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Discussion

I feel silly

I feel silly admitting this but can someone tell me what to do? I have a desire from the pit of my heart to be a RN. I went to a local college and asked for an admission packet and wanted to ask a few questions. Well, wouldn't you know that right person wasn't in. Basically, here's what I want to know-- I have my HS diploma & that's it. When I looked at the admission packet for this local college I got the impression that I could earn my degree in 2 years- 6 classes (19 credits) per semster. Do I do this then have a degree--- or do I have to then be accepted in program. I'm so lost. I am going to an informational session on Feb 15. I just can't wait until then & don't want to look entirely stupid. Thanks in advance.

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It really depends. Most colleges will require a lot of pre-reqs before you can even apply to their nursing program. You will prob. need algebra, chemistry and some english courses besides some others. I'm sure someone else on here can give you more info. This is why I decided to go for my LPN, we didn't need any college credits. Good luck to you!!

It has taken me almost 3 years. Pre reqs first ex: English I & II, A&P I & II, Micro, College Algebra, Computer class, Religion class, Bio-Medical Ethics, CNA cert.,Medical Term., I had some more math classes & some other stuff I can't recall right now. This of course is just for my school & each is different, but maybe this will give you some idea. I tried to get all non-nursing classes out of the way before I applied to the program,(some you must have before you can apply) but I did end up taking a few w/nsg classes. Good Luck if you want it you can do it!

In addition to to those, we had to take Nutrition, Psych, Human Growth and Development, and Humanities. I think anywhere you go, it will take more than two years. At your info meeting, ask them how many applicants there are and how many spots? Another good question to ask is their NClex passing rate. Good Luck to you!!

There ya go.....also ask about their retention rate ( how many that start actually make it to the end).

Once you're in the program it's probably 2 years. But it will take some time to get there.

If your questions aren't answered during the informational session, do not hesitate to pull someone aside and ask in private. The information can be very confusing.

Good luck!

  • Expert

i commend you for your enthusiasm for nursing! you are right to find out as much information as you can before beginning. at that informational meeting, most of your questions should be answered. just in case, start making a list of things to ask. if the presentation hasn't answered them all, stick your hand up in the air and ask. no question is silly or stupid.

some of the things you'll want to know are:

what is the college website? what is the website for the nursing department?

do the requirements for the a.a. degree differ from the requirements of the nursing program?

must i also earn an a.a. degree along with the nursing?

what are the requirements to take this state's licensing exam for rn?

can just anyone take nursing classes or is access into them restricted?

what are the specific pre-requisites required to be admitted to the nursing classes?

are there waiting lists to get into anatomy and physiology, chemistry or microbiology classes?

is there a waiting list to get into the nursing classes? what qualifies me to get on that list? and, about how long is the wait to actually start the nursing classes at this time?

realistically, from starting my very first college class to finishing the nursing program, how long a time are we looking at to finish the nursing program, taking the waiting lists into consideration?

as a college student one of the things you will need to do is get a copy of the college catalog. the college bookstore should have them (they cost a few dollars). some schools have them on line. the first section of the college catalog is a wealth of information about college policies and procedures, what it takes to be admitted, graduate, tuition fees, etc. it's dry reading, but necessary. you'll want to read these sections over and will want to refer to them throughout your college experience. the larger part of the catalog is divided into the various departments and the degrees they offer. you'll want to pay particular attention to the nursing department. all their policies for admission to nursing classes and what is needed to fulfill the requirements for an a.a. degree in nursing will be printed there. a listing and description of all the nursing classes offered is then presented. this college catalog should be viewed as your bible for the school. it is the official word on policies and procedures that both students and the college are supposed to follow. it would be a good idea to have a copy and have gone through it a bit before you go to this informational meeting. you keep this college catalog forever. it should become part of your important documents you will start to collect over your lifetime. years from now if you ever want to transfer the credit for whatever classes you took at this college, you will need this catalog to backup exactly what the course content of these classes was.

while you're doing all the reading and preparation, here's some more for you. these are websites that are designed for people like you who are wanting to become nurses. there is a great deal of information about nursing in general at these websites.

http://www.discovernursing.com/

http://www.nursingsociety.org/career/cmap.html

http://www.nsna.org/career/is_nursing_for_you2.pdf

Just a short answer:

Most schools have general Pre-requisites. That means you finish a set of classes in the college, THEN you apply for nursing classes.

When you get in--and there is usually a wait--you have 2 years of NURSING classes.

Please make an appointment with an advisor so she can start the process with you now. DONT WAIT! Nursing school is not easy to get into so get your ducks in a row, financial aid, etc now. Good luck-you can do it! (Oh, and study hard and keep those grades up!)

Oh and dont forget the dreatful gym classes you have to take.

Gayleraff, welcome to AllNurses.com.

All programs are different, but usually the program for an associates degree is 4 semesters. However, many require pre-reqs as the above posters have explained.

It could very well take you 3-4 years to get a associate's degree, depending on how you take your classes, and whether or not you get accepted the first time, etc.

Good luck!

Oh and dont forget the dreatful gym classes you have to take.

(Not all programs require PE credits. When I gruduated in 1991 from high school, I went straight out toward my BSN. Back then, I took 4 PE classes. Now, the school where I plan on doing my RN-BSN bridge (same school as I was accepted to back in 91/92) doesn't require PE credits for the BSN.)

By the way, if you need financial aid for the 2006/2007 school year, you should definitely fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) now. There's a lot of information that you will need for the form. The deadline is March 2, I believe. This is the website http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. It doesn't cost anything, but it must be done by the deadline to get the best aid package.

I feel silly admitting this but can someone tell me what to do? I have a desire from the pit of my heart to be a RN. I went to a local college and asked for an admission packet and wanted to ask a few questions. Well, wouldn't you know that right person wasn't in. Basically, here's what I want to know-- I have my HS diploma & that's it. When I looked at the admission packet for this local college I got the impression that I could earn my degree in 2 years- 6 classes (19 credits) per semster. Do I do this then have a degree--- or do I have to then be accepted in program. I'm so lost. I am going to an informational session on Feb 15. I just can't wait until then & don't want to look entirely stupid. Thanks in advance.

Yes your can have your degree in 2 years.. however, it all depends on the college you are attending, their general education requirements and pre-req repuiremets needed for your ADN aka associate degree in nursing (and it usually takes, 2-3 years to complete all your G.E. depending again if you are a full-time or part-time student)... then, you have to think about the appyling process into the nursing program and if there addidtional requirements there also, then there's the waiting period (how long it will actually take for you to get accepted to the program, and then the 2 years more for the nursing program.

yeah, it is a lot of work.. but all that time and hard work will have been well worth it when you graduate and get that degree at the end.

Good luck to you!!

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