oh thank you guys so very much! :) as for the salary, ive just heard so many "start-out" pays that i don't even know which anymore, but ive heard they were very good. as for the nursing program that the college ive enrolled has to offer, i spoke to a student who is currently in that program and she said that it will take 4 years total. 2 years to meet the prereqs and another 2 years of nursing courses (?). ive yet to speak with a counselor, but i will soon, sometime this week. however, DixieLee - are u saying i just need my associates in nursing.. and i can take the board exam? that sounds too good to be true..