Accelerated BSN Starts Next Month! BIG SECOND THOUGHTS!

[JustMeWhoeverThatIs]

I am so confused right now. I accepted a spot at an Accelerated BSN program out of state and decided that I would join the Navy after graduation and have them pay my loans. I estimate that the 16-month program will set me back about $50K (in addition to the $30K in debt I have now). A lot is going on with my family right now though, and I'm no longer sure that this is a good option. (I don't have kids, btw.) I'm considering doing an RN program in my hometown, but I will graduate over a year later and still not have a BSN! BUT, I can likely do it without incurring more debt.

P.S. I can't get into a BSN program in my state because my GPA is less than a 3.0.

I'm going crazy! It took me forever to get into a nursing program and now I'm considering turning down the spot! HELP! What should I do?

[sserrn, BSN]

Well, if it were me I'd probably be doing a whole lot of praying about it, for one... $80K is a lot of debt, which you know well. I have no idea how much the Navy will cover of it, but it would likely take you years to pay that back. If you are sure of your choice to join the Navy after graduating and comfortable with the amt. of debt you will be left with after you're done with that, then I'd say go for it.

It sounds to me like you can't really beat the ADN program in your hometown, though. I know it would take a year longer and then you still would need to earn your BSN if that's important to you, but at least you wouldn't incur anywhere near $50K more of debt. Also, you could probably do a lot (most?) of your RN-BSN classes online and still not come even remotely close to spending as much money as on the accelerated program. Going this route would also give you the freedom of not having to join the Navy if you decided you didn't want to do that after all. Just my thoughts. Good luck!