole program.

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The commute to Richmond isn't a terrible one. I live in Williamsburg and my mom drives to MCV for work. Its about a 35-40 minute drive for her. The commute isn't bad traffic wise. I think from Hampton you could make it in an hour and fifteen minutes, because it only took me about 30 minutes to get to TNCC from my house. And I'm not a super fast driver, I rarely ever go more than ten mph over!

It'd really depend on how much you mind driving/can afford the gas. I think its doable especially if it means finishing up a lot quicker. Granted, the program includes two summer sessions so Friday's coming home from Richmond during the summer would probably be a miserable drive. The driving would also cut into your studying time, and it being an accelerated program you'll need all the studying time you can get. But you could always record your notes and play them during the drive! If you are really committed to it, don't have to work while going to school, and can afford the gas I think it is very possible to do.

I've heard a lot of good things about VCU and the quality of the accelerated program. Its also very affordable--about 20k for the whole program.

Wow thank you! This is soo helpful! I'm wondering if their schedule is 5 days a week. (I know ODU likes to set up their nursing schedules so that you HAVE to be their 5 days a week, all day.) Do you know if they are accredited - and my degree would be recognized nationwide? Do you know their NCLEX pass rates? Thank you sooo much! Luckily I won't be required to work during school... I have a gas-friendly car... And maybe moving to Hampton would be a good compromise (because my hubby works on Norfolk.) Thanks again!

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They are accredited by the NLNAC. VCU is an excellent school for nursing. I want to say their nursing program is ranked 47th in the nation. Their class schedule is 5 days a week. I went to the information session last year so I'm pulling this from memory but I want to say you have classes two or three days a week and then the other days you are in clinicals. Nclex pass rates: 2004-83.5%, 2005-88.4%, 2006-86%, 2007-97.5%, 2008-93%. Keep in mind this includes the traditional bsn students so the pass rates for accelerated program are likely higher.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools/rankings/page+3 VCU is ranked 47th for their nursing program. As a comparison ODU ranks 141st and HU ranks 203rd.

Its worth looking into! It is very competitive though, the minimum GPA is 2.5 but you'll need much higher than that to be competitive.

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The commute to Richmond isn't a terrible one. I live in Williamsburg and my mom drives to MCV for work. Its about a 35-40 minute drive for her. The commute isn't bad traffic wise. I think from Hampton you could make it in an hour and fifteen minutes, because it only took me about 30 minutes to get to TNCC from my house. And I'm not a super fast driver, I rarely ever go more than ten mph over!

It'd really depend on how much you mind driving/can afford the gas. I think its doable especially if it means finishing up a lot quicker. Granted, the program includes two summer sessions so Friday's coming home from Richmond during the summer would probably be a miserable drive. The driving would also cut into your studying time, and it being an accelerated program you'll need all the studying time you can get. But you could always record your notes and play them during the drive! If you are really committed to it, don't have to work while going to school, and can afford the gas I think it is very possible to do.

I've heard a lot of good things about VCU and the quality of the accelerated program. Its also very affordable--about 20k for the whole program.

Okay... I was looking at their program and I noticed it is just a "BS" program, not a BSN. I'm trying to see if this will hold me back from nursing opportunities... Do you know anyone who has graduated from this program? Do they have normal nurse jobs - or is their pay/responsibilities lower?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

It's really a BSN -- it prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN, which would make you a nurse. The brochure says, "After earning a BS in nursing, graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN examination for RN licensure" -- http://www.nursing.vcu.edu/students/documents/AB_web022310_001.pdf

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Its the same, I don't know anyone that graduated from it, I do know one person in the program now and a few starting this May. The girl I know who is in it now, said she feels very well prepared. Also, my mom works at MCV which is part of the VCU Health System. She knows several RNs who have gone through the program. It's really a great program, I'm currently on the wait list for it and hoping I'll make it in this May.

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Never mind about VCU. The accelerated program is for people who already have a bachelor's... Thank you so much anyways!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I think most of the accelerated programs you'll find are second-degree programs -- that's why they can be accelerated, because the student has all the general ed stuff completed.

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