Confused...please help

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I want to obtain BSN-RN and I am starting fresh. I am not sure how I will do in this field so I thought of doing LVN first at private college. I am time challenged and hoping to make decision wisely. I found out its faster yet more expensive to go thru a private college thru bridge programs rather than community colleges...and another draw back that waiting list for RN programs are in years. I recently spoke to some students who changed school because of waiting list. I am not sure how that works as I have never been enrolled in CC program. I was planning on taking LVN than work for six mons (some private colleges require min 6 most paid exp) and enroll in ADN-RN program for another year...start working as an RN than purse my BSN online...maybe another 2years. Since I am etirely new to medical field I thought working hands on thru step gets me better understanding of the field and getting paid experience..I am estimating this Journey will cost me roughly $60k thru private school. My neighbor is an BSN-RN and she owes close to $100k in student loans and it took her nearly 6 years thru CC and University..she said if she had to do it all over again she would consider bridge programs. I am so confused!!!! My classes are starting soon and as of now I am moving forward than came across this site hoping to get some clarity..

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Specializes in ER, TNCC.

Find out what the prerequisites are for the college you'd like to go to and take them at a community colleg, who's credits they accept. After doing that, you'll only have 2 years to do in a private college to get your bachelors. That's what all my classmates and I did, minus 5 í ½í¸‚

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Are you referring to commercial (for-profit, investor owned) schools when you use the word "private"? If so, keep in mind that the primary goal of these schools is to make a profit - by selling as much tuition as possible. Their marketing efforts and admission requirements are focused on this effort (higher profits). So, they are more likely to target people who are desperately trying to get into nursing school, and aren't in a good position (for whatever reason) to accomplish this in a traditional program.

Nursing education is a challenging process. A significant percentage of students are unable to complete their programs. The most common reason is failure to maintain the required grades.... but they still have to pay back those student loans. All in all, starting your education in an affordable Community College is a much wiser choice. Those credits will be completely transferable so your efforts won't be wasted.

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Thank you so much. I will def do that!!

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So I just did some detailed research and you are right...its makes better sense to go to Community college over private college. It may take little bit longer maybe another semester but I can finish everything under $5k rather than paying over $25K...thats really expensive!!! I read something about there is waiting list??? Hopefully that isn't too long because I know thats what alot of students complain about. Also finishing my ADN will just be another year after that since all the credits count as oppose if I went to Private college I will still need to do pre-reqs. Thank you and I am so glad I am looking over this a connecting with others with experience.

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Specializes in ER, TNCC.
So I just did some detailed research and you are right...its makes better sense to go to Community college over private college. It may take little bit longer maybe another semester but I can finish everything under $5k rather than paying over $25K...thats really expensive!!! I read something about there is waiting list??? Hopefully that isn't too long because I know thats what alot of students complain about. Also finishing my ADN will just be another year after that since all the credits count as oppose if I went to Private college I will still need to do pre-reqs. Thank you and I am so glad I am looking over this a connecting with others with experience.
Some schools do have a waiting list. Here in NYC all CUNY schools have one, which is why everyone just did their prerequisites over there for cheap, got our associates degree and then went to private schools to get our bachelors. Private schools don't really ever have waiting lists because no one is dying to pay $17k a semester (unless it's for Harvard). I know people that had 3.8 GPAs and couldn't get in to their school's program, as they want you to have 4.0's and then you're put on the waiting list.
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