BSN Program CUNY/SUNY/Private

waiting4ivpush · May 7, 2017

Hey all! I'm currently looking for a BSN program in the NYC, Long Island/Surrounding area. I have a car for commuting, but don't mind taking the train into the City. My main goal is to come out with the lowest amount of debt as possible.

1) Where did you go for your BSN, and in summary what was your experience like there?

2) What was your estimated total student loan once you graduated?

3) Would you recommend me to apply there based on my stats below? If not, is there something else you would personally suggest? Any constructive feedback is appreciated.

STATS/background

Male, 24 years old, living with the parents in Queens, so expenses are minimal.
Single, with no kids.
My location is a blessing. I'm right by the border of Queens/Long Island, but I can get to the city in less than 20 minutes if I had to because the Long Island Rail Road is down the block from my home. I also live near the 7 train, or have the option of driving.
Part-time weekend hospital employee for the past 6 years. I've worked in all units at my job from ER, to ICU, to a DETOX/Psych Ward, Med/surge, Geriatrics & Hospice, Labor & Delivery, Pediatrics a few times, NICU, PACU, and Telemetry as a Ward Clerk involved with indirect patient care for the most part. Because I work the weekends where it's slow, plus evening shift, I can usually get some study done during downtime. I'm also able to pick up shifts during the week usually. I make decent money to get by but I'm looking to advance.
I would be taking out a loan to help pay for school

School Stats:

Currently a student at Laguardia CC.
Cumulative GPA is 2.5
28 credits
Anatomy and Physiology A-
Anatomy and Physiology II B â€‹(took this during a 6 week semester. Boy was that interesting)
English 101 A-
General Psychology A-
Statistics A-
General Microbiology C+ (I messed up in the Lab section which was like 40% of our grade. I like the subject overall, but in lab I had no idea what I was doing especially for the unknown I had to do which was 80% of that 40%. I was pulling high 80s / low 90s for the lecture exams though.)
General Chemistry C- (Chemistry is not my strongest. My study habits were s**t for this class. Would prefer a BSN Program that doesn't involve a lot of chemistry courses if any at all. If it does I'll prevail and push myself to study harder next time.)
I've taken both the HESI and TEAS V. I consider them pretty standard test. Relatively easy considering I didn't study for them at all and pulled pretty high scores. Although taking Anatomy prior to taking them definitely helped.

I have some credits in a few other classes but they're not worth mentioning since they don't really apply to Nursing / Science fields. I took developmental psychology but had to withdraw the class via approved medical leave of absence but I would have received an A- in it. And I know dev. psych is a common pre-req for Nursing. Just thought I'd mention that. I'm planning to retake it during the summer semester along with another class.