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I start college for the first time this upcoming Monday. I'm going to do the RN program. Can you tell me approximately how long it took you to complete schooling to become an RN? I know it's a 2 year program, but does it actually take longer than that? I have no clue what I'm getting myself into. lol I won't have my schedule until Friday, so I don't know what classes I'm taking until after I talk to a counselor. I am going full-time. Any ideas?

And do you have any advice for me, or is there anything I should know that the counselor won't tell me? Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it!! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Most likely there will be a certain list of classes you will be required to complete first, then you can apply for entrance to the nursing program at your school (unless you are doing the private route then it's different) for example I did ADN thru the local community college, I had to complete Eng I, A&P I, Gen Psych and Math of Health Occupations, then I had to apply to the program and take the NLN entrance exam, I started the pre-req's summer semester of 2005, turned in my application January 2006, took the NLN that March and was accepted to the program July 2006 and graduated June 2008 so all in all it took me 3 years of non stop full time, I also managed to knock out all but 2 of the gend ed/pre-req's for either a BSN or RN-MSN program along the way.

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It really does take about 3 years to complete an ADN nursing program because you have about a year worth of general education classes to complete. Also keep in mind that you must make at least a B in your classes, but you need as many As as possible. If you make Cs, you can almost forget about getting into nursing school. The admission process is highly competitive and Cs will not cut it.

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Specializes in med-surg.
It really does take about 3 years to complete an ADN nursing program because you have about a year worth of general education classes to complete. Also keep in mind that you must make at least a B in your classes, but you need as many As as possible. If you make Cs, you can almost forget about getting into nursing school. The admission process is highly competitive and Cs will not cut it.

I think alot of programs will be getting rid of the acceptance levels at 2.5-2.8. Even having a 3.0 GPA is risky. Try to keep your GPA at 3.3 or higher to get in your first application year. Even a 3.0 may mean that you have to wait an extra year to get into the nursing program itself.

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Programs vary a bit. When you meet with your counselor they will be able to give you an outline of classes and the semesters it will take to complete them.

Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, try and keep life in perspective, and take time to enjoy the ride. Before you know it you will be ordering your cap and gown.

Welcome aboard and good luck with school!

:wlcmggrp:

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Specializes in ICU.

i went to a diploma school many many years ago. it took 2 years with minimal days off for holidays and no summer vacation. when i got out i was able to accept a full patient assignment with the skills needed to make it through the day. :yeah:

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Thank you for your responses! I'm so nervous about doing this..but I know it will pay off in the end. The thing I'm most worried about, is studying..or finding time to. I have 11 month old twin boys, and they are exhausting!! Did any of you have yound children while you were in school? How did it go?

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The thing I'm most worried about, is studying..or finding time to. I have 11 month old twin boys, and they are exhausting!! Did any of you have yound children while you were in school? How did it go?

While I didn't, my friends did, as have many here on the board. My friends had to get pretty creative at times. Sounds like you will have your hands full, but those little guys will come in handy when you start practicing your assessments :chuckle

Finding a good network of fellow students was important to my survival. We reviewed notes, created mock tests, proof read each other's papers, and supported each other through the process. It was well worth it.

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