Cheapest - yet most strongest online RN - BSN?

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

I really want to get my BSN. Only problem is, I'm struggling right now just to keep my household bills paid (mortgage, elec, gas, water, phone, internet) I have most of my education loans in forbearance right now, but I had a loan through the local hospital (that I was working at but it was a horrifying experience so I quit) and haven't been able to touch that bill yet.

In either case though I'd like to get into a RN - BSN online program that will take grants and gov loans - without much out of pocket (obviously I can't afford it).

My husband and I are doing our best to get caught up, we just seem to be chasing our tails - beginning to wonder if we should just file for bankruptcy. But I think if I could get my BSN we'd be better off.

My schedule would easily allow for study time so that won't be a problem. I work two jobs, part time, and do agency work on the side and still have some extra time.

Any suggestions for an affordable school would be greatly appreciated.

I don't care at this point if I literally have to be up 24/7 (I'm an insomniac anyway). But I HAVE to do something soon, I can't keep living this way. Thanks all for listening - suggestions for anything else that might help us out would be welcome.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm sorry I don't know the costs of various schools. You may simply have to contact them and "comparison shop."

But I am very curious as to why you think adding to your financial obligations to get a BSN now would help your situation? If you are close to declaring bankruptcy, then you will have will have trouble getting more loans. Perhaps more important, many of the jobs that require a BSN do NOT pay significantly more than jobs requiring an ADN/Diploma. You would be adding to your financial obligations without seeing a significant increase in your pay.

If you have all that extra time on your hands, why not pick up some extra work and really focus on getting your financial house in order before taking on more debt?

llg

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Agree with llg. Work some OT or a second job now, saving up for BSN school down the road. The BSN isn't likely to help you significantly until you have more experience.

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From reading various threads on Allnurses, it doesn't seem like BSN would pay enough to make the financial impact you need at this moment.

I suggest going here: http://www.creditboards.com/forums/

Read until your eyeballs fall out then read some more. There are some very knowledgeable people on that board that will give you good advice.

Also, try looking up debt snowball. Financial guru Dave Ramsey is most associated with this method of getting out of debt. There are variations of this method so read, read, read.

You'll be ok!

ETA: posted link to their forum

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To answer your questions re: cheap online rn to bsn program-Independence univ, Univ of North Carolina, and Univ of North Alabama. Good luck. I also agree with the other posters that a BSN for the most part isnt going to make you more money. What you can do is pick up extra shifts or work thru an agency.

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University of Northern Colorado http://www.unco.edu tuition for out-of-state students is $236/cr hr.

And since life is already hectic anyway, their RN-BSN program is online.

Good luck to you!

WG

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.
University of Northern Colorado www.unco.edu tuition for out-of-state students is $236/cr hr.

And since life is already hectic anyway, their RN-BSN program is online.

Good luck to you!

WG

Just checked it...must have went up its now $251/cr hr.:madface: Did you do their online program? If you did, & don't mind my asking...how was it? thanks!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in online, NLN approved, and is about $220/hr. Most online schools are on the expensive side. For quality, look for NLN approved. They accept financial aid and quite a bit of us aren't paying anything out of pocket. I took out loans for $1000/semester.

Agree, that you should consider carefully before adding to your debt if it's not going to really help your situation. Good luck.

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Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences in online, NLN approved, and is about $220/hr. Most online schools are on the expensive side. For quality, look for NLN approved. They accept financial aid and quite a bit of us aren't paying anything out of pocket. I took out loans for $1000/semester.

Agree, that you should consider carefully before adding to your debt if it's not going to really help your situation. Good luck.

I wanted to do FHCHS RN to BSN program but i remember the counselor told me it will take 2-3 yrs to complete even with all my prerequisites. I wanted to do it in a shorter period.

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I'm sorry I don't know the costs of various schools. You may simply have to contact them and "comparison shop."

But I am very curious as to why you think adding to your financial obligations to get a BSN now would help your situation? If you are close to declaring bankruptcy, then you will have will have trouble getting more loans. Perhaps more important, many of the jobs that require a BSN do NOT pay significantly more than jobs requiring an ADN/Diploma. You would be adding to your financial obligations without seeing a significant increase in your pay.

If you have all that extra time on your hands, why not pick up some extra work and really focus on getting your financial house in order before taking on more debt?

llg

I also agree, BSN does NOT pay you more. you'll be in ALOT more debt and you won't make that much more to counterbalance that.

do you currently work in the hospital? i know some hospitals have loan forgiveness. are you in a nursing union? in new york, a union will pay for your tuition. ( all if it's a city college, and if it's private school after you finish they reimburse you )

maybe you just need to re-organize your life/schedule. do you live in a major city?

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

No I live in a TINY town. Nope don't work in a hospital, a residential home. I agree with everyone. I'm just frustrated with barely scraping by. I am going to hold off on my BSN for a little while.

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The University of Wyoming online RN to BSN Program is less than $100 per hour. You do have to pay a $40 per hour online fee for each course, but this still makes it the lowest cost program. http://www.uwyo.edu

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