Accepted to 2 Nursing Programs: Help me decide which is the best option

[Nurse Beth]

Now my actual question:

Given the saturated market in which I live, and the fact that getting a New Grad Residency program is basically a 1 in 100,000 chance... Which program would better suit me in the long run professionally speaking!? I am so torn with indecision. I would like some advice from you and anyone else willing to share their two cents ?

OPTION 1 -

A well known and respected brick and mortar state school offering a two-year ABSN in San Diego. Clinicals every semester at different locations in the county, with the option/opportunity for two semesters of externships and thus good exposure in my area. However, the cost is 55K, and as a KICKER I'will likely have to quit working almost entirely... Maybe I can snag a 10-20hr part-time job doing CNA like work only after the first semester - but my current employer cannot keep me part time.

OPTION 2 -

WGU'S ABSN program lasting 2.5 years, costing half the price (~25K). However, clinicals are only two weeks every three months, and located in Los Angeles county. The drives would be very long, and there are also no externship opportunities. Essentially, I would have little if any networking exposure in my hometown. The biggest plus is I can continue to work FULL TIME, and continue earning a living for at least my first year since all didactic is online. Plus my employer would pay 5K in tuition reimbursement for that first year.

OPTION 3 -

Attend a much cheaper (6K) ADN program at a local community college. This would allow me to get extra student loans to pay for living expenses while I am unable to work. While still affording me the convenience of staying local in San Diego, in the proper hospitals for good networking and visibility in the workforce --- without financially shooting myself in the foot.

The reason the financial aspects worry me is that I still have ~ 50K in loans from my previous two degrees.... Just as an added bonus, my husband is currently in the midst of switching jobs where we would lose a significant portion of his income... which could be compounded even worse if I need to completely stop working myself as well.

I've got a lot on my plate right now! Option 1 is my dream school, but I realize Option 2 or 3 may be the more realistic choices for life balance slash not inadvertently ruining my marriage via money problems. **SIGH**

HELPPPPP,

Undeclared

---

Dear Undecided,

I googled best BSN nursing programs in San Diego and got this;

Top School in San Diego for Nursing and Nursing Administration

So... 55K at the school that is your dream school is pricey!

I would not want to be responsible for swaying you and your husband into an untenable financial situation and I cannot make that call.

But I will say, finances aside - option # 1.

Having your BSN is going to help you land your first job, especially in your area. It may even be required to be eligible for a residency program, and certainly is required to be competitive.

If you do not choose to get your BSN from the get-go, you will have to go back for it anyway.

That price tag is bothersome, though...but even so. You need your BSN. Good luck with your decision.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

[mani96]

I know you've already made your decision, but...I'd just like to throw in some advice because I was in your situation 4 years ago. After applying to a local ADN program and being wait listed for 2 years, I started applying to other programs. The third year, I finally got into the local ADN program, and was also accepted to private university accelerated 2nd degree BSN program that same year. The BSN cost: ~$70,000 for 17 months. ADN cost: ~$13,000 for two years. I went with the BSN program and justified it by wanting to be done with the BSN as well as feeling that my experience at a "prestigious university" would be valued by nurse managers when I started applying for jobs. I'm now over $80,000 in debt. I do have a job on an acute floor, which I started as a new grad. I looked for a job for 9 months after graduating from nursing school (I had left the state to go to nursing school) and had several interviews, and in those interviews, nobody really mentioned my BSN from the "prestigious university." I was just another new grad, trying to get my first job. Nursing is my 2nd, 3rd, etc. career and I had several other work experiences before becoming a nurse. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, and I now feel that taking on that much educational debt was really stupid. Some debt can be forgiven through various gov programs (that you have to apply and be chosen for) but my private educational loan is going to be with with me probably for the rest of my life. It's not worth it. Just my 2 cents.

[Littlelexus2003]

Hello all!! I went to a community college for my ADN and then I worked for 2 years. I really had not planned on going back for my BSN but my husband and I were pretty close to making the decision to have our first child so I figured I might as well get it out the way.

I went to WGU for 6 months and got my BSN. I had no life during those 6 months because all I did was school work but I was able to pay out of pocket for school because I never stopped working full time.

After earning my BSN I got pregnant and took a year off from working to be a stay at home mom. I just went back to work in Nov 2016 and landed my dream job, making the most money I have ever made as a nurse too. This job, I plan on retiring from and I am only 32 years old. Going the ADN to BSN route really worked for me..... Plus it was the cheapest way for me.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Taking out loans for living expenses is not a very good financial plan. Especially at at time when your spouse may lose income. Added to your other outstanding loan debt you are talking potentially 100k+ debt. This will follow you around forever compounding interest.

I know this isn't sexy or attractive, but stay at your job and save up the money for living expenses and then get your ADN through the community college. Then you can work (probably only acute care) at a well paying job and get do the online RN-BSN or Masters with very little added debt. While you are working and saving you can take the CC pre-reqs.

[mellster, LPN]

Make sure you really know what you are getting into with nursing before you spend the money. I'm an LPN, and I have no desire to go on for my RN at this point. I make good money even as an LPN. However, after 21 years, I am burned out. I have done everything from acute care to Drs. office to rehab, skilled nursing, and assisted living. I'm actually going in the opposite direction as you. I have a previous bachelors degree from before I went into nursing. I plan to take some courses to update my business skills and go into a masters degree in health administration. I don't hate nursing, but I'm pushing 50 and the physical toll is getting to be a bit too much for me. I'm not trying to discourage you. Just make sure that nursing is what you really want before spending a bunch of money on schooling. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Tommy5677]

My 2 cents. Get the associate degree, take your boards, get a job, and then get your RN to BSN online. You'll save yourself a lot of money and there are many, many fully accredited RN to BSN programs to choose from. Nobody cares where you got it from as long as you have it. My only caution would be DO NOT stop with the AD because you will have trouble getting exactly what you want. Personally, I would not worry about any of the other stuff like externships, internships, etc. There ya have it.

[JofAllTrades, BSN, RN]

THANK YOU ! I am very happy with my decision - I'm in my 5th week of GEs and loving my professors and the campus etc so far.

[JofAllTrades, BSN, RN]

@Mellster Thank you for your advice --- I actually already have an MS in Healthcare Management and am a Certified Case Manager as well. I can always fall back on my Current job position if I get burnt out and desire a nicely paid desk job. I am truly bored at the moment - and crave the face to face patient interactions... I am unsure if I want to pursue an MSN in the future, or work my way through being aHospital Admin someday... but I think once I have my RN i have a plethora of options given my 6+ year Administrative history in the healthcare system. :) Best of luck with your own move as well.

[Potatoskins]

Speak to students who attend the nursing program at your dream school and compare it to the community college. The benefit of attending a community college (in addition to paying lower tuition) is that you are hypothetically independent in much less time and can work while you earn your BSN. It's very difficult, but I know a lot of people who are working full time and attending an RN-BSN program. This is what I did and I will graduate with zero debt. (and find finding).

I am doing this too and will also graduate with zero debt. and certain hospitals will pay for your BSN tuition.

Along with this, ask around about the reputation of your local community college. My local community college has such a good reputation for putting out well prepared nurses (and weeding out the ones who aren't fit for the job) that there are hospitals in my area who won't hire new nurses unless you attended there. Even if you have a BSN. Their program is very competitive, their NCLEX passing is 98%, and their job placement is 97%. I actually said to myself "if I can't get in there, I guess I'll just attend these BSN schools." It just depends on the school. Definitely do your research.

[JofAllTrades, BSN, RN]

@Potatoskins - Thank you , I am officially 1/2 way through my ABSN at CSUSM at this time. I think for me, this was the best decision and have 0 regrets thus far. I maintained my employment throughout the 1st semester. Was unemployed through Summer (2nd semester) and most of Fall as well. However, I secured a job at SHARP as a float pool PD CNA. The pay is less than 1/2 what I made previously but now I have great exposure at the hospital system I was to apply to as a New Grad RN. Overall, I am very pleased with my position and the school has been great. Still maintaining that 4.0, which as Nurse Beth pointed out will be helpful for me if in the future I decide to get an MSN as well.

Thank you all again for your interest and advice :) Wish anyone reading this thread in the same shoes as I was all the best!!