How long does a nursing degree take?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Ok, so I'm an 18 year old guy and I am being forced to go to a community college because my step-dad filed my fasfa too late. I'm extremely embarrassed that I have to go to a community college, because I was planning to go to this four year university in like two weeks, but they told me at the last minute that my financial aid wasn't enough. I keep reading that to be a adn takes two years, I know a BSN takes four years, because that's exactly what I was going to do, I'm planning to transfer to get my bsn after I become an RN, but how long does it take at a community college? I keep reading two years, it that with or without prerequisites because I want to transfer after one year. Thanks.

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There is nothing wrong with a community college. If you still have your mind set on a different college just start taking the core classes and do your financial aid papers in the mean time. Then you can transfer over anytime it is approved.

The classes all count the same. You can take the classes for your AA in the first 2 years and complete all your prereqs. then transfer for your BSN and it will be take you the two years. You still can follow the same path as the 4 year college.

Either way you still have to take the prereq. classes.

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So, does that mean that if I go to community college my prereqs are one year and the nursing program is one year?

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@ Michael Grenade it depends. What college are you going to attend? At my community college they require on 3 per- req's to get in but if you take others it increases your chance of getting into the nursing program by rank. But the RN program is 2 years. And after you finish to get your bachelors is another year. I hope. This helps.

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Im attending a community college and it would usually take one year to two years to finish pre reqs and then two years in the nursing program to attain ADN...(and there is no reason to be embarrassed to going to a tech..i got a assoc. degree in graphic design and I was the only one compared to my friends that were going to a four yr college to actually get a job in what I went to school for (was even part owner) and I paid pennies to what they did)...good luck to you!

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Pre reqs and nursing program are 2 different things. Any school would require prereqs that do not count towards your nursing. Nursing is about 45 credit hours in addition to your prereq. courses. You wouldnt be starting nursing at either college until those had been completed.

In a BSN program, you would be taking 60 credit hours first before starting RN program. That includes basic classes like english 1 and 2 college alg. humanities, arts, science courses like ant. 1 &2 micro chemistry etc. Then you take 60 credits while in the program.

If you attend an AS program for RN ..you dont complete the 60 hours prior... it would be whatever the program requires such as english 1, all the sciences, coll. math, plus a few other courses before you start the RN program. For example, the cc here offers an AS RN with 27 credits prereq THEN you start the 45 credit hours RN only program.

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

it would be a year, then you start the nursing program which takes 2 years. however this may be longer if its a competitive school because spots arent always guaranteed.

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Hello! First of all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going to community college. Many young adults make a big deal over this issue and you will find that once you start school, it really won't matter as much as it seems to right now. Second, going to community college will not only save you a ton of $$, but you will get your RN licence and be able to practice much faster than your peers beginning a 4-year university. I actually think it gives you an advantage over the other students. You may very well earn your BSN in the same amount of time and have a couple of years experience at the same time. That is a huge advantage!

As for how long it takes, I am just starting the process myself (as a much older student). It really depends on how many units you want to take and how many pre-reqs your school requires. If you can handle taking 12 or more units per semester and can keep your grades high, then you may be able to finish all your pre-reqs in a year and then proceed to nursing school. Due to how competitive nursing programs can be, you really need to focus on doing the best you can in your classes, so sometimes taking it a little slower can be beneficial. It all depends on you and the pace you want to go. For me, I am a mom, so I can only handle a maximum of 10 units. My school is really picky about your GPA for the nursing program, so I can't afford to slip in my classes. I don't want to be skimmed over for the nursing program when the time comes. Keeping all these things in mind, you do what you think is best for you. If you can do it in 3 years, fantastic! If it takes 4 or more, it's still fantastic! Good luck :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Ok so I'm an 18 year old guy and I am being forced to go to a community college because my step-dad filed my fasfa too late. I'm extremely embarrassed that I have to go to a community college, because I was planning to go to this four year university in like two weeks, but they told me at the last minute that my financial aid wasn't enough. I keep reading that to be a adn takes two years, I know a BSN takes four years, because that's exactly what I was going to do, I'm planning to transfer to get my bsn after I become an RN, but how long does it take at a community college? I keep reading two years, it that with or without prerequisites because I want to transfer after one year. Thanks.[/quote']

First, I want to let you know that there is a HUGE advantage starting out at a community college. You save TONS of money for classes, so there is really nothing to be ashamed of.

Depending on the schools, your region, etc, a Nursing education takes four years-that's including pre requisites. Your first two years are general courses needed first before you enter your required courses.

For example, in my area, the community college Nursing Program had similar pre requisites to more than 5 of the schools in the area, plus or minus a few courses. It was still going to take me four years to get an Associates degree, instead of a Bachelors; I wanted the flexibility to do more, so when I decided to enter a program, it didn't make sense to my plans; so I went for the BSN...I had another journey, in addition to this revelation, but that's a whole 'nother thread. :)

What CCs are helpful in are if they have relationships with local universities, you can make sure you take the required pre-requisite courses for the program of choice, and transfer in, or if they have a program for you to do your Associates, then transfer into the program for your Bachelors, so you can most definitely take advantage of that.

There are many roads to Rome...you are still correct in choosing what is BEST for YOU...best wishes! :up:

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You could take just general education classes (English, maths, etc) the fall and spring at the community college,and then transfer the next fall to the four year college. Just make sure you do your fasfa early this time! Get a curriculum layout for the nursing degree at the four year college you want to attend and analyze it! Just make sure that the classes you take at the community college transfer:) I'm sure you can find all this online! Most schools post transfer credits and if not call the school! You'll be fine!

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three to five years to get Rn depending on how fast you get our prereqs done, how fast you actually get into the program, and if you have to repeat anything.,, its worth it even if you take five years.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
Ok so I'm an 18 year old guy and I am being forced to go to a community college because my step-dad filed my fasfa too late. I'm extremely embarrassed that I have to go to a community college, because I was planning to go to this four year university in like two weeks, but they told me at the last minute that my financial aid wasn't enough. I keep reading that to be a adn takes two years, I know a BSN takes four years, because that's exactly what I was going to do, I'm planning to transfer to get my bsn after I become an RN, but how long does it take at a community college? I keep reading two years, it that with or without prerequisites because I want to transfer after one year. Thanks.[/quote']

At some schools nursing school is not a given during freshman year. In my BSN I had all my prerequisites and then I applied to the nursing school. Some people enter college, declare nursing a their major and then don't get it. If you really want your BSN, then apply to their nursing program next year or after you have your prerequisites from community college.

Just a word of advice: don't treat an ADN degree or going to community college like a disease you don't want. Many good nurses come from both 4 year schools and community college programs. There's also diploma programs as well.

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