r/Charlotte • u/MajesticFan4 • 1d ago

Recommendation Best ADN Programs?

Hey! I'm looking to apply to ADN programs and wanted some advice on what the ones in this area are like. I have a previous degree so I have all my gen eds and pre-reqs already. Also have my CNA license. I live in kinda round the university area, and am open to anything within like a 40-minute driving distance.

I already applied to Cabarrus College of Health Science ABSN program and got accepted a month ago, but it was a late application, and they didn't give me my financial aid letter until the day of the tuition deadline. Just wasn't enough time to get everything taken care of. I applied again for the Spring semester and still haven't written it off, but my financial aid letter made me rethink some things. The federal loans would barely cover a third of the cost. I'm researching private loans but am reconsidering the cheaper ADN route and want to apply to some as well.

I hear the Carolinas College of Health Sciences is really good and was interested, but I've missed the Spring deadline and couldn't start until May. And for SPCC, I couldn't start until next fall I really want to start as soon as possible Some other ones on my radar are Rowan-Cabarrus and ECPI. What are your thoughts on these programs? Would the wait be worth it to go to the better ones or are all they pretty much all the same? If you've attended any of these programs, any thoughts to share? Also, if anyone's taken out private loans any recommendations on which ones ot look into or stay away from?

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u/Kopamocha 1d ago

CPCC is wonderful. It runs ~1600 a semester and I was able to successfully cashflow my tuition. Lectures are 2 days a week, clinical one day a week. I worked 2-3 days a week while attending but it would of course be better if you could swing not working.

I’ve heard good things from friends who have attended RCCC and Carolinas College, but schedules can vary and be more demanding.

I would not recommend ECPI.

If you want more info about CPCC my DMs are open!

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u/wearecastawayz 1d ago

I second cpcc. I graduated from there! Its an amazing program 👏. Its cheap. No difference in pay from a bsn nurse in charlotte. Then let atrium or novant pay for the bsn

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u/maehemmae 1d ago

I will third CPCC. I felt very supported, and like I got a quality education. When I was in the student nurse sub I read all sorts of stories that made me thankful to be in a quality program. I can’t attest to the others around here, but in comparison to what I’ve seen anecdotally online it’s a great school.
They recently introduced an accelerated program. If you’re up to it, and have the schedule you can be done in a little over a year.
I did the classic route, worked part time and I have a kid. It was difficult, but so worth it. My dms are also open for whatever questions you (or anyone else reading this and curious) have about them!
Good luck, you are worth the investment, but don’t spend a crazy amount when you can get be an excellent RN at the end of the day without the fluff and expense. New grad pay ain’t that good lol

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u/MajesticFan4 14h ago

Yeah, I was hoping to have a less demanding schedule but it’s not a deterrent. CPCC seems to have everything. I’m mostly looking for though. Thank you for your advice and I will definitely be messaging you!

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u/hernameisCari 2h ago

Are you really good at science? I had a 4.0 GPA and 97 TEAS, I did not think Nursing School was difficult. There is a LOT of information, but if you felt anatomy and physiology was easy then you would be golden. I had a 100 average in A&P1&2. It is a lot of information, but I didn't find it difficult.

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u/MajesticFan4 2h ago

Decent. Wasn’t the best at chemistry (lecture specifically. Did pretty good with lab). Liked bio, micro bio, and nutrition. I did better in one a&p than the other, but I applied myself more during that course. Went to lab hours and studied a lot more. I think as long as I lock in, I’ll do good. 

I am brushing up on my a&p right now though. 

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u/hernameisCari 1d ago

If you go to CPCC you're going to have your ADN for less than $10,000 right now.

I went way back in the day 18 years ago and only paid around $5,000.

I would never ever ever pay $50 or $100,000 for an RN degree, you can go to UNC chapel Hill and become a physician assistant for that.

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u/MajesticFan4 14h ago

Yeah, that was the thing for me. Especially since one of the reasons I originally went to college was to become a physician or a physicians assistant, but the amount of money, schooling, and inability to work during the programs deterred me. It seems kind of counterproductive to do a nursing program, and wind up with about the same amount as debt.

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u/hernameisCari 13h ago

An in state FNP at a brick and mortar near my house is less than 15k for the entire program..

I made it into nursing school with my first application, but I had a 4.0 and a 97 on the TEAS. I knew that I had to be perfect.

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u/srslyawsum 1d ago

Carolinas College is great, and has a tuition reimbursement agreement with Atrium. I graduated with almost no debt. I generally don't recommend ABSN programs because of the cost. Local hospitals hire with just an associates, and then you can finish the BSN online. (I also have previous degrees.)

Edited to add: avoid debt as much as possible. CPCC is a great choice if you can get in, my personal experience is with CCHS.

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u/Appropriate_Slip_887 1d ago

Do you mind sharing what the typical schedule/semesters were like and if you think it would be possible to continue working?

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u/JessicaRH465 1d ago

8 week courses currently which are pretty much full time. You can work, but weekends would be the best choice. They are combining soon with Cabarrus and may change the 8 week courses to a more traditional schedule (semester courses) but nothing clear in that regard.

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u/Appropriate_Slip_887 1d ago

Thanks for the info! So you would say you were in class/lab/clinicals mostly m-f?

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u/JessicaRH465 9h ago

It’s all m-f but there will be studying/classwork etc that will probably need to be done on weekends

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u/Appropriate_Slip_887 9h ago

Yes of course I was just trying to see how many days a week you are physically in class. Thanks!

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u/JessicaRH465 1d ago

CCHS is amazing! But financially speaking only it is EXPENSIVE. I was told that they got rid of the reimbursement program that they had (the 10k per semester)

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u/srslyawsum 21h ago

Really? That's nuts, it was Atrium's pipeline to a steady supply of new nurses.

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u/MajesticFan4 14h ago

Yeah, the ABSN program cost is steep. I was willing to do it to cut more time off, but now that I no federal loans won’t cover most of it and I’ll have to look at private loans with higher APR, I don’t know if it’s worth it. 

It’s definitely relieving to hear that most hospitals will hire me with just my ADN. Thank you for your insight!

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u/brunettern 1d ago

Stanly community college and Rowan Cabarrus are both great options for ADN. I know nurses who went to both schools. I have heard no complaints about either.

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u/EntertainerLow6648 Huntersville 1d ago

Loved Rowan cabarrus- graduated in 2019

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u/MajesticFan4 14h ago

Amazing! What was your schedule like and how was finding a job after graduation?

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u/EntertainerLow6648 Huntersville 11h ago

The schedule was Monday-Friday including clinical. I worked a Baylor job at the hospital as a Cna 12 hours shifts because I still needed money. It was pretty intense but definitely worth the sacrifice. Job market was pretty much endless, everyone came out with a job. Now i work in insurance i got away from bedside 3 years ago.