ABSNs & Entry Level MSNs - cost prohibitive? ADN better option?

[blondielocks]

Hi everyone,

Wow, I can't believe it has been six and a half years since I first joined this site.

I ended up completing my BS in Sociology from Arizona State. But, I *still* want to become a nurse!! A lot of things happened over the last 6.5 years for me but I just can't shake this feeling of really feeling I am meant to become a nurse.

I have considered APN - CRNA, PMHNP, etc. But I have realized that more than anything I want to be a NURSE first and foremost.

I decided I would look at ABSN & EL-MSN programs. My God!! They are SOOOO EXPENSIVE. I cannot believe how much money these things cost. I am already in debt for my first bachelors degree. I do not want to go into much more debt for another one.

I am 27 now (turn 28 in May). I have made some major changes in my life that I think will allow me to do what is necessary to become a nurse. I've downsized my living expenses (gotten rid of smart phone plan, moved to 500 sq ft apt) and am working aggressively at paying off some CC debt I racked up in college (a few thousand) + paying off my car loan (had my past car for 11 years and it took a dump on me a year ago). I think if I save up enough to pay rent for 2 years then I could work p/t in NS to pay other bills.

But, I still need to do my pre-reqs. I have calculated it out and can finish the science pre-reqs in 1-2 years depending on my current work schedule and when the classes are offered at the local community college. Then I would apply for the ADN program *at* the community college. My local CC does things via a lottery so I would possibly be accepted to start in the Fall of 2018, but maybe not? The pre-reqs will cost me $2k out of pocket and then NS would be about $7-8k and I would graduate in 2 years w/ my ADN. My state now offers a direct-transfer program w/ state universities so I could get a job as an RN and hopefully my employer would pay for me to do a bridge RN-BSN thru Washington State University (its mostly online). And then I could work for 3-4 years as an RN and decide after that if I want to go into advanced practice nursing or not.

The thing is, that is looking at possibly 4 years until I would be an RN, plus another year for my BSN which I understand is very much highly-regarded.

I feel I'm not getting any younger but I can't imagine spending 50-100K (going in debt bc I would have to take loans out) just to become a nurse any faster. I have become very much averse to taking on more debt. My 1st undergrad degree was very expensive b/c I went out of state.

So, I guess my question is - it this silly? Am I stupid to waste additional time (years)? I really want to be a nurse. I want to help people. I feel 4 years is a long time but then I think, I've been wanting to do this for 6 years. Where will I be in 4 years if I dont pursue this now? I just can't see going into so much debt to get it done any quicker.