ABSN vs. Traditional

[cdavissmall]

Hello, all!

I am posting this later than I should be, but I am still hoping to get some feedback.

I am currently enrolled in a traditional BSN program. The duration of the program is 5 semesters; I would finish in December of 2018. However, the program is quite pricey and being that I already have a lot of debt from my previous degree, I was looking into a cheaper option.

While most of the accelerated programs that I have looked into are generally more expensive per year, the fact that they are only 12-months long softens the blow.

What I am looking at is roughly 94-95,000 vs. 45-50,000. The reason I am contemplating switching schools is because my current school did my financial plan incorrectly (they forgot to add food and housing to the plan), therefore, I thought I was going to be spending a lot less money on my BSN.

I did well my first semester, with nothing lower than a B.

Any opinions or suggestions on what I should do?

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Wow. 12 months doesn't seem nearly enough time to learn nursing, even if it is an accelerated program. Mine was, too, but it was 21 months. That must be a pretty intensive program. Is there not another alternative, a community college, or something that is cheaper than almost a hundred grand? Go to a community college and get an ADN, you can always take the handful of classes for a BSN later, and your employer might even help pay for it. I would avoid that much debt if possible, but I also would not want to sqeeze an entire nursing program into 12 months, either.

[DivaliciousMe85]

Most 12 month accelerated programs are 4 semesters, just like a traditional program, only you don't get large breaks.

I have applied to many an accelerated program because I am in the exact same boat as you! Considering you have already started a nursing program, though, those credits/classes more than likely will not transfer to the new program. Are you alright with starting from scratch? If so, I would say go for it. Plenty of people have applied to and successfully completed accelerated programs. Good luck to you!!!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to General Student forum

[AceOfHearts<3]

Wow. 12 months doesn't seem nearly enough time to learn nursing, even if it is an accelerated program. Mine was, too, but it was 21 months. That must be a pretty intensive program. Is there not another alternative, a community college, or something that is cheaper than almost a hundred grand? Go to a community college and get an ADN, you can always take the handful of classes for a BSN later, and your employer might even help pay for it. I would avoid that much debt if possible, but I also would not want to sqeeze an entire nursing program into 12 months, either.

I completed the shortest accelerated program there is. I have absolutely no regrets about my program. It was intense and something I wouldn't have been able to handle when I was getting my first degree. There were no differences between myself and other new grads that started when I did that had completed a traditional 2 year ADN program. There are some things I actually know more about despite the fact that my program was shorter. My school and my particular program have a very good reputation.

[cdavissmall]

Any chance you'll share the name of the program you did? Or even just the state?

[HopefullNurse17]

To me it would depend on how you are financing both programs, are you able to take out loans at good interest rates. Another way to look at it, is if you do the 2 year program, you could work about 20 hours a week and pay for food and rent that way, while in an accelerated program there would be no time to work so it would have to be all loans, then on the other hand you finish the 1 year program faster and you can start earning money right away. I'm starting pre-requisites for an ABSN soon too, and my goal program is in Wisconsin, it is about 42,000 total. Good luck on your journey!