Don't know which nursing school route to take!

[cajjj]

Hi everyone, hope everyone is having a smoother experience than me. I am so frustrated!!!! I just want to get into a nursing school and get started!!

Is cost something most of you adult students are looking at? I am truly kicking myself, I had it good, was a nursing BSN major at a local university straight out of high school, no hassle, just got accepted right in because of high school grades, etc. I FOOLISHLY dropped out of the program. This was almost 15 years ago. Now here I am a divorced mother of two young children really chomping at the bit to get back in nursing school. I have found this is definitely not a cakewalk trying to get into one now. Now, it's I have to take 75 hours of CNA classes and a NET test for one, or most schools my science classes need to be retaken because it's been so long since I took them before. There is one school in KY I can get right in an LPN program and then bridge over to RN, but the COST is a deterent. I don't know how I'm going to live if all my loan amounts go to tuition, with nothing for living expenses. I am finally, although very reluctant to, just thinking of trying to attend a LPN school, then going on to do an online LPN to BSN program. I don't know how wise that kind of career path would be. I am trying to see about getting in an Accelerated BSN program, but it's the COST of the tuition that is getting me. You can only get so much in loan amounts if you are already a college graduate. My own personal preference is ultimately to have a BSN, but ADN would be fine for a while, this has just become so disheartening. Is there anyone out there who had really hoped to go for your BSN, but because of life circumstances have to settle for an LPN school and then bridge up?

[Megsd, BSN, RN]

I also have a Bachelor's in another subject and I went with an accelerated BSN. For me it was the best option because of the time length (as someone else said, sometimes it can be cheaper because you're paying for fewer school sessions) and because I preferred another Bachelor's degree over an ADN. I will also receive 12-15 credits toward my MSN, which is another plus for me since I plan to go back to school at some point and pursue that.

I was fortunate to have not had loans for my BA, so I was not *as* concerned with taking out loans for school and living expenses, though I will admit it is nervewracking to not have any income. My program is 15 months long, but is very much full time. I am fortunate in that I am single, no kids, and sharing living expenses with someone else, but it can definitely be done with other living situations. About 1/4 of my class has children ranging from ages 1-25, some married, some not. As everyone said, it really depends upon your own situation. Good luck to you!

[MB37]

I am doing the accelerated route myself, but it's 15 months at a public school paying in-state tuition. I am planning on taking out loans b/c I don't plan on working during the program - but for me it's time that's important. Hurricane Katrina cost me 2 years of school, my husband and I would like to have children, and we would really like me to graduate first. Make sure you fully investigate the accelerated program(s) in your area, and then maybe apply to ADN as well as A-BSN unless it's completely cost-prohibitive. For me, the prereqs for both were almost exactly the same (since I'd already taken Eng, language, etc. for first degree) and the accelerated program actually takes less time than an ADN here. Absolutely look into all of your options, financially, timewise, and what your needs are right now. We can tell you why we decided what we did, but you havw your own circumstances to worry about. Good luck with getting your degree, however you do it!

[AZMOMO2]

I myself started out thinking, wow I need to do this fast. I can't wait to be a nurse. Then I started taking all the classes, working full time and raising two kids ( 13 & 14) and it's so tough now I think the CC route may be the one I will take. I am looking into some private schools as well because the CC in my area requires a CNA for admission. I am currently taking that class but I can not see myself working as a CNA again. Decisions decisions... I feel your pain