4 years to complete an ADN?!?!

AmyLiz · May 18, 2004

At our school it is *possible* to get the degree in just two years, but it never happens. With the waiting list, you'll take at least 3 years. But if all conditions were right (which never happens anyway) and there was no waiting list and you could take a full-load of classes without killing yourself, you could technically get the degree in 2 years.

Kyriaka · May 18, 2004

I just found out today that by going to the community college to get my ADN, it is going to take 4 years for me to finish. What the heck is that all about?? I don't understand that because why would I want to waste all that time. I thought it was supposed to be 2 years, not 4. That's a fricken BSN. Is this normal??
______________________
Yes. I have seen this before.
The ADN programs here are pushing people to a BSN. For 2 reasons:
1. They say it is a two year program. But this assuming that the person went thru Algebra II in high school and are starting at the Pre--Cal level. (Since here Pre--Cal is required). If you havent been in school for some time you may have to start at Basic Math and/or Algebra I.
2. The ADN programs only accept people once a year. If you dont make it you have to wait another year to try. The BSN programs accept people throughout the year.
***If you are asking me, go ahead and get the BSN.

Nursing N 2004 · May 18, 2004

I just found out today that by going to the community college to get my ADN, it is going to take 4 years for me to finish. What the heck is that all about?? I don't understand that because why would I want to waste all that time. I thought it was supposed to be 2 years, not 4. That's a fricken BSN. Is this normal?? This is how it adds up (if you care to follow along): 1st semester is pre-reqs that you have to do (A&P 1 w/lab, English Comp, Intro to Sociology, College Algebra). Then they just added that you also have to complete Microbiology w/ lab and A&P w/ lab the next semester before you can even apply to the nursing program. By the time you complete all of these required pre-reqs, you will have missed the application deadline for fall admission to the nursing program. So you have to apply for Spring admission into the nursing program. Add that all up and that comes to 3 full semesters before I can even start the nursing program itself. The nursing program is then another 5 semesters (no way around that).
What kind of crap is this?? Plus, I'll have to fill up my schedule with a bunch of meaningless courses so that I can stay full-time for financial aid purposes. Is this what everybody goes through for an ADN???

Hi...I know our programs around here are ADN's 2 years after pre-req's are finished (which could be 1 semester to 1 year). BSN is 4 years w/ pre-req's included. That is in IL/MO!!!! Good Luck!

Michelle

luckymichelle · May 18, 2004

This is the most annoying subject for me!

It drives me absolutely INSANE! I'm glad I'm not alone. I'll be in school for 3.5 years when I get my ADN. If I wasn't mislead upfront, I would've probably gone the BSN route, although it is a much more expensive option.

In my area, the RN program wait list is up to 5 years in most areas. I have been waiting to do this since I graduated high school, and I'm 27 now. They keep changing requirements, program scheduling, etc. I did my pre-reqs this year, and in the fall I start my LPN program. Then, the following Jan, I'll start the RN bridge, provided that I can get in, they can't give me any garuntees. It's such a pain in the patoot. :angryfire

Kyriaka · May 18, 2004

If fact, I think it is deceptive for the colleges to put down that it is a 2 year program.

They should say 2--4 year program.

The same with the so--called 1 year LPN. It should be 1--2 years.

Kyriaka · May 18, 2004

Also, there should be the same pre--req's statewide.

There are 3 local BSN programs. In most cases you would apply to all 3 and hope to get into one.

But there is a big problem. What courses to take.

One requires economics, the other 2 dont.

One requires managemnt, the other 2 dont.

A differant one requires language, but the other 2 do not.

Two require philosophy. However, one of those you can substitute Sociology but the other college you cannot.

Two require religion one doesnt. One of these ehtics can be sustituted.

One requires ethics but not religion although you can possibly get a waiver to substitue.

One requires nutrition but the two dont.

***

So to cover yourself you have to take ALL of these courses because you dont know which program you will be accpeted into. Which adds even more time. :angryfire

Lauren3249 · May 18, 2004

If fact, I think it is deceptive for the colleges to put down that it is a 2 year program.
They should say 2--4 year program.
The same with the so--called 1 year LPN. It should be 1--2 years.

I totally agree. It just doesn't seem right.

purplemania, BSN, RN · May 18, 2004

If you already had your pre-reqs the nursing school portion is two years. Same as for BSN, except they build the pre-reqs into the course work over a 4 year period. I had lots of pre-reqs done before I switched major to nursing, so the ADN was faster for me. But I was not satisfied and got the BSN in order to earn more (pay diff at my facility is $1/hr more for BSN). Anyway, I think the curriculum does not vary much from state to state, so you are stuck with the decision as to what type degree you seek.

Love-A-Nurse · May 18, 2004

you think it may also depend on if a person is going full or part-time and if they "sat" out a semester or two that determines the lenght it takes to get the required courses out of the way?

the actual nursing classes/clinical along with the required cor-reqs/general classes can be completed in 2 years where i just graduated from.

it took me 3 1/2 years because i complete all of my needed/support classes for adn and some for bsn, therefore, i missed getting in a year earlier because they only admit once a year.

TweetiePieRN · May 18, 2004

you think it may also depend on if a person is going full or part-time and if they "sat" out a semester or two that determines the lenght it takes to get the required courses out of the way?
the actual nursing classes/clinical along with the required cor-reqs/general classes can be completed in 2 years where i just graduated from.
it took me 3 1/2 years because i complete all of my needed/support classes for adn and some for bsn, therefore, i missed getting in a year earlier because they only admit once a year.

it will have taken me 4 years to get my adn i have gone to school full time the whole way thru. 18 units per semester to get all the prereqs done...even did the nursing program full time. i took summer courses and never took a break. california has lots of requirements for nursing schools here to go by. so, yes it can take 4 years even if you hustle like i "tried" to do :)

career2 · May 18, 2004

Looks to me like a BSN takes about the same time as an ADN. Of course the BSN school will cost more money. News Flash -- the rich get richer!

If I can get into any BSN program I will probably do it.

I just found out today that by going to the community college to get my ADN, it is going to take 4 years for me to finish. What the heck is that all about?? I don't understand that because why would I want to waste all that time. I thought it was supposed to be 2 years, not 4. That's a fricken BSN. Is this normal?? This is how it adds up (if you care to follow along): 1st semester is pre-reqs that you have to do (A&P 1 w/lab, English Comp, Intro to Sociology, College Algebra). Then they just added that you also have to complete Microbiology w/ lab and A&P w/ lab the next semester before you can even apply to the nursing program. By the time you complete all of these required pre-reqs, you will have missed the application deadline for fall admission to the nursing program. So you have to apply for Spring admission into the nursing program. Add that all up and that comes to 3 full semesters before I can even start the nursing program itself. The nursing program is then another 5 semesters (no way around that).
What kind of crap is this?? Plus, I'll have to fill up my schedule with a bunch of meaningless courses so that I can stay full-time for financial aid purposes. Is this what everybody goes through for an ADN???

TweetiePieRN · May 18, 2004

Looks to me like a BSN takes about the same time as an ADN. Of course the BSN school will cost more money. News Flash -- the rich get richer!
If I can get into any BSN program I will probably do it.

Agreed. I was able to get into the ADN program immediately and that is the main reason why I went ahead with it. Of course, it feels great not to have any student loans either! :cool: I would have gotten the loans though, if I were accepted into a BSN program and I needed money. The end result is the same....RN licensure (hopefully)