How long does it take to get an Associates Degree in Nursing?

Published

I already have a bachelors degree, however I have not taken any nursing related pre-req classes. So I am thinking of going back, taking the TEAS, and going to a technical school for my ADN.

Are some technical/vocational schools better than others? Or does it not matter as far as job placement as long as you pass?

Hi Ted!

If you already have a bachelor's degree, most people do an accelerated BSN. That is the route I took because it takes less time than getting an ADN. I did the nursing prereqs at a community college and then did a 16 month accelerated BSN program. There are not waiting lists everywhere...it really depends on what area you live in. If you can, go out to each college/university around you and ask to speak to a nursing advisor. They should be able to guide you a little bit. What I can tell you is that the ADN programs around me told me that it would take an extra year to do an ADN, so an accelerated BSN would be the way to go. Good luck!

So it's 16 months for an Accelerated BSN vs. 2 years for the ADN? How long did it take you from the time you started all the prereqs to starting the accelerated BSN? Also, did your program look at the GPA of your previous degree?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

depending on where you live--since you already have a Bachelor degree--you might consider a 1 year LPN tech school to get into the field while you complete the other things for the RN. Gets you the 'experience' you will need and will be a jump up on the others that are taking the Associate RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Peds, Informatics.

It took me 3 semesters of prerequisites at the community college. I then went right into the Accelerated BSN. All together from the time I started my prereqs to the time I graduated, it was 7 semesters and I did them without interruption or having to wait, but I think this is the exception as it seems like a lot of people have to wait. They did not look at my GPA from my previous degree. They looked at the prerequisites for the program (some of which I had already taken when I did my BA). These included A&P 1, A&P 2, Chem I, Chem II, Microbiology, Statistics, Gen Psychology, Sociology, Human Growth and Development, and a math class (in my case this was Calculus). They only looked at the highest grades in the 7 of these classes...which was good for me because I had a C in Chemistry. They then took into account the TEAS test and the interview. However, this is only 1 university and all universities have their own admissions "game". If I had gone the ADN route, it would have taken me 4-5 semesters of prerequisites and then another 2 years for the ADN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
depending on where you live--since you already have a Bachelor degree--you might consider a 1 year LPN tech school to get into the field while you complete the other things for the RN. Gets you the 'experience' you will need and will be a jump up on the others that are taking the Associate RN

I have a bachelors degree, but it's not in a science. Would I really be able to do the LPN tech school and the pre-reqs at the same time? Would the experience be that worthwhile when it came to applying as an RN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It took me 3 semesters of prerequisites at the community college. I then went right into the accelerated BSN. All together from the time I started my prereqs to the time I graduated, it was 7 semesters and I did them without interruption or having to wait, but I think this is the exception as it seems like a lot of people have to wait. They did not look at my GPA from my previous degree. They looked at the prerequisites for the program (some of which I had already taken when I did my BA). These included A&P 1, A&P 2, Chem I, Chem II, Microbiology, Statistics, Gen Psychology, Sociology, Human Growth and Development, and a math class (in my case this was Calculus). They only looked at the highest grades in the 7 of these classes...which was good for me because I had a C in Chemistry. They then took into account the TEAS test and the interview. However, this is only 1 university and all universities have their own admissions "game". If I had gone the ADN route, it would have taken me 4-5 semesters of prerequisites and then another 2 years for the ADN.

By Chem 1 and Chem 2, I'm assuming you mean 2 semesters total? No Organic is necessary right?

When did you apply for the BSN program? After 2 semester or something at the CC?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want info about pre-reqs and such, you really need to look at the schools you are considering attending. Due to my near constant moving, I've looked at 5 different ADN programs. Every single program required A&P 1 and 2, and Micro, but there were NO other similiarities. Some wanted Psych, some wanted Chem, some wanted Bio, one wanted Math, one wanted Sociology....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
2.5 GPA in the pre-reqs? Do you mind me asking which program?

This was a technical college in Wisconsin. ADN-RN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you want info about pre-reqs and such, you really need to look at the schools you are considering attending. Due to my near constant moving, I've looked at 5 different ADN programs. Every single program required A&P 1 and 2, and Micro, but there were NO other similiarities. Some wanted Psych, some wanted Chem, some wanted Bio, one wanted Math, one wanted Sociology....

Do you have a link to the program that didn't require Chem? :D

haha I'm serious:mad:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Peds, Informatics.

Yes, it was Chem I and II. No organic chemistry was necessary. I have a non-science degree and it was difficult, but do-able. I applied to the program after 2 semesters at the cc. Again, each school has its own requirements and its own admissions game.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do you have a link to the program that didn't require Chem? :D

haha I'm serious:mad:

Only one school I attended required Chem, and it was a basic intro to Chem class for non-majors that was a pre-req for Micro.

I can't really say whether an Accelerated BSN or an ADN would be better for you, having had no experience with BSNs, but these are all community colleges that I've been looking at. They're scattered throughout Texas. Search the major cities and you'll find most of the ones I've looked at :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Registered Nurses forum. Good luck to you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

It took me 3 years to get my AS. I already had a BA, so I didn't need to take as many pre-requisites, but I still had to take Biology, Anatomy 1 and 2, Sociology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Human Growth and Development, and Drug Calculations. I was working full-time, so I took 2 classes a term, including summer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion