New adventure or Big Mistake? Need advice please

Hi Everyone,

I'm in a difficult dillemma and need some advice cause all this worrying is about to burn a hole in my brain.

I'm 28, and for the past ten years been in the travel industry with no health care experience. In 2009 I was laid off, and decided to go into Nursing as its always been a proffesion I admired; but never had the balls to do it until the devastating lay off.

Jan 2010, I enrolled in a community college and recieved full financial aid. That spring semester I took 13 credits, all pre-requisites towards the nursing program for application later on. Over the summer I took 6 additional credits (all pre-req) and this fall looking into 18 more credits.

Now, this is my dillemma... The state in which I live in requires us to do all pre-requisites before applying into the Nursing program so that when in the program, all concentration is on the Nursing curriculum.

Keep in mind that most of these pre-requisites are very time consuming because some courses require pre-reqs of their own.

After meeting with my advisor, I was told the shocking reality of how long it will take being a full time student to even apply into their Nursing program. We are talking not until 2013! Once in (if you get in) it's an additional two years.

This is ludacris. I don't know if its just for the state of CT or what, but they are telling me, that I will be prepared to appy for Nursing school in 2013, and then an additional two years tacked on?

So, to get my Associates Degree a two year program, really will take me 5 years?

When employers see my ASN....they have no idea as a full time student I actually spent 5 years at that community college. Not two years.

Now..what should I do?

I'm unemployed.

I have a mortgage, and barely getting by.

I have invested full time into school, and know that I cant do that for 5 years and survive.

I have a protective fiance who is covering the expenses until I graduate, and he knows now the reality of how long that will take.

I noticed that Florida Keys Community College, I'm not sure if there are any others out there that are the same as FKCC, but They tell me that I can apply into their Spring 2011 Nursing Program, because I have fulfilled their pre-requisite requirements.

CT requires about 15 or so pre-req's while FKCC requires 3.

Should I do it? So that I could finish faster? Most of the classes I have taken in CT are fulfilling their requirements so thats less time wasted.

Living in Key west should be easy for me, as I lived there for four years before, so I understand how expensive it can be, but you make great money waitressing part time. Thats how I did it before.

Fiancee not too thrilled about this option...but then I could start working as a Nurse sooner...than sitting around here for 5 years.

By the way CT...sucks for jobs right now...cant find didly squat.

Perhaps I should do the CNA course in the fall, and then move to FKCC for the spring courses?

I need your help, this is so fustrating... I appreciate those of you who have read my whole story.
Why not do the prereqs for a specific 4-year program at the community college, then transfer? May as well get a BSN.

Are they saying you probably won't get in until 2013, or you won't be able to apply until 2013? It doesn't make sense that it would take you 3 years to complete 15 classes.

Yes, I thought about that..and it may be a good possibility. However, I went into the ADN/ASN program with intentions of being able to work sooner and get my BSN, while working. I will have to decide by the end of August what I plan on doing...thank you for replying anonymurse

Happy2learn- they are telling me that I can't apply until 2013....yes it makes no sense...but alot of these classes require other classes before that one, for example Anatomy and Physiology are only possible after taking Gen Bio and Intermediate Algebra, same with Chemistry and Microbiology...also at this Community college, they only offer these classes at certain times of the year, making it even more challeging to finish earlier.

Are there no other nursing schools in your area? It might be worth it to even look into the private tech schools. They cost more but you might get done sooner - I'm currently having that dilemma myself - pay twice as much but get done 2 yrs sooner.... 5 yrs is a LONG time for what is supposedly a 2 yr degree.

Quote from StrontiumHappy2learn- they are telling me that I can't apply until 2013....yes it makes no sense...but alot of these classes require other classes before that one, for example Anatomy and Physiology are only possible after taking Gen Bio and Intermediate Algebra, same with Chemistry and Microbiology...also at this Community college, they only offer these classes at certain times of the year, making it even more challeging to finish earlier.

I can totally understand what you're going through. Was in a very similar situation last year. I had decided to go back to school for my RN. Looked at the schools in my area (Metro Detroit) and got started on the pre-reqs. Sure, I understood that it would take a while, due to the limited number of slots vs the number of applicants.I made a last minute decision to head back to Florida. Glad to be out of the cold...lolWhen I got here (Jacksonville) looked around and found several nursing programs. FSCJ, JU UNF, etc as well as some Career Colleges. Found that the programs at the 'normal' colleges are like those everywhere else...take the pre-reqs..THEN apply...THEN wait to see if you get one of the limited slots. I checked out the Career Colleges, same degree, same eligibility to sit for NCLEX, with the difference being cost, 'stigma' of not going to a 'normal' college, and NOT having to wait 2-4 years to get into a program...Moved down here in May/June of 09, started nursing school in July 09 and graduate Jan/Feb 10. I'll sit NCLEX in Feb 10. Sure the program price tag seemed high, but it included all classes, uniforms, books, online study materials (ATI Testing) etc..so when one looks at the cost of a career college vs a 'normal' college, the costs are actually fairly close, especially when on considers getting in and done in under 2 years...Isn't the whole point of going to school for nursing to get in, get through it, get the degree and sit for NCLEX quick so you can join the workforce??My advice is to look at ALL the programs available in the area, and visit the campuses. Check out the NCLEX pass rates on the State website...you will often be surprised that the 'normal' colleges' pass rates are lower than some of the career colleges'. Sure, some student nurses may look down on you for opting to go to a career college, but..in the end, an ASN-RN from a career college vs a 'normal' college will start out making about the same anyway...Just my two cents....

Quote from healthstarSince you are receiving full financial aid,I would take my pre-reqs at the community college. After you have completed all your pre-reqs-- try to transfer to another school, I am sure there are other schools that allow you to apply befor 2013--some don't even have a waiting list. Many schools look at the the admission test score, your GPA, etc try to get good grades.

Thank you everyone for your advice...lots to think about and all of you have very valid and good points.

OP, many community college ADN programs have gone this route with the 1,000,000 prereqs because they have tons of applicants and need to weed people out. I, too, think it's ridiculous. With all those prereqs, you might as well just go ahead and apply to a BSN program and be done in 4 years instead of 5 with a higher level degree!! My program (a while ago) as well did NOT require bio or anything else to take A&P. A&P is generally considered a freshman level science class - it shouldn't need prereqs (I understand that you have to do what the school is telling you to do, however.) I would compare the requirements of this school that you are considering to some other programs and see if it's really worth it to you. Shop around. Find a school that meets your needs better. When I went through my ADN program awhile ago, you didn't need any prerequisites (I actually held a BS when I applied, so I went part time for two years and got my licensure that way.) You could do all your sciences/gen ed concurrently with your nursing classes, which is the way I think it should be -- I think it's unfair for an Associates Degree to have to take you 4 or 5 years, IMO. Those programs still exist, although they are fewer.

I would see if your area has any private hospital based diploma programs. They typically require less pre-req's than an Associate's program, and are designed to be completed in around 2 years (mine was a 22 month program).

I am not sure about your state. In alabama i did pre-reqs first in 3 semesters full time so basically one year. Perhaps you should consult another advisor.