Advice: Traditional BSN or ABSN

[bayarea123]

Hello Allnurses community,

I'm contemplating whether I should finish my bachelors degree and then do an ABSN or just finish the traditional bsn degree. I am in California.

I was at community college for two years under computer science. I took a gap year off school to work and see f I liked the field, and I did not enjoy it. Working in the field for a year really gave me a feel for that career, its not for me.

During this gap year, I was accepted to UC Berkeley. However, UC Berkeley does not offer a nursing degree.

I'm debating whether I should stay at community college a little longer to finish prerequistes (tuition free), then apply to a traditional BSN program, or finish the degree at UC Berkeley+ do an ABSN. ABSN's dont offer Financial aid after the first bachelors degree I hear.

(I have four years left of unused aid.)

Note: For two years at Berkeley I would be taking classes not related to nursing at all, while also trying to finish the nursing prerequistes there (Brutal).

If I stay at community college a little longer, all I have to finish are the prerequistes classes, which I can spread out a bit, without cramming, get some work experience in the field and then transfer directly into a BSN program.

This decision is difficult as a lot of people have told me that UC Berkeley is a great school. I just don't want to be unhappy while I'm there.

What are your opinions? I'm getting mixed opnions from both side when speaking to people I know.

Some people tell me don't worry about loans no matter, the cost. That doesn't sound realistic.

In terms of loans, both will require loans, the ABSN I would probably owe 60k+-120k depending on the program/school and living expenses.

The traditional BSN routes I would probably come out with less debt for sure since I have a four years of unused aid and am low-income.

[CaptCrzy]

Stop wasting time. Just do the BSN program now. Why are you delaying your goals? Go out there and get what you want! That being said: do NOT choose a for-profit school. They will charge you tons of money whereas a non-profit school and/or a public education will not. It is not realistic to think that the amount of student loans doesn't matter: it does.