Trying to find out how long the tcc rn program is

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Hi, I am thinking about going to fortis college in norfolk, va, but I keep hearing bad things about the school. It has one or two advantages, but way more disadvantages. The only other school with an accelerated program is MCI. They are also not accredited...and waaay to expensive. Whats the point in going to a school where the credits dont transfer, just in case you want to further your education. Its crazy to me to pay all that money once, but twice... i dont think so. They want you to come back to that school, and spend more money. Its a cycle. I was wondering if anyone knew how long the rn programs is at tcc? Including pre'reqs and all, and how much.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.

Hi

In this area, you have the hospital based programs, Sentara in Chesapeake and Riverside in Newport News. Bon Secours is out of Richmond. TCC and TNCC for community colleges and then the 4 year programs at ODU, Norfolk State and Hampton U. There are also the for profit schools, MCI and Fortis.

The CC programs are very popular because they are about the cheapest per credit and have good reputations. They are 2 year day programs and there is a wait to get in. I got my pre-reqs done at TCC, lots of folks do the same.

Sentara has gone to a 2.5 BSN program, you come in with 1.5 years of college pre-reqs and then you get a BSN. Only thing to consider about them is that their current accreditation is still as a diploma program and they wont get certified for bachelors degrees till they graduate a class or two. They are well regarded and have a wait.

Riverside is a 2 year diploma program, very well regarded and about 21 grand for the 6 semesters at the current time. You can go on and get a BSN going through ODU later on if you choose. When I came in there was not much of a wait, but from what I can tell now that is changing.

The 4 year traditional programs at the colleges are tough to get into, probably need a gpa somewhat north of 3.0 to be considered. I've not heard anything bad about ODU's program. Hampton has had some issues in the past, really don't know anything about Norfolk State. A good rule of thumb is to get on the state nursing boards accreditation list and see what each school is doing currently.

http://www.dhp.state.va.us/nursing/nursing_edprogs.htm

Hope all this helps, do your research and consider all the pluses and minuses of each program, not one is "perfect".

This is a good link to search for programs in any given area: http://www.discovernursing.com/nursing-program-search

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Thank you for your help BOB_N_VA. This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a few questions. How long did it take to complete your pre'reqs if you went fulltime at TCC? How do you actually get into the program at Riverside? Is there an entrance exam? If so, what are the subjects. Each school is different from what I understand.

Thanks a million!

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.
Thank you for your help BOB_N_VA. This is exactly what I was looking for. I had a few questions. How long did it take to complete your pre'reqs if you went fulltime at TCC? How do you actually get into the program at Riverside? Is there an entrance exam? If so, what are the subjects. Each school is different from what I understand.

Thanks a million!

All of the pre-reqs that are required are listed on the riversideonline website http://www.riversideonline.com/rshc/index.cfm. It took me two semesters to get 3 classes done. I already had a bachelors degree from many moons ago. I needed anatomy 1 and 2 and Micro for Riverside, and these were all were lab courses. I took a&p 1 during the summer and then a&p2 and micro in the fall. I cut it tight because I wanted to start in Jan 2009. I got a conditional acceptance to Riverside based on passing both courses. Riverside requires all candidates to pass the Teas test and to have all their pre-reqs done prior to starting class. The Teas test is a standardized entrance exam many programs used to screen applicants. I'm not sure of what the minimum is, I think I got something in the 80's which was good enough. I am doing all my coursework in the evenings since I work full time. Unfortunately ours was the last evening/weekend class so only days now except for the lpn-rn bridge program.

The application process is pretty straightforward, you submit your package and all your transcripts and if all that is in order, you take the Teas test. Once those results come back and if you do well, they will schedule you for an interview. Thats pretty much a formality, at least it was for me. After that, you wait for an acceptance letter, but you should know how you stand after the interview. You can get a tour of the campus usually by calling up and making an appt.

Hope that answers whatever questions you may have, if not, PM me. Its a good program with lots of clinical time. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.:)

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Thanks a bunch. Very helpful.

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