How do I even get started???

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 5, 2009

You really have to figure out what you want to do...

Accelerated would never happen at a community college, the prereq's usually take an average of one in a half or two years and then you have to apply to the two year RN program.

Private schools tend to be the most accelerated, but you're also looking at a big price tag. The cheapest RN program I know of that takes two years is 45K...

LVN's have some limitations, many plastic surgeons/bariatric facilities are going to want an RN because they do IVs/IV meds.

Once you figure out for sure what you want. Go from there.

Good Luck!

caliotter3 · Feb 5, 2009

I would visit your local community college first. Find out if they have an LVN program as well as an RN program. Go to the website and check out the nursing school webpage. See what the prerequisites are for each program and start taking the courses. You will be paying the least amount of money if you start at your community college. Don't go through one of the private or proprietary schools unless you want to save time and can afford the cost. As you progress through the prerequisites, try to get the best grades possible in order to be competitive when the time comes to apply. You will have to take assessment tests for English and math placement, so do those first and get your English and math requirements out of the way early. You will be glad you did. Then you can tackle chemistry and biology (if required), before you take anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. You know how much time and energy you have for studying and whether you need to work while in school so that will determine how many courses you take each term, taking into consideration that you don't want to overload yourself and make poor grades. Taking community college courses will insure that your courses will be accepted at schools where you would pursue higher education, BSN or MSN. If you pay the big bucks to go to a proprietary school, you will find that those credits normally will transfer nowhere. So that is another consideration. Well, good luck getting started.

newbee57 · Feb 5, 2009

You really have to figure out what you want to do...
Accelerated would never happen at a community college, the prereq's usually take an average of one in a half or two years and then you have to apply to the two year RN program.
Private schools tend to be the most accelerated, but you're also looking at a big price tag. The cheapest RN program I know of that takes two years is 45K...
LVN's have some limitations, many plastic surgeons/bariatric facilities are going to want an RN because they do IVs/IV meds.
Once you figure out for sure what you want. Go from there.
Good Luck!

Hi Nickilaughs,

Would you tell me the name of the nursing school you mention here. So far I haven't come across a RN program so cheap.

Thanks in advance.

js408 · Feb 9, 2009

Hi Nickilaughs,
Would you tell me the name of the nursing school you mention here. So far I haven't come across a RN program so cheap.
Thanks in advance.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/programs.shtml

newbee57 · Feb 9, 2009

Thanks....I don't realy understand why you sent my the link without any message. I did look on the bon previously and I think nickilaughs is talking about Everest in Ontario. Its been posted in other threads. Just wondering if there something new..... :idea:

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Feb 9, 2009

It was everest college. I went to the info session with my husband. I know for the accelerated lvn to RN program I went to, I spent 36k, but that didn't even include pre req's...just 9 months of nursing. So I view everest as a good deal.

West coast university I wouldn't reccommend, they're just far too expensive, and when I was getting set up to go to their program they kept messing EVERYTHING up.

newbee57 · Feb 10, 2009

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. Yes i know about West Coast. I was ready to go Feb 2, but backed out a few weeks before. I couldn't see paying that much back. I'm too old, I don't want to pay student loans the rest of my life. I'm going to the info session tomorrow. It's only 24 months and (hopefully) around 42,000.( I thought that was something I read.) I know they only take new students for the nursing program twice a year. Next class starts in July. Hopefully I can get in touch with someone currently in the program......If you are out there please contact me. I'd love to hear your opinions about Everest.......

Thanks so much. :yeah: