ASN w/little debt or BSN lots of debt?

U.S.A. Georgia

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I have all of my pre-reqs complete, as well as an Associates degree in Business. As of today, I have about $15,000 in school loan debt. I have been accepted to 2 nursing schools. 1 of them is a 2 year ASN program the other is a 2 year PRIVATE SCHOOL BSN program. If I choose the ASN program, I will have very little, if any at all, additional debt. With the private school, I will accumulate approximately $35,000 more debt in tuition alone....to equal approximately $50,000 in student loans.

Let me add - I will be 42 when I graduate with either program. I have 1 child in college now, and have 2 more to put through college. Of course, the BSN makes more sense on a time table, but I am worried that at 42, I will have a rough time paying back those loans and enjoying the benefit of my education.(paycheck)

Any suggestions? Input? Direction?

Thanks for that info. Great to know. Piedmont has the best 4 year average of pass rates on the nclex. That stands for something

Yes they do and that's a BIG deal! Is Piedmont one of the schools you are choosing between? If so I think you have your answer :)

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Yes. I have been accepted into Piedmont. But, their tuition is over $20,000 a year. And $7725 for the summer..... totally approx 50,000 before scholarships/loans/grants. I have spoken to their fin aid department and should have a fin award by 3/25.. so, that will be my final decision maker.

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Oh :( I assumed it was the cheaper option. Gosh darn it. Hopefully the aid award is nice

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This is my take on this. I graduated from an ASN degree program in 1987 with the intention of going back for my BSN soon after but "life" have a way of getting in your way. I did not have any student loans from my Associates degree program but I finally went back for my BSN in 2008 and ended up with $25,000 in student loans. I went back for my BSN only because I noticed a lot of the hospitals in my area were hiring only BSN nurses. So if you live in an area where the hospitals hire both associates as well as BSN grad I would say go for the ASN. If not, go for the BSN. The nursing market is a lot different now than when i graduated in 1987 but good luck with whatever choice you make.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Whichever program you choose, make sure RNs are being hired AT ALL in your area. There are so many new grads RNs who are unemployed or underemployed. Imagine racking up the $50K in student loans, and not getting a job afterwards. It happens, all too often, and then the loans come due. Could you pay them? Could you afford to move to where you could get hired? These are all things to consider. Nursing is not a recession-proof career. I don't mean to sound negative, but I have read so many posts from new grads who shelled out thousands and thousands, and then can't get hired. It's awful.

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I decided not to go to the expensive school. As much as I want to be a nurse, I need to think of the betterment of my family. An ASN isn't my dream, but it's 1 step closer, and I can do it with minimal debt.

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And an ASN nurse is still a nurse :) you will get the bsn just not going the route originally planned. I totally understand as I made the same decision for me and my family by going with the ASN program. Me personally I can't handle too much debt. Nope.

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