Is it possible to earn BSN in 3 years?

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Well... I am new, found this forum via Google.

I am entering Pasadena City College in June 2010 as a first-time student. I plan to clear the four prequisites before applying to the RN (AA) program. I had spoken to the director of the program (or one of them); he told me it is possible to earn the RN license at PCC, but due to management and course orders and prequisites, it is ~NOT~ possible to earn an RN in a year; at the earliest, maybe a year and a half if I'm done a semester early (stacking up on courses). My father said the same.

However, I was really hoping I could be finished with a BSN in just three years, rather than the normal four. Can anyone help me out with this? I was planning to go to a CSU (either in San Jose, as a set of relatives live there from my dad's side, or Los Angeles; the rest are too far out). I emailed the lady who runs and operates that division and she said that it usually is two years after obtaining an AA and most people don't even manage to finish in that time period, often it takes as long as five. I told her I would be willing to stack up on classes but she never returned my message. I'm impatient. At the same time, I am not sure how it works.

Thanks in advance.

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No, I don't think you can. You have to remember that you got to have at least 60 units (30 units of GE) before you can transfer to a CSU. I doubt you can get into all of your science classes as a freshmen. The quickest I can see you finishing your pre-reqs & your GE classes would be 2 years. add in another 2-3 years for nursing school. You are looking at around 4-5 years.

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No, I don't think you can. You have to remember that you got to have at least 60 units (30 units of GE) before you can transfer to a CSU. I doubt you can get into all of your science classes as a freshmen. The quickest I can see you finishing your pre-reqs & your GE classes would be 2 years. add in another 2-3 years for nursing school. You are looking at around 4-5 years.

That's pretty long, yeah. I remember my older sister's friend graduated with Civil Engineering in just three years (she basically spent her days glued to the library and CSU building). She told me, "Her best friend is also doing Nursing. She says that would be wonderful to finish in three years, but it's actually easier for Nurses than it is for Engineers. Stephanie was busting with no life."

I'm not transferring. I'm earning an AA and continuing to earn the BSN at CSU. Therefore I would have my cap and gown at CC.

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Specializes in Public health nursing.

The only school I can think of where you can obtain your BSN within 3 years is West Coast University. They have recently been accredited by the CCNE, so if you're planning on advancing to your Masters, you shouldn't have any trouble transferring your courses. They have campuses in Los Angeles, Anaheim & I think Ontario. One huge pitfall about this school is the mega price tag...we're talking over 100K :eek:! You can find more info on their website if you're interested: http://www.westcoastuniversity.edu/content.aspx?id=93

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The only school I can think of where you can obtain your BSN within 3 years is West Coast University. They have recently been accredited by the CCNE, so if you're planning on advancing to your Masters, you shouldn't have any trouble transferring your courses. They have campuses in Los Angeles, Anaheim & I think Ontario. One huge pitfall about this school is the mega price tag...we're talking over 100K :eek:! You can find more info on their website if you're interested: http://www.westcoastuniversity.edu/content.aspx?id=93

That's what the PCC counselor told me, too, "Well, it would be possible to complete all of those courses and pass the tests in those times at a CSU, but it would take another year to get licensed, certified, and so forth. You still have to wait if you do medical. So basically it would say you took four years to complete it, anyway. Stuff has to be cleared and there is a waiting period."

I'm really thinking to just get the AA but my dad said sooo many more opps come with the BSN. Man, if I do get the West Coast thing that's not worth it because then I'd be working two more years to pay off my debts! I'm planning to leave to Australia ASAP after graduation from uni.

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Well you have to consider that if 2 new grads apply for a job and one has a BSN and one has an ADN, there is a pretty good chance they will pick the BSN over the ADN (granted all other factors are the same.)

But I know it can differ by location. There are as many ADN schools where I live as BSN, so I'm getting my BSN. If I can take another year and have a leg up on someone, I'm going to do it.

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aren't you entering a CC in June? I don't see how you can apply to let say SJSU w/ basically no pre-reqs finished. unless you are thinking about going the RN-BSN route.

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aren't you entering a CC in June? I don't see how you can apply to let say SJSU w/ basically no pre-reqs finished. unless you are thinking about going the RN-BSN route.

I am.

I'm very confused right now... and no one in my family did the medical route...

Well, the website says PCC's program is four semesters long. Does this include Summer and Winter semesters? (Those are quite short). For example, if I enter the Nursing Program in February 2011 (Spring), can I graduate if I just keep going straight:

Spring 2011

Summer 2011

Fall 2012

Winter 2013

~GRAD~

Or... how does it work?

Sorry if that's kind of confusing.

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I am.

I'm very confused right now... and no one in my family did the medical route...

Well, the website says PCC's program is four semesters long. Does this include Summer and Winter semesters? (Those are quite short). For example, if I enter the Nursing Program in February 2011 (Spring), can I graduate if I just keep going straight:

Spring 2011

Summer 2011

Fall 2012

Winter 2013

~GRAD~

Or... how does it work?

Sorry if that's kind of confusing.

Never mind, I can't delete my post.

I forgot that the flier says the winter and summer intersessions for students to take other classes.

Thanks for all your help.

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It wouldn't be in my program, even if you had all your non-nursing classes complete, because each term's classes are dependent on the classes before. So, there's no way to "double-up." Everyone that started at the same time, takes the same classes each term.

We don't even get a choice about what classes we take, we're essentially sent our course numbers to register with each term.

I think that's the difference between a nursing program and an engineering program. In other disciplines, the programs aren't as structured.....you generally take classes that fit your schedule and you're in more "general population" classes. So, at a big university...many of the classes needed for an engineering degree, could be required (or offered) for more than just engineering majors. This isn't the case for nursing.

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doesn't pcc go by lottery system? Even if you completed your prereqs and wanted to apply to pcc's prgram there is a chance you may not even get in if they go by lottery. So are you planning on taking prereqs and than transfer to csu?

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My BSN program is about 3 years long. There's another BSN program near me that does it in 2 years.

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