Okay so I already went to college and graduated with a different degree. I want to go back to school to become an RN. I was looking at accelerated programs in my area... but don't have the prereqs. So then I started going about trying to get the prereqs from the community college nearby (this community college was recommended by one of the accelerated programs) The community college is Hudson County Community College. From what I'm seeing it looks like they have a nursing program. I asked about just signing up for the prereqs and they stated that I could except first dibs goes to their nursing students... and that a few of the prereqs are pretty much impossible to get into if you arent one of their nursing students. They also didn't seem to understand why I didn't just do their nursing program. And the truth is I don't know because I don't know how any of this works. It seems that this would be a much cheaper option... but I cant tell if its the same thing. Can someone look at this link and help me out? Will I be able to become an RN through this program? Also I have tried speaking to people at the school but am not having much luck getting in touch with anyone. I work fully time and cant sit around on the phone either. (http://www.hccc.edu/innerContent.aspx?menu_id=380&id=488)

After a quick read of the first page of that link, it looks like you would only get a diploma for the nursing portion. I would put this program at the bottom of my list unless you don't care as long as your path to taking the RN NCLEX is clear. There are too many programs that award a nursing degree from the get go, to have to transfer to another school in order to get a degree associated with the nursing portion of the program. Just my take on the matter.

Thanks! I really have no idea. I don't know what path to take or even what the paths are. I wish I was in high school where I had a guidance counselor to guide me threw all this. All I know is I want to be an R.N. I have been researching for awhile and can't figure out the best way to achieve that. I think I understand what your saying, but no sure exactly what it means in terms of things. This would make it take longer? Or it just wouldn't be a complete program?

Do whatever you need to in order to get a BSN.

A lot of community colleges (cc) and universities have started doing these dual enrollment partnerships. They encourage students taking prereqs from the cc to officially apply for an Associate's degree (many students taking prereqs are eligible for Associates, but don't apply for them and the cc needs to show it's awarding degrees each year) and also encourages students who would have only gotten an Associates degree to go on and get the BSN.

What's a little vague in the program is how much schooling you'd have to do at the university to finish your BSN. Visit with reps from each school to discuss the options and have your transcripts evaluated. Then figure out how long each option will take and how much it will cost.

Since you already have a Bachelor's, then your best bet may be to just take prereqs at the cc, then go on to the accelerated program for your BSN. If you have to sign up for this dual admissions program to get into the cc classes, you could do so but then transfer on to your accelerated program once you finish the prereqs.

I work at a community college and can take classes for free. Originally I planned to get an Associate's here, but have since found a local accelarated program that will allow me to get a BSN in 14 months since I already have a non-healthcare Bachelor's degree. It will cost more, but in the same amount of time I'll have a BSN instead of an Associate's. The community college classes are great and about half of my fellow students are planning to stay and get an Associates, while the other half are going on to other universities to get a BSN.

You could always make the situation easier on yourself by applying to all available programs in the area, then choose from whichever programs accept you. Aim for a minimum of a BSN from the start, but if the only program to accept you is an ADN program, that is ok. While your status of already having a degree and substantial college work under your belt qualifies you for many accelerated programs, please consider that some people have posted that they had to change to a traditional BSN program. They found the pace of the accelerated program to be overwhelming. Something to think about. You want to go where you have the best chance of surviving school. Good luck with your decision. And you can keep on coming back here with your questions. People on this site will do their best to answer them.