Ever since graduating w/ a lib arts Bachelors, I've considered Accelerated BSN programs. I went so far as taking many of the prerequisite courses at community colleges and working part-time as a SICU nursing secretary. My nursing dreams have taken a backseat, however, to advancement ops in my full time work.
My current salary of 42K isn't much to start a life on though & I've made the decision to finish the prerequisites w/i the next year & apply to accelerated programs. In investigating the programs, I've found some are CRAZY re: their tuition rates. Johns Hopkins now wants 50K for their 13 month accelerated BSN?!? The cheapest (and quickest) program I've found so far is at a lesser known college - 11 months & 22K.
My goal is to get the BSN, work for a year or two in critical care and apply to CRNA programs.
Question: Do employers really care where you went to school as long as it's accredited and you pass the RN exam? Does going to a school with a better reputation open you up to better opportunities & pay?
TY for the replies! They've given me a lot to think about.
I know there's a lot of money out there for nursing education. However, I haven't found much that would take a serious chunk out of the 50K in indebtness that would be incurred for some BSN programs. My state has a loan forgiveness program, but IMO it gives too little $ and requires too much time in service to a single organization to be worth it.
I don't want to live saddled down in student loan debt. I have almost paid off the loans from my 1st undergraduate degree & would like to be able to buy a house in the next 5 years. I've heard that some anesthesia groups will pay off all nursing loans for their CRNAs w/ just 2 years of service. Thinking that would be fantastic!
Many direct-entry programs require only one year ICU experience.
And I have to say, from experience, that it's pretty tough to get money for a second BSN. I'm in a direct-entry right now, and have 60K in loans. For one year. Why oh why did I choose an Ivy in the most expensive city in the nation?
Ever since graduating w/ a lib arts Bachelors, I've considered accelerated BSN programs. I went so far as taking many of the prerequisite courses at community colleges and working part-time as a SICU nursing secretary. My nursing dreams have taken a backseat, however, to advancement ops in my full time work.
My current salary of 42K isn't much to start a life on though & I've made the decision to finish the prerequisites w/i the next year & apply to accelerated programs. In investigating the programs, I've found some are CRAZY re: their tuition rates. Johns Hopkins now wants 50K for their 13 month accelerated BSN?!? The cheapest (and quickest) program I've found so far is at a lesser known college - 11 months & 22K.
My goal is to get the BSN, work for a year or two in critical care and apply to CRNA programs.
Question: Do employers really care where you went to school as long as it's accredited and you pass the RN exam? Does going to a school with a better reputation open you up to better opportunities & pay?
TIA
My employer gives recognition and praise for us RN's that have taken the initiative to go back to school for our BSN. We have a better opportunity for managment positions, but as far as pay - there is not much difference. You have to make the decision to go back to school for yourself and only for yourself!
Many direct-entry programs require only one year ICU experience.
And I have to say, from experience, that it's pretty tough to get money for a second BSN. I'm in a direct-entry right now, and have 60K in loans. For one year. Why oh why did I choose an Ivy in the most expensive city in the nation?
Columbia is one of my top choices but I do fear the expense! My undergrad degree is from Barnard & I shared an apt w/ 2 Columbia SON students in my junior year.
Many direct-entry programs require only one year ICU experience.
And I have to say, from experience, that it's pretty tough to get money for a second BSN. I'm in a direct-entry right now, and have 60K in loans. For one year. Why oh why did I choose an Ivy in the most expensive city in the nation?
YOU GOTTA DIG!!!
Duke University Health System, which is comprised of technically four hospitals (counting the VA) and God knows how many directly affiliated clinics, will pay back up to 33K in school loans for three years of hospital nursing. I figure I’m going to be about $40K in debt – which will leave me with seven grand to pay back. And that’s for ANY loans accrued to attend ANY nursing school – including second degrees.
Ya'll (LOL) can always head South for three winters....
Personally I don't think most empolyers would care too much about where your degree is from. As long as you have the right experience for the position. However - I've heard that CRNA programs are extremely competitive and very picky on the entrance requirements. I think the same GPA from a better school would help you more with getting into a CRNA program if that is what you are interested in.
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kittypepper028
10 Posts
TY for the replies! They've given me a lot to think about.
I know there's a lot of money out there for nursing education. However, I haven't found much that would take a serious chunk out of the 50K in indebtness that would be incurred for some BSN programs. My state has a loan forgiveness program, but IMO it gives too little $ and requires too much time in service to a single organization to be worth it.
I don't want to live saddled down in student loan debt. I have almost paid off the loans from my 1st undergraduate degree & would like to be able to buy a house in the next 5 years. I've heard that some anesthesia groups will pay off all nursing loans for their CRNAs w/ just 2 years of service. Thinking that would be fantastic!