Why does it take 1-2 years to get into a program?

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2008

It takes 1-2 years because the amount of qualified applicants greatly exceeds the amount taken by the program in your area. You should look into accelerated BSN programs as you already have a degree.

nlion87 · Aug 14, 2008

Also there is a shortage of nurses going into teaching More students than instructors

WayneStateKatie · Aug 14, 2008

Since you already have a bachelors you have so many options. You could do a second degree accelerated program-- Eastern in ypsi offers them although I'm not sure if they do one every year.

U of M also offers a second degree program that is 12 months full time. They accept once a year and are currently accepting applications for fall 2009.

Wayne in Detroit does a second degree program once a year as well. Their program is 16 months long full time. They do once a year fall admissions. You'd have this fall and this winter semester to finish outstanding prerequisites to be eligible for fall 2009 admissions.

You should attend an info session for each of these schools to learn about their programs (Oakland has one as well as does U of D Mercy). These are all competitive entry programs so you don't have to sit on a list and wait for acceptance. If you have a competitive application with a high GPA you will earn a slot for the next fall if you have your prerequisites completed.

I think the waiting lists you're referring to would be for community colleges. Since you already have a bachelors you could get your bachelors in nursing in less time than it would take you to go through a RN program at a CC and there is no "waiting" to get in. I know Washtenaw has a crazy like 3+ year wait list. Schoolcraft and Henry Ford CC also have wait lists as well. All the other community colleges have done away with wait lists and have gone to a competitive admissions system. Since you have a four your degree it really makes no sense for you to take so much longer to get your associates than an accelerated second bachelors. You would be done with a second bachelors in less than a year and a half once admitted. If you wanted to get your associates it would take you two years once admitted.

Attend info sessions at the schools I mentioned above. Visit their websites, and if you have any questions about schools around here (I know A LOT more than I should about them) feel free to send me a private message. Good luck!

jjjoy, LPN · Aug 14, 2008

Nursing education isn't a money-maker major, either. In addition to the usual overhead school costs (lecturer pay, classroom space, administrative costs, etc), there are skills labs to run and stock and clinical rotations to coordinate and staff (usually a maximum of 10:1 student to instructor). It's neither simple to expand program capacity nor is it cost effective; that is, the added student tuition will not come anywhere close to making up the difference in added costs for subsized programs (such as at community colleges). Usually, you can get into private, expensive programs much faster than more affordable programs.

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2008

As others said, because there aren't enough instructors to safely educate large groups of students.

I'd love to teach. I'm told I'm an excellent teacher and I can point to a number of very good nurses I've precepted. But I can't afford a master's degree. I have three daughters in college and I cannot afford $25,000 on myself.