Best Path to RN for me?

[ps3114]

I'm trying to decide what my best path to becoming an RN would be - ideally with a BSN at some point (sooner rather than later!).

I'm 31 and already have a BA in another field. I don't have any experience in nursing/health care yet, but I'm thinking about doing a CNA program and working in that. As far as an RN goes, it looks like my two main options are:

1. Accelerated BSN - total cost of prerequisites + 12 month program = $55,000

The downside to this is that I would not be able to work during the 12 month program.

2. Associates Degree, then bridge to BSN - total cost of 2 year program = $17,000

I assume I'd be able to work at least part time while I'm doing this, and then after a year or two, I could go on to do a RN to BSN program for $15-30K. My hesitations with this is the longer course length, and the fact that since I've already got a BA, I wouldn't want to have to repeat gen ed classes.

So, what do you all think of this? Is it worth the "big money" to go straight to the BSN, or better to take it slow and steady? At this point, I am single (separated) and don't have any kids, so I'm relatively free financially, although the thought of having no income for 1 or 2 years scares me!

Thanks!

[MedicFireRN]

If I were you I would do the ADN program and then bridge to BSN or MSN. Some schools do RN to MSN and actually confer a BSN at the end along with your MSN (I know Excelsior College does this). Then you have the advantage of the MSN, you can put the BSN on your resume but didn't have to jump through anything extra to do it. They also are great about transfer credits. You can work and get experience as an RN while you are pursuing your MSN.

http://www.excelsior.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=c809380f-e51a-42c1-a6a5-e445c3915442&groupId=78666

[ps3114]

If I were you I would do the ADN program and then bridge to BSN or MSN. Some schools do RN to MSN and actually confer a BSN at the end along with your MSN (I know Excelsior College does this). Then you have the advantage of the MSN, you can put the BSN on your resume but didn't have to jump through anything extra to do it. They also are great about transfer credits. You can work and get experience as an RN while you are pursuing your MSN.

I love the idea of doing an RN to MSN and getting a BSN as well! Thanks for sharing about Excelsior - that link was really helpful!

[Elsa15]

I love the idea of doing an RN to MSN and getting a BSN as well! Thanks for sharing about Excelsior - that link was really helpful!

I'm in the same boat- I can either do an adn, absn, or masters enters program. I have a family though- so adn might be best. (Or wherever I get accepted!)

[devorahna]

I was going to do the adn but I just got accepted to the best and cheapest absn program. I'm going to do it because I will be working as a nurse the fastest, and 30,000 of debt is reasonable, while 60,000 of debt (like the other absn programs) isn't reasonable to me! Good luck to everyone!

[MiniNurseintraining]

I got my ADN and went to work. Now I'm using tuition reimbursement offered by my employer to finish up my BSN. It's saving me SO much money and I was able to start working faster.

This is my current prenursing goals

[msjai0456]

I'm having the same dilemma. On top of this I am located in Southern CA, talk about impacted programs. I'm just not sure which way to go. Quitting work is not an option. Thanks for your pov.

[koreanbraves]

same for me as well. I got accepted into an out of state ABSN program and a local techincal college ADN program. I am 25 with no obligation so ABSN would be the best but i would have take out 72,000 loan vs 10,000 going to technical college. but since my ultimate goal is DNP or MSN in primary care, if i graduate earlier and work earlier, the higher salary can cover up my loan... or should i go ADN route which will take 2 years then another 2 years for BSN while working... and then another 2 years for FNP which in total is 6 years of school instead of doing ABSN which is 1.5 years then 2 years for FNP which is 3.5 years...

[devorahna]

If you already have an bachelors it should be only 1 year to complete the bsn after the adn.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the local adn program, and i (again!) reconsidering wether it would be better to do the ADN instead of the absn, because of the loans, even if I go to the cheapest absn i still need living expenses loans, which is going to be alot of loans. SO at the moment I am thinking do the ADN (15 months, there is an accelerated one) do ADN-BSN...this should take 1 year if you already have a Bachelors, and then do the FNP (2-3) years. However, I have kids and a mortgage to consider. I am going to speak to a financial planner about this, but honestly, I believe that the less debt the better, so that in my situation it just makes sense to do ADn.

[koreanbraves]

But its one year from adn to bsn only if you do full time of school. All rn to bsn programs ive seen is at least 2 years part time. So u can work while you do school.

[koreanbraves]

Since you have kids and mortgage, its better to do adn. For me im single with no kids

[devorahna]

This is the program I am considering attending for rn to bsn....which should take 1 year (its local and has a rn-fnp option) Nursing Major: RN to BSN — Fully Online, In-Class, or Hybrid You take one class at a time, and I think the classes last 6-8 weeks. Up to 12 credits for your bsn can also count towards your FNP.

Its will be hard to turn down the ABSN acceptances, I am happy I got accepted to the local absn schools, but not sure it makes financial sense for me!

[DeeninNurse]

I'm in the same position as you. I have my bachelors in sociology and graduated in 2009. I went back to school in 2014 and finally just finished all my pre-reqs for nursing. I'm going the ADN route because I never have taken out a loan in my life. I don't believe in them. After I graduate from the ADN program I'm going to enroll at WGU. I will most likely do the RN-BSN and finish it up in 1 term. I did all my 6-10 page term papers the night before so I'm a speed demon when it comes to writing. From what I hear, that's what it takes to be successful at WGU. The best part is it will only cost you 3k to get the RN-BSN. No loans needed. Win/win situation :)