How long to obtain ADN?

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Sep 5, 2004

I already hold a bachelor of science degree in education. Would it be possible for me to complete an ADN in LESS than 24 months? Or would it still take that long because I would have to take all the clinicals? (I know I will have to check with my school to be sure) Thanks!

It will depend on what prerequisites you have already taken vs. what you will still need to take. I would not count on less than 24 months, as most ADN programs contain 2 years of clinicals with the expectation that prerequisites have already been completed (very few ADN programs are only 2 years)

HillaryC, RN, CRNA · Sep 6, 2004

Hi,

I can only tell you about my ADN programs, which was four semesters. Many of us had Bachelor's in other areas, which meant we may have had many of the general ed courses done, but we still had to do four semesters of nursing classes (including clinicals). There was no way around it. For what it's worth, my four semesters ended up being 20 months (Sept 02 to May 04, with one summer off -- no nursing classes offered). I'm sure some schools offer nursing classes during the summer -- I know my school is working towards that. The way my program was designed, you had to go through semester 1's nursing classes before you could take semester 2's, and so on. There was no way to speed it up. Even if that meant you only had 8 or 9 credits of nursing courses per semester, there was nothing you could do about it. I ended up taking extra gen ed classes that are prereqs for RN-BSN programs, but weren't required for my ADN. Other people with busier lives worked or had families. I got the impression that most were busy enough with just the 8-9 credits.

I'm just curious -- why did you decide to go the ADN route, rather than a 2nd degree BSN program? For me, it was (1) much less expensive, and (2) something I could start right away, rather than do a year more of part-time prereqs (A&P, micro) before I could apply. I figure I can let my employer pay for my RN-BSN classes :)

Take care,

Hillary

nursepearl · Sep 6, 2004

haha...it took me 6 years for me to get my ADN...but I think if i was more focused it would have taken four years. Althought I had to do all the pre-reqs before i even applied.

Anyway, good luck!

emsboss · Sep 6, 2004

haha...it took me 6 years for me to get my ADN...but I think if i was more focused it would have taken four years. Althought I had to do all the pre-reqs before i even applied.
Anyway, good luck!
hehehe...Got ya beat, pearl...I started the prereqs in Jan 1997...I will (LORD WILLING!) graduate in Dec 2004:rolleyes: . Would have been in May 2004, except I had a little trouble with my mouth in Peds...and had to repeat:imbar

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2004

My ADN took 4 years only because i started slowly to relearn how to learn. I didnt hold another degree other than the LPN license. I'm sure though that the program i went through would be 2 years(4 semesters), The way it was structured you had certain areas over certain semesters (learn norms first then abnorms) then OB etc. They had a bridge program for LPN's in the summer so there werent any nursing courses to take over summers.

rnmi2004 · Sep 6, 2004

I'm in my last year of my ADN program--by the time I graduate in a few months, I will have completed 8 semesters. It took me this long because of prerequisites & gen ed requirements. I think every college has slightly different requirements, so your best bet is to make an appointment with a counselor to see what is needed at your college.