California Student looking for an affordable accelerated BSN program

UVA Grad Nursing · Jun 17, 2010

Teish:

Here are a couple of lists for you. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has a list of the 230 Accelerated BSN programs at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/BSNNCG.pdf

You can find the 65 Direct Entry MSN programs at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/GENMAS.pdf.

State schools can be a much better bargain for students. For example, the out-of-state tuition at my own program is approximately $22,000 per year (less than half the cost of some of the well-known private schools). There are many state programs that will cost even less for out-of-state students.

jenboo · Jul 8, 2011

what school did u go to for 22,000? Was it a one year program and what was your GPA, Sciences, TEAS etc?

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Jul 15, 2011

Check Calif State Univ Los Angeles' program. or Cal State Univ Dominguez Hills

GirlwithaBSNRN · Jul 16, 2011

What you have to realize is that getting a higher education comes at a price. Once you accept that, it's much easier to look at the programs that will actually benefit you the most. I know it's hard to not look at the price tag right now, but nursing is an extremely competitive field. Almost all of the schools I have looked in to for the accelerated BSN tracks accept about 10-20% of students. You will need the best education you can get in order to be able to get a nursing job after school regardless of what your specialty or future goals are. Typically, if you're looking at an accelerated program, it will cost you around $50,000+. Most traditional programs cost insignificantly less, but because they take twice as long, it ends up being almost the exact same cost, but you reach your goal at a slower pace. I guess the main thing you want to decide for yourself is are you willing to give up your social life and any existence of anything but nursing school in order to succeed. I suggest going to informational sessions for the prospective schools you are looking in to because that will give you a better guide in to what they expect out of their students and what the program will be like.

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

what you have to realize is that getting a higher education comes at a price. once you accept that, it's much easier to look at the programs that will actually benefit you the most. i know it's hard to not look at the price tag right now, but nursing is an extremely competitive field. almost all of the schools i have looked in to for the accelerated bsn tracks accept about 10-20% of students. you will need the best education you can get in order to be able to get a nursing job after school regardless of what your specialty or future goals are. typically, if you're looking at an accelerated program, it will cost you around $50,000+. most traditional programs cost insignificantly less, but because they take twice as long, it ends up being almost the exact same cost, but you reach your goal at a slower pace. i guess the main thing you want to decide for yourself is are you willing to give up your social life and any existence of anything but nursing school in order to succeed. i suggest going to informational sessions for the prospective schools you are looking in to because that will give you a better guide in to what they expect out of their students and what the program will be like.

california state university, northridge- a-bsn program (aka accelerated bsn program)

http://www.csun.edu/~nursing/documents/absn201011.pdf

"the cost of the program and financial and scholarship

opportunities

the cost of the program is approximately $15,000, although

this amount is subject to change due to the increase cost

of living, books/supplies, and tuition. please visit: http://www.csun.edu/finaid/ for more information.

financial assistance as well as a variety of scholarships are

available to qualified students. for information, please

contact the office of financial aid and scholarship at

(818) 677-4085. "

"a-bsn overview

the accelerated bachelor’s of science in nursing (a-bsn) program prepares students, who already have earned a ba/bs in another field, to take the national council licensing examination (nclex) upon graduation; passing the exam is required to become a registered nurse. to date all students who completed the program have passed the exam on their first attempt. the a-bsn is a 15-month, intense, immersion program of study with classes that may be taught sunday through saturday and during days, evenings, or nights.

important facts about the a-bsn application process

group advisement sessions & frequently asked questions are at http://www.csun.edu/~nursing/

application deadline is once/year by 4:00p.m. on december 1 or the soonest following work day.

the ba or bs degree and all prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application to the program or no later than december of application.

acceptance to csun as a matriculated post-baccalaureate student is required prior to admission.

only 36 students per year are accepted (18 summer admits and 18 fall admits) from hundreds of applicants. no plans are in place to admit more than 18 students per class.

a minimum of 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale is required. applicants must have a minimum grade of "c" in prerequisite courses.

all science courses (anatomy with lab, physiology with lab, general chemistry with lab, microbiology with lab) must have been completed within the past seven (7) years prior to admission.

no application will be accepted past the deadline. no appeals process exists.

no waiting list is maintained, and any applications not picked up promptly will be shredded.

applicants who are not accepted may resubmit their updated application the following year.

admission requirements

the a-bsn program is designed for students who hold a ba or bs in any field from an accredited university, have successfully completed the necessary prerequisite courses with a minimum of "c" or better, and meet

csun admission requirements. students are admitted for full-time study either in the summer or fall class."

last week csu trustees voted to raise tuition 12% (i believe) and the tuition increase starts with fall's tuition.

juliaann · Jul 16, 2011

My ABSN is ~ $16,000 for tuition and fees. Books are about $2,000, and then living expenses are whatever you choose (I took $20,000 in loans for my entire program, although I do have my husband's income to help with bills...he's currently working minimum wage, though). I'm in Oklahoma, so cost of living is very affordable compared to most of the country. I'm at the University of Oklahoma. You need at least a 3.5, closer to a 3.7 GPA to get accepted to the accelerated program.

GirlwithaBSNRN · Jul 16, 2011

I've really only been looking in to private universities and, of course, those are usually more expensive. But I would rather pay a little more upfront and go to a school with a good reputation that has good networking with surrounding hospitals if that will increase my chances of getting a job after graduation. My cousin went through an Acc BSN program and graduated two years ago and she says some of her classmates still don't have jobs. And she went to a prestigious private university known for their nursing program. They accept 40 students each term out of 400+ applicants. Because nursing is so ridiculously competitive, you have to do really well and be really motivated. I'm not saying it's impossible to get a BSN without a hefty price tag, you just have to weigh how much money and time is worth your future. Good luck with everything!

juliaann · Jul 16, 2011

I've really only been looking in to private universities and, of course, those are usually more expensive. But I would rather pay a little more upfront and go to a school with a good reputation that has good networking with surrounding hospitals if that will increase my chances of getting a job after graduation. My cousin went through an Acc BSN program and graduated two years ago and she says some of her classmates still don't have jobs. And she went to a prestigious private university known for their nursing program. They accept 40 students each term out of 400+ applicants. Because nursing is so ridiculously competitive, you have to do really well and be really motivated. I'm not saying it's impossible to get a BSN without a hefty price tag, you just have to weigh how much money and time is worth your future. Good luck with everything!

I think this really is depending on your region. I'm going to a public school with an affordable accelerated BSN program and half of my class (our class is 32 students total, 400+ applicants) already have contracts (and scholarships!) with area hospitals, and we're still in our first semester! My program is very highly regarded in my city and we are wined and dined by area hospitals beginning at new student orientation! All the hospitals want grads from my program - the class that graduates in 2 weeks has 100% employment offers, pending NCLEX pass...and my program has had a 100% NCLEX 1st try pass rate the past 6 years. It IS possible to get an awesome aBSN education for under $20,000 AND a job after graduation - it depends on the area of the country you're in! Sorry your cousin's classmates haven't fared as well. Tell them to come to Oklahoma!

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · Jul 16, 2011

i think this really is depending on your region. i'm going to a public school with an affordable accelerated bsn program and half of my class (our class is 32 students total, 400+ applicants) already have contracts (and scholarships!) with area hospitals, and we're still in our first semester! my program is very highly regarded in my city and we are wined and dined by area hospitals beginning at new student orientation! all the hospitals want grads from my program - the class that graduates in 2 weeks has 100% employment offers, pending nclex pass...and my program has had a 100% nclex 1st try pass rate the past 6 years. it is possible to get an awesome absn education for under $20,000 and a job after graduation - it depends on the area of the country you're in! sorry your cousin's classmates haven't fared as well. tell them to come to oklahoma!

oooooo-kla-hoom-ma......don't you have tornados out that way..now that i think about it, here in calif, we have earthquakes, high cost of living, and no jobs.....we also have a univ of oklahoma bsn program out here, also...but no jobs......

juliaann · Jul 16, 2011

LOL. I've been in Oklahoma for 4 years now and have never seen a tornado. I HAVE seen them, though, when I lived in Nebraska when I was getting my first degree and Alabama when I was in high school...gotta take your chances, I guess! :) I think I'd take tornadoes over earthquakes any day.

Yeah, I know OU has a satellite campus in San Diego or something, so then you get an affordable program, but no job.

GirlwithaBSNRN · Jul 9, 2013

Oh man Oklahoma is where it's at! If only I could make the move out there. I have too much family support here in CA which will make it possible for me to attend an ABSN program with a young toddler. But everything you've mentioned about the program and job prospects sounds like a dream!!!