Need some input please.

[Pjones71]

I am an aspiring nurse at 46. I've been working as an Ophthalmic Technician for 14 yrs and decided to pursue a career in the same field but more in depth caring for patients. I came across Chamberlain University while I'm searching for universities and community colleges. They are offering a BSN degree in 3 yrs at a cost. Factoring in my age and the mandated situation in hospitals for ADNs to acquire their BSNs. Would you recommend paying 88K for a Bachelor's degree? We are not rich by any means , just a very supportive husband.

[AJJKRN]

My other option is to stay at the Community College I'm in and wait until Fall to start the nursing program if I get accepted.

So why not start knocking out your general education credits while you wait.

There are many things to consider like the NCLEX pass rates of the respective schools, if each school is accredited, time, and of course, costs.

Research your area. I'm not sure what you're currently making with your experience but you may discover that it will not be financially beneficial to pursue nursing. Depending on whether you live in a congested area or not even having a BSN may not equate to a job. And if you don't live in a congested area, having your ADN/ASN may be sufficient as a new grad.

Please, please, please do your research though because if the NCLEX isn't passed then you will still have student loans to pay. If you're not hired regardless of the degree upon graduation, there will still be student loans to pay. If a non-accredited school is chosen, then the nursing license will not transfer to other states if one chooses to move. You see a trend in the woes one must consider that schools most likely won't tell you up front before they take your hard-earned money even with being an adult learner!

Oh damn, forgot to say to stay away from for-profit schools too!

(I know you're an educated adult, I was too when I first started my nursing journey and these are all things I had to find out on my own.)

[Pjones71]

I'm done with all the prereqs but I had to retake the Anatomy and microbiology courses. I've taken two courses during the summer and I've just finished my third corequisite which is anatomy 2.

It has been a long journey for me to get this RN degree. I went back to school in 2008, took the courses that I needed but unfortunately I wasn't able to pursue due to other life circumstances. Now I've gotten another chance to pursue my halted RN goal. I'm determined to acquire it whatever it takes. But truly, thanks for your advice.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Don't do it. (private college) The debt is so very much NOT worth it. Wait for state school acceptance. If you have EVERY liberal arts and science course that you'll need, try taking Spanish while you're waiting. (it'll increase your attractiveness as a potential employee). Consider getting CNA training. The hands on care experience will be helpful. (It's very different from the care you provide as an ophthalmic tech...

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

Hell no.

I paid $3k for my entire degree. I'm currently working my way to nurse practitioner and so far its cost about $4000 with approx another $12k to get to the end.

So a total of of $19,000 for my bachelors, masters and nurse practitioner training

I get its your dream, apply to a not for profit school, $88,000 for a bachelors degree is obscene not to mention a massive millstone around your neck

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

That debt will ruin any hope you have of retiring eventually. Also, the interest, you will be paying it the rest of your life as you can never discharge it. What if something happens and you or your spouse cannot work? That debt stress will kill you. You are only 46. You have plenty of time. Do the ADN at the CC. Then when you are working as a nurse you can do an inexpensive RN to BSN or Masters.

[klone, MSN, RN]

DO NOT DO IT. You will have your RN in 3 years from now, starting the nursing program next fall. You can be working as an RN in 3 years, and you can immediately enroll in a BSN program at that time, which you would be able to finish in a year, for $10,000 or under. DO NOT mortgage the next 20 years of your life for nearly $100,000 in student loan debt.

Have you looked at taking a statistics class next spring/summer? That will be a class you can check off your list, as well, since you've completed all your prereqs to the nursing program.

[Scottishtape]

My husband was a degree collector. After getting 2 bachelors degrees, and 2 masters degrees, he racked up around 90k in student loans.

Do you know how much a month we're supposed to pay on it? $1800 PER MONTH. I'm not lying. I saw the number right before I passed out.

We were able to get that down based on our income, BUT, we still pay around $1,000 a month just for HIS loans.

You're setting yourself up for some serious failure by not being willing to wait.

I vote for waiting for the community college as well.

[Ola_la, BSN]

If you already have a BS, go for an accelerated BSN. It lasts 12-17 months, and about 30k in TN or so. 88K is quite expensive, and 3 years is a very long time. A community college degree would take 2 years and cost you less than 20k! And you can still be an RN:) I just turned 37, so I am trying to start an accelerated program as traditional ones are way too long, and I feel like I do not have all this time to waste.

[Pjones71]

Hell no.

I paid $3k for my entire degree. I'm currently working my way to nurse practitioner and so far its cost about $4000 with approx another $12k to get to the end.

So a total of of $19,000 for my bachelors, masters and nurse practitioner training

I get its your dream, apply to a not for profit school, $88,000 for a bachelors degree is obscene not to mention a massive millstone around your neck

Hello! Thanks for your input. The classes for Chamberlain's start in January and that was really an attractive lure for me. But I'm definitely reconsidering.

[Pjones71]

If you already have a BS, go for an accelerated BSN. It lasts 12-17 months, and about 30k in TN or so. 88K is quite expensive, and 3 years is a very long time. A community college degree would take 2 years and cost you less than 20k! And you can still be an RN:) I just turned 37, so I am trying to start an accelerated program as traditional ones are way too long, and I feel like I do not have all this time to waste.

I'm in TX and the slots for the program is very competetive and limited. The lure of having the BSN in 3 yrs and not waiting until Fall of 2018 is very tempting. I'm 46, you can imagine my dilemma.

[Pjones71]

My husband was a degree collector. After getting 2 bachelors degrees, and 2 masters degrees, he racked up around 90k in student loans.

Do you know how much a month we're supposed to pay on it? $1800 PER MONTH. I'm not lying. I saw the number right before I passed out.

We were able to get that down based on our income, BUT, we still pay around $1,000 a month just for HIS loans.

You're setting yourself up for some serious failure by not being willing to wait.

I vote for waiting for the community college as well.

Thanks for the input. I'm leaning towards waiting for the Community College, that is if I get accepted in the program. My GPA is good so far and am about to take the HESI.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Thank you. I'm seriously considering it and I know 88K is a lot of money but for something that I've really wanted I would risk it. But your input is enlightening me. I appreciate it.

There may be less expensive ways to become a nurse. Consider getting an ADN at a community college and then going to work at a university teaching hospital that has tuition reimbursement as a benefit. Your work may pay your tuition. You'd probably owe them a couple of years of employment upon getting your BSN, but it sure seems like a better way to go.