Nursing school confusion

Cuddleswithpuddles · Dec 3, 2011

Hello there,

I am very confused about the many kinds of nurses out there, and the variety of two-year versus four-year programs. I have tried to research this at bookstores to no avail.

Speaking to counselors, nurses working in the field and this messageboard will probably give you a better picture of the whole ADN vs. BSN debate. There really is no clear cut answer. The only recommendation I have is to keep researching and you will eventually navigate your way through the information maze.

Ideally, I would like to do a program where I only have to spend two years. Are two year programs for those who have already completed a 4-year degree? Or are they not related at all?

ADN programs (the "2 year" kind) typically do not get shorter if you have a 4 year degree. Your general education classes like English, math, sociology etc. will apply towards an associate's but do not make the nursing program itself shorter.

Unfortunately, "2 year program" really is a misnomer. The an associate's nursing program is 2 years but the science prerequisites that you need to enter such a program can take much longer. The science prerequisites include but are not limited to anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Your progress in these prerequisites can vary greatly.

I was thinking that perhaps if I do very well in the required pre-req classes (I think for a lot of programs there are 5-7 that you must complete with a certain gpa before applying to nursing school) that maybe they might be able to overlook my undergrad record a little bit?

Yes, this is possible. Many community colleges in Southern California admit nursing students based on a lottery or waiting list. If you meet their minimum GPA requirement, your name is in the list and may lady luck be on your side. The few that are grade-based primarily look at your science prereq GPA. They may eventually look at your overall GPA but if you get a 4.0 in your science prerequisites, you will be a very competitive candidate.

Hope this helps somewhat!

aoikirin · Dec 3, 2011

Thank you for the detailed response! It seems that admission to these two-year programs is quite difficult. There seems to be a test you must get a specific score on? (teas?) And even if you do meet all their requirements, they often go by lottery! Yikes, not very encouraging really. ;/

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

If you live in CA and aren't willing to relocate, it is best for you to research the requirements that the schools near you have. For example, as the op said, many community colleges have a wait list or lottery system, a minimum GPA and aren't competitive. Even if the community colleges are somewhat competitive, there is usually (at least in my area) a cap at the amount of preference that you will receive for having stellar grades. Further, in my area, most schools only look at the the pre-nursing classes and not your overall GPA. Some schools do look at the last 60 credits.

Since you have a bachelor's degree, your options are:

Accelerated bachelors (BSN) - 1 or 1 1/2 yrs plus prereqs.

ADN at Community college - 2 yrs + prereqs

Traditional BSN - 2 yrs plus prereqs

Of course, some people go LVN and then LVN to RN and then RN to BSN. This option can allow you to find a job as soon as the LVN portion is complete and then you can continue with your education. LVN prereqs are only 1 semester and the program is only 1 year long.

There are also private LVN/ADN programs. Some of these schools allow you to complete an LVN degree in 8-11 months and some include prereqs or offer bundles prereqs. They cost $20-$45K, though.

You'll need to do some research. I live in Nor Cal. If you live in SoCal or the Bay area, there are a greater number of schools within a closer radius, and you should have a greater number of options.

If you know the names of the schools closest to you that you want to attend, you can do a search on AN.com for info and go to the school websites to learn about the selection process. Attend a few info meetings, also.

Check out this link for more help:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/bsn-program-only-620663.html

aoikirin · Dec 3, 2011

Hi vintage. It's great to know that there are some programs that are lottery based and that don't base too much on overall gpa, just on pre-req gpa. I went to school in the Bay Area and would love to head back up there again to live and so on. I am currently living in Orange County. Would you say any of those less-selective programs are more up near where you are or would I be better down here in OC. I know it's probably very hard to generalize.

Cuddleswithpuddles · Dec 3, 2011

Thank you for the detailed response! It seems that admission to these two-year programs is quite difficult. There seems to be a test you must get a specific score on? (teas?) And even if you do meet all their requirements, they often go by lottery! Yikes, not very encouraging really. ;/

You're welcome. :)

Most nursing programs are indeed hard to get into because of high standards, impaction or both. According to my counselors, the only nursing programs that are relatively easier to get into are the RN-BSN programs because their applicant pools are considerably smaller. Then again, in order to qualify for these programs, you need to have your RN license.

The TEAS is an assessment of basic college-level knowledge in math, science and English. Most schools in Southern California require a minimum score for admission. Some schools have other kinds of tests for admission or successful continuation like the HESI. I have never taken the HESI so I cannot personally comment.

Yes, lotteries and waiting lists can be very discouraging. I focused on schools that were grade-based because I did NOT want to wait years and rely on chance.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Dec 3, 2011

You can skip the lottery system IF you can find a school that only looks at prenursing classes or the last 60 credits and is competitive.

In my immediate area, the 2 yrs community colleges appear to be switching over to a somewhat merit-based application process. (I think this practice is already taking place elsewhere in the State, because my neighboring counties were already like this)

I'm not against JC's, but so many people have told me to forget about the local state university because it will take longer/ cost more to become an RN, but there's no waiting list as long as you get great grades. I don't even try to explain this detail to people IRL anymore because they never "get it". I have met 2 other women IRL who have made the same choice as me to focus on getting great grades.

Another tip: I think that with the JC's switching to partial merit and using multiple criteria, the applicant pool will shrink at the JC's. I don't know if these changes are throughout Cali or just here (Sac) but I went to a meeting for Sac City College's nursing program and I believe that they said the goal is to reduce the waiting time [ie] eliminate candidates.