Accelerated BSN Program or RN program?

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I'm trying to decide what program is the best option for me to become a nurse...

I'm 25 and I have a Bachelor's in Political Science from Ohio University. Because of my major, I have very few science pre-reqs.

To complete pre-reqs for a BSN accelerated program (like Mt.Caramel), it would take me a full year and then the BSN accelerated program is 13 months. So 2 years total.

Or should I just do a 2 year RN program?

My ultimate goal is to become an NP. A few people said to do the RN program and during my first year working complete an online program for RN to BSN and then apply to get my masters.

Cost is a factor, I have a great full time job but I'd have to give it up and take out financial aid to attend a program.

Am I the only one who feels like I made a huge mistake as an 18 year old and now there is no way to do what I really want to do!?

Thanks in advance for the help!

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I am actually in a very similar boat as you... contemplating the same problems.

I actually have to add a little more to your scenario though. I got my undergrad degree in Psychology/Business Administration and then also got a MBA-HR. I am not eligible for any federal financial aid unless I go for a doctorate degree (not likely!) Also, between my boyfriend and I we have nearly $100k in student loan debt. With that being said, money is definitely an issue. I am leaning towards getting my RN, we have a community college that offers a night program and then doing the RN-BSN online and then the master's as well because I also would like to be a NP.

Which direction are you leaning towards?

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Depends on the day! :) A few people have told me there is no pay differential between RN and BSN so to take the cheapest route, which would be a community college RN program.

However a friend of a friend who did that route said by the time she completed her pre-reqs and was accepted into the actual RN program, it ended up being close to 3 full years and she suggested that I just do the BSN program and get it over with. Because 3 years, plus a year of experience and an online RN-BSN program could mean I couldn't go for my NP for atleast 5-6 years!

She also alluded that in Columbus when hospitals are looking to hire, they tend to lean towards BSN grads and some RN grads have difficulty finding positions--I have no idea if this is the case but it worries me!

Unlike you, I think I will qualify for some financial aid but I have no idea how much, if it would be enough to leave my full-time job (which pays a very decent salary) or if i'd need to take night classes/online classes, etc. Have you looked into the NEALP assistance loan program? Are you excluded from that as well? It's only $3k a year but it may make a sizeable dent in the cost of a community college program.

I wish there was one place to go that could advise you on the right path for your situation because I keep doing research and it seems like the more I read, the more confused I become!

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HEY!!!! i'm so in the same boat as both of you!!! i already have a bs in human ecology from osu... job market sucks so i feel going back to school to save lives.. aka.. be a nurse... however, i'm torn between going to cscc and chamberlain.. have you guys read the reviews on chamberlain??? not good... but they were so nice on the phone when i scheduled my advisor appt... i'm just as confused as you.. help!!! LOL!! should i try out chamberlain? it's really expensive!! what are your thoughts??

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I had dinner with an accelerated BSN grad last night who now works as a nurse as Childrens. Same boat as all of us, different Bachelors degree, wanted to go back, wasn't sure what option to do.

She strongly suggested an accelerated program because she said many hospitals prefer to hire BSN's now because there is not a huge demand in this area. The demand will increase in the next 10 years and RN and BSN may be equal again but at this time, most hospitals are choosing to hire BSN's.

She also said a lot of RN's in her unit (critical care) have always said they'd go back to get their BSN and just never found the time, didn't get around to it, etc.

Of course this is just one opinion but it rang very true for me.

At this point, I'm looking at completing my pre-reqs at CSCC starting in the fall (i'll need to complete 9 courses) and looking to apply to Akron U, Kent U and Mt.Caramel for 2011.

Does anyone know if the RN program at CSCC has a waiting list? That was also mentioned as a "con" to the RN program--she said people at work were talking about the 2 year waiting list to get into the nursing courses?

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i'm going to cscc next weds... i only need a few pre reqs... i totally want my bsn but i think i want to do my rn at cscc... they have soooo many class times so a wiatlist seems hard to believe. i talked to mt. carmel and the enrollment process seems like it happens once a year.. i could be wrong but the lady i spoke with was kinda rude... let me know what you come up with...

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I actually was a pharmacy/nursing major for about 3 years while in undergrad so I have all (or at least most) of the pre-req's completed- though its been more than 5 years since I took those classes so I have to make sure that they will take the classes. I have also considered doing the RN-MSN program, during which you earn the BSN also. Ideally, I would like to take night classes while getting my RN and then work at my regular job as I earn that. Then I would quit my job after I found a nursing job to work as a nurse as I work towards my MSN. Fortunately I live in a large city (Chicago), so there seem to be a decent amount of jobs around still.

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