Which program do I pursue at age 44?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I'm looking to start over after being an LVN in Texas years ago. My license is inactive, in good standing. Rectivating it is a logistical nightmare because I moved to a compact state. It's not worth it to get that license back, especially when I haven't worked in over 10 years. I want to get my BSN now that my kids are getting older.

Im looking at 3 options. All have positives and huge negatives. So I'm asking for help.

Option 1 is a local community college. It's the cheapest. I can get my Associates, but I'd be finishing right about the time all local hospitals will be forcing ADNs to get their BSN or leave the hospital setting. I know I can bridge, but that makes the process that much longer.

Option 2 is a traditional 4 year university. The most expensive option. Obviously the most direct route. However, competition is fierce and I do worry how competitive my old self would be against 20 year olds. And honestly, at this age, I don't have the time to apply year after year.

Option 3 is an accredited "for profit" school that offers a BSN degree. My credits would actually transfer if I hated it. It's just a little cheaper than the 4 year college (only because of a military discount). They do give me about 9 hours of credit for LVN and they guarantee 5 spots in their BSN program from students who are bridging. But, I've heard some good things and some not so good things, especially about financial aid and them finding new ways to get you spend money. I want my degree to be taken seriously. (I did verify that they are accredited by the same people who accredit the other schools, so that's a plus, but the negative things I hear still make me nervous.)

its time to enroll, so any advice/experience would be helpful and much appreciated.

Well first start by eliminating option 3. For profit schools only mean trouble. Go for option 1. Its the cheapest option, and plus some hospitals will even pay for you to get your bsn.

Can you do your pre-reqs at the community college and transfer for your BSN? That will cut the cost a lot.

Specializes in Cosmetic RN.

Let me first start by saying that I am not a nurse, I am also trying to get into a school soon. A lot of people don't like the for profit schools because In the past many have had a bad rep, however I believe that it depends on the school you choose. In my decision making I looked into Chamberlin school of nursing. It is very expensive which is ultimately why I decided against it but the price for your school is not a problem because of the discount you get. I work in the medical field aready so I asked around, other nurses, hospital hr people, even some previous nurses students who attended and they all seemed to have positive reviews.

I think that it will save time, money and you get your Bsn the first time around... plus you have classes they will accept so it make take you less time anyway. In my opinion that's a big plus.

I concur with taking the prerequisite courses at the local community college, then applying to the BSN program at the university. If you are not accepted for the BSN program, apply at the community college program as Plan B.

As suggested before, I would go for the BSN. An ADN is only useful if 1. You can't get into a BSN program 2. Its accelerated. The time committment is approximately close to the same. Community college is a little bit cheaper, but not hugely. With that being said, apply for both programs

I would get your ADN at the community college, then enroll in a RN-BSN program. You will have the opportunity to gain 2 years RN experience while you are completing your BSN (there are still many areas of nursing that will hire ADNs). Some facilities that prefer/require BSNs will hire nurses who are actively enrolled in BSN programs. I believe when you complete your BSN, more opportunities may be available to you having experience under your belt vs new-grad BSN with no experience.

Specializes in Occ. Hlth, Education, ICU, Med-Surg.

Talk with the academic advisors at the BSN program and find out which pre-req courses they will accept from the community college. Take the courses at the community college, then apply and transfer to the BSN program.

A lot of BSN programs already have articulation agreements with the community colleges so be sure to ask if they have any in place

Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

I would opt for getting the ADN at a community college and then doing a bridge program for the BSN. I chose this option when I went to nursing school because 1) community college was less expensive than 4 year universities in my area, 2) I could work as an RN after earning the ADN and gain nursing experience while I completed the BSN, 3) the community college program in my area is very highly regarded and, 4) the hospital hires ADNs as long as you complete the BSN within 3 years of hire date. I was 45 when I graduated with my ADN. I just completed the BSN in December (age 46).

Specializes in OMFS, Dentistry.

If finances are important, I would go for the ASN and then do an RN-BSN bridge. Good luck no matter what you do =)

Financially...I would do the ASN programs. If I have money to waste and not work during school, I would go to profit school. Just remember for profit is like triple the cost compared to a public university. If you want go straight to your BSN, you should attend a public university, won't not be so expensive. There are many ASN to BSN bridge programs and healthcare employers will pay it. Good luck !!! :cat:

I'm in the exact same boat, pondering the exact same options, and I've decided to go for option 1. :)

+ Add a Comment