So, if a man wanted to become a nurse...

[Zelenn]

But didn't want to waste time and money on the gen ed courses, what could he do? Now, I've poked around on the site and used the search feature, but nothin I've found really answers my questions?

Any nurses on here? I'm wondering how a guy could combine online distance learning and getting into a nursing program. Could I get an AS in lib arts from excelsior and then take just a few more classes to satisfy the nursing prereqs from a B&M school and then apply to a nursing program, or is it possible to do the whole shebang online and go to a hospital to do clinicals?

Im startin pretty much from scratch. Thoughts?

[clep3705]

It is possible to complete all prerequisites for nursing school through online course work from the University of Texas at Arlington: University of Texas at Arlington Academic Partnerships

There are a few nursing programs that appear to offer the didactic portion online with only the clinical portion done in person. You should view such claims with great skepticism. One program requires that you take your online exams at the partner hospital with a proctor present. Some programs say that they will try to find you clinical assignments near where you live. The reality is that sometimes the student must travel to the school's home city.

You should post your questions at Nursing Community for Nurses - allnurses.com.

Also keep in mind that not all states accept nursing degrees from Excelsior.

[frankiebleyes]

Don't get me wrong I love online learning, but nursing is an entirely different matter. My strongest recommendation is to get all the gen ed requirements for a nursing program out of the way and then apply to a real nursing program. You need the practical clinical experience that a real nursing program offers. An AS from a community college in nursing could satisfy the requirements to take the nursing board. Once you have obtained your nursing license pursuing an online bachelor's degree is fine. So many states have different requirements. I obtained my license back in the middle ages in an old fashion three year hospital program (not a good option in today's society). In my little city alone we have night nursing programs, day nursing programs, private college nursng programs (RA accredited), state college programs, community college programs, etc. It would be difficult to take the boards in Tennessee from an online school in this state, if not impossible.

If nursing is what you desire, please look locally seriously, it is well worth the time it will save you in classes and frustration.

[cookderosa]

But didn't want to waste time and money on the gen ed courses, what could he do? Now, I've poked around on the site and used the search feature, but nothin I've found really answers my questions?

Any nurses on here? I'm wondering how a guy could combine online distance learning and getting into a nursing program. Could I get an AS in lib arts from excelsior and then take just a few more classes to satisfy the nursing prereqs from a B&M school and then apply to a nursing program, or is it possible to do the whole shebang online and go to a hospital to do clinicals?

Im startin pretty much from scratch. Thoughts?

A man would do it exactly the same way the women do it. Just sayin.

[MISin08]

A man would do it exactly the same way the women do it. Just sayin.

Including the drinking and inappropriate anatomical humor, of course...

[rebel100]

Getting In:

Actually ALL the pre-reqs are available online one way or another. You don't need an AS/AA to get into nursing school (though it may help in some circumstances). The requirements vary from school to school, sometimes wildly. But there are some courses that are pretty consistent.

Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2
Human Growth and Development
Microbiology (often Biology is a Micro pre-req)
Algebra (sometimes intermediate is enough, sometimes College Algebra is preferred)
Nutrition (usually)
English (Maybe)
There may be one or two other courses dependent on the program

What you need are the pre-reqs done that meet the requirements for the school you are looking at. Not necessarily any degree. In fact becoming an RN at the CC level is typically an AS program.

All of the above can be done via distance your local CC is a great first choice, New Mexico Junior College has all of it online, and Straighterline (I think) has all of it....be sure your school accepts Straighterline before going that route. You can CLEP/DSST the Math, English, and Human Growth and Development (again be sure your school will accept this).

With the above completed you can get into a program....though program availability varies greatly. The CC in Orlando is always full and always has an extensive wait list, spots in the program are very competitive. They will accept CLEP, but they will also disqualify you from consideration if you took your A&P online. Go just out of town and the Nursing programs at other CC's are much easier to get into. Supply and Demand at work.

Once your in:
I don't know of any program that does RN fully online. There are a few transition programs that work as you mention (coursework online and clinical's). But I don't know anywhere that takes you from square one all the way to RN that way. Typically you need to already be an LPN, RT, or Paramedic to do the transition.

Note that in some areas competition is so tough for spots in RN school that occasionally students go through an LPN or Medic program with the intent of then getting into the much easier to enter transition programs...becoming an RN is not as easy as it might seem.

[Zelenn]

Wow that a fair amount of information to research, I'll get right on it. I pretty much assumed that I would do AT LEAST clinicals in person. I'm not sure I would want to have a reputation as an 'online nurse.' But I definitely am looking to test out of whatever I can test out of and still be seriously considered for a nursing program. My local CC has an RN program that I hear is pretty good. Not sure what their policies are regarding the distance learning of the prereqs, I'll have to swing by and ask them. If they won't accept them, then there is a town about 45 minutes away that has program that I also hear good things about. And if not them then someone else.

I was thinking as one member said, to test out of gen ed or even a whole AS/AA, then take the prereq courses (preferably online). and apply to a program.

And I LOVE to travel, backpacking style. And none of that spoiled flashpacker crap either; when I go its shoestring budget all the way, so I have no qualms about relocating to a specific schools campus to do clinicals, boards, or skills exams and such.

Now, I'm interested in nursing because of my love of science, medicine, and working in a field that I hope will give me a glimpse of just what it means to be 'human,' but I have heard that its becoming tough to get a job as an RN; that the market has been flooded by graduating nursing students. Anyone found this to be the case?

[Zelenn]

Well, well... my locall CC actually offers their RN program online, if one so chooses, and does clinicals at our local hospital.

[cookderosa]

Well, well... my locall CC actually offers their RN program online, if one so chooses, and does clinicals at our local hospital.

TESC is doin this now too for bachelor degree holders. If I was seriously willing to move, and starting from scratch, but willing to rock it out, I'd plow through a BA in Liberal Arts and move to NJ to do the online/clinical accelerated option at TESC. For one, in about 2 years you'd have a BA in liberal arts,and a BSN with master's credit to use in the MSN! Walking out of any random CC you only hold an associate degree for the same amount of time (but a lot less cash). The associate to masters path can be 6-7 years. At TESC it's 2-3. Granted you can do a BS online after your RN, and maybe even have an employer pay for it, but since every Joe Blow college out there is offering BSNs online, I'd imaging the bar being raised a click for this profession. Given 2 new grads with zero experience, the one with the BSN is simply going to trump the other, especially if that BSN holder has a SECOND degree too. (all other things being equal)

If I were 18, I'd be at my CC knocking on the front door and do it traditionally.

[clep3705]

At two of the very large BSN programs in Texas (one highly rated, one not), only about 70% of the BSN students graduate on time. This fact is often missed because schools publish NCLEX pass rates, not on-time graduation rates. Assume 5% fail out completely or can't afford to continue, this leaves about 25% getting behind because of failing a course or dropping a course. Accelerated programs are much worse, which is why so many of them have been discontinued or lengthened. One of the last 12 month programs had less than a 50% on-time graduation rate.

Some nursing programs hide their graduation rates by requiring students to complete pharmacology before officially becoming nursing students. Pharmacology and pathophysiology cause a lot of the attrition.

Becoming an RN isn't at all like getting credit by exam or getting a degree from TESC, Excelsior, or Charter Oak.

There isn't a shortage of graduate nurses, hasn't been one for years, nor is there going to be one for many more years. Readers of allnurses.com know this, which is where these types of questions are best asked. Graduating from one of the very best nursing schools does improve the chances of getting hired.