Newly graduated MA looking for RN programs

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i graduated may 15th with an associate degree in medical assisting from bryant & stratton college. i spent a lot of money on this associate degree but at the time it was my only feasible option. i work full time days (monday - friday) and was looking to go back to school. at the time my husband and i were not in a position where i could quit my job in order to attend college. i have always thought about going into nursing but wasn't sure if it was really for me. so i checked out b&s in 2008 and was told about their ma program, i wasn't sold on it until they told me that they were setting up an rn program that should start in the fall of 2009. i decided to go ahead and start in may of 2008 in the ma program, then when the rn program started i would transfer in. long story short...the rn program never started and now there are no plans to start one. i realize that i overpaid for an ad ($30,000) but i am by no means done with school! i am determined to become an rn!!!!

now here is my dilemma (just wanted to give you guys some background first lol)...i still work full time at the same job i had (because taking a position as an ma would be a drastic pay cut for me) but i am actively searching for an rn program to enroll in. i have been dealing with tcc since march trying to get enrolled into ap i & ii, micro, and hs chemistry (since i graduated hs in 2002 i have to re-take it) but every time i try to register for one of those classes they are full already. the admissions person told me that it was because "current" students have a week to register before "new" students. this being said, she also told me that if i got into the rn program i would probably be looking at graduating in 2016. that is 6 years away! i do not want to wait so long, so i have pretty much tossed tcc out.

my husband and i have decided that we are at a place now where i will be able to quit my full time job and attend an rn program. i know that mci and hu (virginia beach campus) are extremely expensive but they are looking to be my only two options. i know that i want to do an accelerated bsn program and this is available at both schools. the reason for not working while in school is because i do plan on doing an accelerated program and intend to sleep, eat and breath nursing!!! both programs are nln accredited so that covers that. both programs include the pre-reqs, so that is a plus too. i guess i just wanted to tell my story and hopefully get some insight about these two schools (other than cost - i have read all the topics on here about these schools). are there any other options that i haven't considered? i would love to attend a typical 4-year school (like odu or uva) but just do not want to take 4 years to finish, i feel like i have already wasted two years at b&s.

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I talked to MCI earlier this month. Their tuition is about $39,000 for a R.N. program, which takes 15 months. Good luck to you.

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Do you know if that was for the ADN or the BSN? I have heard/read that they offer both programs in Virginia Beach. Thanks so much for the reply!!

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It was for the ADN.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

I just called MCI in VB to get some info, cause the last time I researched them (a few years ago) they were not NLN accredited.

This is what I was told...They have their SACS accreditation to give Associates and Bachelors degrees (SACS is the same accreditation that TCC has, so that is good). The BSN programs does have NLN accreditation, but the ADN program does not yet. The ADN program is currently in the third phase of NLN accreditation, which (according to the rep I spoke with) means that they have already done all they are supposed to do and are just waiting for the thumbs up that they are NLN accredited.

Also make sure that you realize that you can't immediately start your BSN at MCI. It is actually an ADN to BSN program, meaning that you must already be a licensed RN AND have 6 months of experience before you can start their BSN program, which is all online. So if you did it all through MCI, you would have to do their ADN program (15 mos I think), then work for 6 months, then you could go back to start the BSN online program. So that program would still take you about 3 years to complete your BSN.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

One more question...do you happen to have any other degrees, like a Bachelors in something else?

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No I do not have a Bachelors degree. Just the Associates. I saw on the NLN website that it was only the BSN that was accredited so I think that is why I am wanting to go that route. I really just wish there was an easier way to find a school. I am not saying that I think it should be easier to become an RN, I know it requires a lot of time, effort and energy and I am more than willing to do all the work necessary to get my RN but it shouldn't be so hard to find somewhere to go to school without a 2+ year long waitlist...or having to pay entirely too much for a degree. If the Associate degree is not accredited and I choose to enroll anyway and I take and pass the NCLEX, would I be able to take a RN-BSN at any school? I read on one of the threads that if you graduate from MCI before they are NLN accredited that you will not be considered "grand-fathered" in..would that really, in the long run, mean anything? As long as you are able to sit for the NCLEX and pass then you are an RN correct? And your license will be good anywhere, because it is the license that means something..not the school you went to. Am I thinking about this correctly?

Thank you so so so much for your help!!

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Once you have passed NCLEX, an RN is an RN regardless of where you got your degree. That being said, though, some hospitals have preference for RNs from an accredited school. And you might have a problem transferring your credits if you decide to get a BSN or higher degree at a different school.

As for a waitlist...as far as I know, the schools around here don't have a "wait-list." The issue with TCC is that you would first have to complete your pre-reqs, then apply for the program. Once you're accepted, they randomly assign you to a cohort that begins either in August, October, January, or March. From there the program is about 2 more years. So worst case scenario, maybe it takes you a year to do pre-reqs and you miss next year's application deadline (May 15), so you apply for the 2012 class but get placed in the cohort that starts in March 2013. Then you graduate Spring/Summer of 2015. I have a feeling that whoever you talked to might have been overly pessimistic.

I just did a quick search for the summer classes at TCC, and saw many open sections for A&P. I saw at least a couple at every campus. If you're having trouble finding them, call the Info Center at TCC (I used to work there, they are great at helping students!). Their number is 757-822-1122.

Another option is to find a program to do your LPN. I don't know as much about those programs, but I would guess there are fewer pre-reqs. Then you could apply for an LPN-RN bridge program. I really think you should take a second look at TCC, though...much cheaper!! And a good program.

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I have been fretting ahead about the acceptance at TCC (but then I am a fretter by nature). Their nursing video says they have about 300 students apply for the nursing program each year, and they accept 4 groups of 30; which is 120 accepted out of about 300 applicants. They assign the grades a point scale; A=4, B=3, C=2; and you need a minimum of 9 points to get into the nursing program. They pick the best applicants, and if you don't make that list, they put you on a waiting list for the nursing program. There is a 25-minute video where they explain the program in detail.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
They pick the best applicants, and if you don't make that list, they put you on a waiting list for the nursing program. There is a 25-minute video where they explain the program in detail.

Is the wait-list just for the current year in case any accepted students decide not to attend, or do you stay on the wait list indefinitely until you get in? I thought it was just a wait-list to replace students who decline and make sure they have a full class, but I have heard that in other areas of the country they really do keep a 2+ year wait list.

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Good question, and I don't know the answer. I will have to find out.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
Good question, and I don't know the answer. I will have to find out.

Please let me know what you find out! I suspect it's just for the current year (that's what it used to be), but things change...

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