starting from scratch

Published

I am currently looking into a nursing program in the hampton roads area. I came across a few schools. I have my AAS in Medical assisting from MCI 2005. Since their credits dont transfer, I have to start from scratch unless I go back to them. I refuse because they are to expensive for their RN program. There is another school called fortis college in Norfolk, but they are also a for profit school that is over priced, and their cerdits wont transfer either. It looks like I will be going to a CC, which is great, but I will have to take pre'reqs. The pre'reqs that I will need were all taken at MCI, but they wont transfer. Its my own fault. I should have researched this before going through with the program. Im not sure if all online schools will except credits from non accredited schools, but The University of Phoenix was willing to do so. They just didnt have the program that I was looking for. Where can I take pre'reqs in the hampton roads area? How long do pre'reqs take if you go fulltime?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN Student-Class of 2015.

I went to Kee Business College (when they were called that) for Medical Assisting. I feel your pain and I'm sorry you have to start over. How long your pre-reqs take will vary, at minimum you are looking at 3-4 semesters. The biggest hold up are the science classes. At TCC in order to take Anatomy and Physiology, you have to pass either BIO 1 or BIO 100. BIO 100 can be taken online and was easy for me. In order to take Microbiology you have to pass either BIO 1 or BIO 101. Now if you have taken Biology in high school then you may want to check with a counselor to see if they will accept that and if they do then you can go right into A&P and Microbiology. Do you know where you want to go to become a RN? Are you looking for an assoicates in nursing or bachelors? Stay away from those profit schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The for profit schools are only good when a person has no alternatives and can afford them. As you can see, they come with limitations. But then what is more limiting than languishing on a waiting list for a cc spot? Good luck with finding a program once your prereqs are completed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you guys for your input. HoneyGamble, I did take Bio in high school, but I will talk to a counselor to see where I stand. So the hold up would be science? I can take a class online. Is that in addition to any other pre'reqs I may be taking? I dont know much about cc. Have you been back to school since you finished at Kee? I want to go to TCC or Thomas Nelson Community College(TNCC). They seem to be by best options. How long is a semester in CC? After high school, the only other school I attended was MCI and they had 5 week mods...and on to the next set of classes. Im hoping to complete my pre'reqs and nuring program in less than 3 yrs. Is this realistic?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

By the way, does anyone know how much the nursing program is at TCC?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in BSN Student-Class of 2015.
Thank you guys for your input. HoneyGamble, I did take Bio in high school, but I will talk to a counselor to see where I stand. So the hold up would be science? I can take a class online. Is that in addition to any other pre'reqs I may be taking? I dont know much about cc. Have you been back to school since you finished at Kee? I want to go to TCC or Thomas Nelson Community College(TNCC). They seem to be by best options. How long is a semester in CC? After high school, the only other school I attended was MCI and they had 5 week mods...and on to the next set of classes. Im hoping to complete my pre'reqs and nuring program in less than 3 yrs. Is this realistic?

I'm currently a student at TCC and working on my pre-reqs. The fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks long and the summer semester is 10 weeks. I'm taking my first anatomy and physiology class this summer. I will be taking my lecture online and then I have to go in twice a week for my lab. I have all the other classes done like the englishes, psychologys, sociologys, etc. It is possible to get it done within 3 years however keep in mind that most nursing programs have an application deadline that seems to run in the spring semester. The key is to do your research on the schools you are interested in and what pre-reqs are required to be eligible to apply. For instance, in order to be eligible to apply for TCC's nursing program you can have BIO 141, BIO 150, ENG 111, MTH 3, and SDV 101 completed with a "C" or higher-this can be done within 2 semesters. The cost per credit at TCC is $101.50 I think and they use that per credit cost for their nursing program as well.

Right now I'm waiting to hear from Norfolk State about admission into their associates program that starts August of this year. All I needed in order to be eligible to apply to them was to have Biology with lab, Chemistry with lab, General Math, and Algebra. I took Chemistry, General Math, and Algebra in high school and that was over 10 years ago and they accepted it. I just had to take my BIO with lab at the college level. I have been hearing they have alot of self learning and some people don't like that. I'm ok with a little self learning so I'm willing to take the risk. I'm just using them as a starting point and I plan on getting my bachelor's from another university.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics.

I am going threw the same thing. I went to MCI also. I blame myself for not doing my research first because listening to other people got me in this situation. I took the LPN program wishing now that I took it in CC but now I find my self back at a CC retaking all these pre reps that fill like there is no end to them because they change the curriculum so often that you think you are done but now they want except that credit you have to take a higher credit. With all that said I am still in CC really don't care how long it takes because I want a bachelors after this so no more schools for me that are good for time but are hard on the pockets and hurt you in the long run.:rolleyes::idea::idea::idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hear you! I wont be going to another school like those either. It was a lesson learned. Going to a CC is so time consuming, but if you want it you gotta go for it. Im so annoyed. I thought about going back to MCI so I could get it done faster, plus I wouldnt have to do pre'reqs. I just cant see paying all that money. Does anyone know if their program is a bachelors program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in pediatrics.

I know in Richmond they have an RN to bachelors program. I thought about goin back to MCI also but I think about the triumphs also that really isn't worth it. So I just stick to my guns. I always remind myself if I go back to MCI then I have to back and do the same. Pre'reqs over for my bachelors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I hear you! I wont be going to another school like those either. It was a lesson learned. Going to a CC is so time consuming, but if you want it you gotta go for it. Im so annoyed. I thought about going back to MCI so I could get it done faster, plus I wouldnt have to do pre'reqs. I just cant see paying all that money. Does anyone know if their program is a bachelors program?

Hey I am a NN RN student. Both the NN and VA Beach campus have a BSN program and we were told the VA Beach campus would be rolling out an MSN program at the end of the year.

I do understand your frustration with transfer credits. For the RN program, not sure about MA, we are in the NLN candidacy phase. Even though we are regionally accredited we don't transfer most places because we are waiting for NLN.

Many of my classmates did MA and CNA at MCI. None of their credits transferred to the RN program and they said it was because the A&P, for example, that you take in lower programs is less thorough then the RN A&P. Which to further prove that point, everyone who failed out of A&P 1 in the beginning of our program dropped to LPN afterwards and said that their A&P was nothing compared to RN A&P.

I also understand your point of view on costs. Luckily I have the GI Bill so I am not paying for this. I already have a BS in another field and will be transferring to UoP for a MSN bridge program 2 months after I graduate here. That is pricey too, as are most private schools.

Good luck and let me know if you have anymore questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey, thanks a lot. So the NN and the Va Beach campus have the bachelors program. I will be using the GI Bill too, its still a bunch of money though. My husband will be going back to school as well soon. Its not so bad that they wont take my MA credits, as long as I can get it done sooner rather than later. Is the bachelors program still 2 yrs or so? I really dont know what I want to do. Are the A&P classes really hard? Are the mods 5 weeks long? What is the entrance exam like? Sorry for all the questions, but I can get more answers from you, than I can by calling the school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I use the GI Bill, would I also be able to get other financial assistance? I DO NOT want to get another huge loan. If I dont use the GI BILL would I be able to get grants, financial aide, and maybe a small loan?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion