How to get started in nursing as fast as possible

RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 9, 2012

I've never heard of an online program to get a nursing degree because a majority of the program is clinical experience... BUT if you already have an RN license, then there are plenty of online programs to "upgrade" to a BSN...or MSN.. UT Arlington has a great RN to BSN program I hear :)

RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 9, 2012

Oh, and a lot of technical schools don't have waiting lists... Mind you they are quite costly...

khlts6 · Jun 9, 2012

Yeah I think I'm going to just do the program at the city college. Thank You!!!

cally527, RN · Jun 9, 2012

Ummmm, sorry to be a downer, but it is not possible to get a nursing degree asap. You need to take have all of your pre-req's and take an entrance exam before you can even apply to the program (usually... there are probably a few exceptions to the norm)

My suggestion would be for you to decide on a couple of schools in your area that you want to apply to and then start working on the pre-reqs for those schools. Don't just apply to the first school you find. Research the schools in your area. Check their NCLEX pass rates, make sure that they are accredited etc.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2012

you wouldn't want a nurse caring for your child that got a nursing "degree" (i use the word advisedly) "as fast as possible" in an online program. that's probably why the boards of nursing in the states don't accredit them for primary programs and don't allow their graduates to take the nclex licensure examination. :cool:

no shortcuts. there are longer and shorter paths, but none are made for instant gratification. nursing school is hard work.

if you really want to be a nurse, take the time to investigate what it really takes to be one. that means going to the local schools, getting their catalogs, speaking to their admissions counselors, and asking some of their students (as well as checking whether they are accredited and knowing what the different ones mean, and their nclex pass rates, as above). professionals do that.

good luck! let us know what you find out!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2012

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community.

We have an entire section devoted to this subject. my curiosity however is what's the hurry?

Online Nursing Schools, Colleges, and Universities

DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2012

You'll need to make enquiries locally. However, you can apply to any nursing school in the country. The fastest way is to take the full credit load per semester. We have accelerated BSN programs in WI -- UW Oshkosh, for example (very respectable). They have them in other states too.

Frankly, I wish I had done this faster. Had I realized I would sit on a waiting list for 3 years, take less than a full load of credits for two and come out with an ADN...nearly useless as a new grad for local hospitals....I would have done a 4 year BSN. I was poorly advised. So if you can walk into an ADN program now, do so. Otherwise look at BSN programs too.

Faster doesn't mean lesser.

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DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2012

http://www.nlnac.org/home.htm

Verify school accreditation here.

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Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2012

If you really want to get into "nursing" quickly, I would take a CNA class. My CNA certification took two weeks, and then I took the state exam to get my CNA license. This will allow you to get a feel for what nursing really is. At my school you could not get on the wait list of the nursing program without first taking the CNA class, and I think that is pretty much the norm. This will give you a good idea whether the time, money and commitment is something you really want to do.

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jun 16, 2012

Nope! Online and nursing do not = go. Unless, if you're already an RN. I agree with the others here.