Need Advice

[chas89]

Hi! I'm new to all nurses, not sure if I'm posting this in the right area. I need some advice about what path to nursing school I should be taking. I am a 24, I have a non-nursing BA, I work part-time in retail and I'm a PRN CNA. I'm going to start LPN school in the fall & it's going to last 3.5 semesters (1 1/2 yrs). I know I'm definitely getting my LPN because I need to start working to pay off student loans. I guess my question is After I get my LPN, should I get a ADN or should I go for a BSN? Thanks for any advice :)

[AlleycatLady, BSN]

I think that one thing that gets overlooked is the cost of an ABSN. Here in my area in the Charlotte, NC area, an ABSN costs about $60,000. It's easy to say skip one option over another, but why get all of that debt just to get a BSN in 12 months when you probably already have at least $20,000 in loans from your first BS degree? Also, they don't give much financial aid for a second BS especially if you have reached the limit.

My LPN program here costs about $5,000 in state and $8,000 out of state tuition for just nursing courses...not sure what yours costs. So much easier to come up with $5-$8K than $60K lol. At least by doing the LPN program, you can get out and into the field and get some practice and networking in while you bridge. Personally I think that the LPN to BSN is the best route to take since there are programs out there that someone with a prior BS can finish in less than a year.

I don't claim to know everything and I'm by no means trying to offend anyone. These are just my opinions and some logical thinking based on what I've researched and on my own situation. Good luck to you in your pursuit. Keep us posted!