Help with my options

Hi everyone. I recently decided after 2 years at Rutgers University that i wanted to go for Nursing. Unfortunately i just found out some bad news that will delay me from starting the program. I spoke with a Nursing Recruiter today and found out i missed the college-to-college transfer so that i couldn't start until the following fall. I asked what courses i could take in the mean time and they said. Anatomy Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry of Life (Organic Biochemistry), Statistics, and English Writing course II. So this is about 18 credits..and keep in mind some of these science courses are already filled up and would be difficult to get into and not to mention that i already have 56 credits. I have made an appointment with the dean to see if they could make an exception although i'll have to wait and see.

So i was trying to rethink my options. I could go to another University such as Columbia University or University of Washington, but i would have to wait most likely until Spring to get admitted. But then theres the problem that if i start taking these courses will they transfer or will i end up taking them all over again. Also i have to research how they accept students for their nursing school.

Then i thought about the idea about going to my county college and getting an LPN..the courseload seems like it would almost be starting from scartch although. But it seems like if i get my LPN then i could go to BSN in 1 year if i'm a full time student. But i need some suggestions about how this works.

Has anyone been in my shoes or know what is a good idea?

[spencesa76]

Hi,

Unfortunately with any route or college you choose you will have to take all the prerequisites that the recruiter mentioned, A+P, Micro, Chemistry, etc. This is pretty standard fare for any college program that leads to either an LPN or an RN.

Do you live in NJ? If you are interested in getting the RN license (ADN program) Raritan Valley Community College (www.raritanval.edu) has a really good program and it is just a 30 min drive from Rutgers and its pretty cheap.

[Jawa]

Hi,

Unfortunately with any route or college you choose you will have to take all the prerequisites that the recruiter mentioned, A+P, Micro, Chemistry, etc. This is pretty standard fare for any college program that leads to either an LPN or an RN.

Do you live in NJ? If you are interested in getting the RN license (ADN program) Raritan Valley Community College (www.raritanval.edu) has a really good program and it is just a 30 min drive from Rutgers and its pretty cheap.

Well i am closer to Community Coelleg of Morris actually and what is the difference between ADN and LPN.. i dont understand all these different degrees.

[spencesa76]

Well, this is how I understand things.

You can get your registered nurse, or RN, licensure through two types of four year programs at colleges. In some programs you get an associates degree in nursing (ADN) and in others you get you Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Either one gets you to the RN license, but the main difference in choosing one over the other comes from whether you want to pursue further graduate degrees in nursing or get into management. There have been big discussions about this on the forums, do a search. Some hospitals also have programs that lead to RN licensure. I don't know much about that since that is not the route I chose to follow.

Then you have the LPN license, licensed practical nurse it think is what it stands for. This is a different license that is more limited in what you can actually do for patients in practice. I think this usually takes about 2 years to complete and I believe you will not find these programs at 4-year colleges or universities. They are mainly offered at community colleges as a two year program.

Hopefully some others will contribute. I already had a college degree and am starting the Accelerated BSN program at UMNDJ in Newark in the fall. So my situation and options were quite different from yours.

[dettwiller5]

Hi- I am getting an ADN through a local hospital. I took my prerequisites at a community college. The particular hospital that I will be going to will pay my way through their nursing program if I work for them for two years. When I receive my ADN I will then take the exam to get an RN liscence. I am planning to get my BSN through a bridge program that they have with VCU. They come to the hospital one weekend a month for about a year and a half. Like the previous poster said, you will be an RN with either an ADN or a BSN. LPNs make less money and the job description may be a little different. Lots of people go the LPN route first, though. Good luck with your decision!

[mel82]

Hello,

I just wanted to tell you that I'm from NJ (near County College of Morris). You can not get in to their nursing program without having all the pre-req's done. They have a very long competitive waiting list. I am 5 weeks from graduating as an LPN. I went this route because of how hard it is to get into nursing school around here. All schools will require those courses at some point, you might as well stay were you are.

Melanie, GPN in 29 days!

[Steffani]

I don't think they are going to make an exception - you need to take those courses because they are kind of like a warm up to nursing school and are your foundation. It took me 2 years to complete my undergraduate coursework and then I applied and was accepted into a BSN program at my university. I think it would take you less than a year to complete the prereqs you have left, if it is only 18 credit hours then do it one semester. But if you need to take Both Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 then you'll have to spread it out probably.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

Well i am closer to Community Coelleg of Morris actually and what is the difference between ADN and LPN.. i dont understand all these different degrees.

RN's do more higher level assessments, procedures, and delegating. LPN usually works under the guidance of an RN. I believe that there are some medicines and routes that RNs are allowed to do that LPN's cant.

LPN programs vary in length but seem to be about a year long. In my area, the school that offers it is for a 10 month period, fulltime, 5 days a week.

RN's can be either Associate Degree (2 years) or Bachelor's Degree (4 years) you might consider looking into a bachelors degree program since you have so many credits already--maybe some will transfer.

For the LPN program around here, you need to take Eng 101 and Psych 101 at the community college, everything else is incorporated into the LPN's school. FOr the ADN program, here you need high school chem, Micro, Anatomy, Physiology, Developmental Psych, and then engl 101, psych 101, and sociology 101. They don't have to be completed first but its suggested. Most people get them done while waiting to be accepted.

Whether graduating from a two year or four year school, all RN's take the same licensing exam NCLEX-RN. To become and LPN you take the NCLEX-PN.

[GrnHonu99, RN]

I don't think they are going to make an exception - you need to take those courses because they are kind of like a warm up to nursing school and are your foundation. It took me 2 years to complete my undergraduate coursework and then I applied and was accepted into a BSN program at my university. I think it would take you less than a year to complete the prereqs you have left, if it is only 18 credit hours then do it one semester. But if you need to take Both Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2 then you'll have to spread it out probably.

I agree! Those courses are you foundation, your building blocks...you wont understand patho or pharm or anything really unless you take AP and Micro atleast...you need all the other courses as well and as soon as you start your actual nursing school it will all come together for you and you wil understand...i would say go and visit every college in your area and ask a counselor to map out what you would need, how long it will take you, etc. its time consuming but essential for finding the right program for you, start online...there are sooo many ways to become a nurse!

LPN-as I understand them, does most everything that an RN can do, there are some things that they can't do and I couldn't even really tell you what they are, they have to do with passing certain kinds of meds I think...also, im pretty sure but I think an LPN program is about 2 years and so is an ADN. I didnt go that route so im not positive, but thats the way ive come to understand it.

Also remember toask about waitlists..some ADN programs, like the one here in my city, will tell you that you are admitted to the program only to find out that you can take all your prereqs but then there is a waitlist to get into cliniclas...18 months before you can even start! Just be aware of those situations. There are also diploma programs that are offered through hospitals, maybe you can call around to the local hospitals and find out if any of them have programs.

[Jawa]

Seems like my best course of action would be to go for the two year associates degree and to get my RN and then go back to a university and do the RN to BSN program. It usually takes one year in most schools am i correct? I'm trying to find out but i will have to wait until the holiday weekend is over.

Unfortunately i won't be able to continue at Rutgers it seems because i tried to plan out the courses i will need and it doesn't look like it will work due to class scheduling and pre-req's. Such as i will able to take A&PI, Microbio, Eng comp II, Stats in one semester, and then A&P II, Organic Bio Chem, Nutrion & Health 2nd semester, but still thats not enough credits for full time and i won't be able to add anymore credits because due to the fact they have course only offered in the spring or fall. So even if i took an elective the next semester i would run into a problem because i would only be taking 1 or 2 classes for nursing because i cant take anymore until i do the pre-req's.. so it would take probably 4 years to complete a BSN this way..just seems ridiculous. So if i could get my AAS(they call the 2yr RN program at my county college) and then go to do the BSN in 1 year seems to make more sense.

What do you think?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Seems like my best course of action would be to go for the two year associates degree and to get my RN and then go back to a university and do the RN to BSN program. It usually takes one year in most schools am i correct? I'm trying to find out but i will have to wait until the holiday weekend is over.

Unfortunately i won't be able to continue at Rutgers it seems because i tried to plan out the courses i will need and it doesn't look like it will work due to class scheduling and pre-req's. Such as i will able to take A&PI, Microbio, Eng comp II, Stats in one semester, and then A&P II, Organic Bio Chem, Nutrion & Health 2nd semester, but still thats not enough credits for full time and i won't be able to add anymore credits because due to the fact they have course only offered in the spring or fall. So even if i took an elective the next semester i would run into a problem because i would only be taking 1 or 2 classes for nursing because i cant take anymore until i do the pre-req's.. so it would take probably 4 years to complete a BSN this way..just seems ridiculous. So if i could get my AAS(they call the 2yr RN program at my county college) and then go to do the BSN in 1 year seems to make more sense.

What do you think?

Just be aware that A&PI & II, micro, nutrition, etc. are typically pre-requisites for admission to associate degree programs. For some programs these courses must be completed before you even apply - you'll want to check with the AAS program you're considering. If you can take these courses over the next two semesters you could possibly be considered for fall '06 admission.

I may not be understanding your explanation of the Rutgers courses correctly, but it seems like you would have enough credits in the first semester to maintain full-time student status (this is defined as 12 or more credits, correct?) with A&PI, micro, Eng. Comp II & stats (I'm guessing these total 14 cr.) but would need to add an elective in the 2nd semester. Is this an option - to stay at Rutgers and complete your BSN there? Or, as another poster suggested, are there diploma RN programs in your area?

For the RN-BSN programs (I jokingly refer to it as "Phase II" :chuckle ) it may be possible to complete it in 18 months, but the courseload may be unmanageable while working full-time. I know a number of RNs who are in BSN programs, and 24-30 months seems more typical for completion.

Good luck to you. :)

[Jawa]

Well after the first 2 semester i could but then the following fall i would have a few pre-reqs to finish until i could take some more. One of which is only offered in the fall and a few offered only in the spring. So it would be pretty much wasting my time.

Woulnd't it be possible if i got my AAS for RN to just go directly to do my BSN and just do school full time instead of working?