What does it take exactly to become a nurse?

Sour Lemon · Dec 29, 2016

I just keep reading that you have to have your generals finished or something, and I'm not understanding it. An associates degree is two years, so I'm just wanting to make sure she can have her RN in two years, and then keep going for her bachelor's to have it all wrapped up in 4 years.

A two year degree typically takes longer because you need to complete prerequisites before being accepted to most nursing programs. The two years starts after acceptance.

These are the requirements currently required by my nursing program as prerequisites (cut and pasted) although they were somewhat different when I applied:

There are usually minimal requirements for math and reading, as well. Someone with a GED may or may not have the knowledge to test out without taking remedial courses. I was required to take two semesters of math to get to "nursing level".

The necessity for a BSN depends largely on where you'll be living and what your goals are. If you're living in an employee's market and aren't picky about your specialty, an ASN may work fine. If you live in an employer's market and wish for a highly sought specialty, a BSN would be wiser. A BSN also makes it easier to qualify for higher level positions when the time comes.

Juson · Dec 29, 2016

Okay. In either case, you do not have to get your CNA prior to nursing school do you?

Sour Lemon · Dec 29, 2016

Okay. In either case, you do not have to get your CNA prior to nursing school do you?

Some schools do require it, but that's not typical.

oohhgolly · Dec 29, 2016

10 years ago I married my husband, active duty military. My husband very generously gave me his GI bill to use because nursing programs do not qualify for grants such as MYCAA. Yes, it is possible she could have her degree in a few years if she started tomorrow and went full time with no breaks, but as military life would have it, she probably won't. We have moved 3 times in 10 years, it took me 7 years to get my BSN (4 years to get an associates in science degree, accepted to a BSN program, and then completion of a 2.5 year BSN program).

Additionally, as Sour Lemon put it, its not just 2 years of nursing classes. There are specific courses required to be completed before even applying to the program which could be 2-3 years long. And then, if she completes an ADN program, be prepared that she may be going back shortly thereafter for her BSN while working full time.

Davey Do · Dec 29, 2016

Welcome to AN.com, Juson!

It took me 14 years to get my RN. Well, that's what my college transcript says- I took my first class in 1976 and graduated in 1990 with my ASN.

However, in the meantime, I worked at various jobs, changed residences numerous times, had some great adventures, got my EMT-B in 1979, EMT-I in 1981, LPN in 1983, and my RN in 1990.

AJJKRN · Dec 29, 2016

Just an FYI...

GED = HS Diploma

I have a GED that got when I was 17 then and decided to start college 10 years later and assessed into honors English and tested into the appropriate Math level required for my ASN (science has always been my strongest subject with math falling in last place).

And FWIW, my prerequisites took almost two years and my ASN took two years to total almost four years. It did cost less than $10000 for my first degree though and would have cost $80000 at the big name state university up the road that the nursing graduates are not as well-liked by the surrounding healthcare employers and has a much lower NCLEX pass rate (as in the low 80's, the ASN program I went to maintains 99-100% pass rate so there are many variables to consider when choosing a nursing school).

Juson · Dec 29, 2016

She will be going taking the prerequisites on base if possible, maybe even online. If the school load is high/if she takes on a lot at once to complete it faster, I will not ask her to have a job.

Trying to get a 4 year plan together. Our household income is currently $95,000. When I leave for the military and she quits to follow me, that income will drop to $18,900 base E-1 military pay (plus allownances, which actually add up quite a bit).

It's going to be a huge change of life and I've already sold all my toys with the exception of my Harley (nobody will buy the frikkin thing... Still trying), and still working on selling my house. But the end goal is to come out with neither of us having to work in manufacturing (factories), have degrees, and be able to move south rather than being stuck in Illinois for a good paying job that doesn't require schooling; like my current one.

Whatever job I get in the Air Force, I will probably take the appropriate steps to ensure it transfers well into civilian life afterward, whether it be additional schooling etc.

Finding out what she should do is the problem. She's not even sure if she will do well/like nursing; she'd prefer to be in administration doing paperwork over working with a bunch of people. There's been a couple other jobs she said may be better suited for her, like running an x-ray machine or MRI machine... Something like that lol, whatever the two were I think the pay is what was holding her back. She's currently making $45k/year and wants to come out at least making $60k/year.

I'm making $50k/year and $60k/year would be fine with me too as long as we can get the heck out of Illinois lol.

So there's the up to date life story and goals. All input has been greatly appreciated, and so is further input :)

llg, PhD, RN · Dec 29, 2016

Good luck, Juson. I think I understand what you are trying to do and why -- and it makes sense to me. I wish you and your wife the best of luck.

Previous posters gave you the basic information you asked for, so I won't repeat it. I'll just advise you and your wife to avoid "for-profit" nursing schools. They are notorious for recruiting military personnel and their spouses -- taking their money by offering quicker routes to a degree at an exorbitantly high price. The problem is that their nursing programs are not very good and not respected by most of the best employers or legitimate schools of higher education. If your wife falls prey to such a school, she could spend a lot of money on a degree that won't get her very far. Yours is exactly the type of situation predatory schools look for -- they offer a quick, but expensive and poor quality degree. Be careful. Choose reputable schools that are definitely not-for-profit (such as Community College and other state-sponsored universities).

Also, each school is a little different in their exact requirements. So be sure that you and your wife get detailed information on the specific schools she may be considering. Don't make any assumptions because things could be different at any particular school.

Good luck!

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 29, 2016

I'd be interested in hearing from your wife. You mention your plans for her, but what does she want?

Why isn't she here asking questions about nursing?

"I just keep reading that you have to have your generals finished or something, and I'm not understanding it. An associates degree is two years, so I'm just wanting to make sure she can have her RN in two years, and then keep going for her bachelor's to have it all wrapped up in 4 years."

Is this your plan or hers?

Davey Do · Dec 29, 2016

be able to move south rather than being stuck in Illinois

But Juson- you could be "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again"!

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I apologize. I just couldn't resist.

Extra Pickles · Dec 29, 2016

Further input coming up! If your wife is choosing this profession based on the desire for steady income and reasonable employment opportunities, that's fine, but if she isn't a People Person and would rather be doing administrative work maybe it's not the best fit?

She really should ask about shadowing a nurse in a local hospital for a day or two, get an idea of what an RN actually does before jumping in with both feet. Nursing school for most people is difficult, it's not unusual to see half of any given class fail out of the program prior to graduation, leaving the best students and those who do well in clinicals still in the running for a nursing degree.

She doesn't have to be the next Florence Nightingale like some people would have you believe, passion and dedication are not the determining factors on whether one becomes a nurse. She will be working with people on a very intimate level and that isn't everyone's cup of tea. That's why I'd recommend shadowing first. Or even becoming a CNA, while it might not be required for the nursing school she'd go to it'd clue her in as to whether nursing is still a good fit or an awful one, time to scrap the plan!

Also, not all prerequisites can be taken online, not all courses will transfer from one school to another. Online sciences with labs have the best shot at being accepted but there's no guarantee, most of the time these need to be done in live classrooms to qualify.