BSN and RN-BSN nurses

1rarejewel · Feb 7, 2011

For me, I must say I'm glad that I did the ADN route first. There are pros and cons to my decision, but the pros definitely won out.

About my background: Married, 4 children, 1 income, had some classes at a comm. college but not alot. Preferred the faster route because we couldn't afford to be a 1 income household for another 4 plus years.

Pros: Smaller campus, cheaper tuition, closer to home (saves gas and time)

Cons: Some classes may not transfer, may have to take more classes than needed, will take longer to get your BSN.

This is how my situation worked out:

I applied to Madonna (approx $12000-$14000 per year), U of D (was $27000 per year, now $30000 per year), and Henry Ford CC (between $2700-$4000 per year). I waited on all of them but figured while on the waiting list I could take some classes toward my BSN at HFCC. Turns out, by the time any of them got back with me HFCC accepted me into their program. By this time though, I had already complete 2 years of gen ed classes and earned an AS degree. I started the program and after the first year I got a job as a NA because it gave me the qualifications (although not the certification). Turns out that going this route not only saved me money but made me some. I never had to pay for school because the Pell Grant was sufficient to cover my expenses, books and give me a refund every semester, so I have yet to take out student loans. I have my RN license and am working with no educational debt.

What isn't so great is the fact that I have started the RN-BSN program at EMU and I have to have 30 credits from them to graduate. They only required 124 to get your BSN, and I transferred in 126...yeah, I know, overkill...but I wanted to stay busy in school because I didn't want to take any classes during the program that I didn't have to. So now I can finish my BSN in July 2012, which is great...but I have to juggle working as an RN with writing papers and research. That can be good in a way though because I am researching while in practice which I personally can absorb better than researching with no experience. I am such a visual and auditory learner.

If I had gone to Madonna, I would have had $30,000 in student loans after graduation, U of D would have had me in the hole to the tune of $88,000 in loans. HFCC...$0.00 in loans and $1000+ refunds per semester = priceless. On top of which, it's nursing school has a good rep around here, I was able to work in a hospital after the second semester of the program, which gave me a foot in the door to a job as an RN afterwards...otherwise, like many other graduates here I would just be getting started, or still be looking.

Now, I am in EMU's RN-BSN program and I've had to pay $800 in tuition for this semester after Pell paid a bit. Good thing though is that I am part time at work so I have a little more time for juggling school and home. Tuition reimbursement at work should help too...not as much as if I were full time, but not bad at all this semester, as it would have me paying a net of $200 for this first semester. I want to start taking out loans next semester, but that is just to have a cushion for expenses that may come. I am only going part time which will cost about $2100/semester and I don't want to deplete my income to pay for it.

As stated earlier, this was the best decision for me and my family. Others' situations are very different and if tuition costs and desperation for employment aren't factors, a BSN is a very logical choice. Whichever way you choose, just weigh it all out and make sure it is best for YOU. No one else has to live with the regret, nor pay all of your tuition/loans. I'm sure without a family/kids and additional support, I would have gone straight for my BSN...but then again...the cost was a big factor in my decision. HTH.

Happy wishes in your endeavors!