Advice on BSN degree?

HopefulSRNA1234 · Sep 30, 2014

Have you looked at public universities with BSN degrees? I know there are several in Texas. Also, accelerated programs will be cheaper as well (and you get to graduate quicker!). Here is a complete list in the US: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/leading-initiatives/research-data/BSNNCG.pdf

Also, if there's nothing public close to you, you can go out of state! It's a nice excuse to live somewhere else for a year that you may never otherwise have the chance to. I went to a public school in New York and paid out of state. It ended up being 33,000 which is still cheaper than private.

Hope this helped. Good luck!!!

Tehinger · Sep 30, 2014

Thank you very much for the tip, I checked out the info and unfortunately I only have an associates, most accel-RN programs require that you have a bachelors already in something else. =( as for moving , my wife currently holds a stable job, so as much as I would love to move since Austin seems so saturated with nursing degrees, but yet so competitive to get into. I will keep on trying though

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 1, 2014

I understand your frustration. However, you are competing with a huge number of people who are all seeking exactly the same thing -- a low cost, quick admission, rapid BSN. It's like hunting a unicorn. If you want fast entry - you'll be stuck with high cost because those are the ones with the fewest number of applicants. Low cost, high quality programs are besieged with highly qualified applicants.

Have you investigated advancing your education in RT? A BS will qualify you for higher level positions in acute care environments; this is entry level for management. In terms of career trajectory, nursing is not attractive.... there are relatively few opportunities for advancement & salaries top out very quickly.

Tehinger · Oct 1, 2014

Thank you HouTx for your advice, yes I have already looked into getting my Bachelors degree in RT, currently I hold an associates. I was told the only need in getting a Bachelors degree in RT would be to become a manager for the RT department. Although that sounds nice, it would be very limited in which I would see available positions. As for Nursing, I was told by several nurses during my clinical rotations on what available paths I could take as an RN, there are so many departments in which is offered compared to RTs. Also the pay is better than what we make, I was even told by several RTs that nurses make more than us. I do love my field, but I think it would also be extremely nice to have a nursing degree in hand along with my RT degree. Another issue I am starting to realize is that there aren't many positions for RT in Texas compared to Nursing. Most likely I will start from scratch and get my ADN even though there is a waiting list. I just can't justify paying 86K for a BSN. Again all of your comments are very much appreciated and this is why I love the nursing field. All of you are very helpful !