choosing a program

[mombacktoschool]

Its almost time to get registered for classes and I'm feeling uncertain that I am choosing the right school path. All of the advice I have received has been from the admissions office of the schools I am considering attending so their opinions are biased. I graduated from my bachelors program in 1997 with a Biomedical Science degree. I had planned on attending PA school but needed to get some work experience before I could apply. I worked as a Cardiovascular Technician in the cath lab assisting with putting in stents and doing angiograms. I LOVED that job. Then I had my first child, and decided to stay home. She was followed pretty quickly by 4 more so I've been home for a while now. My heart still aches to be back in the medical field and I think its time to take the plunge. I've contacted the community college near me and could start the core nursing program in the fall of 2017. I have very little to do for prerecquisite coursework and they don't care if I took those classes a very long time ago. The core classes will take 1 1/2 yrs to get my RN and and then of course can complete the BSN online while working. Then I spoke to a private college near me offering an very enticing direct entry MSN program. Is it really going to open doors wider for me down the road? I really just want / need to start working and having a house full of kids and being enrolled in college makes me stressed out. I also ready about an accelerated RN program and a Second Degree RN program. I have no idea what route is the best option to get me done quickly, not break the bank ( 2 of my kids are already in private high school) and get me a fulfilling job in a hospital (not a clinic). And most importantly, not be so rigorous that I can't balance home life. The MSN program scares me a bit for that reason. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

[jj224]

Just for the sake of your bank account, I'd recommend the community college option. I'd first look into whether or not hospitals in your area hire ADN nurses. depending on your location, some hospitals hire BSN only. If you can find a job as an ADN I'd recommend that. I know most nursing / rehab centers hire ADN but I'm not sure if you want to do that while completing your bachelors (I know I wouldn't).

The direct entry MSN will cost 70-100k. Not worth it in my opinion. I did that and wish I had done an accelerated bachelors. I think, and I'm sure others will chime in, that should cost you about 40-60k for a 1-2 year program. Again, that's if you cant get a job as an RN in a hospital with an associate's and you'd rather not work at a rehab facility. Many hospitals (I know mine did) will reimburse you up to a certain amount per year for school - ours was 5k or 10k per year at any school, or free if you wanted to go to NP school at the school attached with our medical center.

I'd recommend not doing the direct entry masters. Had I known better, I probably wouldn't have. Debt to income ratio is too high.