Okay my main objective is that I don't want to spend years and years at my community college. I want to branch out and finally be independent. I want to be an RN and then pursue my BSN. I'm trying to obtain an associates degree and I'm halfway done with my nurse pre-reqs. My question is after I pass the teas test and if I do get into the nursng program how long will that take till I can be eligible for the RN licensure?
Or is it possible for me to pass the Teas test in my community college and then transfer to a university to get into their nursing program and pass their licensure as an undergraduate? Can a university recognize my teas test scores from my community college?
I do take in mind that a community college would be way cheaper and possibly easier to get into the nursing program as opposed to UCF catering thousands of students with a waiting list, I just don't want to spend forever:\ in a community college if that makes sense. Can this all be done in 3 years at the max? How long is a nursing program exactly before you're eligible for the RN license? Should I do community then pursue my BSN at a university? I'm sorry about all these questions I have a lot on mind that needs to be guided and answered,lol. Thank you And any suggestions as to whats the best route I should do would be greatly appreciated.:thankya:
P.S. I'm new here so forgive me for the multiple posts, it's gonna take a lot of getting used to for me,lol
Hey Leo, the thing is, is that Orlando is expensive and I wanted to become an RN first so I can build up experience and some cash too,lol. If I pass my TEAS test and t transfers to a University, I'm wondering if I have to take some of the pre req courses over there again, since the course numbers dont exactly match up. They match up to Tampa's but I've been there, done that, don't wanna do it again. The nursing career is getting highly competitive so a bachelors would be an advancement. I think the best and easier route for me would be to get my RN at the community college because of the numerous people there and the waiting lists:rolleyes: I don't want to regret that I didn't do it at community college and be stuck in financial problems, You know what I mean? I guess I can try to speak to an advisor to clear my mind, I'm young and all jumbled up as you can see,lol. II'm seeing advice to go All in One, I'm just scared to go in like that, but I can see the point.
That is a good idea, go talk to an advisor :) A lot of course numbers and descriptions between college A and college B wont add up but can still be transferred. Try to get as many materials as possible. I went through this whole thing when I was first starting the process, its burdensome but it must be done. Every school has different requirements and wants different stuff, but if you get as many materials and catalogs etc from all of the schools you would even consider attending, you can use them to write out a few scenarios and decide from there.
Be sure to talk to a financial aid officer at each school too. Again, you might be surprised what kinds of scholarships and grants you qualify for. Its also good to try to set a ceiling for how much you are willing to take out vs. how long you want to spend paying the loans back.
Thanks Leo, and I don't want to get in over my head, the school that can transfer to that really adds up all my material from my community college would be USF, I guess I might need to put my differences aside and in the long run I can move to Orlando, when my career is established. I have to think of my career choices, and not mind if I don't like my surroundings would this be a better choice?
For my school, in order to take the teas test you need a considerable amount of your pre-reqs completed to be eligible and also to get a decent score. Those that rush the program process usually don't do well or don't have the true desire to be a nurse- they just want employment. The ADN took 4 years for me (2 years of pre and 2 years of nursing school). The bachelors will now be done online while working as a nurse. Do your research because you really can mess the process up by overlooking minor pre-reqs when it comes time for graduation and getting that nursing license. Its quite a process but worth it.
I am pretty sure you need to take the entrance exam for your desired college, they each use their own to some extent and they have time limits, i.e., after 3 years it expires and you retake.
I'm a community college student applying to nursing programs this year, so I've definitely been in your shoes. First, about that 3-year-max timeline! You say in your first paragraph that you want to be an RN and then pursue your BSN - I should tell you right off the bat that this is probably the longest route to take if your ultimate goal is a Bachelor's. ADN programs are typically two years long (at which point you would sit for your RN licensing exam), and then RN-to-BSN programs (culminating in a BSN from a four-year university) are usually another two - that's four years total, not counting time spent in community college finishing prerequisites.
Both ADN and BSN programs typically run about two years (depending on the school, of course); once you graduate from either you will be eligible to sit for your state's RN licensing exam. If a BSN is really what you're set on, the most direct path would be to finish both your general education requirements and specific nursing prerequisites at a community college and then apply to BSN programs as a transfer student. I'm sure you know how competitive admissions have become, so if this is the path you want to take I would advise meeting with a counselor ASAP (does your school have a designated nursing counselor?) to make sure you're on the right track and start racking up some healthcare volunteer/work experience if you haven't already. Most of your GE classes should transfer no problem from community college to a four-year, but you really need to seek out the articulation agreement for the specific BSN program you're interested in to make sure you have the right nursing prereqs - again, meet with a counselor, if you're not good at researching this stuff on your own they can definitely steer you in the right direction.
Oh, and the TEAS test is increasingly becoming the standard entrance exam for both ADN and BSN programs so sharing scores between schools is no problem, and it doesn't really matter where/through which school you take the test. The only catch is that a lot of schools won't take scores that are more than a year old, or have weird rules about re-taking the test for a higher score within the same year.
if you take a year doing your prerequisites and two years in the nursing program for the asn/adn, and graduate, then you have spent three years in school before you can sit for your licensing exam. you will then take something like 1.5-2 years to finish coursework for the bsn. total, fourish-fiveish years, and that's assuming you can tolerate working as a new nurse and taking even more education during your first year of it. good luck with that.
if you go to a bsn program from the get-go, you will do two years of prereqs and two years of nursing, adding up to four years and you walk out the door with the bsn, and take your licensure exam. long term: maybe a little longer in the short run, definitely a lot easier in the long run.
teas has nothing to do with licensure.
as to what schools will accept what courses in transfer or as prereqs or all those other questions, and i mean all of them, you need to go to the schools directly. we don't know anything about your actual choices where you are, since we are not (i don't think) on the faculty or admissions at any of them. good luck in whatever you decide..
Thank You everyone, my mind has cleared up and I've decided that if I pass the TEAS test in my community college but don't get into the ADN program, well I'm not going to wait around. I'll just transfer to the college of my choice, and bring the TEAS test with me, since it'll expire in 2 years. I am considering just transferring to the BSN program but I also want to build up experience as an RN first. You know, just gather up some skills, have a whole new perspective, and working as one as I try to get my bsn as well. I know it'll take about 4 years in a university, but I know it'll be worth it. Thank You all:thankya:
Everything in life takes time. Believe me if your ultimate goal is to become an RN, don't rush it. Don't think it will happen over night. Even if takes you 2 years, so what, you'll, hopefully, be getting all the learning experience you need to become a competent nurse.
Your questions are very specific and/or detailed. Does not your school have a website with nursing page? Usually tons of information can be found there, if not, go in and speak with an advisor. Curriculum changes each year, they may require you to take a few more classes prior to nursing courses.
Cruz.Cookie, BSN, RN
119 Posts
Hey Leo, the thing is, is that Orlando is expensive and I wanted to become an RN first so I can build up experience and some cash too,lol. If I pass my TEAS test and t transfers to a University, I'm wondering if I have to take some of the pre req courses over there again, since the course numbers dont exactly match up. They match up to Tampa's but I've been there, done that, don't wanna do it again. The nursing career is getting highly competitive so a bachelors would be an advancement. I think the best and easier route for me would be to get my RN at the community college because of the numerous people there and the waiting lists:rolleyes: I don't want to regret that I didn't do it at community college and be stuck in financial problems, You know what I mean? I guess I can try to speak to an advisor to clear my mind, I'm young and all jumbled up as you can see,lol. II'm seeing advice to go All in One, I'm just scared to go in like that, but I can see the point.