Accelerated BSN, how much did it cost you

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hi everyone... so i've been asking questions and love the education i'm getting on this site. So, i hear different opinions on how much Accelerated BSN costs. I would like to hear from those that went to an Accelerated program and/or attending one at the moment and know how much it cost them and which state it is? i just want to have an idea as to how much it would be so that i would be better informed when i look into the schools. i also wonder if state schools would be cheaper? Thanks guys.

I paid $21,000. Why would I commit to working for a specific hospital to get school for free when I might not like it? I'm glad I took out the loans and I have the power to say SEE YA if I want to! :)

Not all hospitals require that. The hospital attached to the university doesn't require any sort of commitment. You get the benefit while employed and if you quit, you lose the benefit but don't have to pay anything back. Your spouse and dependents get free tuition too. My job is paying for my nursing program and it is also just a job benefit - I don't have a work commitment and I don't owe them anything. They just pay for the class as soon as I finish it and show I passed.... no strings attached.

The hospital I used to work at paid 50% of your tuition for a BSN or MSN program, no strings attached. The only programs I've seen with strings attached are for current nursing students who get $$ back for their education if they agree to work for a hospital for a set # of years - that I'm not interested in. But even there, if you quit before you've paid your debt in working hours, you just lose out on the tuition reimbursement and have to pay it yourself.

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Ouch, that much? I was planning on going for my BSN the acclerated route. No way can I afford it. Darn...

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

It was worth it to me to be an RN, and I KNOW this is my calling....and it cost 70K.

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i live in california as well, do you mind telling me what school you you attended?

50k for 12 months in CA - 12k federal loan, 40k alternative (personal) school loan
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I'm at the University of Miami. The ABSN is $39,000 for 12 months, but it's a private university so it's a bit pricey! But if you're looking to go out of state (as I did) it ends up being cheaper :)

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I'm at the University of Miami. The ABSN is $39,000 for 12 months, but it's a private university so it's a bit pricey! But if you're looking to go out of state (as I did) it ends up being cheaper :)

thanks for the reply... so you're saying that it's cheaper to go out of state for school or you meant attending a state school... sorry i didn't get that:)

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Specializes in ICU.

University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh BSN. Had to have a Bachelors,required sciences and a CNA to apply.

$22,000 tuition only. Classes were online and all clinicals except the first were one on one precepted with a working RN in 4 to 6 week increments.

I literally got an ulcer during the year but in the end it was well worth it. We got to choose our last clinical. I chose ICU and was hired right into the unit at the end of my clinical. I've been there two years and am really happy.

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thanks for the reply... so you're saying that it's cheaper to go out of state for school or you meant attending a state school... sorry i didn't get that:)

Yea I didn't get it either. Private schools cost the same regardless of your residency status and state schools are cheaper for in-state.

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

Not ABSN, but a direct-entry MSN (2-year program) in California: about 15k a year for the tuition. That's state school.

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Specializes in Hospice.

32 thousand, one year program, state school . Absoultely worth it to me.

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Not ABSN, but a direct-entry MSN (2-year program) in California: about 15k a year for the tuition. That's state school.

Wow, how did you do BSN+MSN in 2 years? Every program I have seen is 3 years! What school? I want in :)

On a separate note, to everyone that did the ABSN - what makes it work going into even more debt to become an RN when I can go to a community college and be an RN without paying a penny in the same amount of time?

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.
Wow, how did you do BSN+MSN in 2 years? Every program I have seen is 3 years! What school? I want in :)

I didn't. :) But I was talking about UCLA's MECN, which is for those with bachelor's in non-nursing field. As a 2-year program, it does not make you a specialist like NP, admin, etc.

On a separate note, to everyone that did the ABSN - what makes it work going into even more debt to become an RN when I can go to a community college and be an RN without paying a penny in the same amount of time?

Here's my experience, having been in position of pre-nursing student of both community college program and university program. Several years ago, I was about to start a community college LVN-to-RN program. It would've taken me just a year. There was a mandatory bridge course during the summer, where I met the professors who would teach the RN program courses, and tasted the atmosphere of what is to come. I did not feel any inspiration. Teachers expected their students to be nice, quiet, docile absorbent sponge soaking up whatever they say. I asked too many questions, and was told I was arrogant. I wanted to be RN but dreaded one year of such one-way instruction. Well, I had a sudden personal situation which prevented me from continuing the program (because it required full-time commitment that I could not make). My path diverged away from nursing after that.

However, years later, I happened to attend an info session for the above program at UCLA. The professors I met there, how their program was envisioned, pulled me right back into nursing. I want to learn nursing as a science, not just skills. It might be enough to memorize how to do a procedure, but I want to know why things are done in such particular way. Also, I want to know broader picture of healthcare system from leadership perspective, which, community college programs rarely can provide. So... yeah, those are my main reasons that I don't regret not having done the quick, cheaper, RN program years ago.

Having said that, I do realize I'm completely ignoring the harsh reality that money matters. Now, if I were right out of high school, needing a job, I would weigh more on the cost, how long it takes, etc. But, I now have some financial cushion, having worked like a slave as LVN, :) and can afford to be a teeny little more snobbish. The point I'm trying to make is, choose whatever program suits your situation.

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