I am just hoping to get some help from some of you experienced nurses. I am coming to the end of my pre requisites (great science grades) and am going to have to make a decision in the near future.
I basically have 2 options which are wait list 18-24 months and attend a 24 month ASN program. I would most likely have to move and quit my job. Even if able to pick up a new job I would be looking at less money and less hours. So I am guessing I would be out of school in 4 years W/ roughly 24k in debt. Perhaps less than 4 years but that would involve out of state tuition and a little more debt but at least my grades could make a difference rather than just being entered into a lottery. I guess there is a third option of Calif. BSN but that would involve 5 years and more debt than I am comfortable with. And yes I know there are options of contracts with student loan reimbursement. I have too many units for financial aid even though I have never received any.
Or Option 2, I could immediately begin a BSN program (not the diploma mill sort) in the Philippines and be finished in 3 years. I understand it will take longer to get licensed when back in Calif. So even if it took a year to get through the red tape the time involved would be roughly the same as a local ASN. However I would have a BSN rather than an ASN and I would be debt free. I would also love the opportunity to live abroad and experience a new culture. However I would always be viewed as a foreign trained nurse. Would this potentially affect me in the work place? Will this affect my ability to get contracts and work as a traveling nurse in the future?
Just wondering what your thoughts are on all this. Would I be better off as a Calif. trained ASN W/ debt or a foreign trained BSN with no debt. I guess I would really prefer to live abroad but not at the expense of my future employment potential. I am fairly lost as far as how this could possibly affect my future. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
PS I don't speak any Talalog so clinicals could be challenging.
