Accepted to ABSN programs--help!

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Hi everyone!

I was recently accepted to George Washington's ABSN program for summer 2018. I was also accepted to Jefferson College of Health Sciences in southern va with a 5k/year scholarship. I'm in a big predicament and would love advice or opinions from anyone, really.

GW is a great school. It's reputable, has a good program, and great networking opportunities. The big con is the debt. The program fee (w/o fees) is $66k. I'm paying for my ABSN on my own, so i'll have to take out loans. I am also not interested in doing the W2 program (working three years in DC post-grad for 50% of tuition covered), as I am planning on moving elsewhere immediately after graduation.

JCHS isn't as reputable but I have heard it's decent. However with the scholarship, the tuition would be around $43k. However, I also am already in school in southern VA and would like to get out of the area.

This is my predicament: is it worth 23k to go to GW over JCHS? GW is, academically, the better choice. However, i've read some stuff online saying "it doesn't matter where you go for your bsn because you'll find a job anywhere." If this is true, shouldn't I just go to the cheapest school?

With JCHS--I would also have to pay for rent or staying on campus and food in addition to tuition. With GW I could live at home rent/food free, so JCHS would end up being a more than 43k but GW would likely stay around 66k.

I'd eventually like to go back to school after 5-7 years of working to get my DNP so I would ideally like to have my loans paid off by then. AHHH help. I'd rather go to GW but I'm not sure if its worth the extra 23k if it is true that the BSN university doesn't matter as much. Help!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Crunch the cost of living for both programs as well. I don't know the difference in rent and what not between localitites, but it is possible if one place is free and the other isn't that total cost for both schools may be close to the same. Living at home rent free is a big deal, but so is lower tuition by 23K. Your total loan value it going to be based on both tuition/fees plus living expenses if you don't already have that saved/covered so figuring the total cost for both schools will give you a better number to work with in terms of total expense of each program. Then decide if the cost difference is still a big sway one way or other other. If total expenses are similar go to the one that will given you stronger networking opportunities.

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If you ask me 43k is still too expensive for a BSN.

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Specializes in NICU.
If you ask me 43k is still too expensive for a BSN.

I agree. I went through a 15 mo. ABSN at a state school in the city where I lived. It cost around $22k with books, labs, and tuition. Loans were paid off within a yr.

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All the schools I was eligible to apply to for accelerated BSN programs run between 30-60k. They're all expensive and I know that. I'm asking if the I go to school matters or not for a BSN.

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I said above, most schools I could apply to are expensive. For ABSN programs, there are new entrance exams but I'm currently studying abroad and so I had to take out a bunch of the affordable schools since I wouldn't be there to apply. No matter what, it's going to be expensive and more than 12k. But is it worth money going to a reputable school or is it true that the schools doesn't matter?

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I went to a University that is well known, and is a regional powerhouse for nursing (though not generally well known nationally). As this program has been around since the 50's, there is a large network of grads. My first interview out of school was with a Nurse Manager whose daughter had gone to the same school. We spent most of the interview talking about our study abroad experience, and I got the job. Was it the good old boys club? You bet. Did it work in my favor? You bet. I am now getting my masters in a non nursing field from another big name, and my bosses are shouting it from the rooftops. Can you be an excellent RN from a less well known place? Of course. But I have had nothing but good come out of my experience going to well known schools, especially with regards to networking and advancement.

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Specializes in NICU.
I'm asking if the I go to school matters or not for a BSN.

I had two jobs offers when I graduated, both out of state. Neither hospitals had any experience with graduates from my school. I went to a state university. All they cared about was that I had my license.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
I said above, most schools I could apply to are expensive. For ABSN programs, there are new entrance exams but I'm currently studying abroad and so I had to take out a bunch of the affordable schools since I wouldn't be there to apply. No matter what, it's going to be expensive and more than 12k. But is it worth money going to a reputable school or is it true that the schools doesn't matter?

If both schools have similar nclex pass rates, and similar attrition rates for nursing, they are equal.

If you were going to law school, that's a different story. Nursing licenses are generally recognized equally. There may be a few schools in an area that have a bad rep. But for the most part, a new grad is a new grad.

That having been said I would lean towards GW, since you could live at home. The price difference is negligible when you figure in that expense. And not having apartment stress will be a plus while you are coping with the rigors of the program.

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

I would go with the lower cost of the program. I am also paying for my ABSN by myself and the cost of living in TN is much lower than where you live, but it's still 30k for 12 months. After reading comments about how much beginner nurses make, I would go with the lower cost if the program is reputable ;)

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Where did you live that there was a state school for that price? there are no programs like that at state schools here....

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I had two jobs offers when I graduated, both out of state. Neither hospitals had any experience with graduates from my school. I went to a state university. All they cared about was that I had my license.

Where did you live that there was a state school for that price? there are no programs like that at state schools here....

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