Hello All! I need some advice! I have just been accepted into an direct entry program in southern California for Fall 2016 entry. I was super excited to get into this program, but the excitement has waned as certain realities have set in. I am from San Diego, but was admitted into the campus in the Inland Empire, which would require me to move there and have to pay rent as opposed to staying with family here in San Diego. The program is 18 months for the pre-licensure portion, then we work as RN with a second BSN, while pursuing the Masters portion of the program. This portion is about 2 years and 2 semesters. The pre-licensure portion of the program is $45K (not including living expenses). While the masters portion is somewhere around $25K. The website for the program puts the average cost of the entire program to be $72-82K. I already have a bachelors degree in communication and I am starting to wonder if going the junior/community college route is the way to go for the ADN since I already have a bachelor's degree. My ultimate goal is to be an FNP which is a part of the direct entry program I was accepted into. I guess I am wondering if I should go the junior college route and if hospitals will consider a bachelor degree (BA) and an ADN equivalent to a BSN. I am in San Diego, and I think most of the area hospitals are magnet or becoming magnet, which I have heard compels them to only hire bachelor trained nurses or hire ADNs who are currently enrolled in an BSN program. Again, the reason I am considering this route is cost: The cost for the junior college ADN programs in SD are no more than $5K for tuition and I would budget about $30K to live on for 24 months (not paying rent). So I could be looking at $35K versus direct entry program at $45K tuition plus maybe $20-25K (living) for 18 months totaling $65-70K for the BSN portion. So I could be saving $30-35K. I know this is a long post, sorry! I am 38 years old and I just am worried about the debt I would have to to pay back. I think i would't feel as nervous if I was younger..but I still want to buy a house one day and save for retirement! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
