Bummed out! NEED ADVICE!

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

Hello! I'm really bummed out! I've been a student at a private university in southern ca the last 3 years and got myself into quite a bit of debt (student loans). I'm on track to be accepted into the nursing program of my choice (which is a private school as well...) this fall, but am unsure of whether or not I want to take out the loans. The total cost of their BSN program costs about 66k. I decided to apply to the local JC's ADN program, but found out they do not accept three of the core prerequisites that I have already taken and did well in. If you were me, would you go on to the private university and get yourself into more debt? If I were to do that id be paying around $900-1000 a month toward student loans, but in my area a corrections nurse has about 5k in the bank after taxes (ive done a lot of research and talked with a lot of people about this). Also, I'm considering the NELRP(60% paid off for 2 years in a critical shortage area, but how hard is this to qualify for?), joining the army (theyd pay for the school in exchange for 4 years of active duty service), and becoming an LVN hoping it would increase my chances of being accepted into an rn progam...I'm only 21, but I had this goal of earning a BS by the time I was at least 23-24. If I went on to a jc, id have to wait another year while taking classes/hoping to get accepted into a super competetive program. After 2 years adn, 1 year bsn id be around 25/26. Very frustrating seeing as how I'm very broke. Any input is greatly appreciated! What would you do?

[aparsonsmomof3]

What kind of prerequisites are you not able to transfer over? If they are the required pre-reqs for the jc program and they are not transferrable...maybe you can just test out of those at the jc. Here in Texas, you can request an exit exam on courses that you have not taken and if you pass them...you get credit for that particular course.

[NurseJeanB]

I would hate to pile on more debt when you are already feeling over your head. In my area if you get the ADN you can do an RN-BSN program and it is not any longer then going for a straight BSN. As for age, you are young. Many of my fellow nursing students are in their 30-40s. I am 40. I am impressed by your desire to achieve certain goals by certain dates. You seem to be very logical and clear thinking in your approach by doing research in advance. Those are the very qualities that will serve you well in nursing school. Whatever you decide, I wish you luck and success. Best regards, Jean

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

If you think you can get in the ADN program I'd take the 3 pre-reqs or CLEP them if possible rather than getting into more debt. I'm not someone that believes there is "good debt" and spending years to pay off a loan that large doesn't make sense to me if you could get your RN quicker and cheaper. I wish you all the best and also commend you on your drive and insight at such a young age. You are sure to be successful! Jules

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

Haha..geez I didn't expect anyone to reply..thanks. Well, the JC route would require me to retake A&P 1 & 2 and microbiology, which sucks because I've already slaved away for good grades in these classes. It sucks they don't transfer though..One of the JC's biology professors said they're unsure if my school's biology courses are as rigorous as theirs, so they cannot take a chance and accept it. BLAH. You figure anything from any WASC accredited university would transfer to a JC!! Oh well, I guess I'm just stuck with being a starving college student and an extra year of uncertainty..:w00t:

[Jules A, MSN]

Well one thing I have learned about academia is that most everything is negotiable. I'd consider putting together a package with the syllabus from the classes that you took and present it to the department chair. I've talked myself into more than 1 nursing pre-req class without the "required" pre-reqs of the pre-req, sheesh. I wouldn't give up without trying everything. I guess as a worst case scenairo if you do end up having have to re-take them I bet your grade will be awesome! Keep us posted. Jules