(Newbie) Affordable Accelerated Nursing Program

[CalicoMama]

Hello, 

Newbie here so excuse newbie mistakes. I am trying to pivot from cybersecurity to nursing, which means I have to start from scratch again. I'm trying to find an affordable accelerated program for a bachelor's/master's degree holder. My budget is 20k USD.  Please help me find the right program. I do not mind on-campus as long as it is accelerated or would allow me to graduate within 12 months including the pre-reqs. 

Your Location: Michigan, USA
Your Age: 40s
What kind of degree do you want?: BSN-RN or MSN-RN accelerated nursing for Master's/Bachelor's degree holder of a different major
Current Regional Accredited Credits: 30 master's and 120 bachelor's 

School Name Total Credits: 
George Mason U - MS AIT - Cybersecurity (2018)
Davenport U - BBA - Management (2007)

I have most of the gen ed credits (not sure if they are still valid after all these years), I do need bio, chem, and other science credits (I did physics I, psychology, child psychology, statistics 101, and college algebra in my undergrad).


Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: 0 

Provider Total Credits: 0 

Thank you in advance. 

[bluebooger]

> allow me to graduate within 12 months including the pre-reqs.

that's not going to happen

the prereqs are at least
anatomy & physiology 1
anatomy & physiology 2
chemistry 1
nutrition
developmental psychology
and probably microbiology

even if you did those through study.com and straighterline in one month that would leave 11 months to complete the accelerated nursing program
and that's just not going to happen
and that's even IF the school would accept those at meeting the prerequisites

this school is 15 months
https://nursing.nyu.edu/academics/underg...ligibility
and that does not include the prerequisites

this is 18 months
https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/nursing/admi...ng-program
and that does not include the prerequisites

this one is 12 months
on campus, full time and only has room for 60 students at one campus and 30 at another -- so competition would be high
https://www.njcu.edu/academics/schools-c...erated-bsn
and that does not include the prerequisites

https://www.aacnnursing.org/students/nur...d-programs

[ss20ts]

Honestly, as someone who has multiple illnesses and has many doctor and hospital visits regularly, I wouldn't want a nurse who became an RN in 12 months or less. That's just not enough time to really learn all of the material. Your'e dealing with people's lives so you need to REALLY know your stuff. There's a reason nursing school takes as long as it does. Online programs aren't going to give you the hands on training you need either. Have you looked into nursing programs at local hospitals or community colleges? I'd start there. In some states, you can't become an RN with an online program, but you can become an RN with an associate degree from the right in person nursing program. There are a lot of nursing programs that will not accept ACE credit and only RA credit. You also have to obtain your license so this is something to look into in your state.

[allvia]

Becoming a RN doesn't require a bachelor, it is almost always available as an associates (ADN). I would recommend that you look for affordable RN programs (start with CCs).  You're already showing a bachelor and a master degree, so you're likely well ahead for many (if not all) Gen Eds outside the science requirements. You said you don't mind on-campus, does this mean you're willing to relocate? Because of your existing degrees you'd likely find a RN program you could complete in 12/18 months; as you're certainly not starting from scratch.  Just make sure you thoroughly vet any RN program - for example, it was a few years ago now that there were all sorts of issues with some FL (private schools) programs in the news.

[bjcheung77]

@CalicoMama, Have you thought about going into other areas within the health/medical field? One of the ex-moderators went became a director of a health department or something similar to that. You don't really need to be a nurse to be assisting health care workers, you can be their admin/manager of that department and oversee operations, something similar to that instead if you wanted. As examples, I would investigate WGU options and anything else you can search on the board...

[RJ77]

You'll have to do classes in person for the RN, so your best bet is to look at schools nearby where you live.

[CalicoMama]

Thank you all for your valuable input. Let me clarify a few things.

I am looking for programs that accept alternative credits from study.com or sophia etc. to expedite the process (especially prerequisites). I know clinicals are in-person. I do not have a location preference. Although, Michigan would be ideal since I can work at my dad's clinic if necessary.

George Mason does have a 12-month accelerated program (not counting prereqs), unfortunately, they do not accept alternative credits from S institutions (no study.com or Sophia) etc. to complete my prereqs.

I have looked into WGU nursing and there was not enough talk about it so I am a bit confused. If you have any info please share.

Keep in mind that ADN would be approximately the same length as an accelerated program. So it is better to go for BSN/MSN. I know few other colleges do have accelerated programs for people like me with a bachelor's or master's but George Mason has the shortest (not counting prereqs)

Just because a program is accelerated does not mean the person will graduate with an RN. One must sit in for the RN exam and pass it to be a registered nurse.

I am only looking for a medical (too old for this now) or nursing program at this point to be a humanitarian aid worker. My goal is to be on the ground and not have another desk job (been doing it forever).

GMU program: https://nursing.gmu.edu/admissions/bsn-a...admissions
WGU program: https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-healt...ogram.html

---

> allow me to graduate within 12 months including the pre-reqs.

that's not going to happen        

the prereqs are at least          
anatomy & physiology 1
anatomy & physiology 2
chemistry 1
nutrition
developmental psychology
and probably microbiology

even if you did those through study.com and straighterline in one month that would leave 11 months to complete the accelerated nursing program              
and that's just not going to happen            
and that's even IF the school would accept those at meeting the prerequisites

this school is 15 months                  
https://nursing.nyu.edu/academics/underg...ligibility
and that does not include the prerequisites

this is 18 months
https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/nursing/admi...ng-program
and that does not include the prerequisites

this one is 12 months        
on campus, full time and only has room for 60 students at one campus and 30 at another -- so competition would be high                                
https://www.njcu.edu/academics/schools-c...erated-bsn  
and that does not include the prerequisites

https://www.aacnnursing.org/students/nur...d-programs

Thank you for the list and your research.

[Stonybeach]

CalicoMama,
I see you are from Michigan. May I suggest you contact MSU and talk to them about their 1 year accelerated program for 2nd degree BSN? https://nursing.msu.edu/undergraduate/ac...degree-bsn
There are many accelerated programs for 2nd degree students. It is rigorous but doable!

[CalicoMama]

CalicoMama,
I see you are from Michigan. May I suggest you contact MSU and talk to them about their 1 year accelerated program for 2nd degree BSN? https://nursing.msu.edu/undergraduate/ac...degree-bsn
There are many accelerated programs for 2nd degree students. It is rigorous but doable!

Thanks. Yes, I did look into the programs in Michigan. The shortest is MSU at 15 months (not counting prereqs). However, I posted my inquiry here to see if there are any shortcuts to completing my prereqs using alternative credits. Even the accepted CLEP tests are limited for most colleges. If everything fails, I will follow the traditional route.

[bjcheung77]

It's most likely you will need to go the traditional route for the 'hard sciences', all other general education and electives should be 'alternative credit' friendly...