Help from my Nursing Friends here....

[soupbone]

Hey there guys and gals. I'm trying to help my sister put together a plan with the credits she currently has right now. I'm going to list all her credits and see what we can come up with. She is wanting to finish her 2 year nursing degree (RN I think) and she needs it to be as flexible as possible (2 kids, job, etc.). All of her credits are regionally accredited for the record. Also, if you have any other suggestion please send them on. I'm open to anything since I don't have a clue at this point where she should go with this. Thanks!

ENG 101 Rhetoric & Composition I 3.00 SH

ENG 102 Rhetoric & Composition II 3.00 SH

MATH 94 Basic Algebra 3.00 SH

PHIL 151 Introductory Logic 3.00 SH

PSYC 151 General Psychology 3.00 SH

HLTH 151 Health 2.00 SH

PSYC 210 Life-Span Development 3.00 SH

SOC 153 Introductory Sociology 3.00 SH

SPCH 155 Interpersonal Communication 3.00 SH

ART 101 Art Appreciation 3.00 SH

EMTP 106 First Responder Recert 3.00 SH

SPCH 220 American Playhouse 3.00 SH

BIOL 101 Principles Of Biology I 4.00 SH

HRO 100 Medical Terminology 1.00 SH

HRO 150 Fundamentals Of Nutrition 2.00 SH
TOTAL 42.00 SH

[pyroandbozzt]

For an AA in Nursing (RN) you don't need the majority of Nursing Prerequisites (Human A&P I and II, College Algebra, Chem 1, Microbiology, Psych, Socio, Human Growth, Statistics etc).

Normally an AA Program for a Nursing Degree is the basic Nursing classes. After she gets her RN license and an AA she can finish the prereqs for a BSN and take a RN-BSN bridge course (all online).

[soupbone]

For an AA in Nursing (RN) you don't need the majority of Nursing Prerequisites (Human A&P I and II, College Algebra, Chem 1, Microbiology, Psych, Socio, Human Growth, Statistics etc).

Normally an AA Program for a Nursing Degree is the basic Nursing classes. After she gets her RN license and an AA she can finish the prereqs for a BSN and take a RN-BSN bridge course (all online).

Thanks but I don't quite follow. I'm very unfamiliar with nursing as a whole. To become an RN you need only to complete an AA in Nursing then taking the RN test? If so do you have any online suggestion for this type of degree? I'm trying to help her utilize her current credits toward a program (preferably online) so that she has the minimum amount of courses to take. Thanks for your reply!

**EDIT** Your suggestion about the AA---> BSN is what she's looking for. She wants to finish the RN as quickly as possible so she can get to work.

[pyroandbozzt]

I'm wrong. Many AA in Nursing programs do require alot of the same preresquisites as a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

Registered Nursing

That's at a local community college.

With an AA in Nursing, an individual is eligible to sit for the NCLEX to obtain an RN license.

The same is said for a BSN, they are able to sit for the NCLEX exam. The difference is that the BSN is more highly regarded and normally required for some positions as an RN.

EDIT: Once she completes her AA in Nursing and obtains her RN license. She can take a RN-BSN Bridge program and take the online courses necessary to get a BSN. She'll have her RN license while working for her BSN.

[cookderosa]

Hey there guys and gals. I'm trying to help my sister put together a plan with the credits she currently has right now. I'm going to list all her credits and see what we can come up with. She is wanting to finish her 2 year nursing degree (RN I think) and she needs it to be as flexible as possible (2 kids, job, etc.). All of her credits are regionally accredited for the record. Also, if you have any other suggestion please send them on. I'm open to anything since I don't have a clue at this point where she should go with this. Thanks!

ENG 101 Rhetoric & Composition I 3.00 SH

ENG 102 Rhetoric & Composition II 3.00 SH

MATH 94 Basic Algebra 3.00 SH

PHIL 151 Introductory Logic 3.00 SH

PSYC 151 General Psychology 3.00 SH

HLTH 151 Health 2.00 SH

PSYC 210 Life-Span Development 3.00 SH

SOC 153 Introductory Sociology 3.00 SH

SPCH 155 Interpersonal Communication 3.00 SH

ART 101 Art Appreciation 3.00 SH

EMTP 106 First Responder Recert 3.00 SH

SPCH 220 American Playhouse 3.00 SH

BIOL 101 Principles Of Biology I 4.00 SH

HRO 100 Medical Terminology 1.00 SH

HRO 150 Fundamentals Of Nutrition 2.00 SH
TOTAL 42.00 SH

Ok- it's like this. You have 3 things to plan out.
1) pre reqs. Nursing programs ALL have prereqs. These are program specific, and might include Human Growth and Development, English, Biology, or none of the above- but check your local schools and have her make a list. *mine were taken all online or CLEP

2) Co-reqs. These are the non-nursing gen eds. In most programs, it will include credits in math, science, english, and social science (standard). Typically, a nursing program has very LITTLE flexibility- in other words, you'll get a list of exactly which gen eds are required. She will likely need a 100 level math for any program she enters, the 094 will be considered developmental. *mine were taken all online or CLEP
----

Now, 95% of the time, people will tell you to rock out #1 and #2 before you even apply. I'm going to agree. The science sequence will likely include Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, both of which she needs. She has bio, so she has met the pre-req for AP1, but this will take 2 semesters no matter how she plays it. Also, microbiology is always a co-req. So, she has 3 semesters of work to do before she can begin. You HAVE TO apply well ahead of enrollment, sometimes a full year.
Hypothetically, she may apply in October 2010 for Fall 2011 start. In that case, she has PLENTY of time to do the sciences and be clear and ready to go by fall start.

----

3) Nursing classes. In any associate's degree program, she will have a minimum of 4 semesters of nursing classes. (nursing 1,2,3,4) and there could be a few in there also that are program specific. These classes are to qualify her to take the NCLEX (RN) test. Upon graduation, she can take the exam, and if she passes- she will be an RN. Her nursing credits will be about 2/3 of her degree, so some of her existing gen eds may go "unused" however, she can (and should) continue working toward a full 60 gen eds. Some day, she might want/need to earn her BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) and will use all of those credits. If you look at a school like TESC, you can get a good idea of how to break down the credits. This group will be face to face classes only, plus a clinical. She can find out from the local school what kinds of hours the classes are.

So, that's it. Easy. lol


*just something to think about, if she can CLEP, she might be able to complete a BA through TESC over the next couple years. Between now and her graduation she should try. That BA in a non-nursing field will still qualify her to apply to a masters program (MSN) and earn a practitioner's degree should she want to. Family Nurse Practitioner, for example, would allow her to go into private practice or work as a mid-level practitioner earning about $25k more than a bedside nurse. If she has only the desire to punch a clock (and there is NOTHING wrong with that) and no desire to aggressively pursue tht kind of work, then take only the absolute bare minimum and don't spend any time or $ on anything beyond an associate's degree. In most cases, an ADN, BSN and MSN are all paid the EXACT same wage. (experience and shift will have more influence on the wage than degree).

[NAP]

EMTP 106 First Responder Recert 3.00 SH

This course made me wonder if she is a paramedic or LPN already. If she is or has other training in the medical field, she could be eligible for Excelsior College's associate degree nursing program. Here is the list of eligible types of training:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_Coll...ion_Policy

Also, she will want to check how her state board handles licensing requirements for EC grads. Here is a link to that info:

https://www.excelsior.edu/Excelsior_Coll..._Licensure

[soupbone]

Thanks guys and gals! I'll pass this information along. Nap, she doesn't have an license right now. I think she might be considering a lower level license and moving toward the RN while in school.

Jennifer, I found a prior thread of yours and passed the link along for Ocean County courses. She's checking with the schools in her area to see what she needs left. She's a bit frustrated because her former school told her she had met the pre-req's but she's found out that this info was incorrect.

Besides courses or programs if you have any other suggestions I would be more than happy to pass them along. She really wants to start working while getting the degree done but I don't think she's sure what path is right (sound familiar?...LOL) hilarious As always thanks!

[cookderosa]

Thanks guys and gals! I'll pass this information along. Nap, she doesn't have an license right now. I think she might be considering a lower level license and moving toward the RN while in school.

Jennifer, I found a prior thread of yours and passed the link along for Ocean County courses. She's checking with the schools in her area to see what she needs left. She's a bit frustrated because her former school told her she had met the pre-req's but she's found out that this info was incorrect.

Besides courses or programs if you have any other suggestions I would be more than happy to pass them along. She really wants to start working while getting the degree done but I don't think she's sure what path is right (sound familiar?...LOL) hilarious As always thanks!

She should become a patient tech. I'm doing a quick 6 week class for Certified Nursing Assistant. It's non credit, which I think is normal, and at the end you are qualified to work an entry level position. Most of the CNAs work in nursing homes, however, hospitals hire CNAs for patient tech jobs. These are very nice and she can get first hand exposure/experience. Plus, when the time comes that she gets her RN, she'll have an excellent network and be a shoe-in for hire. I'm doing mine in Labor and Delivery (of course) but you can choose any department. Also, float positions are good because you get to see EVERYTHING and then really make an informed decision.

In addition to the Ocean classes, let me suggest she google New England University. Their college of osteopathic medicine offers the entire pre-med series online. I have not taken anything with them, however, my love affair with Ocean is over. New England is self paced, and the only down sides are the cost (1200 per course!) and they use virtual labs instead of the live labs that Ocean does. If/when I finally get around to Organic Chem, it will be through New England. On the other hand, they teach anatomy and physiology as 2 courses, while typically, nursing programs like to see anatomy and physiology taught as a single course twice. I know,minor distinction, but worth checking on just to be sure.

Good luck to her

[soupbone]

She should become a patient tech. I'm doing a quick 6 week class for Certified Nursing Assistant. It's non credit, which I think is normal, and at the end you are qualified to work an entry level position. Most of the CNAs work in nursing homes, however, hospitals hire CNAs for patient tech jobs. These are very nice and she can get first hand exposure/experience. Plus, when the time comes that she gets her RN, she'll have an excellent network and be a shoe-in for hire. I'm doing mine in Labor and Delivery (of course) but you can choose any department. Also, float positions are good because you get to see EVERYTHING and then really make an informed decision.

In addition to the Ocean classes, let me suggest she google New England University. Their college of osteopathic medicine offers the entire pre-med series online. I have not taken anything with them, however, my love affair with Ocean is over. New England is self paced, and the only down sides are the cost (1200 per course!) and they use virtual labs instead of the live labs that Ocean does. If/when I finally get around to Organic Chem, it will be through New England. On the other hand, they teach anatomy and physiology as 2 courses, while typically, nursing programs like to see anatomy and physiology taught as a single course twice. I know,minor distinction, but worth checking on just to be sure.

Good luck to her

Thanks Jennifer I'll pass this along too! :hurray: