Pittsburgh, PA Nursing Programs, which is best and quickest?

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I recently graduated with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. I would like to pursue nursing, however, I am unsure which program would be best, but also the fastest. I unfortunately don't have any of the Biology credits from college since my schedule would not allow for that. I looked into a couple programs, such as CCAC, Shadyside School of Nursing and LaRoche. I am now working Fulltime and work 7-330. I am unable to go to class in the mornings and still need to work FT.. Ideally going to class on the weekends and evenings would be the best situation. But, I don't want to be in school 4 years part-time just to get a diploma, such as from Shadyside. Does anyone know how long the CCAC program takes? Or if there is a program that could be done in less the 4 years PT? I do have some of the credits required for certain programs, so I would not have to take each class (if they transfer).

Thanks in advance...

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I was in a similar situation a year ago, about to grad with a BS and looking for fast/cheap route into a good nursing school. I was already taking the pre-reqs necessary for any nursing school (2nd degree,hospital and community college programs) at CCAC during summers and at night in order to save money from the horrendous per credit fee at my university. I applied on a whim to CCAC, after they got rid of their admission exam and got in, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I might be a bit biased, but the night program CCAC offers might be a perfect fit for you.

If money is no issue and you would like to start this fall or summer you should lean towards a hospital program(15kto20k) since they don't require all the pre-reqs before entry and normally have rolling admissions. I don't know of any that have a night program so you might want to look at the Pennsylvania Nursing schools forum on this website. Also other options to check out are Pitt or Duquesne 2nd degree BSN programs since you already have a bachelors but with the extensive pre-reqs they require and the 30 to 40k price tag you might as well apply to med school LOL.I am quite happy,at the moment, paying per semester at CCAC what I paid per credit hour(out of state) for undergrad.

I am currently a night student at CCAC Allegheny and set to graduate in May.Classes are 5pm to 10ish twice a week and clinicals are(1 to 2 times a week) offered on weekends 7-3 or 3-11 but there is a possibility of getting stuck with a Thursday or Friday 3-11 clinical. Most of my classmates working full time day have been able to choose clinical options that meet their needs or have quit and gotten more flexible pct jobs after the first semester.It is a 2 year program once you have the basic pre-reqs required to apply. The bare minimum to apply is Chem 110,algebra,Eng 101 and Bio 101 completed before application due dates of March 1st for Fall and Aug 15th for Spring. In reality, admission is based upon GPA(If you have 12 or more credits at CCAC they use that GPA vs your undergrad GPA).Bonus grade points are given based on grades in A&P 1,2 and Microbiology that were also completed prior to application deadlines. This is because,in the name of student success, they would rather have students who have minimal other classes outside of the core nursing classes.If you want first pick on campus and practically guaranteed admission it is in your best interest to complete the rest of the science classes for extra points and this will also help with applying to other schools if you choose not to attend CCAC.

If you truly want to get in as soon as possible,the earliest you could apply,with practically guaranteed admission is by AUG 15th 2014 for Spring 2015 by doing the following: sign up for Bio 110(which is the pre req for both A&P and Micro) *this spring* at CCAC, then you will be able to take both A&P 1 and microbiology during the first summer semester and then take A&P 2 second summer semester with an ending date before Aug 15th 2014 so that you will get the bonus points for completing it before the deadline.

It may sound daunting to take them all that quickly, especially during intense 6 to8 week summer offerings but they offer night versions if you sign up asap and aren't to picky with the campus. If you pick the right teachers via Rateyourprofessor websites its not that awful. I did exactly this and ended up with high B's and a C.If its any indication I failed/withdrew from chem 101 at my university 3 times before passing so a chem major like you should have no problem applying yourself and getting a good grade. If all this is done with mostly A's and B's you shouldn't have any trouble getting in to your choice campus at CCAC for Spring 2015 or any other program you decide on considering your science background.

I apologize for rambling, feel free to respond if you have any more questions or want any more details of CCAC's program. Hope this helps! In the mean time check out the PA nursing program forums they are great for getting honest info and gauging competiveness for different programs. Best of Luck!

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Thank you so much for your response!!! It is really helpful. I've been busy and forgot I even signed up for this site. I am starting BIO I next semester (spring 2014) and taking classes all year and then going to apply in 2015, as this is what I have to do. I spoke with a counselor and since you can apply in the spring, I have to wait until then.

I am just going to take all my courses, such as micro, anatomy, etc before actually starting the nursing program courses so that I can have that out of the way and manage working better. I am extremely nervous... but I feel like this is the right move for me, for a bunch of reasons.

My end goal I think is to be a CRNA. Know of any information on that? I liked chemistry, just not the hardcore stuff. I enjoyed the pharmacy/drug part of it the most and I think a CRNA would compliment this very much. But I know that those programs are extremely selective and I don't have a very strong GPA (3.3). So I don't know if I will even be able to get into a CRNA program.

My other route is potentially becoming a traveling nurse. I have always wanted to travel and that would allow me to do that. My current job/career, that is not likely.

If you have any info on CRNA programs or know of anyone's success stories, I would appreciate it!

Thanks again!

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Thank you so much for your response!!! It is really helpful. I've been busy and forgot I even signed up for this site. I am starting BIO I next semester (spring 2014) and taking classes all year and then going to apply in 2015, as this is what I have to do. I spoke with a counselor and since you can apply in the spring, I have to wait until then.

I am just going to take all my courses, such as micro, anatomy, etc before actually starting the nursing program courses so that I can have that out of the way and manage working better. I am extremely nervous... but I feel like this is the right move for me, for a bunch of reasons.

My end goal I think is to be a CRNA. Know of any information on that? I liked chemistry, just not the hardcore stuff. I enjoyed the pharmacy/drug part of it the most and I think a CRNA would compliment this very much. But I know that those programs are extremely selective and I don't have a very strong GPA (3.3). So I don't know if I will even be able to get into a CRNA program.

My other route is potentially becoming a traveling nurse. I have always wanted to travel and that would allow me to do that. My current job/career, that is not likely.

If you have any info on CRNA programs or know of anyone's success stories, I would appreciate it!

Thanks again!

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