ADN, BSN, ABSN, or MEPN?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2018

My hospital has a $5250 allowance per calendar year. I attended a state university so it covered my tuition. All online, I rented books. They also offer tuition assistance if I go to the teaching hosp I work at (private). I really did end up not spending very much for ADN and then RN-BSN. no debt for sure.

As part of retention and still being able to hire ADN nurses, there are some that offer reimbursement. Here in Eastern NC, HUGE nursing shortage. # level 1 trauma centers and all their satellite hospitals AND the clinics/urgent cares. ADN, Diploma, CMAs, desperate for CNAs too. Plus all the HH and rehab facilities.

Pomfrey1227 · Mar 16, 2018

My hospital has a $5250 allowance per calendar year. I attended a state university so it covered my tuition. All online, I rented books. They also offer tuition assistance if I go to the teaching hosp I work at (private). I really did end up not spending very much for ADN and then RN-BSN. no debt for sure.
As part of retention and still being able to hire ADN nurses, there are some that offer reimbursement. Here in Eastern NC, HUGE nursing shortage. # level 1 trauma centers and all their satellite hospitals AND the clinics/urgent cares. ADN, Diploma, CMAs, desperate for CNAs too. Plus all the HH and rehab facilities.

Wow that's great you were left without debt! Thank you for your response :)

picklerick · Mar 16, 2018

I almost went the entry levels master route, I am really glad I didn't. I went the ABSN route, I'm happy thus far. More expensive than the ADN but I am in southern california where everything is pretty impacted. I have a couple friends who went the ADN route and they were able to find jobs because they were willing to relocate to smaller areas and some had good luck in Arizona. I'm not able to relocate so I'm *hoping* the BSN helps me after graduation, job market is tough!

My vote definitely goes to passing on the entry level masters though, good luck!! Either way you'll be going down a great career path.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 16, 2018

Do thorough research on the types of jobs you can realistically expect to get with an ADN in your region. That varies widely, so you will have to do your own research. Do those jobs appeal to you? Will you be happy with those types of jobs? (or at least, able to tolerate them while you go back to school again?) If so, the I would recommend the cheaper ADN route.

However, if you will not be able to get a decent job with tuition reimbursement with an ADN in your region ... then find the BSN program that is the best fit for you. Look for a program that is of reasonable cost and quality.

Good luck with whatever decide.

cleback · Mar 17, 2018

Disagree. Most hospitals I'm familiar with still offer some sort of tuition reimbursement program.

Most hospitals in my area are significantly cutting their tuition reimbursement so that the rn-bsn would be mostly out of pocket... but then again, I don't live in a shortage area. My guess though is that the OP does not live in shortage area either if he's in California.

justwanttohelp12 · Mar 17, 2018

This advice might not help, but I would say go with the most comfortable option. Also, consider your networking opportunities when choosing a school. If you can attend a BSN program for cheap then you should definitely go that route. I would avoid SMU's ABSN because of the cost + I have heard that the school is really only interested in your tuition.

Call me crazy but I chose an ADN program over an ABSN program because I wanted to avoid living on loans. Sure, you might finish a year earlier, but it'll take at least a few years to pay all your current + ABSN debt. I qualified for the BOG fee waiver so all my ADN classes are free! Also, I'm currently enrolled into a concurrent BSN program where I'll take a couple BSN courses over the summer. Around 1/3 of my cohort are currently working in big name hospitals around the Los Angeles area while going to school. You bet their hiring manager would hire them as a RN internally over an applicant with no experience and a BSN.

In the end it comes down to your financial situation and "who you know." If you can do a traditional BSN while working as a tech/aid at an acute hospital then that should be your #1 option.

Pomfrey1227 · Mar 17, 2018

I almost went the entry levels master route, I am really glad I didn't. I went the ABSN route, I'm happy thus far. More expensive than the ADN but I am in southern california where everything is pretty impacted. I have a couple friends who went the ADN route and they were able to find jobs because they were willing to relocate to smaller areas and some had good luck in Arizona. I'm not able to relocate so I'm *hoping* the BSN helps me after graduation, job market is tough!
My vote definitely goes to passing on the entry level masters though, good luck!! Either way you'll be going down a great career path.

Thank you for your response! That's great to hear you're happy with that program, and good luck to you too it is a great career path

Pomfrey1227 · Mar 17, 2018

Do thorough research on the types of jobs you can realistically expect to get with an ADN in your region. That varies widely, so you will have to do your own research. Do those jobs appeal to you? Will you be happy with those types of jobs? (or at least, able to tolerate them while you go back to school again?) If so, the I would recommend the cheaper ADN route.
However, if you will not be able to get a decent job with tuition reimbursement with an ADN in your region ... then find the BSN program that is the best fit for you. Look for a program that is of reasonable cost and quality.
Good luck with whatever decide.

That's a great idea to research ADN positions. Thanks for your help much appreciated!!

Pomfrey1227 · Mar 17, 2018

This advice might not help, but I would say go with the most comfortable option. Also, consider your networking opportunities when choosing a school. If you can attend a BSN program for cheap then you should definitely go that route. I would avoid SMU's ABSN because of the cost + I have heard that the school is really only interested in your tuition.
Call me crazy but I chose an ADN program over an ABSN program because I wanted to avoid living on loans. Sure, you might finish a year earlier, but it'll take at least a few years to pay all your current + ABSN debt. I qualified for the BOG fee waiver so all my ADN classes are free! Also, I'm currently enrolled into a concurrent BSN program where I'll take a couple BSN courses over the summer. Around 1/3 of my cohort are currently working in big name hospitals around the Los Angeles area while going to school. You bet their hiring manager would hire them as a RN internally over an applicant with no experience and a BSN.
In the end it comes down to your financial situation and "who you know." If you can do a traditional BSN while working as a tech/aid at an acute hospital then that should be your #1 option.

Your advice really is helpful - thank you! I also get the BOG waiver at my community college where I'm taking pre-reqs and it helps tremendously and that's an awesome perk of going the ADN route. That's great you're in a concurrent BSN program! Traditional BSN programs and ADN programs are looking like my best options

ahuynh · Mar 22, 2018

It seems like MEPN is the unpopular route so I'll talk about that. I was in the same boat as you. I have a BS degree, lots of student loans, and was really conflicted with all my options.

Like other people have mentioned, ultimately you have to think about the program and how it will impact your future career goals.

ADN - the cheapest option for me but I wasn't happy with going from a BS degree to an associate degree. I also live in CA and it didn't seem like the choice was wise for my career in the future. Many hospitals where my family and friends are currently working are slowly trying to only hire only RNs with BSN degrees. Plus with a BSN there are many other career paths you can take with nursing.

BSN - most programs are 2-3 years long and that was too long for me

ABSN - These programs are extremely expensive! Also, I found out that you do not get any financial aid if you're getting a second bachelors.

MEPN - I like this the best. Yes, you get your RN license but it comes with the MSN & CNL title. Upon graduating you will still be in the same pool as other RNs with BSN but at the end of the program you have the option of continuing your education and become an NP (in a shorter amount of time depending on the specialty). While I'm not sure what I want out of my nursing degree I like having options of being able to quickly jump in leadership positions and maybe even admin someday. I do agree this option is the most expensive but I'm getting a good amount of financial aid, a lot more compared to ABSN.

I suggest applying to any of the programs you're interested and compare the financial aid package. I applied to both ABSN & MEPN and weighed my options. Good luck!!

Pomfrey1227 · Mar 23, 2018

ahuynh thank you for your sharing your experience I really appreciate it!! Financial aid is definitely something I am taking in account and that's great you're getting a good amount of financial aid with your MEPN program. Thank you for your suggestions, and good luck on your journey too! :) What MEPN program are you in?

scenario · Mar 26, 2018

Hi all, I'm in the same boat. I live in the bay area. I have a B.S. in Bio with lot of loans I applied to nursing schools this round and got into SMU's ABSN and 2 master's CNL programs. I also applied to a local ADN program just as a back up. Now I'm stuck with the dilemma of choosing between an ABSN or CNL. Both a good options, the cost does pay a large role. My boss, she's an M.D., said to go to ABSN if I don't know what to do with my nursing career. I know that I don't want to be a floor nurse for my entire RN career, so that also pays another role. I would like to do management or admin work. @ahuynh, I would also like to hear about your program and how you like the CNL curriculum.