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.
I wanted to thank everyone for their help and support. I have decided to go ahead and try TCC. I am planning on leaving my full time job in August in order to take my pre-reqs!! :) I am thinking about doing A&P 1 and Chemistry in the Fall and A&P 2 and Micro in the Spring. Then I will be all set to apply for the RN program in May!! I think this will work. I have had A&P 1 and 2 before so I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard for me, considering I will not be working. I am super excited!! I am going to meet with a counselor this week with my transcript from B & S and we will see!!! YAY!!!!!! I am so on my way to becoming an RN!!!! YAY!!!!
Good for you!! Good luck. Keep us posted. That is great that you have had A&P 1&2 before. I bet you will really be able to sink your teeth in and digest (hah - pun) a lot, as you have been exposed to it before. Keep you chin up, study your butt off, and go get 'em....
Good for you!! Good luck. Keep us posted. That is great that you have had A&P 1&2 before. I bet you will really be able to sink your teeth in and digest (hah - pun) a lot, as you have been exposed to it before. Keep you chin up, study your butt off, and go get 'em....
Thank you Elizabeth123!!! I appreciate the kind words!! I am beyond excited right now! lol!!!! :) :) :) :) :)
I wanted to thank everyone for their help and support. I have decided to go ahead and try TCC. I am planning on leaving my full time job in August in order to take my pre-reqs!! :) I am thinking about doing A&P 1 and Chemistry in the Fall and A&P 2 and Micro in the Spring. Then I will be all set to apply for the RN program in May!! I think this will work. I have had A&P 1 and 2 before so I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard for me, considering I will not be working. I am super excited!! I am going to meet with a counselor this week with my transcript from B & S and we will see!!! YAY!!!!!! I am so on my way to becoming an RN!!!! YAY!!!!
If you had A&P before, you may not have to take it at TCC--you can request that TCC evaluate your prior A&P class to see if they can give you credit for the class. Look on the TCC website to find how to request evaluation of prior academic experience. Be sure to send a copy of your transcript sent directly to TCC for this--an unofficial one will do for meeting with your advisor, but to have your old classes evaluated for transfer credit they need a sealed one sent directly from B&S.
Yay! It's so nice to be able to make a decisions so that you can start moving forward. Good luck meeting with the counselor. Definitely ask about transferring A&P, but if it's been a while since you took it I might recommend retaking it anyway since it is sooo important for nursing school.
Hope you'll give us updates on how things are going!
If you had A&P before, you may not have to take it at TCC--you can request that TCC evaluate your prior A&P class to see if they can give you credit for the class. Look on the TCC website to find how to request evaluation of prior academic experience. Be sure to send a copy of your transcript sent directly to TCC for this--an unofficial one will do for meeting with your advisor, but to have your old classes evaluated for transfer credit they need a sealed one sent directly from B&S.
I was told by a counselor a few months ago that since my A&P 1 and 2 are only 3 credits, not 4 like TCC, that they are not transferrable. I have requested that my official transcript be sent to TCC so we will see. I would LOVE to not have to retake those classes! I will be sure to keep everyone posted on my journey!! :)
Do you know you can attend Riverside School of Health Careers for only $21,600 for their RN program. You will still make the same amount as someone with an ADN or BSN in nursing, and it's way cheaper then MCI. Their program offers about 600+ clinical hours with real patients and some of the best instructors around. You may want to look up some of their students on here and ask about the program.
I've been trying to get information from MCI concerning their programs, like the ADN program not being accredited through the NLNAC, but they won't give me any answers over the phone. I contact Riverside School of Health Careers and go all my answers over the phone, then chose to take a visit.
I love the place...small...lots of hands on...no problems with clinical sites and maybe work for them when I'm done. Take a look at Riverside if you haven't already, I think they have a bette reputation then MCI, but I'm still doing my research. The recruiter at Riverside was super helpful!!
Ok so I am officially trying to get into TCC...I'm sure I already said that though. I am going to take 3 classes starting in August so that I can apply for early admission. My question is...has anyone at TCC ever taken A&P 1, Micro and Chemistry in one semester?? I have had all the classes before but none transfer so it isn't new material for me. I was just wondering if I am crazy for trying or if it is doable. Thanks everyone! Don't know what I would do without this forum!
I'm not replying to answer your question - just wanted to say that I am taking Bio 141 online this fall at TCC. It has the lab at the Norfolk campus. I will be taking Bio 142 in the spring. The Microbiology, BIO 150, is up in the air. I will see how time consuming or demanding BIO 141 before I actually add BIO 150 on top of BIO 142 for spring. I might delay BIO 150 to summer. I work many - oops - have to go. The house next door was robbed last night. YIKES! My neighbor just came over.... Keep us posted about your plans :)
i have also thought about taking the classes online and doing the labs on campus. all i really know is that i am leaving my job in less than a month to go back to school. i am going to do what i need to do in order to become an rn. it is my passion and my dream. i know that i can achieve it, i'm just not sure about the best route to go. is there anyone else that is starting pre-reqs this fall?
I took A&P online and Micro at the same time, and I thought that was fine. I would give it try since you won't have to work and are already familiar with the material.
I have requested that my official transcript be sent to TCC so we will see. I would LOVE to not have to retake those classes! I will be sure to keep everyone posted on my journey!! :)
liltray1984
16 Posts
I wanted to thank everyone for their help and support. I have decided to go ahead and try TCC. I am planning on leaving my full time job in August in order to take my pre-reqs!! :) I am thinking about doing A&P 1 and Chemistry in the Fall and A&P 2 and Micro in the Spring. Then I will be all set to apply for the RN program in May!! I think this will work. I have had A&P 1 and 2 before so I am thinking it shouldn't be too hard for me, considering I will not be working. I am super excited!! I am going to meet with a counselor this week with my transcript from B & S and we will see!!! YAY!!!!!! I am so on my way to becoming an RN!!!! YAY!!!!