Atl-BSN-DNP Mercer or Emory

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I need some input. I have been accepted to EMORY and MERCER for the adult acute care BSN to DNP track. Both great schools, one expensive and the other terribly expensive. Mercer is 9 semesters and Emory is 7. Anyone have experience with Emory at the graduate level? I'm worried about almost $150K in tuition costs! I also hear Emory gets a ton of assistance with scholarships. Has anyone done a HRSA repayment as an APRN? Some say no one cares where you go to school but I also hear Emory is worth the money. This is a huge decision I have to make alone my spouse isn't in the field so trusts my decision but it's financially massive. Mercer is about $80k.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

I hate to not answer your question and instead suggest an alternative, but perhaps you could avoid spending $150k by getting your BSN first by itself at a lower-cost institution? Direct entry programs are often more expensive than getting to where you want to be in two programs.

Are you currently a nurse? I'd recommend putting some time in as a nurse before you jump into being an acute care NP (if you haven't already). Whether or not it's fair, people have very strong opinions about direct-entry NPs (often not positive ones). It may be best to get some experience first as a nurse, then go back to school for your MSN or DNP. It'll be cheaper, you'll have a better idea if it's the right choice for you, and you're more likely to be respected in the field/competitive in the job market.

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Yes sorry I should have given more background. I am a nurse with 13 years experience and I have my BSN. These programs are doing the MSN and Doctorate coursework together. Emory is just that expensive.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery.

Jeez wow. With that price tag, I figured it was one of those programs that bundles everything together, sorry for misunderstanding. I'm also looking at Emory for their midwifery program, although not as expensive as that, it is still expensive... I will say as someone not from the Atlanta area, Emory has more name recognition in other regions than Mercer - but that may only be helpful to get the first job out the gate. Emory definitely has scholarships but I have no idea how many people get them.

Sorry, I'm not super helpful, sort of in a similar boat. Hope whatever choice you make works well for you and your family ?

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