Perplexed about Nursing programs

[tjgirl62]

Hi Everyone-

Just Joined allnurses-fabulous site. Smart posters!

I am desperately seeking information regarding the best way possible as a fulltime

working adult to enter into a nursing program. My work schedule varies, but I can't seem to find

nursing programs that offer a clear path to eventually becoming an RN down the road.

I am 46, have a bachelor of arts degree from a university from 1986!

I live in Chicago and have been researching as many schools as possible that have nursing programs.

I looked into community colleges, university programs, etc. Most are for students already holding

at least an LPN. Also, not many schools start programs in the winter/January.

Is it worth getting a CNA to get a foot in the door? Or is it best to start with an LPN?

I do not have any Biology, anatomy,Chemistry classes either.

Any advice is helpful-

I don't mean to sound like a total newbie, but I guess I assumed that a nursing program would be more clearcut than what I have experienced.

Thanks in advance!

I know that something worth having takes time, but I would like to have a better grasp on what is

needed in the real world.

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

If you want to start now, taking the biology courses would be a good place to start. In a community college, they require you to take your prerequisites before you enter the nsg program. Sometimes those prereq's will take a year or two. I bet you already have the math, social sciences, gov't and electives. So the only ones you will have to take are the sciences, as most times they must be taken within the last 5 years. Because you already have a bachelor's degree, it might not matter if you get an associate's or a bachelor's degree, so if you consider the cost aspect, you'll save a lot of money going to a community college and getting the associate degree. The community colleges are a little more lenient on the working student from my experience. Pick a close community college, and go meet with the nursing advisor, they will be able to answer all of your questions. Good luck!

[beachgirl17]

Hi tjgirl. Welcome to allnurses. Maybe you should look into an accelerated bachelor program. I am sure there are ones in Chicago...I did a quick google search and saw Loyola has one and there may be others also. Like easttexasnurse said, I would start taking prereqs, such as science courses, and you could possibly continue working while taking them. Then, I would consider applying to an accelerated program. I am suggesting this route because you already have a bachelor degree and that is sometimes the route that second degree people take. Of course, community colleges are great too, but I just wanted to tell you that accelerated programs are an option. Hope that makes sense.

I would also check out discovernursing.com. Under the "How" section, you can perform a search for nursing programs. Hope this helps.

[rn2bnwi, BSN, RN]

From what i know NOBODY is going to accept you without your pre-reqs done so i would start there. most people, myself included don't realize how competitive it is to get into nursing schools either associates or a bachelor's, some people get in right away and others wait years. i know for both the programs i was accepted into it was required that i be at least certified as a CNA so i recommend getting an idea of which programs your interested in and find out what you need to do and then start meeting those requirments and application deadlines. Good luck!

[doh123]

i know the ASN program i got in didn't require anything before hand besides certain GPA, and SAT/ACT scores, or a NLN exam. Right now they are basically the same, except you don't get in the full program at the beginning anymore (I was last semster that did). They make you apply and get accepted, then you are a nursing student then you have to take all the "first semester" classes which are kinda pre-reqs, then apply for the clinical nursing sequence, then can start the actual 4 semesters with real nursing classes and clinicals. When I got in 1 year ago, I was able to be fully accepted in the entire program for start to finish (5 semesters), with no pre-reqs or anything needed. This is in Alabama, so not sure how it'll help you, but you really need to do research as tons of programs are different. Just make sure you find an actual 'nothing' to ASN or BSN program, as some schools do only offer the LPN to RN tracks.