Question about becoming an RN

L&Dnurse2Be · Jun 22, 2005

I received some helpful info from another user regarding an online program. I too have a bachelor's and wanted to become an RN. A program was mentioned out of TAMU-corpus christi and Del Mar College-corpus Christi. All of the classes are online, BUT you must do all required clinical rotations at an approved location. There is no short cut to your nursing degree, just a more convenient way to do classwork. It requires just as much time and effort, if not more because you have to be motivated to self study. I still have not decided what I want to do, but it may be a good option. Not sure if you have to be a Texas resident or not. Good luck!

Altra, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

I just wanted to get some things under my belt so that I can take the test to become an RN. I can't imagine why the state would be concerned with how I studied to pass that test.

Just for clarification, it was this specific comment which turned the tide of this thread. It's possible we misunderstood you, but speaking for myself ... with that comment I thought you were implying that you believed becoming an RN was simply a matter of passing a test, analogous to passing, say, the exam to get a real estate license. I am not in any way disparaging realtors (I once held that license myself), but there is absolutely no comparison between the brief training period to sit for the real estate exam and nursing education.

As has been discussed, your options for nursing education include an Accelerated BSN program, a direct-entry MSN program, traditional ADN or diploma schools (some may offer night/weekend programs), and a few other unique options offered by a few schools which may or may not be feasible for you, depending on where you are. All of these will require a significant time commitment, including at least some inflexible day/afternoon hours for clinical experiences. Keep in mind, with evening/weekend programs, the length of the program is likely to increase. As an example, one diploma program in my area is 22 months in length for the traditional daytime program, but nearly 4 years long for the evening/weekend program.

Second degree students are now extremely common in nearly all nursing programs. About 1/3 of my class already held a bachelor's degree or higher in another field.

It can be done, but it will not be quick. Best of luck to you.

Fiona59 · Jun 22, 2005

I think that the whole degree thing with nursing is colouring some future nurses perceptions of what a nursing education entails.

When it was a hospital based education, no-one ever thought of doing it quickly.

Now that there is a degree involved there are times I feel like saying you can't learn it all from a book it involves hands on work.

A nurses work is 24/7 therefore its only natural that the education flows with that plan. C

RN_Jen · Jun 22, 2005

Just for clarification, it was this specific comment which turned the tide of this thread. It's possible we misunderstood you, but speaking for myself ... with that comment I thought you were implying that you believed becoming an RN was simply a matter of passing a test, analogous to passing, say, the exam to get a real estate license. I am not in any way disparaging realtors (I once held that license myself), but there is absolutely no comparison between the brief training period to sit for the real estate exam and nursing education.

Thank you. That is exactly how I interpreted that particular comment as well.

I apologize if the OP mistook my concern for "holier-than-thou-ness". I certainly did not mean to come across as one "so high and mighty who is only adept at picking my words apart and making assumptions about me."

janiebane · Jul 5, 2005

I received some helpful info from another user regarding an online program. I too have a bachelor's and wanted to become an RN. A program was mentioned out of TAMU-corpus christi and Del Mar College-corpus Christi. All of the classes are online, BUT you must do all required clinical rotations at an approved location. There is no short cut to your nursing degree, just a more convenient way to do classwork. It requires just as much time and effort, if not more because you have to be motivated to self study. I still have not decided what I want to do, but it may be a good option. Not sure if you have to be a Texas resident or not. Good luck!

I went to both of these sites. I didn't see where Del Mar had an online degree program. TAMU-Corpus Christi was having a problem witht their Distance Ed. website. So, I couldn't look anything up there.

janiebane · Jul 5, 2005

Just for clarification, it was this specific comment which turned the tide of this thread. It's possible we misunderstood you, but speaking for myself ... with that comment I thought you were implying that you believed becoming an RN was simply a matter of passing a test, analogous to passing, say, the exam to get a real estate license. I am not in any way disparaging realtors (I once held that license myself), but there is absolutely no comparison between the brief training period to sit for the real estate exam and nursing education.
As has been discussed, your options for nursing education include an accelerated BSN program, a direct-entry MSN program, traditional ADN or diploma schools (some may offer night/weekend programs), and a few other unique options offered by a few schools which may or may not be feasible for you, depending on where you are. All of these will require a significant time commitment, including at least some inflexible day/afternoon hours for clinical experiences. Keep in mind, with evening/weekend programs, the length of the program is likely to increase. As an example, one diploma program in my area is 22 months in length for the traditional daytime program, but nearly 4 years long for the evening/weekend program.
Second degree students are now extremely common in nearly all nursing programs. About 1/3 of my class already held a bachelor's degree or higher in another field.
It can be done, but it will not be quick. Best of luck to you.

It looks like I am going to have to go for the ADN first. There are not any schools around here that will accept you into the Bachelor's program if you are not already an RN.

janiebane · Jul 5, 2005

Thank you. That is exactly how I interpreted that particular comment as well.
I apologize if the OP mistook my concern for "holier-than-thou-ness". I certainly did not mean to come across as one "so high and mighty who is only adept at picking my words apart and making assumptions about me."

As I said, I am sorry for my choice of wording. It was not intended to sound the way that it did. I am very thankful for all of the information I have received and cannot wait to get started!

L&Dnurse2Be · Jul 5, 2005

I went to both of these sites. I didn't see where Del Mar had an online degree program. TAMU-Corpus Christi was having a problem witht their Distance Ed. website. So, I couldn't look anything up there.

I found it by doing a search: "TAMU and Del Mar College nursing" It is called eline. Try this link http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~eline/degree.htm. Good luck!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 5, 2005

Hi Janie! I have been reading these posts here and want to tell you how I became I nurse. I originally went to school for biology and even went all the way to getting my MS in biology 4 years ago. Right after that, I worked in a research lab and decided I wanted to do more meaningful work so I decided I wanted to be an RN! I knew there were ADN programs and also accelerated 2nd bachelor programs in my area (Mass) but I really wanted a BSN and also could not afford the expensive 2nd degree BSN programs here. So I decided to go to a traditional 4 year BSN program. I went to school with students who were traditional college-aged (I was 25 at the time) and they let me skip over the freshman year because I had all the pre-reqs done due to my previous degrees, and I started in at the sophomore year and began taking nursing 101 and other classes that year...I also had to take several gen eds like art and music and health that were never required by my other schools, but were required by this school in order to get my BSN. All in all, I took 5 extra classes-art/music, mythology, history, spanish II, and health. I also took all 14 nursing classes. So I spent 3 years in the program, and just graduated in May of this year with my BSN with a 3.97 GPA. I then spent the last 6 weeks since graduation studying for my NCLEX exam-I think I did like 5000+ practice questions for it! And I just found out I passed and am now an RN. My point is it was very time consuming but totally worth it. There are numerous ways to becoming a nurse-ADN, BSN-traditional or accelerated, graduate entry, etc. Choose the one that is right for you. I was fine with being in a traditional BSN program because I did not ever feel like I was rushing the process of becoming a nurse, and felt I really had plenty of time to study and learn things and now feel like I will be a very safe, knowledgeable nurse. Good luck to you and welcome to nursing! :)

-Christine

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 5, 2005

Did you try doing an online search of all nursing schools?

janiebane · Jul 5, 2005

Hi Janie! I have been reading these posts here and want to tell you how I became I nurse. I originally went to school for biology and even went all the way to getting my MS in biology 4 years ago. Right after that, I worked in a research lab and decided I wanted to do more meaningful work so I decided I wanted to be an RN! I knew there were ADN programs and also accelerated 2nd bachelor programs in my area (Mass) but I really wanted a BSN and also could not afford the expensive 2nd degree BSN programs here. So I decided to go to a traditional 4 year BSN program. I went to school with students who were traditional college-aged (I was 25 at the time) and they let me skip over the freshman year because I had all the pre-reqs done due to my previous degrees, and I started in at the sophomore year and began taking nursing 101 and other classes that year...I also had to take several gen eds like art and music and health that were never required by my other schools, but were required by this school in order to get my BSN. All in all, I took 5 extra classes-art/music, mythology, history, spanish II, and health. I also took all 14 nursing classes. So I spent 3 years in the program, and just graduated in May of this year with my BSN with a 3.97 GPA. I then spent the last 6 weeks since graduation studying for my NCLEX exam-I think I did like 5000+ practice questions for it! And I just found out I passed and am now an RN. My point is it was very time consuming but totally worth it. There are numerous ways to becoming a nurse-ADN, BSN-traditional or accelerated, graduate entry, etc. Choose the one that is right for you. I was fine with being in a traditional BSN program because I did not ever feel like I was rushing the process of becoming a nurse, and felt I really had plenty of time to study and learn things and now feel like I will be a very safe, knowledgeable nurse. Good luck to you and welcome to nursing! :)
-Christine

There isn't a local college here that will allow you into a BSN program if you are not already an RN. So, I think my only choice is going to be an ADN from the local community college. That would be my first step for now, I guess. Did you work at all while you were doing this? I feel like I will have a hard time working full-time and trying to go to school as well, but I really don't have any other choice.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Jul 5, 2005

I went for aas in nursing at my comm. coll. Had some of the pre req's done from another program (rad tech), but still took 12 credit hours a semester, and 4 creds in summers, while working full time 2nd shift in a factory job, and with a husband that worked full time and a 2 yr old.Had some family help with child care, and on certain test days I would use my vacation days, but I did get it done. I think some of the colleges up here offer what you are looking for (bsn for non rn 's) but you'd have to move up here. (Rochester NY) Good Luck Determination can win!