ABSN Worth the Debt?

[SKay226]

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!

[umbdude, MSN, APRN]

Skay- This is definitely a very tough decision! I would be going crazy too.

At the end of the day, if you cannot relocated after the ADN and you really want to start out in hospitals, or just want to be competitive when finding a job, you should go for the BSN. ADNs can work in other areas to start like LTC/home health while obtaining a BSN and then work back into the hospital systems, but who knows how long that would take? After a year you're no longer a "new grad" and you don't have direct experience in an acute setting, so it might take another year to get back in. With a BSN at least you have a better shot at getting a hospital job outright and reach your goals faster.

From your posts I think you will be happier in a BSN program. You just have to be frugal for a few years after graduation to pay down the loans, which isn't a huge deal if you're young.

[SKay226]

Thank you so much! You are right, I do believe I will be much happier the ABSN route. Also your comment "After a year you're no longer a "new grad" and you don't have direct experience in an acute setting, so it might take another year to get back in." is something I haven't thought of but it makes SOO much sense!

Thank you :)

[Ndoht, ADN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Although you have to find out the respective tuition costs of the ASN and BSN programs in your area, the tuition costs for ASN programs in my area are only around 3k to 4k, and the tuition costs for RN-BSN bridge programs in my area are much less than 10k. There is a very good and reputable bridge program that costs only about 5k. If time does not rank higher than money on your priority list, I would recommend do the ASN first then the bridge. Working as a RN while doing the bridge program will give you a much easier time paying for tuition and living expenses than paying living expenses while repaying an expensive BSN debt.

[Ndoht, ADN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I have to disagree. It is extremely difficult for any new grad to get a hospital job in most places. One of the most reasons that hospitals hire you or even provide you an interview opportunity is because you have previous nursing experience such as in nursing home or LTC. Most nursing employment offices in hospitals don't even give you a response to schedule for interview after you've submitted your job applications if you haven't previously worked as a nurse. Experience is greatly valued, and you are lessening your chances of getting hired at hospitals if you don't have experience.

[feeneishia]

@SKay226, I too have the same struggle as you. I have a BS in Business and my MBA. I am really in debt from all of that and paying for my ADN out of pocket right now. Also, I plan on going to back to do an RN to BSN bridge, and then ADNP after that. Here's how I see it. Where I live, Alabama, I see the trend going towards RN's having BSNs. I also see hospitals willing to pay for your RN to BSN bridge as well. I've also found an online program where the bridge is only 2 semesters. So it won't take as long as I thought. I've been reading where NP's may have to start having Doctorate degrees instead of just Masters, so I'm definitely going to do a Doctorate when I get to that level. So for me the plan is ADN for now, to get my RN license. Get to a hospital that clearly states they will pay for further education, do the RN to BSN bridge and after that Doctorate. Hope that helps. But I've been struggling with this one for weeks myself. I am already taking all of my non-nursing classes that I didn't need for my other degrees - A&P and Micro, and prayerfully starting nursing school in the fall of 2015. I say do your research, and if you're able to get your job to pay for your BSN or Doctorate then wait on an employer. Just my thought! Good luck!