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]
I had the same problem when I moved to VB...my husband is military and I wanted to finish RN school before he would be getting new orders (luckily we ended up getting orders in the area, so here we still are). NSU has an accelerated 2nd-degree program, which is what worked for me.
Other options are Hampton Univ, which I think has an accelerated 3-yr program.
NSU also offers a 2-yr ADN.
Double check with TCC, because last I checked, their classes started in cohorts...which means that if you're accepted in the 2010 class, you could start either in Aug 2010, Oct 2010, Jan 2011, or Mar 2011. Not sure if they still do it that way, but it would probably affect your decision if they do.
MCI also offers a 15-mos ADN program, but you're going to pay a lot more to go there (and check their accreditation, too...not sure what they've got).
And my last idea is Sentara school of Health Professions just started offering a BSN (used to be only a diploma program). The first class starts this fall, but for the life of me I can't find on their website how long their nursing program lasts. Maybe worth checking out, though.
Hope you can find something that will work for you!
VCU has an excellent program. Their Accelerated BSN program is 19 months in duration (May to the following December). I believe that all of their clinicals are in the Richmond metro area.
I had the same problem when I moved to VB...my husband is military and I wanted to finish RN school before he would be getting new orders (luckily we ended up getting orders in the area, so here we still are). NSU has an accelerated 2nd-degree program, which is what worked for me.
Other options are Hampton Univ, which I think has an accelerated 3-yr program.
NSU also offers a 2-yr ADN.
Double check with TCC, because last I checked, their classes started in cohorts...which means that if you're accepted in the 2010 class, you could start either in Aug 2010, Oct 2010, Jan 2011, or Mar 2011. Not sure if they still do it that way, but it would probably affect your decision if they do.
MCI also offers a 15-mos ADN program, but you're going to pay a lot more to go there (and check their accreditation, too...not sure what they've got).
And my last idea is Sentara school of Health Professions just started offering a BSN (used to be only a diploma program). The first class starts this fall, but for the life of me I can't find on their website how long their nursing program lasts. Maybe worth checking out, though.
Hope you can find something that will work for you!
Thanks! I did look into TCC's cohort groups. The earliest I would be able to apply is Sept. 2010. Then I would be randomly placed into a cohort group in Aug. 2011, Oct. 2011, Jan 2012, or Mar 2012. It says in the packet they have 5 semesters (that are 8 weeks long?) So lets say I got lucky and was in the Aug. 2011 group. When would I be done? Summer of 2012? Because this might work! It just depends on the time-line of the nursing classes and which cohort group I get placed in...
When they say 5 semesters, I am pretty sure they are referring to a full semester. Which would be two 8-week sessions for 1 semester. So if you started Aug 2011, I think graduation would be Summer 2013. Personally, I'm not a big fan for the cohort method of starting, especially since they do random placement. It's too hard to plan your life not knowing when you'll be starting/finishing...it's potentially a year difference! But I guess they have their reasons for it. On the upside, if anyone fails a class I don't think they have to wait as long to repeat it because the cohort behind them will be taking that class next.
When they say 5 semesters, I am pretty sure they are referring to a full semester. Which would be two 8-week sessions for 1 semester. So if you started Aug 2011, I think graduation would be Summer 2013. Personally, I'm not a big fan for the cohort method of starting, especially since they do random placement. It's too hard to plan your life not knowing when you'll be starting/finishing...it's potentially a year difference! But I guess they have their reasons for it. On the upside, if anyone fails a class I don't think they have to wait as long to repeat it because the cohort behind them will be taking that class next.
I will have to talk to someone at TCC because what they have in their nursing packet is really confusing. Plus for the 5th semester, I see the last class going from May to October. Which is weird to have the program end in October. I don't get their 5 semester layout anyway because 3 of the cllasses in the first semester will be done already, leaving 2 nursing classes, then 2, then 1 - because I plan to have all my pre-req's and gen. eds done before I begin... Which isn't a lot.
Yeah, that is another thing I didn't care for. If you have all the pre-reqs and electives done, then you basically only have the nursing courses left to finish once you're accepted. So you're basically part-time (not sure if it's literally part-time by credits, but you know what I mean).
I know their info packet can be confusing. When I was working on my pre-reqs, before I started nursing school, I worked part-time at the TCC Info center. Since I was planning on nursing school, I was our 'resident expert' on the nursing program. So basically, whenever my coworkers got a caller asking about the nursing program, they always transferred the call to me!! But it has been a few years since I worked there, so now I'm a little fuzzy on the details...plus they have probably changed a few things since then. The best thing is probably to try and understand the packet as best you can, then attend one of their monthly info sessions.
Yeah, that is another thing I didn't care for. If you have all the pre-reqs and electives done, then you basically only have the nursing courses left to finish once you're accepted. So you're basically part-time (not sure if it's literally part-time by credits, but you know what I mean).
I know their info packet can be confusing. When I was working on my pre-reqs, before I started nursing school, I worked part-time at the TCC Info center. Since I was planning on nursing school, I was our 'resident expert' on the nursing program. So basically, whenever my coworkers got a caller asking about the nursing program, they always transferred the call to me!! But it has been a few years since I worked there, so now I'm a little fuzzy on the details...plus they have probably changed a few things since then. The best thing is probably to try and understand the packet as best you can, then attend one of their monthly info sessions.
Looks like it says that it's the 3rd Wed of each month (except May and December), at the Portsmouth campus from 3-5pm.
Thanks RNTutor! The sad thing is I've already been to the meeting and the lady there was NOT helpful at all. She didn't even mention anything about cohort groups! She literally seemed like she was just trying to get everyone to run the other direction.
NVCC (Northern Virginia Community College) is worth checking out. It's hard, it's 1 of the top programs in the nation, it's less expensive, it's worth it. I did the pilot 15 mth. program, a Fall to Fall without break program. If it's speed you're looking for - check it out. They moved it back to the MEC campus in Springfield. They also offer (as far as I know) the online program, & the Momentum 2 + 1 program that allows you to obtain your BSN in 3 years jointly with George Mason University. It's worth a look. Here's a link, look under "Allied Health & Nursing Programs": NOVA | 2009-2010 College Catalog
If you're interested, let me know & I can give you a couple names of some good people to talk to over there who will help you out. Good luck! :)
You could also look at Riverside. As long as you have all the pre-reqs you could probably get in the day class starting in September and graduate 2 years later which should meet your deadline. Give em a call and see what they can offer you.
RNTutor, BSN, RN
303 Posts
I had the same problem when I moved to VB...my husband is military and I wanted to finish RN school before he would be getting new orders (luckily we ended up getting orders in the area, so here we still are). NSU has an accelerated 2nd-degree program, which is what worked for me.
Other options are Hampton Univ, which I think has an accelerated 3-yr program.
NSU also offers a 2-yr ADN.
Double check with TCC, because last I checked, their classes started in cohorts...which means that if you're accepted in the 2010 class, you could start either in Aug 2010, Oct 2010, Jan 2011, or Mar 2011. Not sure if they still do it that way, but it would probably affect your decision if they do.
MCI also offers a 15-mos ADN program, but you're going to pay a lot more to go there (and check their accreditation, too...not sure what they've got).
And my last idea is Sentara school of Health Professions just started offering a BSN (used to be only a diploma program). The first class starts this fall, but for the life of me I can't find on their website how long their nursing program lasts. Maybe worth checking out, though.
Hope you can find something that will work for you!