ABSN Worth the Debt?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Specializes in Health Education.

Hi Everyone - I'm going crazy trying to make this decision.

Short:

I'm considering going the ABSN route instead of the ASN to save time and additional years of school but would be doubling my debt...thoughts? Worth it?

Long:

I'm currently enrolled to start an ASN program (2 years) in a few weeks. I'm also waiting to hear back from an accelerated BSN program that would start early summer and run for 14 months.

Here is my dilemma:

I already hold a M.Ed. in Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and a B.S. in Health Sciences - I have federal debt from this (no private, thank goodness).

I'm fairly confident that I'll get into the BSN program and should be hearing within the next two weeks. I would essentially be doubling my debt if I did not receive any aide and I'm a bit concerned about this. I live in a large medical mecca on the east coast and I'm certain I won't be hired as just an RN, not to mention that it would take me two full years to just finish school.

I'm thinking that the extra time to plan, save, move, apply for scholarships etc. will save me a lot of stress in the mean time, and the BSN will save me job search and additional years of school in the long run. My final goal is to become a midwive or NP after working as an RN for 2-5 years. I'm also newly engaged and the shorter schooling would help with planning a wedding...maybe not with the finances, but I'm a very simple DIY type person.

Is the BSN worth an additional 60k in debt?

HELP!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

My understanding is that Boston area hospitals only hire BSN for all RN positions. Sounds like the decision may already be dictated by this trend.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

If you already have a Masters, why not go for a direct entry MSN?

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Specializes in Health Education.

From my searches thus far I've noticed that those programs (in my area at least) are around the 100k range. I could be wrong though...my goal is to do the ABSN route if that is what I choose and work as a floor nurse for a few years because I feel that is important.

I also went straight through to my Masters after my BS so after another solid year I'd like a break from school to be able to mentally unwind a bit and pay off some student loans and add some years to my PSLF

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Specializes in Health Education.

You are correct - there is a slight chance I could get in due to my current position but I don't want to count on it. Especially since it seems there may be more graduates to compete with in the coming years. With the ACA it may balance out since more people are accessing care but I think a job is better than having zero debt from a degree that may get me no where.

My neighbor went to the school I'm looking at and secured a job within four months...which is less time than it took me to secure one with a Masters!

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Specializes in Health Education.
If you already have a Masters, why not go for a direct entry MSN?

I'm also trying not to let any more of my prerequisites "run out" - I had to retake AP I due to the time constraint and if I wait and apply to MSN programs next year there will be another one or two classes I'd have to retake due to time requirements.

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I guess that depends on how much debt you'll have and your ability to handle that debt in the worst case scenario. Worst case: you haven't secured a job by the time you have to start paying off the loans. I struggled with this same situation and chose to take the prolonged school rout. In my eyes, a few extra years of stressful school is better than years upon years of paying off massive amounts of debt. My debt would have been around 50k. Wasn't worth it to me. Getting my ASN first, I am also completely aware that I probably won't get my dream job right off the bat, but I'm content working any nursing position I can get while I work my way through a ASN-BSN bridge program.

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I think the extra time involved with going the ASN to BSN route would equal out the $60k cost of getting the BSN now, rather than later. Get it done and get it over with. That is how I see it.

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We have a very similar background and I completely understand your feeling about go into debt. I agree with the person above because the cost of getting a BSN will result in a great return in investment. Your other degrees and future clinical jobs may end up helping you get a cushy desk/admin job down the road!

In short--just do it if this is what you want :)

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Look into brick and mortar schools. My school does a hybrid rn to bsn and they only meet 3 times a quarter. The rest is online and it's way cheaper than 60k. Where I live a BSN is must but it depends on your area.

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Specializes in Health Education.

Thank you all for your input - I will definitely take everyone's thoughts into consideration.

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Specializes in Health Education.

Thanks for your input...and that is true, who knows where my career will end me in the long run :) Did you pursue a BSN? How did you manage?

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