More expensive nursing school to graduate earlier in this Economy?

[sixthwannabe]

I am in the process of applying for various nursing schools which I have a very good chance of getting into. So excited

HOWEVER, one is very expensive (think 43-50 k/each years for 2 yrs) and the other is much cheaper (16 k/ yr, 3 yrs). These numbers include tuition, board, room, transportation, books, health insurance...

I am already a junior in college done with pre-reqs and don't want to spend forever in school. I have friends that are paying enourmous amounts of money to graduate BSN summer 2010 and intend to work in California (think private schools similar to Touro in Las Vegas/Denver colorado school of Nursing in Denver). They say it's worth the mountains of tuition cost b/c they'll be graduating earlier and making $$$. But is it really worth it becuase if the Calfornia Economy continues the way it has been then they won't really get jobs to offset graduating ealier?

SHould I graduate Winter 2011 at a more expensive school or late summer/fall 2012 at a cheaper, but equally good, nursing school (high NCLEX passing for both, and great clinicals so quality is not a factor here)?

Is it even worth graduating earlier if the economy hasn't picked up? Norcal for example is not really hiring new grads . I know people who graduated in May and Still can't find jobs .

When do you guys think the economy will pick up enough and new grads so that us new grads will have a very good chance at getting a job right out of college? I'm also thinking about giving crna a shot...that means ICU. How has the economy affected ICU hiring rates?

What do you guys think?

money, what a headache!

P.S. Do you guys think prestige matters for nursing fields? I know somebody that is going to John Hopkins (55k a year, good lord) that turned down San Francisco State (i think 17 k/year?)

[NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN]

Prestige is not significant. Most facilities who hire like RN's who have a BSN, but they are not particular. They look more for previous experience such as ER techs, LVNs, etc.

I would not invest expensive education right now to graduate a year earlier. I actually did this, but I had no choice, as my husband went on disability and we had hardly any income.

If you can afford the time, I would definitely take your time and finish the slower/much cheaper option. I know so many new grads who don't have jobs and it will probably carry through next year.

[youknowho]

If both schools are BSN programs i would say...save your money! A BSN is a BSN.

My BSN from a state school got me good jobs the same as any other!!

[Lovelee82]

If possible check out the schools before you decide. Many programs have an open house and try to talk to students who have gone through the program. I wouldnt invest in a more expensive school unless they are affilated to a medical center like UCSF or UCDavis. Also these shorter programs are very intense. You dont have a life as it is with nursing school but with the short programs there are little to no break. Think 5 days a week of classes for 1 year compared to 3-4 days a week for 2 years with summers and winter breaks. The longer program gives you time to work as a CNA part time while the other doesnt. I decided on a longer program just for this reason. I couldnt imagine absorbing anything in the amount of time they gave you.