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I think it depends on how many pre-reqs you take, how much you consider PT and what program you pick for your ADN or BSN. I have a bachelors in a non healthcare field, so I had to take a lot of science. I took 2 years to do my pre-reqs while working FT (took 1 or 2 classes at a time). My BSN program is 5 semesters with one summer off (so 2 yrs total). So for me, 4 years total to get my BSN. But everyone's journey will be different!!
It depends on the route you take to attain your degree.
I have an ASN, but started out as an LVN. I completed a 12-month LVN program (Oct. '04 to Oct. '05), then worked as an LVN for 4 years ('06 to '10).
I started completing prerequisites for the ASN program in the fall of '06 while working full-time, enrolled in an LPN-to-RN bridge program in January '09, and graduated in March '10. So overall, the process took 5.5 years from start to finish, but I wasn't attending school the whole time.
It's relative to: a) how many prereq's are required to the particular programs you are interested in, and b) the length of the program you are accepted to.
As for me, I took the LPN route, but had a two year degree when I went for my BSN with most of the pre-req's completed; I found that my ASN and BSN programs in my area were the same length 4 years without pre req's; the difference was one semester for my BSN so I went for the BSN part time for two years straight and finished university required courses I needed for graduation. I preferred the BSN over the ASN; and my market area is currently preferring BSN nurses.
I had a previous B.A. when I started going to school again. I did not work while going to school. Got pre-reqs out of the way at community colleges, which took 18 months, but I could have done it faster by taking more classes at a time. Full-time in an ABSN program took 17 additional months.
ETA: One thing I did that was very helpful in determining what path and what classes to take, what school to attend: I made a spreadsheet with all the programs I was considering. I had all pre-reqs for each listed, application deadline dates and other app requirements, COSTS (!!!), wait list or no wait list, and how long it would take me to graduate, etc. I took pre-reqs that covered the classes needed for multiple schools so I wouldn't take the wrong classes, and I could provide myself more choices in the end. I was well worth the upfront work, but I'm Type A like that!
mee9mee9
393 Posts
i want to go to school part time for my prereqs and full time for my upper divison