What is the fasetest way to get an RN license?

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I want to get my RN license ASAP and was thinking of getting into the LPN to RN bridge program, I currently dont have my pre requisites. Is that a fast way of getting an RN license Or is there another fast way to do it? I think the 2 year RN associate program seems like the fastest way. All thoughts are welcomed please. Thank you.

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Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

Slow down there! You would first have to be an LPN to enter the bridge program. Associate programs take 3-4 years, because they mostly require you to have all your pre-reqs before you can get in. Be sure to make all A's in those. There is no "fast" way to become a nurse, except for maybe a medication aide course, which will give you the opportunity to perform many nursing functions without the training or skills. Good luck!:)

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It really depends on your individual situation. For me, I had all my pre req's done years ago, and so getting my LPN and then bridging was the fastest way. If you don't have your pre-req's in my area, you can't bridge so I think truly the fastest way you could possibly do it would be three years. That's assuming you take a large load of pre-req's each semester and probably cram in every intersession course possible. I know you can CLEP out of several of your pre-reqs like English, Psychology, History if you think that's possible.

I know when I sat down with one nursing advisor last year she told me the quickest route would take me 3yrs, but since I had 100% of my pre-reqs I wasn't satisfied with that. I kept searching around and found a way to get to ADN in two school years, so all told it shaved about 6mo off. In reality, the time is flying (a little over 1/3 done with LPN!) and just a few months I'll be applying to RN school and scheduling the transition classes I need to start RN!!! It's so much work, and a crazy schedule but I know in time I'll look back and it will have been such a short season in my life. I figure the time is going to pass anyway, so might as well jump in!

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If you want to avoid the long waiting lists or rejection from the community college nursing programs, you can opt for the private schools. In return for astronomical fees, you usually can arrange to start almost immediately in most cases. Example: Read in a previous post on this site, West Coast University in SoCal has a tuition rate of slightly under $64,000 for their ASN program. If you have the money, the private programs would be the way to go for a fast start at nursing school.

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Specializes in LTC/MDS/PPS.

If you're already a LPN/LVN and you really know your stuff, you might consider Excelsior College...DW just completed her ASN in a little under 8 months, I've completed all except the CPNE in just over 5 months and am waiting for a CPNE date (the longest part), if you're lucky and can take a cancelation you can do the program in under a year...that being said..not all states recognize Excelsior anymore (Ga, Va, Co, Il and Ca come to mind) and you must have the discipline to concentrate your studies on your own. And yes, it's expensive. Good Luck

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Hi,

The best way, in my opinion, to get information on your individual situation is to research schools in your area and contact them. You can check the board of nursing websites and they will have a list of all approved schools in your area and then view their websites or call them.

I go to an AAS program at a private school that will allow me to sit for my license in 18 months, including the prereqs, which costs $25K for the entire program. They have an LPN- RN program that only gives you credit for one course, so it's not really worth it to bridge, but at some community colleges it is only 1 year to bridge. Every school in every area is different in every area, so a lot of research will help you.

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Specializes in ICU.

find a 2 year diploma program. you're skilled and employable when you graduate.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

By the way I'm reading your post, it doesn't sound like your an LPN already. I agree with other posters about attempting the private school route. If you have no prereq's, your going to be carrying a very heavy load. Try to keep in mind that nursing school is unlike any other degree out there. The exams are much different than anything you have ever done. Slow down and investigate whats out there. Just because you may get in quickly, doesn't mean the work load will be something you can handle. If your not an LPN, you do not qualify for the bridge program. You have to have passed your lpn state boards to even think about that program. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

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Holey toledo, I agree, slow down. Do some research. There are fast programs out there but be ready for fast forward, no time for yourself, difficult 2 or 3 years. I guess the thing that came to my mind, is do you want a pay stub or do you want to be a good nurse ? You can do both I'm just woundering what your inspiration for going to school is. Because if you just want the pay, you may be disapointed when you find out what the job is really like. After 30 years of nursing it seems I am seeing so many new nurses that think I'ts going to be a good paying job and don't think past that. Then when they start signing their name RN, get their schedule, have to clean a pt, put up with the everyday things that we do just because we actually care about a pt... etc... they quickly become disgruntled. It seems to be a rapidly growing theme in nursing.

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There is no fast track to your ADN, we all have to put in our time. The best suggestion I have is to find a school that has a ladder, not a bridge program. In a ladder program you take your LPN license when you reach that point and can either stop and be an LPN, or go another two semisters for your RN. You also hvae the option of working as a LPN while finishing your RN.

Most ADN's still take about 3-4 years with your prereqs. The advantages to this program vs a 4yr univeristy are; cost, getting in to clinicals immediataly vs a university you don not start clinicals to your third year, and gaining your lpn if you want to work sooner.

No matter where you go it is hard work! good luck.

J

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There are a few ADN programs out there that have few prereqs or that have them built into the two years. Delgado Charity school of nursing in New Orleans is one, and the community colleges in at least one upper midwest state (I think either Michigan or Wisconsin, I've read about them here before) are the other that I know of. You have to take the prerequisites anywhere you go, and they're different at every school. Some build them into the program, others require more before you apply. You've got a lot of research left to do...

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Specializes in PACU, Med/Surg.

Hi,

It will have taken me a total of 2 1/2 years to complete nursing school...I graduate from a private college RN-ADN program in 7 weeks (December). I started the program fall of 2007, and before that it took a year to complete prerequisites; so total it took 2 1/2 years. I think that is the fastest one can aquire their RN degree/license and complete prerequisites. Most RN programs will not accept you without your general ed requirements. Hope this helps.

By the way, depending on where you are, you DON'T have to go the private school route. There are several areas in the country where waiting lists are not that bad for community colleges or universities. I could have attended one of many universities around here or the community college where I live, but opted for the private college because I liked the small classes and nice campus. I know many people around here (Central Kentucky) never had to wait on lists, and if I had to do it all over again, I would have attended a public college to save $.

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