Published Jul 2, 2007
tickledsilly
10 Posts
I have found a couple (one in Polk County and one in Seminole County) but I want to make sure of all of my options - I will apply to all of them just so I can be sure to be accepted. I don't care where it is located as long as it is still in the Central FL area - I can always move closer to the school or commute. I currently live south of Orlando in Polk County but am planning on selling my home very soon. I also heard of one in Ocala.
Thanks for any and all information!
Kelly
lacedmm1
79 Posts
I have found a couple (one in Polk County and one in Seminole County) but I want to make sure of all of my options - I will apply to all of them just so I can be sure to be accepted. I don't care where it is located as long as it is still in the Central FL area - I can always move closer to the school or commute. I currently live south of Orlando in Polk County but am planning on selling my home very soon. I also heard of one in Ocala. Thanks for any and all information!Kelly
Hi, I live in Casselberry, FL, close to Altamonte Springs and I currently go the Seminole Community College in Sanford. I also know of Daytona Beach Community College and Valencia Community College. I know for a fact that Seminole CC does not have a waiting list, but all pre-req's has to be completed. Valencia CC (last I heard), has a two year waiting list and I'm not sure about Daytona Beach CC. Hope that helps.
Good Luck!!
I didn't know that there were pre reqs - (anyone knows more about this than me...Lol!) but I thought that it was 2 years TOTAL. My cousin did the 2 year RN program in Mobile, AL and she said that the school she attended was 2 years with everything included. I'll be happy to do the prereqs if I absolutely can't get around it.... LOL! I am on a mission to beomce a nurse so I won't let anything stop me. Thank you for your reply! Any and all info gives me the knowledge that I need. Thanks! kelly
Hi again, I know there are some programs around that lets you do your pre-req's as co-req's, if that makes any sense. But most of the programs in the Orlando area either have a waiting list, which you have to have all pre-req's completed prior to applying and then waiting or you have to complete all pre-req's and then apply for admission. I don't know of any of the CC's that you don't have to complete pre-req's first, in the Orlando area.
Here are the links for the CC's I told you about above, Hope it helps.
Valencia: http://www.valenciacc.edu/asdegrees/documents/NursingR.N.07-08_001.pdf
Seminole:
http://www.scc-fl.edu/applications/catalog/programs.php?cat=health_professions&prg=rn-as.dat
Daytona:
http://www.dbcc.edu/html/catalog/catalog0708/program_guides/2071Nursing.htm
JeepDudeRN
164 Posts
Hi! There are actually 2 in Ocala. CFCC and Webster College. I am in the program at Webster. It's really good. I was at CFCC, but then they changed things and now the wait list is 3 yrs long. I applied to Webster and was immediately accepted.
Did you have pre-reqs at Webster? Just asking... LOL!
Yeah you have pre req's at Webster. I dont know of any programs that do not have pre req's. They are required if you want to be a RN. The only way you may get out of doing them is to do a hospital based diploma program, but I dont think there are any in Florida. At Webster, the pre req's are included in the program, you do not have to have them completed before acceptance. But, you will not do any clinical components until they are done, but at least you could get accepted. Also, most schools have an entrance test that you must have a certain score on to be accepted. Usually a HESI or NET test.
Another option is an LPN course. These are usually taken at either a vocational school or a community college. You will not need pre req's for that, but when you want to bridge over to RN, you will have to take them anyway.
Pre req's usually consits of Algebra, English, Humanities, Anatomy 1 and 2, Human Development, Sociology or Pysychology, and maybe a few others, depending on the school. Keep in mind that MOST schools, especially in Florida, have extensive waiting lists. There are way more students than there are instructors, which is one of the reasons for the nursing shortage. If I were you, I would pick the course you want to take (RN or LPN) and start on the pre req's. As soon as you have the minimum credits done, start applying to a program. While you are finishing up the pre req's you may move up on the list, and have them done by the time you are called to start a program. For alot of students, the fastest way into nursing is LPN.
Good luck and PM me if you need any advice.
I appreciate your advice and I will certianly get started on the pre-reqs. Are there any schools that I should stay away from? I just want to get this done and I want to make as little mistakes as possible. Thanks again! Kelly
caroladybelle, BSN, RN
5,486 Posts
I know of no 2 year RN programs at all in Florida. And there are very few nationwide.
The vast majority of ASSOCIATE degree programs require such an amount of pre-reqs that they take three years rather than two to complete. And since most require two complete years of nursing, and require A&P I, II prior to accepting people for admission, that comes out to 3 years. PCC used to permit people accepted to the Nursing program, to complete A&P II during Nursing I - but a lot of people that tried to take them together failed, one or both - not a good idea.
2 year program tends to be a misnomer.
Hey again. I dont know of any schools to stay away from. A major consideration though is cost. It is like a double edged sword. With a private school, there tends to be little to no waiting list, but it is ALOT more expensive. With a state school ( vocational or community college) the cost is a fraction of what the private school is, but there tends to be a very long waiting list. If cost is not a factor, then check out local private colleges. Just make SURE they are at least licensed by the Florida BON. Ideally, you want a college that is accredited by the Southern Colleges Association, that way your credits can transfer to a 4 year university if so desired. If not, it will be up to what ever college you choose to attain your BSN at whether or not they will accept the credits you have worked for. Just put some time and effort into researching schools. The internet is an amazing resource, especially this website. The BON website has a list of accredited schools, and there are more gettting accredited every month. Good luck!
Chris :balloons:
ZooMommyRN, ADN, RN
913 Posts
not sure how far you are from Polk, but just south of that is South Florida Community College in the northern part of Highlands county I'm currently in the 2 year ADN program, just about every community college around the southern end of FL has a 2yr nursing program, Indian River, Broward County, Ft Myers has several as well as quite a few tech schools but those are almost twice the tuition I'm paying now, I know their credits will transfer easily to USF, UCF & FGCU (ft myer's RN-MSN program) as well as FSU